maxSTATION DBM Version PDF

maxSTATION
Operator's Guide
(DBM Edition)
277557 Rev. C
Use this publication as a source for complete and accurate information that helps you better operate or
service Metso Automation MAX Controls equipment. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc.

1180 Church Road
Lansdale, PA 19446
Attention: Manager, Technical Publications
Copyright © 2001, 2002 by Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc.

Printed in the United States of America
All Rights Reserved
Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc. • 277557 •

ii
Contents
Preface ........................................................................................................................................... ix
Audience ..............................................................................................................................................................ix
Scope....................................................................................................................................................................ix
Editorial Conventions............................................................................................................................................x
Additional Reading ...............................................................................................................................................x
Chapter 1 ..................................................................................................................................... 1-1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1-1
Hardware Environment ......................................................................................................................... 1-1

maxSTATION Hardware .................................................................................................................................. 1-1
System Components.......................................................................................................................................... 1-2
Network Overview ............................................................................................................................................ 1-2
Understanding Subsystems ............................................................................................................................... 1-2
Physical Configuration...................................................................................................................................... 1-3
Operating Environment......................................................................................................................................... 1-4
maxSTATION Software ....................................................................................................................................... 1-4
maxTOOLS (Configuration Manager) .............................................................................................................. 1-4
maxVUE Editor................................................................................................................................................. 1-4
maxVUE Runtime............................................................................................................................................. 1-4
Software Backplane .......................................................................................................................................... 1-4
Chapter 2 ..................................................................................................................................... 2-1

Getting Started ............................................................................................................................ 2-1
Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 2-1

Logging on As an Operator................................................................................................................................... 2-1
Logging out of the maxSTATION........................................................................................................................ 2-2
Working in maxVUE ............................................................................................................................................ 2-3
Input Devices .................................................................................................................................................... 2-3
Using the Mouse ............................................................................................................................................... 2-4
Using the Keyboards ......................................................................................................................................... 2-4
Clicking on Display Buttons ............................................................................................................................. 2-4
Scroll Bars......................................................................................................................................................... 2-5
Working with Pop-up Displays ......................................................................................................................... 2-6
Limiting the Number of Pop-up Displays ......................................................................................................... 2-6
Changing Focus................................................................................................................................................. 2-7
Understanding maxVUE Error Conditions ........................................................................................................... 2-7
Chapter 3 ..................................................................................................................................... 3-1

iii
maxSTATION Operator's Guide (DBM Edition)
Working with Standard Displays ................................................................................................ 3-1
Using the Main Menu Display .............................................................................................................. 3-1

Time and date.................................................................................................................................................... 3-2
Main button ....................................................................................................................................................... 3-2
Alarm Summary Button .................................................................................................................................... 3-2
System Menu Button......................................................................................................................................... 3-2
Last Screen Button ............................................................................................................................................ 3-2
Print button........................................................................................................................................................ 3-3
Silence button.................................................................................................................................................... 3-3
Alarm List ......................................................................................................................................................... 3-3
User-Definable Buttons..................................................................................................................................... 3-4
Clear Point Button............................................................................................................................................. 3-4
Ack Point button ............................................................................................................................................... 3-4
Point Data Pop-up Icon ..................................................................................................................................... 3-4
Point Detail Pop-up Icon................................................................................................................................... 3-4
Point Select Button............................................................................................................................................ 3-5
Using Interaction Pages ........................................................................................................................................ 3-5
Using Pages for ExCEL Programs .................................................................................................................... 3-6
Entering Data .................................................................................................................................................... 3-7
Error Handling .................................................................................................................................................. 3-7
Selecting a DPU or Controller File ................................................................................................................... 3-7
Selecting an Interaction Page ............................................................................................................................ 3-8
Exiting the Display............................................................................................................................................ 3-9
How to Print maxVUE Video Displays ................................................................................................................ 3-9
Printing from maxVUE ..................................................................................................................................... 3-9
Printing from Windows................................................................................................................................... 3-10
Chapter 4 ..................................................................................................................................... 4-1

Using Standard Display Objects ................................................................................................ 4-1
Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 4-1

Point Data Trends ................................................................................................................................................. 4-2
Trend Wrapper .................................................................................................................................................. 4-2
Intelligent Time Stamp...................................................................................................................................... 4-3
Using the Data Trend Tool Box ........................................................................................................................ 4-3
Edit Trend Properties Button............................................................................................................................. 4-4
Saving Edits Online.......................................................................................................................................... 4-4
Configuring History Properties (History Tab) .................................................................................................. 4-5
Specifying Trend Display Shading (Shading Tab)............................................................................................ 4-6
Specifying a Trend Wrapper Sampling Rate (Attributes Tab) .......................................................................... 4-8
Specifying Trend Ranges (Range Limits Tab).................................................................................................. 4-9
Specifying Trend Wrapper Alarm Limits (Alarm Limits Tab) ......................................................................... 4-9
Specifying Live Trend Wrapper Data (Pens Tab)........................................................................................... 4-10
Using the Enable/Disable Cursor Buttons....................................................................................................... 4-11

iv
Contents
Using the Freeze/UnFreeze Scoreboard Buttons............................................................................................. 4-12

Using the Pan Buttons..................................................................................................................................... 4-12
Using the Zoom Buttons ................................................................................................................................. 4-13
Rubber Band Zooming .................................................................................................................................... 4-13
Display Data Table.......................................................................................................................................... 4-13
maxDNA-Style Trend Wrapper Buttons......................................................................................................... 4-15
Understanding the X-Y Plot................................................................................................................................ 4-15
Retrieving Trend-Archive Data........................................................................................................................... 4-16
Understanding Point Select Objects.................................................................................................................... 4-17
Viewing Point Data Pop-ups............................................................................................................................... 4-17
Opening a Point Data Pop-up.......................................................................................................................... 4-17
Understanding Faceplate ................................................................................................................................. 4-18
Recognizing Alarms........................................................................................................................................ 4-18
Viewing Bar Graphs........................................................................................................................................ 4-19
Using Mode Buttons ....................................................................................................................................... 4-19
Using Defeat/Restore Buttons......................................................................................................................... 4-19
Viewing Analog Faceplate .............................................................................................................................. 4-20
Using Faceplate Buttons.................................................................................................................................. 4-21
Viewing Digital Faceplate............................................................................................................................... 4-21
Digital Control Pop-ups .................................................................................................................................. 4-22
Viewing Point Detail Pop-ups............................................................................................................................. 4-22
Point Selection Area........................................................................................................................................ 4-23
Point Attributes ............................................................................................................................................... 4-24
Configure ........................................................................................................................................................ 4-24
Configuration Attributes Pop-up ..................................................................................................................... 4-24
Chapter 5 ..................................................................................................................................... 5-1

Using Alarm Displays.................................................................................................................. 5-1
Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 5-1

Display Types ................................................................................................................................................... 5-1
Alarm Summary Display................................................................................................................................... 5-1
Alarm List Display............................................................................................................................................ 5-2
maxDNA System Alarm Classes .......................................................................................................................... 5-2
Process Alarms.................................................................................................................................................. 5-2
System Alarms .................................................................................................................................................. 5-3
Viewing Alarms .................................................................................................................................................... 5-4
Alarm Summary Display Features .................................................................................................................... 5-5
Alarm Summary Menu Buttons ........................................................................................................................ 5-6
Tools ................................................................................................................................................................. 5-6
Filtering Alarms .................................................................................................................................................... 5-7
Temporary Filter Setting....................................................................................................................................... 5-8
Filtering by Alarm Type.................................................................................................................................... 5-8
Alarm Type Definitions .................................................................................................................................... 5-9
Filtering by Ack_Status................................................................................................................................... 5-10

v
Filtering by Severity........................................................................................................................................ 5-10

Filtering by Sort Order .................................................................................................................................... 5-11
Using the Event Summary Display ..................................................................................................................... 5-11
Viewing Current Events Log .............................................................................................................................. 5-12
Interpreting Events Data Fields....................................................................................................................... 5-13
Changing Event Summary Log Layout........................................................................................................... 5-14
Modifying the Display Presentation.................................................................................................................... 5-14
Changing Event Log Column Width.............................................................................................................. 5-14
Reordering Columns ....................................................................................................................................... 5-15
Changing Sorted Order of Records ................................................................................................................. 5-15
Customizing the Event Summary Display .......................................................................................................... 5-15
Accessing Properties Dialog ........................................................................................................................... 5-15
Changing Start and End Times........................................................................................................................ 5-16
Modifying Event Summary Display Properties .............................................................................................. 5-17
Selecting Filtering ............................................................................................................................................... 5-17
Using Parameterization to Specify Filters....................................................................................................... 5-18
Selecting Filtering Using Right-Click Option..................................................................................................... 5-19
Selecting Multiple Event Records for Printing ............................................................................................... 5-19
Randomly Selecting Items .............................................................................................................................. 5-19
Chapter 6 ..................................................................................................................................... 6-1

