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SCADAlarm™ 6.0 Software Questions & Answers
The following is a list of frequently asked questions and answers about SCADAlarm™ software.
Product Functionality
Operator Customization
Text-To-Speech
Modem Selection
Industrial Application Server and SCADAlarm 6.0 Software
Caller ID
Integration
Product Functionality
What options are available to alert users when a tag alarm value is reached?
The SCADAlarm system can be configured to:
- Annunciate alarms locally
- Provide in-plant annunciation (using an external speaker or amplifier)
- Call voice telephones
- Send messages to pagers or cellular telephones
- Send e-mail
What options are available for responding to alarms?
Operators can acknowledge alarms, request status and numeric reports, or change set-points over the telephone.
How flexible is SCADAlarm scheduling?
The schedule can vary from day-to-day and can include holidays.
What is a system alarm?
System alarms dial out in the event of a server failure, excessive failed login attempts, a bad telephone line and so on.
Can I interface to paging systems using the COM port?
Yes. With SCADAlarm 6.0 software, the hardware for each function has been separated, which makes this possible. The terminal can be connected to serial port using a null modem cable. The connection should be configured as a Communications cable between two computers. You can select this connection as the device type for alphanumeric paging. See the Users' Guide, under Notifications Methods->Paging->Using Paging Terminals for more information.
Does SCADAlarm software support instant messaging or e-mailing to a cell phone?
SCADAlarm 6.0 software supports SMS and e-mail. If your cell phone can receive a standard e-mail, then it will be able to receive an e-mail from SCADAlarm software because the message is transmitted through an SMTP mail server. SCADAlarm software does not currently support instant messaging.
Does SCADAlarm software support the use of SNPP (Simple Network Paging Protocol)?
No, this protocol is not supported because it is not in widespread use.
Operator Customization
What type of customization is available for authenticating and contacting an operator?
Operators can have individual IDs and PINs, two levels of security and a configurable greeting. They can also be authenticated using Caller ID and up to four telephone numbers or e-mail addresses. Each operator has a personal schedule that determines the time, order and method of alarm notification.
Can I authenticate an operator without requiring them to login?
Yes. SCADAlarm 6.0 software enables authentication against a caller's phone number using Caller ID, which enables automatic caller authentication and SCADAlarm system access.
How does SCADAlarm software notify operators when there's an alarm?
Available notification methods include: local annunciation, voice calling, alphanumeric and numeric-only paging, voice paging, and e-mail.
Text-To-Speech
What speech voices are available in version 6.0?
Three voices are included with SCADAlarm 6.0 software. You can configure how the voice will sound to the operator over the phone. For example, you can select a man's or a woman's voice and make the voice speak faster or slower.
Are there any international languages available for the text-to-speech?
In addition to English, Microsoft offers text-to-speech in French and German. Text-to-speech readers for these languages can be downloaded from the Microsoft website at
www.microsoft.com/reader/developers/downloads/tts.asp
Before using the software, you need to install Microsoft Reader 2.0 . After that, you can install the Microsoft Reader Text-to-Speech Package . Please note that Microsoft's text-to-speech foreign language readers have not been tested by Wonderware, but we have received reports that they work well with the SCADAlarm software.
Modem Selection
What modems does SCADAlarm 6.0 software support?
SCADAlarm 6.0 software can be used with devices that support TAPI. TAPI devices include voice modems, professional telephony cards and PABX systems.
Can I use different modems for different SCADAlarm functions?
Yes, you can select different TAPI devices for each of the SCADAlarm functions. For example, you could assign a TAPI data modem for paging (or perhaps just the TAPI null-modem device for onsite paging) and a TAPI Dialogic channel for interactive voice response (IVR), with perhaps the second Dialogic channel for backup.
Can the modems concurrently receive and send messages from different ports?
No, they can only perform one transaction at a time.
What about modems that previously worked with SCADAlarm 5.0 software? Do I need to buy a new modem?
