User Guide

MN914007EN, Version 13

Visual T&D
Communication Server
For use with Visual T&D software version 4.1 or later and SMP Gateway Software and Tools
version 8.1R1.
All brand and product names appearing in this document are the trademark or registered trademark
of their respective holders.

© 2020 Eaton – All rights reserved.

The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

Eaton’s Energy Automation Solutions

1990 5th Street
Suite 220
Levis, Quebec
Canada G6W 5M6
Phone: +1.418.830.5800
Fax: +1.514.227.5256
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.Eaton.com/smartgrid

Technical Support: [email protected]

MN914007EN, Version 13
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Contents
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Getting Assistance .................................................................................................1
1.2 Related Documentation .........................................................................................1

2 Logical Architecture 3
2.1 The Communication Server as a Data Concentrator .............................................3
2.1.1 Real-Time Data Exchange ......................................................................4
2.1.2 Master Protocol Components ..................................................................4
2.1.3 Communication Components ..................................................................4

3 Setting up the Communication Server 7

3.1 Adding the Communication Server as a Data Source............................................7
3.2 Specifying the Communication Server Settings ....................................................9
3.2.1 Creating Master Protocol Instances ....................................................... 10
3.2.2 Device Prefix and Naming Conventions for Data Points ...................... 12
3.2.3 Specifying Master Protocol General Settings........................................ 13
3.2.4 Accessing Protocol-Specific Documentation ........................................ 14
3.2.5 Configuring the Data Points .................................................................. 14
3.2.6 Configuring Communication Links....................................................... 15
3.2.7 Associating Communication Links to Master Protocol Instances ......... 17
3.2.8 Validating and Saving the Configuration Settings ................................ 17
3.3 Updating the Visual T&D Server with the New Communication Server
Settings ................................................................................................................ 18

4 Testing the Communication Server Configuration 21

4.1 Viewing the Communication Server Log Files ................................................... 21
4.1.1 Useful Log Information......................................................................... 22
4.1.2 Additional SMP Log Features ............................................................... 22
4.2 Viewing Protocol Exchanges in Real-Time ........................................................ 22
4.2.1 Useful Trace Information ...................................................................... 23
4.2.2 Additional SMP Trace Features ............................................................ 23
4.3 Viewing Communication Statistics in Real-Time ............................................... 24
4.3.1 Useful Statistics ..................................................................................... 24

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ii ● Contents
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Figures
Figure 2-1 Visual T&D logical architecture ................................................................................... 3
Figure 2-2 Communication Server logical architecture.................................................................. 4
Figure 3-1 Data point naming convention example ..................................................................... 13

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1 Introduction

This document outlines the procedure for setting up the Visual T&D Communication Server
option.

1.1 Getting Assistance

If you have any question regarding the performance, application or testing of any component of
this Eaton product, do not hesitate to contact us. Our staff will be pleased to assist you.
Technical Support
Eaton’s Energy Automation Solutions

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1.877.834.0009
Toll Free: +1.800.815.2258

Business hours are from 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST, Monday to Friday.

1.2 Related Documentation

The following Eaton documents contain additional information about the Visual T&D and the
Communication Server option:
 Visual T&D Installation Guide, MN914009EN.
This document contains all the information required to install, configure and perform the
maintenance of a Visual T&D server.
 Visual T&D Explorer User Manual, MN014001EN.
This document presents the Visual T&D Explorer, an application providing immediate access
to all Visual T&D data points in real time, in a variety of formats, with minimum
configuration effort. It also explains how to configure these data points and the various real-
time and historical views, but also how to set up alarms and events based on these data points'
values.
 SMP Gateway User Manual, MN912001EN.
This document describes all the steps required to configure any model of SMP Gateway, and
to test its configuration. As the Communication Server is based on the SMP Gateway
communication features, and because it uses the same configuration and diagnostic tools, this
document is a valuable reference.
 SMP Gateway Protocol Common Concepts Reference Manual, MN912003EN.
This document describes the concepts and settings that are common to the protocol

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components used by all SMP Gateway models to communicate with most substation IEDs and
control centers, but also by the Visual T&D Communication Server.