Using System Menu Displays.................................................................................................... 6-1
System Menu Overview ........................................................................................................................ 6-1

Viewing the System Status Display ...................................................................................................................... 6-3
maxNET Status ................................................................................................................................................. 6-3
DPU Bus Cable Status ...................................................................................................................................... 6-3
Token Pass Rate ................................................................................................................................................ 6-3
Map and Station Buttons ................................................................................................................................... 6-3
DPU Bus Map ....................................................................................................................................................... 6-4
Using the DPU Bus Statistics Display .................................................................................................................. 6-6
Using DPU Bus Station Status Display................................................................................................................. 6-7
Understanding DPU/Controller File Objects ........................................................................................................ 6-8
Interpreting DPU Display Object Styles ............................................................................................................... 6-9
Interpreting Status Lights .................................................................................................................................. 6-9
Interpreting Information Fields ......................................................................................................................... 6-9
Controlling the DPU ....................................................................................................................................... 6-10
Interpreting Controller File Display Object Style ............................................................................................... 6-10
Interpreting Status Lights ................................................................................................................................ 6-11
Interpreting Information Fields ....................................................................................................................... 6-11
Using the I/O Module Status Display ................................................................................................................. 6-12
Using the Digital Terminal Board Status Display............................................................................................... 6-13
Using the DPU Configuration Display................................................................................................................ 6-14
Viewing the Controller File Status Display ........................................................................................................ 6-15
Viewing Point Summary Displays ...................................................................................................................... 6-15

vi
Contents
Viewing Workstation Information ...................................................................................................................... 6-16

Controlling Report Generation............................................................................................................................ 6-17
Viewing Disk Usage Data................................................................................................................................... 6-17
Using Network Printing Function ....................................................................................................................... 6-18
Using the Printers Tab..................................................................................................................................... 6-19
Using the Assignment Tab .............................................................................................................................. 6-19
Buttons ............................................................................................................................................................ 6-20
Assignment Dialog Box .................................................................................................................................. 6-20
Network Printing Error Reporting................................................................................................................... 6-21
Using the Event Loggers Display ....................................................................................................................... 6-21
Printer Control Area........................................................................................................................................ 6-22
Print Status Field ............................................................................................................................................. 6-23
Print Buffer Statistics ...................................................................................................................................... 6-24
Chapter 7 .................................................................................................................................... 7-1

Using the Operator Keyboard.................................................................................................... 7-1
Custom Keys......................................................................................................................................................... 7-1

Mode Keys ............................................................................................................................................................ 7-2
Setpoint Keys ........................................................................................................................................................ 7-3
Output Keys .......................................................................................................................................................... 7-3
Logic Keys ............................................................................................................................................................ 7-4
Alarm Keys ........................................................................................................................................................... 7-4
Display Keys......................................................................................................................................................... 7-5
Pan and Zoom Keys .............................................................................................................................................. 7-6
Cursor Keys .......................................................................................................................................................... 7-6
Numeric Entry Keys.............................................................................................................................................. 7-6
Function Keys ....................................................................................................................................................... 7-7

vii
Preface
Audience
This publication is written for anyone who operates a maxDNA Distributed

Control System. Use the information presented here to learn how to access
standard and custom displays needed to operate a system. No previous
maxDNA knowledge is required to understand the contents of this
publication. The displays described here are derived from the Metso
Automation MAX Controls maxVUE Runtime package. This book assumes
you have installed the version of maxVUE available with maxDNA software
Release 3, or later.
This publication provides operator information for DPU Bus Module

(DBM)-based systems, which may include DPU4A/4B, Controller Files,
Model 564 I/O, etc. If your installation also includes maxDPU4Es, see
Publication 277599, MaxSTATION Operator’s Guide (maxDPU4E Edition).
Scope
This publication consists of the following seven chapters:
Chapter 1, "Introduction" provides an overview of the maxSTATION,

covering associated hardware and software.
Chapter 2, "Getting Started," describes maxSTATION logon and logoff

procedures, and introduces new users to input device keying conventions and
standard display features.
Chapter 3, "Using Standard Displays" covers the use of standard displays that
come with the maxDNA System.
Chapter 4, "Using Standard Display Objects" covers the use of pop-up

displays and other display objects.
Chapter 5, "Using Alarm Displays" covers the use of the alarm subsystem.
Chapter 6, "Using System Status Displays" covers the use of system

diagnostic-type displays.
Chapter 7, "Using the Operator Keyboard" discusses a keyboard developed

especially for system operation and control.

ix
Editorial Conventions
A variety of editorial and typographic conventions are used in this book to

enhance the presentation of information. These conventions are briefly
described below.
Note: Text preceded with the word Note contains especially helpful
information.
Caution: Text preceded with the word Caution advises you to be aware
of or avoid an action that might have unwanted or unknown
consequences.
<> Text references to PC keyboard and the Operator Console keys
are enclosed in angle brackets.
Example: <Enter> means press the key labeled Enter.
Boldface Menu selections and keyboard keys are all shown in boldface.
Menu choice examples: Print, Main, ACK.
Keyboard examples: <F2>, <Enter>.
Additional Reading
For information about related topics, refer to the following maxDNA

publications:
Publication Book Number
Alarm Message Reference Guide 277558
Model IOP Output Driver and Auto/Manual 277559

Station Operator's Guide

x
Chapter 1
Introduction
Hardware Environment
As an operator, you may view and manage your process control environment
through a maxSTATION, the interface between you and the maxDNA
Distributed Control System. A maxSTATION may be set up as an Operator's
Workstation or an Engineer's Workstation.
The Operator’s Workstation uses maxVUE graphical interface software to

provide a graphical view of the process. The software uses both standard and
custom displays.
The Engineer’s Workstation is used for creating and maintaining

configurations and process control documentation using the maxTOOLS4E
and maxVUE Graphical Configurator software. It is also used to create and
maintain custom graphic displays using the maxVUE graphics editor
software.
In addition to these functions, the maxSTATION collects and manages

process and event history, reporting, and archiving using the maxSTORIAN
history and archiving software.
These software functions can be distributed among multiple workstation

processors or combined into one maxSTATION in a very small system. For a
full discussion of software available for maxSTATION and the distribution
of system resources, see Publication 277606, System Resources User’s
Guide.
maxSTATION Hardware
The maxSTATION processor is an 800 MHz Pentium® III processor, or

greater. If the maxSTATION software is version 3.0 or greater, then the
required operating system is Microsoft Windows 2000®; if the
maxSTATION version is less than 3.0, then the operating system is
Microsoft Windows NT 4.0®. The maxSTATION consists of the following
hardware components and peripherals:

1-1
§ 128 MB RAM, or greater

§ 12 GB EIDE hard disk drive, or greater
§ CD-ROM disk drive
§ 1.44 MB 3-1/2 inch floppy disk drive
§ Redundant Ethernet adapters (for maxNET communications)
§ SVGA adapter (color video display adapter, providing a pixel
resolution of 1,024 x 768 at 65,536 colors)
§ SVGA color monitor - 17”, and 22" screens available (with optional
touchscreen)
§ Mouse or trackball (pointing device)
§ QWERTY and/or Operator keyboard
§ Optional hardware: modem, third Ethernet adapter, CD-R/W drive
System Components
The full maxDNA Distributed Control System consists of one or more

maxDNA Remote Processing Units (RPUs) cabinets containing the
following:
§ maxDPU4E Distributed Processing Units (DPUs), the process

controller, provides control and data acquisition functions.
§ Input/Output devices (I/Os) for monitoring and controlling the actual
process.
§ One or more maxSTATIONs configured as operator or engineer
workstations.
Network Overview
MaxDNA uses a client/server architecture. The DBM, acting as a server,

collects information from DPUs on the DPU Bus, stores it, and ultimately
transfers the information to the appropriate maxSTATION clients. The
collected data is comprised of alarm, event, trend, historical and general
point information.
The DBM communicates with the DPU via the DPU Bus. The DPU Bus
consists of electrical and optical cables, and Optical Electrical Interface
(OEI) couplers. The DPU Bus is designed with two totally redundant paths
for communication. If one path fails, the other will handle all communication
tasks with no loss of communication or DPU Bus performance.
maxSTATIONs and DBMs communicate with one another via maxNET. The
maxNET Network is a fully redundant 10/100 Mb per second Ethernet
network using industry standard TCP/IP protocol for communications
between Workstation clients and servers.
Understanding Subsystems
A maxDNA system is composed of subsystems. A subsystem database,

created in maxTOOLS, consists of hardware resources and control points.