Most of the modems that SCADAlarm customers use are MultiTech, 3Com/USR (0525 or 5605) or one of the IS-101 internals. All of these modems will have TAPI drivers that work with version 6.0 of the SCADAlarm software. The modems that may not work with version 6.0 are no longer available and have not been available for many years. Almost all new modems support TAPI and will work with SCADAlarm 6.0 software. To find out if your modem supports TAPI, go to your modem manufacturer's website. You many need to download the latest modem driver.
Can SCADAlarm 6.0 software send a new page via one modem while the incoming voice modem is active on a call?
No, it cannot perform two activities at the same time. For simultaneous transactions, you will have to run SCADAlarm software on two different nodes.
Can ISDN modems be used with SCADAlarm 6.0 software?
Yes, as long as they are TAPI-compliant. ISDN modems are not usually voice modems. However, they may work for paging. Also, you might be able to place worldwide telephone calls via the Internet using a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) TAPI driver in conjunction with SCADAlarm software.
Industrial Application Server and SCADAlarm 6.0 Software
Can I acknowledge alarms from an Industrial Application Server system using SCADAlarm software?
Yes. In addition, information about the SCADAlarm user who is acknowledging the alarm can be transmitted to the Industrial Application Server, such as Operator name, time and value.
Can SCADAlarm 6.0 software communicate with Industrial Application Server 2.0?
Yes. SCADAlarm 6.0 software features built-in native communication with Industrial Application Server 2.0. The SCADAlarm software can browse Object Attributes from Industrial Application Server 2.0 and acknowledge alarms.
Can SCADAlarm 6.0 software communicate with Industrial Application Server 1.5?
No, it can only communicate with Industrial Application Server 2.0.
Caller ID
What methods of authentication are available with the Caller ID?
SCADAlarm 6.0 software enables 3 types of authentication: Normal, Automatic and Restricted.
The "Normal" login was employed in previous versions of SCADAlarm software and is still available in version 6.0. With the Normal login, the operator who calls into the SCADAlarm software will be prompted to provide his/her operator ID code and PIN. The operator can call from any phone.
The "Automatic" Login is new. It uses Caller ID to authenticate the user. As long as the operator is calling from the telephone that s/he has specified as the voice contact method, they will not have to provide the ID code or PIN.
The "Restricted" Login is also new. This login method uses Caller ID to enable access only to particular users. At this highest authentication level, the operator must call from a number that has been preconfigured for restricted access or approved for automatic login. The caller will also be prompted to provide his/her operator ID code and PIN.
What happens if the Caller ID fails, is blocked or is not available on the phone from which the operator is calling?
The operator will still be able to access the system using the “ Normal ” Login authentication method – using ID code and PIN, unless “Restricted” Login is enabled.
What is Caller ID and how does it work in SCADAlarm 6.0 software?
Calling party identification (CPID), also known as "Caller ID," is the process by which callers are identified by the origin of the call. SCADAlarm software determines the call's origin in collaboration with the local telephone service provider. CPID is not automatically available, as it is an optional feature offered by local telephone service providers.
The SCADAlarm software matches the CPID information with the number that is configured in the operator profile. Operators can specify the number of characters that must match by setting parameters in the software's .ini file. The default is 7, meaning that the last 7 digits of the caller ID must match the last 7 digits configured in the operator profile.
Can I configure the number of digits for Caller ID?
Yes. The default is 7, and you can adjust this value to specify more or fewer numbers. For example, you might want to increase the value to 11 to accommodate a country code.
Integration
What servers can I use to communicate with SCADAlarm software?
Any server that supports Wonderware's SuiteLink™ protocol, DDE or Message Exchange (MX) can communicate with SCADAlarm software.
Do I need to convert my existing SCADAlarm VOX files to use SCADAlarm 6.0 software?
Yes, the VOX formats need to be converted to a RIFF (.wav) file format.
How do I convert my SCADAlarm VOX files?
The SCADAlarm Sound File Conversion Utility (VCONVERT.exe) is provided with SCADAlarm 6.0 software. VConvert allows you to convert different voice modem formats, including VOX formats, to the RIFF file format (.wav) that is used by SCADAlarm 6.0 software.
Is SCADAlarm software compatible with the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system?
Yes.