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2 Logical Architecture

The Communication Server is an optional component of Visual T&D, which allows you to
connect substation devices to the Visual T&D server without having to go through an
SMP Gateway or an OPC server. This is illustrated in the figure below:

Figure 2-1 Visual T&D logical architecture

The Visual T&D Communication Server, which resides on the Visual T&D server computer, is
based on SMP technology. It acts as a master station in that it polls the substation devices for data
and sends control requests originating from Visual T&D.

2.1 The Communication Server as a Data

Concentrator
The Communication Server acts as a data concentrator or device multiplexer. It simultaneously
supports a specific number of master components, based on your Visual T&D license. Each
component has its own communication link and uses its own protocol, to communicate with one
single device. All data retrieved from the devices is stored in a central repository called the Real-
Time Data eXchange (RTDX), where it becomes available to Visual T&D.
The concept of device is non-existent at the Visual T&D level, which manages data points.
However, a prefix is added to the name of each data point in order to distinguish data points with
the same name, on different devices.

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Figure 2-2 presents the specific architecture of the Communication Server:

Figure 2-2 Communication Server logical architecture

2.1.1 Real-Time Data Exchange

A master protocol component polls a device and stores the data that it retrieves in an internal
database called the Real-Time Data eXchange (RTDX).
The RTDX is much more than a simple data repository. Besides maintaining the current value of
all the device data points, it stores the different types of information than can be provided by a
substation device, such as the quality and timestamp of the data. It also stores information such as
device tags used for control functions.

2.1.2 Master Protocol Components

Master protocol components implement the functions necessary to poll devices and send control
requests. Eaton provides components for most industry-standard protocols, such as IEC 61850,
DNP3, MODBUS and IEC 60870-5-101/103/104, as well as a large number of proprietary
protocols such as SEL, ABB TEN BYTE, Cooper 2179, and others.

2.1.3 Communication Components

A communication component processes the messages exchanged between a master protocol
component and a device. These messages can be transmitted using various communication
methods. For instance, the MODBUS protocol can be used over a TCP/IP network or on an
RS­232 serial link.
A communication component implements all the functions required to communicate with a device
using a variety of communication technologies. The Visual T&D Communication Server allows

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for RS-232 serial communications through Visual T&D server computer's COM1 and COM2
ports, and for RS-232 and RS-485 communication through additional ports if you expand the
server computer's basic capability with a serial port card provided by a third-party manufacturer.
The Communication Server can also poll substation devices over a LAN, using a TCP/IP or
UDP/IP connection.

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3 Setting up the
Communication Server

The Communication Server is installed along with other Visual T&D components and
applications, when it is part of your Visual T&D license.
To set up the Communication Server, you must perform the following operations:
 In Visual T&D Explorer, add the Communication Server as a data source;
 Specify the Communication Server settings using the SMP Config application;
 Update the Visual T&D server with the new Communication Server settings.
These operations are presented in details in the following sections.

3.1 Adding the Communication Server as a Data

Source
The Communication Server is considered by the Visual T&D server like any other data source,
such as SMP Gateways and OPC servers: the data it retrieves made available to the various Visual
T&D components and client applications only if it is added to the data source list of the site
configuration, using Visual T&D Explorer.

To start Visual T&D Explorer:

 On the Windows taskbar, click start.
 Point to All Programs, then Cooper Power Systems, then Visual T&D, and then click
Explorer.
 Specify the user name and password of a valid Visual T&D account, and then click OK.

To add the Communication Server to the Data Source List:

Note: The following procedure assumes that a site configuration already exists on this
server. If this is not the case, or if you want to add the Communication Server to
a different site, refer to the Visual T&D Explorer User Manual, to learn how to
create a new site configuration.

 From the Site menu, choose Edit Site Configuration.

 In the Data Sources tab of the Site view, click Add, and then click Communication Server.