1-2
Introduction
One subsystem is permitted per pair of DPU Bus Modules, which may serve
a group of Remote Processing Unit (RPU) cabinets. A maxDNA system may
have up to eight subsystems. Subsystems are a convenient way to represent
the components of a typical process control system. In a power generating
plant, for instance, one subsystem could represent a burner management
strategy, another a boiler control strategy, and so forth.
Use maxTOOLS to define and maintain the maxDNA system resources and
the point database.
System resources consist of:

§ DPU Bus
§ DPU Bus Modules
§ Remote Processing Unit (RPU) hardware, consisting of Distributed
Processing Units (DPU), I/O Modules, power supplies, etc.
Control points consist of the following:

§ Control Blocks
§ Data Blocks
§ Analog/Digital I/O Buffers
§ Variables
§ IEC 1131-3 programs
Operators may view points from any subsystem at any Operator's

Workstation provided the subsystems and Operator's Workstation are
attached to the same maxNET network.
Multiple subsystems can share a common maxNET Network, which allows

each maxSTATION to have secure access to any point in any subsystem.
A maxSTATION can:
§ Display real time data from any DPU in any subsystem on the
maxNET Network in a single graphic display.
§ Display trend or X-Y data from any DBM in any subsystem on the
maxNET Network in a single display.
§ Access all control loops on the maxNET Network.
§ Display the current alarm summary display from all subsystems on
the maxNET Network.
Physical Configuration
maxSTATION components, normally located in a control room, can be

packaged in either a cabinet, a work desk, or a combination of both.
Normally, RPU cabinets are located close to the processes they are
monitoring and controlling.

1-3
Operating Environment
If the maxSTATION software is version 3.0 or greater, then the required
operating system is Microsoft Windows 2000®; if the maxSTATION version
is less than 3.0, then the operating system is Microsoft Windows NT 4.0®.
The Windows video display is called the “desktop.” Icons representing files,
folders or programs may be placed on the desktop. A “window” is opened for
each individual program (often called an application) that is executed.
Multiple windows can be open simultaneously, be moved and resized, as
desired.
maxSTATION Software
The following software applications may be installed on one or more
maxSTATIONs in the maxDNA Distributed Control System.
maxTOOLS (Configuration Manager)
maxTOOLS is the software application configuration engineers use to create

and maintain the Remote Processing Unit’s (RPU) hardware, control, and
data acquisition configuration, including Control and Data Blocks, IEC 1131-
3 programs, and I/O functions. This application is executed only in an
Engineer’s Workstation.
maxVUE Editor
The maxVUE editor is the software application programming engineers use

to create and maintained custom graphic displays the operator uses to view
and control the process. This application is executed only in an Engineer’s
Workstation.
maxVUE Runtime
maxVUE runtime is the software application that uses displays created with
the maxVUE editor. It is executed in both the Operator’s and the Engineer’s
Workstations.
Software Backplane
The software backplane is the maxDNA distributed communications

infrastructure software. This API, residing on each maxSTATION, is
responsible for transferring client data requests to the provider, which, in
turn, provides the data to the client. API services include:
§ Connect
§ Register
§ Subscribe

1-4
Introduction
§ Read
§ Write
The software backplane includes the Real-Time Gateway, the interface to the
DPU Bus Module used to send and receive data from the DPUs in the RPU.
The software backplane also includes the local status server, an application
which keeps and provides information about relevant processes (including
reporting any identified alarm conditions) using the software backplane.

1-5
Chapter 2
Getting Started
Overview
This chapter shows you how to log on and off of the maxSTATION and how
to navigate around standard displays and menus. After you successfully log
on, take a few moments to acquaint yourself with maxSTATION input
devices, standard displays and menus, and menu buttons.
Because of the configurability of the maxDNA System, it is impossible to

describe your individual system precisely. Displays discussed in this
publication are presented only as typical examples. You may or may not have
these displays on your system, but the examples presented here will help you
understand how to use the system and access information.
Logging on As an Operator
As an operator, you may access and view displays that are part of the
maxVUE Runtime application. To access these displays, you must be logged
on as an operator.
Windows recognizes different user account classes. These classes include

Administrators, Guests, and Users, as well as operators. Each of the classes
has different privileges. When new user accounts are created, they are
assigned to one or more groups, which control the privileges of that account.
Each account has a password that allows access to the computer functions
under the Windows operating system.
Each account has a profile that maintains information about the desktop for
that account. These profiles contain information about what icons should
appear on the desktop and what programs should be accessible from the Start
menu, in addition to other information.

2-1
Two default accounts are always available in Windows: “administrator” and

“guest.” The administrator account is used for administration purposes,
including user administration, hardware and software administration, and
diagnostic testing. Guest account is a general-purpose account that allows
persons who do not have an account on the machine to use it with limited
privileges.
To log on as an operator:
1. Turn on the computer and monitor, if they are not already turned on.
When you turn the computer on, it goes through its normal boot up
routines. When the computer finishes its start up procedures, the
Windows Auto Logon Dialog appears.
2. Press <Ctrl + Alt + Delete> keys to open the Logon Dialog.
3. Enter your name and password to open the User Profile Dialog.
4. Click the Operator icon and click the Logon button.

After logging on as “operator”, the maxSTATION Startup Window
appears and automatically starts up the underlying system and software
backplane logic. You will see a series of messages such as the following:
MCS Registry Editor at 05/16/98 07:11:22
maxRRS at 05/16/98 07:11:22
MAX1000 Local Status Server at 05/16/98 07:11:23
maxINIT at 05/16/98 07:11:24
MCS Real Time Gateway at 05/16/98 07:11:24
MAX Merge Alarm at 05/16/98 07:11:24
Xfertool (No Window) at 05/16/98 07:11:24
Startup Done at 05/16/98 07:11:25
After this startup is completed, this window minimizes itself and
maxVUE Runtime starts up automatically.
When maxVUE Runtime starts up, the Logo display appears. Notice the
animation at the center of the display. Click anywhere on the display (but
away from the animation area) to open the next display, usually the Main
menu display. You may now begin to work in maxVUE.
Logging out of the maxSTATION

When you are logged on as an operator, your ability to shut down the station
or to change applications is restricted.
To shut down the Operator's Workstation:
1. While holding down the <Alt> key, repeatedly press the <Tab> key until
the maxSTATION Startup application appears in the dialog box.

2-2
Getting Started
2. Click the Stop Station button and wait for the station to completely shut
down.
3. Press <Ctrl><Alt><Del> to bring up the dialog box.
4. Enter the supervisor password, set during the installation process, and
click End Session.
A dialog box appears presenting you with the following three choices:
G Logoff and logon as another user

G Shut down and reboot
G Shut down machine
Working in maxVUE
maxVUE runs as a standard Windows application and responds to the mouse
and keyboard like any other Windows package. Within maxVUE, you may
use mice or equivalent pointing devices to click display buttons to move
between displays, perform control functions, and respond to alarm
conditions. Buttons and other Windows features you will use, such as dialog
boxes and scroll bars, are discussed in this chapter.
Input Devices
The maxSTATION accepts a variety of input devices including:

§ Mouse
§ Trackball
§ Touch screen
§ Keyboard
While this publication only describes mouse operation, mouse instructions

also can apply to a trackball. The primary mouse button is ordinarily the left
button. Whenever a mouse button is referenced with no right, left or center
designation, the left mouse button is assumed.
The mouse is used to position the “pointer” over the desktop. The pointer is
normally a small white arrow pointing to the left of vertical. The pointer is
used to select objects or perform actions in combination with the mouse
buttons or keyboard keys.
Note: In this publication, the term “pointer” is used to refer to the “mouse
pointer.”

