SPC Connect Communications support

Important

SPC and SPC connect to provide a secure communications path if your SPC system has communicated with SPC connect and updated encryption and the ATS is deleted and readded the systems will be out of sync and must be reconfigured. DO not delete your ATS from the SPC until you have completed all the steps shown below

Step 1 - Have you configured the SPC to communication with SPC connect

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The initial communication is set up using the “Add SPC Connect” button in the FlexC communications section.

The complete set up is done in the one action. The correct URL for SPC Connect is entered automatically along with the correct port number and RCT ID. The installer has no setting to add for initial communications.

The SPC panel should not start communication with SPC connect and view the Status -> FlexC you should see the connection status will start by initializing and then say communications are OK

SPC Connect is added to ATP 1 and the registration Id is generated. This ID is critical as it’s the identifier for the communication to the SPC Connect portal. From the picture below you can see in the status column that it is now saying “Initializing”. The communication is waiting to connect to the portal and the encryption keys to negotiate. After this process which should only take no longer than 2 minutes, the status should change to OK. If it does not change to OK there are steps we can take to first find out what the reason for this is and secondly how to resolve it.
Please note that the Ok status could change to Fault for any reason. The same fault finding processes will also apply in these cases.
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Step 2 - The SPC connect is still initializing

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On the FlexC status for the connection, you see the system is at fault or initializing, this may be caused by a network connection issue. Ensure that the SPC panel is connected to a public network and that the network indication LEDs indicate activity.

Select the ATP log for the ATP and note any of the following errors

  • DNS resolve fail - step 3
  • TCP connection timeout - Step 4
  • Poll transmission failure - Step 5

The first step is to view the APT log for the ATS connection. This can be found on the system status page under the FlexC tab. Click on the ATP log button on the bottom right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select the ATP log button to view the log

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Step 3 - ATP log showing DNS Resolve error

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This error occurs when the SPC panel cannot communicate with the configured DNS server, 

 The SPC connect URL is added to the ATP by default and if there is no DNS or an incorrect DNS added in the SPC Ethernet setting then the connection to the SPC Connect server will fail. By checking the SPC Connect ATP log you will discover this type of issue right away. Please view the log below. An event “System Boot” is trying to be transmitted to the SPC Connect portal but is failing every time due to an incorrect DNS IP address.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Check the network settings to determine if using DHCP or static, this is found in communications -> communications -> Ethernet
    • If Static
      • Ensure there is a DNS entry if blank, enter a DNS e.g 8.8.8.8 (google public DNS) save and reexamine communications status
    • If using DHCP 
      • you will be required to create a telnet connection in order to test the DNS operation, you may not be able to resolve this issue without the support of the network operator, a full guide of how to perform this task can be found here.

  

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Step 4 - TCP connection timeout - Connection closed by other side

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This error occurs when the SPC system is unable to communicate with the connect server, this may be down to a network security setting.

Steps

  • Ensure you can access the SPC Connect server on the same network as the SPC using your laptop (port 52000 - by using a port checker)
    • if not, then the network may be blocking traffic on port 52000 outbound to the SPC Connect server (52.157.236.48). This will have to be resolved with your IT administrator.
  •  Confirm the gateway configured on the SPC system is the same as your laptop, a different gateway may have different security permissions

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Step 5 - Poll transmission failure

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Before proceeding  ensure that the ATP log states the SPC system has a TCP connection OK message

If the SPC system can connect to the server but not send data then the encryption keys may be out of sync, all other steps must be completed before completing this find step. 

Steps

  • Reset encryption on SPC system and then if not successful after 2 minutes reset encryption on SPC connect
  • Access the SPC web page and select the FlexC configuration and the SPC connect ATS. Each ATP has its own dedicated encryption key so make sure you select the correct ATP for the SPC Connect portal. Go into advanced setting for the ATP and click on the Reset encryption button. Again if this does not work then the problem is the connection between the panel and the SPC Connect portal is broken. Check the cable link from the SPC controller to the switch and router. This can easily be dome by a simple ping command to the router gateway address. If you get a good reply then the connection is intact. If you do not, then check all physical links.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • If communications do not come online we will now reset the communications on the SPC connect server. To resolve the Encryption issue, check your account on the SPC Connect server and verify that the registration ID is available. Put the Registration ID into the box shown below and click on the “Reset Encryption Key” button. If you cannot see the Registration key in your account try the same process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enter the registration ID exactly on the ATS for SPC connect. 

If this process does fix the issue then you should see the ATP log highlight the fact. You will receive a Poll transmitted OK and the ATP account code will change from 0 to an eight-digit account code.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Mics - There is no FlexC settings on my SPC system

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FlexC and support are avialable for SPC versions 3.6 and greater please update your SPC system to the latest SPC firmware

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Mics - SPC Connect and Security

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SPC Connect uses the latest and best online security methods available. Please checkout our SPC Connect Security document.

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Additional topics