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 If your site configuration contains different data sources, you can add a prefix to the name of
all data points published by the Communication Server to distinguish them from points
retrieved from other sources: type the prefix in the Data points prefix box.

Remember that a device-specific prefix is already added at the beginning of all data point
names.
 If the IEDs connected to the Visual T&D server through the Communication Server are set up
to use local time, clear the Device time is in UTC (GMT) check box, so their timestamps can
be converted properly before being stored in the server database.

Additionally, if the IEDs automatically adjust their clocks for daylight saving times, select
Adjust clock for daylight saving changes.

Note: If you are ready to specify the communication server settings using SMP Config,
click Configure, and refer to the “Specifying the Communication Server Settings”
section, below.

 Click OK.

The Communication Server is added as a data source to the current local site configuration; it
will effectively start to publish data to the server when the configuration will be updated back
to the server.

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3.2 Specifying the Communication Server

Settings
The Communication Server configuration process consists in the specification of the settings for
the master protocols and the communication links instances, using the SMP Config application.
The version of SMP Config that is provided with the Communication Server is a custom version
of the application that serves as the main configuration tool for SMP Gateways. It is accessible
through Visual T&D Explorer.

To start SMP Config from Visual T&D Explorer:

 In Visual T&D Explorer, choose Edit Site Configuration from the Site menu, if the site
configuration is not already open.
 In the Data Sources tab of the Site view, select the <Communication Server> data source
and then click Edit.
 In the Communication Server Properties window, click Configure.

SMP Config starts up in a separate window. Note that you will not be able to use Explorer
until you save the Communication Server configuration file and close SMP Config.

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The SMP Config display consists of three panes. The left pane is a tree of all configuration topics.
The top right pane displays the settings for the selected topic, while the bottom right pane displays
error and warning messages whenever you request that the configuration be validated.
If you expand the Master Protocols branch, you can see that the tree structure offers you a fixed
set of protocols. These represent the protocols currently supported by your Visual T&D license.

3.2.1 Creating Master Protocol Instances

One master protocol instance must be created for each device to access through the Visual T&D
Communication Server. Each device is considered a slave, and the Visual T&D Communication
Server acts as a master when communicating with the device.

Note: The number of protocol instances that can be created is dictated by the
Visual T&D license. If you add more protocol instances than allowed by your
license, the Visual T&D Communication Server will fail to load the additional
protocol instances when it starts up.

There are many ways to add the master protocol instance:

 You can import a master protocol instance form another configuration file (.par) which
contains a similar master protocol instance (same device). This is the easiest way, you can
use the same point list as the protocol instance used to create the new instance.
 You can use a template, which eases the task of configuring the master protocol instance, by
automatically entering the points list for the device. SMP Config provides templates for a
number of common substation devices.
 If no template or configuration file with a similar protocol instance is available, you will need
to enter the points list. If you are configuring a number of devices of the same type, you can
save the first device configuration as a template or simply save the configuration file and use
it to configure other devices.

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To create a master protocol instance using another configuration file:

 In the left pane of SMP Config, expand the Master Protocols branch, and then select the
branch of the protocol for which you want to create an instance based on an available
protocol.
 From the Tools menu, choose Import from File.
 The Open File window opens in the SMP Config directory, select the desired configuration
file, and then click Open.
 The Import Instance form File window opens and the master protocol components using the
same protocol as the selected one are available for selection in the Source selector box.
Select the master protocol component you want to use to create a master protocol instance.
 In the New Instance Name box, type the name of the master protocol instance to create.
 In the New Prefix box, type the device prefix that will be added to the name of this instance’s
data points.
 Put a check mark in the Duplicate alarms box if you want the alarms that belong to the actual
file (if applicable) to be duplicated for the new master protocol instance.
 Put a check mark in the Duplicate sequence of events box if you want the sequence of events
that belong to the actual file (if applicable) to be duplicated for the new master protocol
instance.
 Click OK.

To create a master protocol instance from a template:

 In the left pane, open the Master Protocols branch, to display the list of master protocols
provided under your product license.
 In the left pane, click the protocol for which you want to add an instance.