2-3
Using the Mouse
To take some display-related action, you typically point to a menu item or

screen button using a mouse (or other pointing device) and press or "click"
the left mouse button to select a choice. (On a touch screen, the display
should be touched.) In some instances, you will make a selection or perform
some action by clicking the mouse button twice in rapid succession; this is
referred to as a "double click." On a touch screen this is accomplished by
tapping the display twice.
To right-click means to press the secondary mouse button. To drag an object,

click and, while holding down the left mouse button, move the mouse
pointer. When the object is where you want it, release the mouse button. To
right-drag an object use, the same method except hold down the right mouse
button.
To select a block of text with the mouse, click the beginning of the block,
and hold down the mouse button while you move the mouse pointer to the
end of the block. Then release the mouse button. To right-select, follow the
same procedure but use the right mouse button.
Using the Keyboards
The maxSTATION can use both a normal QWERTY (Engineer’s) keyboard

and an Operator’s keyboard. The Engineer’s keyboard is required in an
Engineer’s Workstation and is optional in an Operator’s Workstation. The
Engineer’s keyboard is used to enter text and perform other functions with
special keys or combinations of keys. The Operator’s Keyboard has
dedicated keys used to perform specific tasks such as acknowledging alarms
or taking control actions. All of the functions defined for the Operator’s
keyboard can be performed by an Engineer’s keyboard using combinations
of keys.
Clicking on Display Buttons
Using a mouse pointing device or equivalent pointing device, you may click
on a display button to perform some action. Buttons, featured on graphics
screens, appear raised from the normal background. When you point to a
button and click on it using the mouse, it appears to depress and often
changes color. In Metso Automation MAX Controls standard displays,
buttons are used to move from display to display, initiate edit actions, or
other operator interface functions. They are usually rectangular in shape with
text or arrows imprinted to indicate their function.
Responding to Dialog Boxes
Dialog boxes allow the system to prompt you for information. Whenever the
system needs more information to proceed, a dialog box pop-up appears. A

2-4
Getting Started
dialog box consists of a rectangular window display containing fields for

accepting information. It also includes OK and Cancel buttons.
Typing information and pressing <Enter> on the keyboard, or clicking on

OK, will cause the system to access and process the information you have
typed. Clicking on Cancel will make the dialog box disappear without
accepting information that you may have entered.
Sometimes you will see option boxes inside a dialog box. Option boxes are
small square boxes, which may contain a check. They are used to select
particular options that may be available to you. There is generally text
adjacent to the option box indicating its function. To change the current
selection of an option box, simply click on the box. If a check appears in the
box, it will disappear; if there was no check, one will be placed there. If the
text at the side of the box is gray instead of black, that option box is not
available, and you will not be able to change it.
Scroll Bars
The scroll bar is another common Windows element sometimes seen in

dialog boxes. The scroll bar allows you to browse through a list of choices. A
typical example would be a scroll bar that allows you to select an existing
filename. This might be encountered while loading a live display, for
instance.
The scroll bar appears in a display as a vertical or horizontal bar; an arrow

appears at each end of the bar. In addition to the arrows, the bar features a
device called a slider. The slider is a square box than can be positioned at any
location inside the bar between the arrows. The position of the slider in the
bar indicates your relative position in a list next to the scroll bar. (A
scrollable list typically appears next to the scroll bar.) For instance, if the
slider is halfway between the two arrows, you have moved about 50 percent
through the list. If the slider is near the top or right arrow, you are at the
beginning of the list.
To make the text list scroll up or down, use one of the three following
methods:
Method 1: Click on the arrows; this will make the list scroll up
or down by one item, or if an item is selected
(highlighted), it will move the selection up or down
by one item.
Method 2: Click on the area between an arrow and the slider;

this will make the list scroll by one page. If you click
above the slider, the list will page toward the
beginning. If you click below the slider, the list will
scroll toward the end.
Method 3: Click on and hold on the slider. Move it. If you

position the mouse cursor on the slider and then hold

2-5
the mouse button down, you will be able to move the

slider anywhere in the scroll bar. Use this method to
rapidly move the list up and down. This is often the
quickest way to go to the beginning or end of the list.
Once the desired item is in view, you may select it by clicking on it. This will
cause the item to be highlighted. Once the item is highlighted, click on an
OK button to perform some action on the item. Alternatively, you may also
double click on the item instead of using the OK button.
Working with Pop-up Displays
Pop-ups are rectangular display windows that temporarily overlay parts of

whatever display you are currently viewing. They are normally used to
display messages and information related to current events in the system.
Many pop-ups will have a title bar. A title bar is a line of text at the top of the
pop-up. If a pop-up has a title bar it can be moved on the display to any
position you like. To move a pop-up:
1. Rest the mouse pointer over the title bar.
2. Press and hold down the left mouse button (this is a click-and-hold
operation).
3. Move the mouse to the desired position; notice that a box the size of the
pop-up moves with the mouse.
4. Release the mouse button and the pop-up will move to its new location.
Limiting the Number of Pop-up Displays
By default, the number of pop-ups that may be concurrently opened on your

screen is not limited. However, if the registry setting, “Limit maxVUE
Runtime Pop-ups” is set to a non-zero setting in MCS Registry Edit, the
number of pop-ups you are permitted to open concurrently is limited. The
maximum limit equals the number entered for this registry setting.
Should you request a pop-up that exceeds the permitted limit, the following
message appears:
See Publication 277594, maxSTATION Auxiliary Functions User's Guide for

a description of this setting.

2-6
Getting Started
Changing Focus
Since a pop-up can have a title bar, it can also be in or out of focus. Focus is
a Windows term describing the current location of input. Suppose, for
example, you have several pop-ups on the screen at one time. The currently
active pop-up (the one with which you have been changing setpoints, for
example), is said to be in focus. It is designated by having a colored title bar.
The rest of the items on the display will have white title bars. It is possible to
change the focus by clicking on another pop-up. When you do this, the
current pop-up's title bar will lose its color, and the pop-up you click on will
become the new focus. Once you have done this, the new pop-up is eligible
to accept input.
Often these screen items will be pop-ups, but some of the other screens, such
as alarm summary and system status display also have title bars and can be
considered screen objects.
Only a display item in focus can accept input from the keyboard, mouse or
touch screen. This means that when you click on a display button, or do some
other action on a screen item, that item is given the focus. The item in focus
is also brought to the top of a stack of items, if there were other items on top
of it.
To place an item in focus you must be able to click on some part of it. It is
possible, however, to bury a desired item under several other display
elements, making it totally invisible. This will happen, for instance, if you
bring up a faceplate, and then ask for a detail display. The detail display will
completely cover the faceplate. To look at that faceplate again, you will have
to close the detail display.
Understanding maxVUE Error Conditions

At times, a display will report an error condition affecting the entire display
or just part of the display. To indicate an error condition, diagonal lines are
placed over part or all of the display. The diagonal lines, referred to as
striping, appear when a display, or fields within a display, cannot obtain data
from the real-time system. This may occur because the DBM or DPU has
malfunctioned or was taken out of service. Striping may also occur when a
point name attribute does not exist. See Fig. 2-1.

2-7
Figure 2-1. Display Showing Error Condition
When striping occurs, place the mouse pointer over the striped area to read
an error message placed in the ToolTip, a yellow rectangular box containing
instructional information. The following is a listing of typical error messages
that may appear in a ToolTip:
The RRS has not yet initialized.
Not sufficient memory to initialize operation.
The Connect ID specified is invalid or does not belong to the

calling process.
The specified subscription ID was not found or did not belong

to the process.
The provider process disconnected.
The service specified was not found to be registered.
The service specified was found but does not belong to the
calling process.
SBP Error - Cannot perform specified operation.
The SBP has returned an undocumented error code
SBP Warning error message
SBP W Message had timed out
SBP Error on Callback
SBP Error Timeout

2-8
Getting Started
SBP Error Authentication Rejected
SBP Error - Operation Disallowed
SBP Error - Member not found
SBP Error - Duplicate Register
SBP Error - Registration Error
SBP Error - Destination Unavailable
SBP Error - Mode Disallows Operation

2-9
Chapter 3
Working with Standard Displays
Using the Main Menu Display

The Main Menu display serves as your interface to the rest of the displays in
the system. The Main Menu that comes with the maxVUE Runtime package
is really a starting point for creating your own custom main menu. The center
portion of the display instructs you to replace this menu with your own
customized version.
As supplied, the main menu consists of horizontal and vertical toolbars

containing buttons that open standard displays, such as the System Status
display and the Alarm Summary display. The vertical toolbar also includes
an alarm list area. The horizontal toolbar provides an area for user-defined
buttons. The following sections define the function of each of the standard
buttons.
Figure 3-1. Main Menu Template

3-1
Time and date
The time and date appear in a box in the upper right-hand corner of the ver-
tical toolbar.
You may change the time within the same day at any Operator's Workstation.
To make large changes to time (changing date or time zone), you must reboot
all DBMs to DOS at the same time and enter a new time, then change all
workstations and reboot the DBMs.
Through a time synchronization feature, maxSTATION time is synchroniz-

ed with DBM time. In order for “timesync” to be active, the maxSTATION
must be set within 24 hours of the DBM time. Differences of less than 10
seconds are handled by adjusting the clocks gradually until they synchronize.
For times greater than 10 seconds, the DBM time is jammed into the
maxSTATION time.
Additionally, the DBMs synchronize among themselves. The lowest IP ad-

dress DBM will become the system master, and all times will be derived
from it.
To change the time at an Operator's Workstation:
1. Click inside the time window to access a pop-up dialog box.
2. Adjust the time using the up and down arrows.
Main button
Returns to the Main Menu display, regardless of the display.
Alarm Summary Button
Opens the Alarm Summary display, used to view acknowledged and

unacknowledged alarms of all severities. The Alarm Summary display is
described more fully in Chapter 5.
System Menu Button
Opens the System Menu display containing a collection of large buttons for
accessing various system-related displays. The System Status (DBM)
Button, one of the buttons, lets you access the System Status display, used to
view the DPU Bus and maxNET status. From this display, you can access
other system displays described more fully in Chapter 6, "Using System
Status Displays."
Last Screen Button
Retrieves the last display you were using before you got to the Main Menu.
For instance, when you click on the Logo display, the Main Menu appears.

3-2
When you point and click on the Last Screen button, the Logo display
reappears. Note that if you press Last Screen twice you will return to your
starting point.
Print button
Prints the screen if you use the Network Printing option or a graphics printer
connected to your LPT1 port on the maxSTATION. The printer must be
configured as your default Windows printer.
Silence button
Click this button to silence an audible signal originating in a maxSTATION

equipped with a sound board and speakers. The audible signal indicates that
an alarm has occurred for a point assigned to a pre-defined hierarchical
group. To implement alarm annunciation, hierarchical groups must be first
defined in maxTOOLS.
Note: maxSTATIONs not equipped with sound boards and speakers may be
configured to silence alarms occurring at a maxSTATION playing the sound.
Alarm List
The Alarm List display shows the most recent acknowledged and
unacknowledged alarms (with the highest severity) from the maximum
10,000 alarms in all the DBM database (subsystems). Alarms appear inside a
window at the lower part of the Vertical Toolbar. By default, the Alarm List
window can display up to 20 alarms, however, the window may be
configured to display from 1 to 40 alarms.
Click the Ack Top button, appearing at the top of the Alarm List
window, to acknowledge the top-most alarm in the list. If an audible alarm is
equipped, this action will silence the audible alarm. See "Silence Button."
Unacknowledged alarms are displayed in their corresponding alarm severity

color combination; acknowledged alarms are in white text on a black
background.
Unacknowledged alarms appear at the top of the list followed by

acknowledged alarms; within these groups alarms are furthered ordered from
top to bottom by severity and time.
You may select points from the list to access another display or for control
action. When selected, the tagname of the selected point will appear on the
Point Select Button on the Horizontal Toolbar. See "Point Select Button,"
later in this chapter.

3-3
User-Definable Buttons
The horizontal toolbar features 10 gray, user-definable buttons on the left of

the toolbar. They are defined in the maxVUE editor. By default, the toolbar
features 10 buttons, however, you may define as many or as few as desired.
You are only limited by available space on the toolbar. If used, they should
be labeled. One possible use of these buttons, for instance, would be to call
up a display.
Clear Point Button
Clears the currently selected point indicated on the Point Select button.
Ack Point button
This button acknowledges any alarm that exists for the point currently
selected.
If an audible alarm has been equipped, this action will silence the audible
alarm. See "Silence Button."
Point Data Pop-up Icon
Click this icon to open a Point Data Pop-up showing an overview for
a selected point. If no point is currently selected, click the Point Select
Button beneath the Clear Point button to open a dialog box to enter a tag
name. You may also select a point by clicking a tagname in the Alarm List.
When you select a point, the tagname appears in the Point Select button. See
Chapter 4, "Using Standard Display Objects."
Point Detail Pop-up Icon
Click this icon to open a full-screen, detail display of the selected point. If no
point is currently selected, click the Point Select Button beneath the Clear
Point button to open a dialog box to enter a tagname. You may also select a
point by clicking a tagname in the Alarm List. When you select a point, the
tagname appears in the Point Select button. See Chapter 4, "Using Standard
Display Objects."
The detail display contains all editable attributes for a point, such as limits,
constants, setpoint, present value, output value, digital message, sequencer
message, etc. If appropriate, the display also contains a bar graph of the more
important point attributes and their limit indicators.
This display also features a Configure button to access the Configuration

Pop-up. From this pop-up, you may edit point configuration fields, such as
Past Run Mode, Forceback, etc.

3-4
Depending on the point type, some of the above-mentioned data will not be
available. Refer to Chapter 4, "Using Standard Display Objects," for more
information about individual point types and their graphics displays.
Point Select Button
Opens a Point Selection dialog box. Enter a point name and click ok to select
a point. When you make your selection, the point name appears on the button
face. You may now click the Point Data Pop-up or Point Detail Pop-up icons
to view these respective displays to access information for the selected point.
Using Interaction Pages

Interaction Pages lets you view configuration data and system statistics
stored in a DPU or Controller file. You may view up to 13 interaction pages
per DPU or 8 interaction pages per Controller File.
Figure 3-2. Interaction Page Display
To access interaction pages:
1. Click the System Status button on the standard Vertical Toolbar to open
the System Status display.
2. Click the Int Page button appearing on the Horizontal Toolbar.

3-5
Note: You may also access this display from the Station Status and DPU
Configuration displays. See "Using DPU Bus Station Status Display" and
"Using the DPU Configuration Display" in Chapter 6.
The display contains a viewing area for the Interaction Page and buttons to
select the station (DPU or Controller File) and Interaction Page number. The
upper viewing area also contains a banner, titled Interaction Page, Station
Name and Page Number fields.
The following Interaction Page displays are available:
Page Display Description
Interaction Page 8 I/O Status and Event Queue Pointer display for the
selected DPU. Any I/O addresses with errors will
show up in inverse colors. The contents of
Interaction Page 8 are defined by the status field of
Interaction Page 9. Normally this field is configured
with a value of 10. What is seen on Interaction Page
8 is the contents of Interaction Page 10.
Interaction Page 9 DPU configuration display, Interaction Page 9

shows DPU status and configuration. This page can
be used to change the serial port parameters (baud
rate, stop bits, parity, etc.).
Interaction Page 10 Shows the same data as Interaction Page 8.
Interaction Page 11 Shows the status of the DPU serial ports.
Interaction Page 12 DPU Bus Statistics Page shows the same data that
appears on the DPU Bus Statistics display;
additionally the page shows information about
certain DPU Bus commands received by the
selected DPU.
Interaction Page 13 Digital Tabular Display for the selected DPU.
Refer to Publication 277573, Model PDP DPU Installation, Preparation,

and Adjustment, for additional information about these displays.
Pages 1 through 7 are general-purpose pages that may be used for ExCEL
migration. ExCEL is a proprietary Metso Automation MAX Controls
programming language available with previous MAX product offerings.
Using Pages for ExCEL Programs
Interaction pages allow two-way communication between you and an ExCEL

program running in a DPU. Since ExCEL programs run in specific DPUs, an
interaction page is set up to interface to a particular DPU.

3-6
Interaction pages 1 through 8 and 10 through 13 are read from and written to
by the ExCEL programs running in the DPU. Depending on the program
running, you may be able to do input on the pages. If no ExCEL program is
running, or the ExCEL program does not display any information on the
pages, you will not see anything on pages 2 through 7. Systems using a DPU
model 4A show ExCEL and ladder logic execution information on page 1.
Systems using DPU Model 4B show IEC 61131-3 information.
Entering Data
Some interaction pages allow operator input. To change the value of an

editable field, click the Interaction Page display area. When you click the
display, the banner in the upper part of the display changes from gray to blue.
If the banner is gray, the display does not accept any input, including cursor
key navigation.
To navigate to a desired field, use the keyboard up, down, and left, right
arrow keys. If the cursor does not respond to the cursor-arrow keys, then that
page has no enterable fields. When you come to a field, type the new value.
The backspace key will replace the entered character with the original value.
To send the new value to the station press either the <Enter> key or one of
the four cursor-arrow keys.
Error Handling
If an invalid station or page number is entered, or a communication failure

occurs between the maxSTATION and the DPU or Controller File, then the
viewing area will be blank. Also the banner will contain Comm Error in the
upper-right corner, yellow on red.
Selecting a DPU or Controller File
You may select a set of interaction pages for a specific DPU or Controller
File using one of two methods:
Method One Click the button in the area of the display labeled Station
Name to brings up a dialog box.
Enter the DPU name and select OK to pick a new DPU, or

select Cancel to remain with the current DPU. You must
enter a name exactly as it appears in the maxTOOLS
database for the installed system (Note: If a point name
prefix was used in the database, then it will have to be
prefixed to the station name). Once you enter a station
name it appears as a caption on the button face.
Method Two Click the Preset button in the Station Name box. A pop-
up will appear with buttons containing the names of up to
six configured stations. Click one of these buttons to open
the interaction page for that station.