The list of all defined master protocol instances appears in the right pane.
 From the Tools menu, chooseImport from File .
 Navigate through the directory corresponding to the selected protocol and click on it. The
templates corresponding to this protocol, if any, are listed as .tpl files. Choose the appropriate
template, and click Open.
 In the newly open window, enter:
 The name of the new instance.
The following characters cannot be used as part of an instance name: the comma (,), the
quotation mark (") and the slash (/).
 The device prefix.
The device prefix is a string that identifies the device and is used as a prefix for all of its
data point names. The prefix ensures that every name in the system is unique.

Note: The following reserved words and characters cannot be used as part of a device
prefix: the word “_smp” (which is the device prefix of system data points), the
comma (,), the quotation mark ("), the semicolon (;) and the grave accent (`).

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To create a master protocol instance manually:

 In the left pane, expand the Master Protocols branch, to display the list of master protocols
provided under your Visual T&D license.
 In the left pane, click the protocol for which you want to add an instance.

The list of all defined master protocol instances appears in the right pane.
 In the right pane, type the name of the new instance at the end of the list of names, and press
the TAB key on your keyboard.

Note: The following characters cannot be used as part of an instance name: the
comma (,), the quotation mark (") and the slash (/).

The new protocol instance is added in the left pane, under the protocol type you had selected. If
you expand its tree branch and click an item, the corresponding protocol settings will be displayed
in the right pane.
If you created the instance manually, without a template or configuration file, the right pane will
display empty rows in most data point type branches, since you will have to add these data points
manually.

3.2.2 Device Prefix and Naming Conventions for Data Points

Eaton products assume that you are using a naming convention to identify the data points on your
site. Each data point in the system must be unique. However, you may have several identical
devices in your substation, to which you want to assign the same data point names.
In the example below, there are 3 devices of the same type that each have a data point called
TRIP.

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Figure 3-1 Data point naming convention example

In order to distinguish the data points, Visual T&D uses the following convention:

<Data source><separator><device master prefix><separator><device signal name>

In our example, the data source is the Communication Server, which is located in the Maple Grove
substation. We assigned a data point prefix MapleGrove_ when we added the communication
server as a data source in Visual T&D Explorer. The device masters have prefixes P441_F1,
P441_F2 and P441_F3, to represent Alstom MiCOM P441 relays on feeders 1, 2 and 3,
respectively. Presuming that the separator is an underscore (see "Grouping Data Points", in the
Visual T&D Explorer User Guide), Visual T&D will identify the 3 data points as:

MapleGrove_P441_F1_TRIP
MapleGrove_P441_F2_TRIP
MapleGrove_P441_F3_TRIP

3.2.3 Specifying Master Protocol General Settings

All master protocol components share common settings that define how they interact with a
device.

Note: If you created the protocol instance from an existing configuration file or a
template, the general settings have been defined for you. However, you should
verify the settings to make sure they match your device configuration, and you
should familiarize yourself with the naming conventions discussed in this section.

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To specify general settings for a master protocol:

 In the left pane, click General to display the list of general settings for the selected protocol.
 In the right pane, type a Device Prefix.

The string you enter will be used as a prefix for all the I/O point names of the device. It is
mandatory for each instance of a protocol. It is used to distinguish data point names that are
on the same device type, but on multiple physical devices. The device prefix ensures that
every data point name in the system is unique. Device prefixes are described in the “Device
Prefix and Naming Conventions for Data Points” section, page 12.

Note: The following reserved words and characters cannot be used as part of a device
prefix: the word “_smp” (which is the device prefix of system data points), the
comma (,), the quotation mark ("), the semicolon (;) and the grave accent (`).

 Still in the General settings, enter the scanning settings.

For instance, to configure a MODBUS master protocol, you would provide settings such as
the following:
 A Device Address, typically 1.
 A MODBUS Type, typically RTU Serial.
 A Scan Interval, typically 1000 milliseconds.
A complete description of all settings is provided in the SMP Gateway Protocol Common
Concepts Reference Manual. Protocol-specific settings are described in individual documents,
such as the DNP3 Master Protocol Reference Manual.