3-7
Note: The Preset pop-up is, by default, not configured. If the buttons are not
assigned to any DPUs, they must be configured in maxVUE Editor using the
Button Control.
Click the Question Mark button to access a help topic that explains how to
customize the Preset Buttons.
When you select a station, (and no other station was previously selected), the
initial page number is 1. If a station was previously selected and its page
number is in the valid range for the newly selected station, then that page
number will appear.
Selecting an Interaction Page
You may select an Interaction Page using one of three methods:
Method Click one of the Page Select buttons (1–13) located in a

One column to the right of the Interaction Page viewing area.
When you click a button, the button face turns to a lighter
gray indicating the currently selected display. For DPUs,
all 13 buttons are valid. For Controller Files, only buttons
1-8 are valid; if you select pages 9-13, a blank display
appears showing only the Comm Error indicator.
A short descriptive field, located to the left of each Page

Select button, indicates the typical function of each page.
The descriptions of pages that do not exist (e.g. pages 9-13
for Controller Files) will be blanked to indicate they are
invalid.
Method At the bottom of the Page Select column, three buttons

Two appear.
The center button shows the currently selected Interaction

Page. Click this button to open a dialog box. When the
dialog box appears, enter a number from 1 to 13. If you
enter a number beyond this range, a blank display appears
containing the Comm Error indicator.
Method When you select a page using either Method One or

Three Method Two, click the Plus or Minus buttons (at the
bottom of the Page Select column) to move to the previous
or next page, respectively. Incrementing beyond the

3-8
highest page will wrap-around to page 1. Decrementing

below page 1 will wrap-around to highest valid page for
the current station type (DPU or Controller File).
Exiting the Display
To exit the Interaction page display, click on any of the display change
buttons on the toolbars at the sides or bottom of the display, such as Menu or
Last.
How to Print maxVUE Video Displays

You may generate hard copies of maxVUE video displays:
§ Printing from maxVUE using Windows network printers or a local
printer connected to the maxSTATION LPT1 parallel port; refer to
"Printing from maxVUE."
§ Printing from Windows, in parallel with the monitor, using a screen
capture utility; refer to "Printing from Windows."
Printing from maxVUE
You may print video displays directly from maxVUE using a printer attached
to a Windows NT network or a local printer connected to the maxSTATION
LPT1 parallel port, which is reserved for this purpose. The printer must be
configured as your default Windows printer.
Use the Print button on the standard vertical toolbox or the <Print Screen>
key on the Operator Keyboard to print maxVUE displays. The Template
Print button and the <Print Screen> key respond to either network printers
or local printer configurations.
Note: The <Print Screen> key on the PC typewriter keyboard is used only
under Windows.
Whether you are using a local or networked printer, before you can initiate a
print request, the appropriate Windows print driver must be selected and
configured to match the targeted printer.
A maxSTATION screen capture utility takes a snapshot of the entire screen

and sends it as a bitmap file to the printer. Everything, including pop-ups, is
printed exactly as it appears on the screen. If a color printer is used, the
printed image is rendered in color. If a non-color printer is used, the print
will not use dithering but will print in gray scale.

3-9
Printing from Windows
A number of screen-capture utilities available for Windows take a current

screen image and place it in the Windows clipboard. In the case of the
maxSTATION, the screen image is saved as a 256-color bitmap.
Windows assigns this screen capture function to the <Print Screen> key
located to the right of <F12> on the Engineer's keyboard. Once a screen
image is captured, you may paste it into a paint program, such as Paint, to
edit or modify the image, print it, or save it to a file.

3-10
Chapter 4
Using Standard
Display Objects
Overview
A standard display object allows you to interact with system Data and
Control Blocks. Standard display objects fall into the following categories:
• Point Data Trends

• X-Y Plots
• Point Select Objects
• Point Data Pop-ups
• Point Detail Pop-ups
Point Data Trends and X-Y Plots are normally put on or in displays. They
may take up an entire display or a small display area. To access a trend plot,
however, you must ask for a display, either through the Main Menu or
through some other means. You may place multiple trends in any display and
place trends in a pop-up.
Any configured Data Blocks, Control Blocks, or Analog Input Buffers and
Digital Input/Output Buffers have associated Point Data pop-ups and Detail
pop-ups. Point pop-ups are used to represent data acquisition and control. In
the maxDNA system, data acquisition is accomplished with Data Blocks;
control is accomplished with Control Blocks. The control process can be as
simple as an on/off switch and as complex as a PID loop. This chapter covers
samples of the different pop-ups you will encounter and describes their use.
To learn more about available Control Blocks, refer to the Control Block
Configuration section of the maxTOOLS online help. Point pop-ups as
described in this chapter are very general. Most of the fields and techniques
are applicable to all point types.

4-1
Point Data Trends

Point Data Trend displays consist of a core trend graph and a surrounding
Trend Wrapper display, a ready-to-use graphical interface. The core trend
appears in a rectangular graph featuring horizontal and vertical grid lines.
See Figures 4-1a and 4-1b. The vertical, or X-axis, is used to plot the
engineering value of the points. Unit of Measure for any analog point
appears next to the value of the corresponding point on the control.
The text state (the Message, not “0” or “1”) for any digital point appears on
the control and the Tabular Data Display.
The horizontal, or T-axis, shows the time of the data being plotted. From 8 to
12 points may be plotted on the same graph, depending on trend wrapper
version. Refer to the next section. The points on a given graph may reside in
any maxSTATION running maxSTORIAN.
Trend Wrapper
The surrounding trend wrapper template displays dynamic information about

the graph and lets you change trace assignments. Two versions of the trend
wrapper are available, the earlier MCS version and the maxDNA version.
The MCS version supports up to eight pens and the maxDNA version
supports up to 12 pens.
When alternate language support is enabled, any trend wrapper tag

descriptions and dates may appear in a second language.
Both the core trend graph and the Trend Wrapper use the “Default Trend
Source” to determine which trend source to ask for trend values.
MCS Version: When the MCS version of the trend wrapper is used, plotted
points are described in the upper, horizontal trend, wrapper area called the
scoreboard. The description consists of the point identifier’s trace color,
unique tagname, attribute, statistic and value for each point. See Figure 4-1a.
maxDNA Version: The trend wrapper template consists of the following

fields:
Value fields, located along the bottom of the display, list the point
name.attribute for each configured pen, the most recent values (or the value
under the Trend Cursor), and units of measure. When you click the
Description button in the left vertical toolbar, the tag name is replaced by its
description if a description is available. A color block next to each value
shows the trace color. See Figure 4-1b.
The marquee area, across the top of the display, shows the
point.attribute.statistic, description, and unit of measure for the pen currently
in focus. The marquee area scrolls through each configured pen name at a
specified time interval. Text for the pen in focus appearing in the marquee

4-2
Using Standard Display Objects
area and value area assumes the color assigned to the pen. Additionally, the
range statistics and trend pointer to the right of the grid also assume the color
for the selected pen.
High and Low Range indications appear to the right of the core trend graph.
Ranges appear for the currently selected pen; intermediate ranges are
calculated at 20 percent of span.
Intelligent Time Stamp
The time stamp display at the bottom of the grid shows hours, minutes,
seconds and date. To avoid ambiguity and clutter, this display changes
spacing of the grid lines, depending on the size of the trend graph.
If the date changes within the trend view, the new date will appear below the
first time stamp after midnight of that day.
Using the Data Trend Tool Box
The Data Trend Tool Box, located on the left-hand side of the trend graph,
contains buttons that let you reconfigure and control trend graph features and
functions.
The MCS version features 12 Toolbox buttons, while the maxDNA version
of the trend wrapper features the same 12 buttons plus three additional
buttons unique to its interface, Marquee, Tag/Description Toggle Button, and
Marquee Interval. All buttons for both versions are described in the
following sections.
Figure 4-1a. Sample MCS-Style Wrapper Trend Plot

4-3
Figure 4-1b. Sample maxDNA-Style Wrapper Trend Plot

The following sections describe what each button lets you do.
Edit Trend Properties Button
The Edit Trend Properties button lets you access maxVUE Trend
Wrapper Properties dialog boxes. See Figure 4-2. If you click this button,
you will be presented with the maxVUE Trend Wrapper Properties. This box
allows you to change the time and length of the trend, request history data,
and edit or add specific tagname.attributes to the trend.
The Trend Wrapper Properties has the following Tabs:

§ History
§ Attributes
§ Shading
§ Range Limits
§ Alarm Limits
§ Pens
Saving Edits Online
To save on-line edits or run-time changes made to the TrendWrapper

Properties, each property page dialog contains Save and Reset buttons. This
will allow the display to remember the changes made when called up again.
Click the Save button to save online changes. If the Save button is clicked
and the changed properties are unlocked, the changes will be saved.

4-4
Note that in the maxVUE Editor at design time, this feature may be defeated
on a per pen basis if the Locked checkbox is checked on the TrendWrapper
Pens property page. To allow saving of run-time Change of any property for
a pen, the pen must be set to Unlocked (unchecked check box) at design
time.
Click the Reset button to discard all runtime changes. If the Reset button is
clicked, all run-time-changes will be discarded and the display will be set to
the design time settings.
Note: It is assumed that there is only one Trend Wrapper display in a screen.
Configuring History Properties (History Tab)
Access the History Tab to select live or historical trending. See Figure 4-2.
An historical trend has a non-current start time and does not update in real
time. If you select historical trend mode, you must select a time and date
from the Start Time and Start Date sections of the property sheet. The
displayed trend graph will then provide you with a snap shot of the values
from the start time/date to the end of the configured trend length.
If you select live trending under the Trend Mode section, the start time is
automatically set to current. This allows your trends to update in real time as
new data come in from the field.

4-5
Figure 4-2. Trend Wrapper History Property Sheet
Specifying Trend Display Shading (Shading Tab)
Access the Shading Tab to specify various shading options for each trace
pen.

4-6
Figure 4-3. Trend Wrapper Shading Property Sheet
To configure shading:
1. For each pen, select one of the following shading types from a drop-
down list box:
§ No Shading The default is No Shading.
§ Trace Shading will be drawn between each point of this

trace (pen) and another trace (pen).
§ % of Range Shading will be drawn between each point of this

trace and a fixed percentage of the range of this trace
(pen).
2. Under the Shading No field, enter a trace number (if the shading type is
Trace) or the % of range (if the shading type is % of Range).
3. Under the Shading Style field, select one of the following fill patterns
from a drop-down list box:
Solid,
\\\\\\\,
///////,
or ||||||.

4-7
Specifying a Trend Wrapper Sampling Rate (Attributes Tab)
Access the Attributes tab to specify a time interval sampling rate for the
point attribute statistic that you specify on the Trend Wrapper Control Pens
page. See Figure 4-4. The resulting values are then shown graphically on the
Trend Wrapper core trend control in the form of an analog trace or digital
graph.
To specify sampling information:
1. In the Time Interval field, specify the time between the collection of
two samples. The default is 1 second. The maximum value is 31 days.
2. In the Max Samples field specify the maximum number of samples to be

taken during specified Time Span. The maximum number of samples is
999. The default is 100.
Note: The Time Span field is a read-only field. It displays the time span
value from the multiplication of entered Time Interval and Value selected in
the Num of Samples field.
Figure 4-4. Trend Wrapper Attributes Property Sheet

4-8
Specifying Trend Ranges (Range Limits Tab)
Access the Range Limits tab to specify ranges for up to eight point
identifiers (MCS-style trend wrapper), or up to 12 point identifiers
(maxDNA-style trend wrapper) that you specify on the Pens tab. See Figure
4-5.
You may either enter a point value in the Range Hi and Range Lo fields or
use the tagname i1hrng or tagname.i1lrng format, respectively, to set the
point trace ranges. The default range hi value is 100 and the default range
low value is 0.00. The Pen fields correspond to values that you specify on the
Pens tab.
Check the Digital checkbox or the Quality checkbox when you are trending
digital or quality point attributes, respectively.
Figure 4-5. Trend Wrapper Range Limits Property Sheet
Specifying Trend Wrapper Alarm Limits (Alarm Limits Tab)
Access the Alarm Limits tab to specify high and low alarm ranges for up to
eight point identifiers (MCS-style trend wrapper), or up to 12 point
identifiers (maxDNA-style trend wrapper) that you specify on the Pens tab.

4-9
See Figure 4-6. The Alarm Hi and Alarm Lo fields only accept a constant
value. The default Alarm hi value is 100 and the default low value is 0.00.
The Pen fields correspond to values that you specify on the Pens tab.
Click the Color button next to each field to select a trace color for a trended
value that appears when the value enters an alarm state.
Figure 4-6. Trend Wrapper Alarm Limits Property Sheet
Specifying Live Trend Wrapper Data (Pens Tab)
Access the Pens tab to specify a point attribute statistic and quality data that
you want to plot against time for up to eight traces (MCS-style trend
wrapper), or up to 12 traces (maxDNA-style wrapper) in an animated Trend
Wrapper Control. See Figure 4-7. Use this page to also specify trace types
(analog, digital, or quality), and a trace color.
To specify live data:
1. Select the Pens tab, if it is not already selected.
2. Click the Enable box to highlight one of the Data Identifier for Pens
fields.

4-10
3. From the Data Identifier for Pens field, specify a point attribute statistic.
Available statistics are Sample, Average, Maximum, Minimum, Start,
Ontime, Offtime, Oncnt, Offcnt, Totcnt and Quality.
Note: To specify a digital value, click the Digital checkbox and specify a
digital statistic in the Data Identifier for Pens field. To specify a quality
value, click the Quality checkbox and specify the quality statistic in the Data
Identifier for Pens field. Click the Color box for a desired trace to edit a trace
color.
The Quality value of the point appears at the bottom part of the trend graph
as a digital trace. To edit the trace color, click on the Color (box) field and
select a color via the Color pop-up.
Figure 4-7. Trend Wrapper Pens Property Sheet
Using the Enable/Disable Cursor Buttons
Use the Enable Cursor button to place a vertical cursor line on a trend
to read the actual trend data and time for all points which intersect the line.

4-11
Use the Disable Cursor button to remove the perpendicular line and
return the trend values to live mode.
When you click the Enable Cursor button, the cursor line appears
perpendicular to the time stamp area appearing along the bottom of the
graph. When the cursor is at the right edge of a horizontal trend (top of a
vertical trend), point data is current and updating. At the left (bottom), the
data is updating for the point in time corresponding to the start time minus
the trend span. When the cursor is on the graph it "sticks" to the selected
point in time, moves as the data scrolls and displays the data for that point.
To select the trend cursor:
1. Rest the mouse pointer over the cursor and click. When you select the
trend cursor, your mouse pointer changes to a green bi-directional trend
arrow.
2. With the trend cursor selected, drag it to a new position on the graph.
When you release the mouse button, the trend cursor snaps to the closest
plotted point, the screen and trend cursors return to normal, and the data
is updated.
Using the Freeze/UnFreeze Scoreboard Buttons
Click the Freeze Scoreboard Button to freeze the trend plot.
Note: when you freeze the scoreboard using the maxDNA version of the
trend wrapper, marquee scrolling is not affected.
You may use the Enable Cursor button in conjunction with the Freeze button
to read the Data Statistic values at any given point in time. Click the
Unfreeze button to return the trend plot to live mode.
Using the Pan Buttons
The four Pan buttons let you view a trend forward and backward in time.
Panning (scrolling) moves the start time of a trend view, while leaving the
time span constant. Use the single-arrow buttons to pan one fifth
of the time span. Use the double-arrow buttons to pan one full
time span in either direction.
To cancel panning, click outside the graph area.

4-12
Using the Zoom Buttons
The zoom buttons let you raise or lower the resolution for the
time span. When you click the Zoom in/out buttons you increase or decrease
resolution for the time span by a factor of two. You may continue to click the
zoom buttons until you reach the respective minimum and maximum
resolutions.
To cancel zooming, click outside the graph area.
Rubber Band Zooming
To see greater trend detail, use the Trend Wrapper rubber band zoom feature
to zoom in on a displayed Trend field. To use the rubber band feature, click
and drag on an area you wish to see enlarged to include in the rubber band
rectangle. The display settings before any rubber band zoom in will be
remembered to support zoom out later.
If you click the Zoom out button and attempt to zoom out further than
the zoom in, Zoom Out By Time will be performed.
Display Data Table
Click the Display Data Table button to open a pop-up displaying a

trend Data Presentation table. The table displays the values of each trended
Data Statistic per date/time. This table can be printed or copied as a file.
To save tabular data to a file:
Click the Save button appearing on the Data Presentation table to access
the following Save as dialog.