Note: The following characters cannot be used as part of a data point name: the
comma (,), the quotation mark ("), the semicolon (;) and the grave accent (`).

3.2.4 Accessing Protocol-Specific Documentation

Eaton provides separate reference manuals for each supported protocols, to which you can refer
for details on the protocol-specific settings.
To access the protocol-specific documentation:
 On the Windows taskbar, click start.
 Point to All Programs, then Cooper Power Systems, then Visual T&D, then
Communication Server, then Administrative Tools, and then click Documentation.
 In the Windows Explorer window that appears, double-click on the Protocols folder.

The Adobe Reader/Acrobat program starts up and displays the document in a separate
window.

3.2.5 Configuring the Data Points

Once you have defined the general settings of the protocol component, you identify all the data
points on the device. If you created the protocol instance from an existingconfiguration file or a
template file, the data points have already been added. However, we suggest you read this section
for your information.

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A physical data point represents a real-life value, implemented on an external device. You need to
identify all the device data points, either manually or using a device template or using a protocol
instance in an existing configuration file.
A logical (system) data point is a value managed by the Visual T&D Communication Server.
These data points are built-in and cannot be modified, but they can be deactivated.
Protocol components support physical and logical data points of the following types:
 Analog inputs
 Binary inputs
 Analog outputs
 Binary outputs
Analog inputs are measured values. The system keeps two values for each analog measurement
obtained: a raw value, which is usually the value retrieved from the device, and a calculated value
expressed in engineering units, obtained using the following standard formula:

Engineering value = raw value X scaling factor + offset

Binary inputs represent the state of a data point. The state is either ON or OFF.
Analog and binary outputs are initiated by the Visual T&D Communication Server, which sends a
control request originating from Visual T&D, to the master component involved.
When you create a data point, you specify the type of data and indicate how the Communication
Server will retrieve it. General properties such as name, type and units, are independent of the type
of device or protocol used. Protocol-specific properties indicate how the Communication Server
will retrieve the data from the device. Each protocol uses its particular form of addressing, such as
index values or data offsets.
For example, to add a data point for a MODBUS device:
 Click on the appropriate branch under the protocol instance.
 In the right pane, enter the name of the data point and fill in all the appropriate settings.

To define a MODBUS analog input, for example, you would provide the following settings:
 The name of the data point, such as BUS_VA. SMP Config would automatically add the
communication server prefix (if you supplied one) and the device prefix to this name,
thereby generating the full name of the data point.
 The input source, such as Input Registers.
 The input format, such as Unsigned Integer.
 The input size, such as 16 or 32 bits.
 The word offset in the MODBUS device memory.
 The scaling information required to convert the raw value to engineering units.
 The Units and Description strings used to provide meaningful data displays.
A complete description of all settings is provided in the Eaton document entitled Master Protocol
Common Concepts. Protocol specific settings are described in individual documents, such as the
Modicon MODBUS Master Protocol Reference Manual.

3.2.6 Configuring Communication Links

A protocol component communicates with a device using one of the following:

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 A serial link.
 Through a TCP/IP network, over a substation LAN.
The configuration of a communications component is completely independent of the protocol
used. Before you connect a device to the Visual T&D Communication Server, you have to choose
and configure the communications link.

Note: The number of connections you can use is limited by the number of protocol
instances provided by your product license.

To configure a serial port connection:

 First, make sure your serial ports are configured correctly for RS-232 or RS-485
communication.
 Click on Serial Ports in the left pane, to display all the available ports.

In the right pane, you will see a list of 128 serial ports, identified as COM1 through
COM128. The Interface setting of those that are not available on your PC is set to
Reserved.
 Your computer's COM1 and COM2 ports support RS-232 communications, so make sure
the Interface setting is set to Asynchronous RS232 for these 2 ports.
 If you are using a serial port card, such as a DigiBoard or a RocketPort, choose
Asynchronous RS232 or Asynchronous RS422/485 for each additional port, depending
on the type of communication used by your serial port card.
 Now, configure each serial port with the appropriate communication settings for the
connected device.
 In the left pane, expand the Connections branch to display all supported connection
types.
 Click on Asynchronous Serial Ports to display the list of available ports.
 In the right pane, enter the settings for the selected serial port.

The required settings are usually provided in the device manufacturer's reference manual:
 Make sure the Link Type setting contains the proper communications interface:
RS232 or RS485.
 Specify the device communication settings: Baud Rate, Byte Size, Parity and
number of Stop Bits, such as 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit.
 Choose the device hardware handshaking mode. Since most devices do not use
handshaking, you should keep the default values: RTS to Always On, DTR to
Always On, and CTS to Ignore.

To configure a TCP/IP connection:

 Expand the Connections branch, and then click on the TCP/IP Masters branch to display the
list of defined connections.
 Enter the settings for the new TCP/IP connection in an empty row of the grid:
 Provide a significant name for the connection.
 Enter the IP address of the device.

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 Enter the logical port number to be used. This information is provided by the device
manufacturer.

3.2.7 Associating Communication Links to Master Protocol

Instances
In the preceding steps, you configured a master protocol component and a communications
component. Now, you have to associate the protocol component with the communications
component.

To associate a master protocol instance with a communications link:

 In the left pane, click on Connection Usage.

 In the right pane, for each master protocol instance under Master Connection Usage, select
the check box under the appropriate connection instance.

3.2.8 Validating and Saving the Configuration Settings

Since configuring the Visual T&D Communication Server can become quite complex, you can
have SMP Config validate the configuration settings to make sure your configuration is
error-free.

To validate the configuration:

 In the Validate menu, click Validate All.

If your configuration contains any error, warning or error messages will appear in the
Messages pane, in the lower right-hand portion of the application window.

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Note: You cannot save a configuration file that contains errors. However, you can save
your configuration file if the message pane displays warnings only.

 Correct any error and repeat the process until the configuration is error-free or contains only
warning messages.

To save the configuration:

 In the File menu, click Save.

Note: Do not click Save As. Visual T&D Explorer assigned a configuration file name
when you created your site. If you now save the configuration under a different
name, you will lose all your configuration settings when you return to Visual T&D
Explorer.

 Now that you have finished the configuration process, close SMP Config.
 In Visual T&D Explorer, click OK to close the Communication Server Properties
window.

Visual T&D Explorer retrieves your configuration settings and updates your local copy of the
site configuration.

3.3 Updating the Visual T&D Server with the New

Communication Server Settings
The final configuration step is to update the Visual T&D server with the new site configuration,
including the Communication Server settings.

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To update the Visual T&D server configuration:

 In the Visual T&D Explorer, from the Site menu, choose Update Site Configuration.

Visual T&D Explorer connects itself to the Visual T&D server, and loads your updated
configuration file.

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4 Testing the Communication

Server Configuration

Before using Visual T&D with the Communication Server, you should make sure the latter is
indeed communicating with your devices. You do this using the SMP Gateway diagnostic tools:
SMP Log, SMP Stats and SMP Trace. These tools will allow you to verify that:
 all master protocol components were successfully loaded;
 the Communication Server started successfully;
 protocol exchanges are taking place between the Communication Server and the substation
devices.

4.1 Viewing the Communication Server Log Files

The Visual T&D Communication Server maintains an internal log of all significant events.
Using SMP Log, you can select and view the various log files in real time. You can also print the
contents of a particular log file, erase its contents or save its contents to a text file for subsequent
analysis.

To start SMP Log and view the log files:

 In Visual T&D Explorer, from the View menu, click Communication Server, and then
click Logs.

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 Click on a log folder in the left pane, to view its contents in the right pane.

4.1.1 Useful Log Information

The following log files contain information that you will find useful for the configuration of your
Visual T&D Communication Server:
 The Startup log records all the steps that the Communication Server performed when it last
started. The log indicates which configuration file was loaded and which protocol components
were configured and started. You should consult the startup log each time you change the
configuration of the Communication Server, in order to detect any configuration problems.
 The Control log records the steps that the Communication Server performed in response to a
control request from Visual T&D.
Other log files contain information that can help you and our technical support team in identifying
problems. You will find useful information on the subject in the "Troubleshooting" section of the
SMP Gateway User Manual.

4.1.2 Additional SMP Log Features

Some other SMP Log features can help you troubleshoot your Communication Server problems
more efficiently.

Note: For additional information about SMP Log features, refer to the “Viewing the
SMP Log Files” section of the SMP Gateway User Manual.

To highlight one or more keywords in the display:

 From the View menu, choose Search.
 In the Search window, enter the keywords to highlight, separated by semicolons.

Any entry containing at least one of the specified keywords will be highlighted.

To remove the highlights:

 From the View menu, choose Cancel Search.

4.2 Viewing Protocol Exchanges in Real-Time

Using SMP Trace, you can view a continuous stream of protocol exchanges between the
Visual T&D Communication Server and the substation devices.
SMP Trace can record the events you are tracing to a text file on your PC.

To start SMP Trace and view protocol exchanges:

 In Visual T&D Explorer, from the View menu, click Communication Server, and then
click Traces.

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 In the left pane, put a checkmark next to items for which you want to view the protocol
exchanges.
If you click on a folder, everything within the folder is automatically selected. Whether you click
on a folder or an individual item, gray checkmarks will appear above the item you clicked, all the
way up to the top-level folder.

4.2.1 Useful Trace Information

Using SMP Trace, you can view a detailed trace of all system activity. The following traces
provide information that you will find useful during the configuration of your Visual T&D
Communication Server:
 Master Protocol traces display high-level information exchanges that occur between the
Communication Server and other system components to which it is connected. These
application-level traces are similar to those provided by a protocol analyzer. They describe the
requests sent to a device and the values retrieved.
 Connection traces display the data being exchanged between the Communication Server and
a device. These low-level traces describe, in hexadecimal format, the byte stream sent and
received from a device.

4.2.2 Additional SMP Trace Features

Some other SMP Trace features can help you troubleshoot your Communication Server problems
more efficiently.

Note: For additional information about SMP Trace features, refer to the “Viewing
Protocol Exchanges in Real-Time” section of the SMP Gateway User Manual.

To highlight one or more keywords in the display:

 From the View menu, choose Search.
 In the Search window, enter the keywords to highlight, separated by semicolons.

Any trace containing at least one of the specified keywords will be highlighted.

To remove the highlights:

 From the View menu, choose Cancel Search.

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4.3 Viewing Communication Statistics in Real-

Time
The Visual T&D Communication Server stores a large number of real-time statistics and internal
counters to help you analyze its performance and assist you in troubleshooting your configuration.
Using SMP Stats, you can view, in real time, various statistics about the communication links and
about the protocol exchanges that take place between the Communication Server and the devices.
You can also print these statistics, reset them or save them to a text file for subsequent analysis.

To start SMP Stats and view the statistics:

 In Visual T&D Explorer, from the View menu, click Communication Server, and then
click Statistics.

 In the left pane, click on the item for which you want to view the statistics.

The statistics are displayed in the right pane and you can see them change dynamically.

4.3.1 Useful Statistics

The following statistic folders provide information on the system activity, which you will find
useful for the configuration of your Visual T&D Communication Server:
 The Connections folder contains counters and statistics about the performance of the
communication components:
 The Network (TCPIP) folder contains the list of all network connections.
 The Serial (Asynchronous) folder contains the list of serial ports. The items in these
folders provide an easy way to monitor the communication status of the Visual T&D
Communication Server. For example, you can look at the Receive counter and Transmit
counter values to determine whether the Communication Server is exchanging data with
a connected device.
 The Master Protocols folders contain counters and statistics about each instance of a protocol
component. Each protocol component contains protocol-specific items that describe the
messages exchanged with a device.

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 The System folder contains counters and statistics about the operation of the Visual T&D
Communication Server software.

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