4-13
Figure 4- 8. Saving Trend Data Presentation Table.
From this dialog box, the tabular data shown in the Trend Data Presentation
window can be saved to a file.
The default folder, c:\Custom\Database\System\TrendLog, may be changed

using the dialog box.
The default name of the file is TrendLogyyyymmddhhmmss.csv, where the

date and time are represented by yyyymmddhhmmss, and the default suffix is
csv (Microsoft Excel comma separated values).
Note: the save as type selection is not used.
Figure 4-9. Trend Data Presentation

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maxDNA-Style Trend Wrapper Buttons
The following three buttons only apply to the maxDNA-style trend wrapper:
Tag/Description Click this button to show either tag names or

descriptions in the value area at the bottom of the
maxDNA Trend Wrapper. Note that when you select
tag, the associated description appears for each pen in
the ToolTip. Conversely, when you select description,
the associated tag appears for each pen in the ToolTip.
Marquee Toggle the Marquee button to turn scrolling on or off in
the marquee area across the top of the Trend Wrapper.
When the Marquee button is off, a single selected pen
remains in focus. When scrolling is enabled, the
Marquee button appears highlighted; when it is turned
off, the button is dimmed.
Marquee Click the Marquee Interval button to change the
Interval marquee scrolling frequency. When you click this
button, a pop-up appears allowing you to change the
time interval. Enter a time between three and 30
seconds.
Understanding the X-Y Plot

The X-Y Plot shows how selected points in your configuration dynamically
relate to one another. The X-Y Plot Control consists of a core plot graph with
an X horizontal axis and a Y vertical axis. The graph may show up to eight
X-Y plots.
Optionally, the X-Y Plot may include a static, highlighted geometric shape
(or polygon) to show an operation region on the graph. See the following
figure. This could be used to show graphically, for instance, a region of safe
operation or optimum performance. X-Y coordinates that fall out of this
region may show an out-of-range condition.
The X-Y Plot may be embedded in another display or used full screen.
Because the plot contains no operator controls for editing the traces, the
display is essentially read only.

4-15
Figure 4-10. X-Y Core Control showing two plots and static geometric
shape
Retrieving Trend-Archive Data

Trend data is configured via the maxTOOLS and collected by the DPU Bus
Module. The DPU Bus Module stores the trend data in a circular (wrap-
around) buffer which drops out the oldest values of a point as new values are
added. This buffer is referred to here as a barrel. Barrels persist for a
specified time span. You may view the data in these barrels through
maxVUE trend displays.
The DPU Bus Module Trend Barrels collect live trend data based on the
configuration. This includes collecting at specified sample rates for specified
time spans. If the time span requested is within the span collected in the
Trend Barrel, the data comes relatively quickly from the DPU Bus Module.
In general, the more data that is requested or the further back the time span
from the present, the longer it will take to retrieve the data.
There are up to six Trend Barrels. Three barrels are used for samples, and
three are used to collect statistics at all times. In maxTOOLS, point attributes
are assigned to one or more of these barrels. For each point attribute,
archiving may be selected. The retrieval of archive data is done in the same
way as any other change of the Trend View. Whether the data is from the
DPU Bus Module Trend Barrel or from the maxSTORIAN is transparent to
the end user.

4-16
Understanding Point Select Objects

Point pop-ups are normally available from any display that uses the
Horizontal Toolbar display as its base. On displays of this type, once a point
has been selected the pop-ups can be invoked by pressing the Point Data or
Point Detail buttons on the Horizontal Toolbar display.
Point Select Objects, like point data trends, are normally found in displays.
Click on the Point Select Object to select it. When a point select object is
selected, its color changes to yellow.
Point select objects could be small identifying boxes, text or, graphic
representations (bitmaps) used to make selecting a point quick and easy. You
will typically see a point select object embedded at the top of any point data
pop-up.
To manually enter a point name click the Select Point button on the
Horizontal Toolbar to open a dialog box.
Figure 4-11. Selected Point button on Horizontal Toolbar
Viewing Point Data Pop-ups

Data Blocks, Control Blocks and I/O Buffers can be displayed at several
different detail levels. To view a greater level of detail after a Point Select
Object, select Point Data Pop-up. The Point Data Pop-up, consisting of a
faceplate image, provides an overview of the Block's operation. Some of the
faceplates have simple controls, such as on/off buttons. Other faceplates have
bar graphs showing the process being controlled; this is typical on faceplates
for PID loops. See Figure 4-12.
Opening a Point Data Pop-up
You may open a point data pop-up using one of two methods:
Method 1: Click on the Selected Point button on the Horizontal

Toolbar to bring up the Selected Point Dialog Box.
Enter a tagname and click OK to provide a valid
tagname to the system. Click on the Point Data Pop-up
button to display the Point Data pop-up faceplate for the
selected point.
Method 2: Click on a select object from a display. Select objects

4-17
are typically found on graphics displays. There may be

many select objects scattered around a display. To bring
up a faceplate, click on a select object, and then click on
the Point Data Pop-up button on the Horizontal Toolbar.
Figure 4-12. PID Point Data Faceplate
Understanding Faceplate
When you access a faceplate, notice that the top line of each faceplate is a
point select object. Click here to select the faceplate. When the faceplate is
selected, the background of the unique tagname function area changes from
gray to yellow. Once a faceplate is selected, click the Point Detail Pop-up
button to display more details about the point. This approach eliminates the
need to enter any more information in a dialog box, such as the point
tagname.
Recognizing Alarms
The next two lines in the faceplate, the alarm function area, are from top to
bottom:
§ Short description of the point
§ Short alarm string for the point

4-18
The alarm string will only be shown if the point is in alarm. Color coding of
the alarm function area of the faceplate indicates the point is in alarm. If the
point is in alarm and unacknowledged, the inside background of the alarm
function area blinks red. After the point is acknowledged, the alarm function
area of the faceplate will be shown in a solid (non-blinking) red as long as
the point is in alarm. When the point clears, the red alarm function area
returns to its normal (gray) color. If the alarm is defeated, the word defeated
appears in the alarm area. The alarm function area also includes the alarm
ACK button. Click on the ACK button to acknowledge the alarm condition
of the point.
Viewing Bar Graphs
Below the alarm function area is the bar graph function area. Bar graphs
provide quick reference to point attribute values i.e. SP, PV, and AO. Text
strings are also provided to describe the process. For instance, if a bar graph
is shown, then the high and low ranges are printed at the bottom and the top
of the bar graph. All numbers shown below the bar graph have a text
mnemonic associated with their function and are printed in the same color
that appears on the bar graph.
Using Mode Buttons
The mode function area of the faceplate is located to the right of the graph
function area. Text describing the mode of the point appears below the mode
select buttons. The current mode of control is also represented by the color
shades (bright/dim) of the mode buttons. The current mode will be display by
the applicable mode select button appearing brighter and the remaining mode
select buttons appearing dimmer
Using Defeat/Restore Buttons
Below the mode function, area is the alarm defeat/restore function area. Two
buttons are contain in this function area:
Defeat Alarms Click on the Defeat button to defeat all alarms for the
Button point. Use this button to temporarily disable alarming
for the point.
Restore Alarms Click on the Restore button to restore any defeated

Button alarms. Use this button to re-enable alarming for the
point.
Faceplates do not close when you click on a Clear Selection button. This
allows multiple faceplate pop-ups to be open simultaneously. To close a
faceplate, click the close button on the faceplate title bar.

4-19
Note: This is only available for faceplates that are true pop-ups. Faceplates
built into displays, are not pop-ups. (they have no title bars and cannot be
moved).
Closing the faceplate in this manner does not clear the current point
selection. If you have not clicked on the clear selection button and you close
a faceplate, you can click on the Point Data Pop-up button again to bring up
the faceplate associated with the last point selection without filling in the
dialog box.
Viewing Analog Faceplate
Analog faceplates are used whenever the process or data consists primarily of
analog values. (See first faceplate shown in Figure 4-12.) PID and Integrator
Control Blocks, and analog Data Blocks, for instance, use analog faceplates.
The display typically consists of a series of bar graphs.
The output value is always shown as a yellow bar graph appearing on the
right. The output value is always displayed as a percentage of full scale. If
the point is in manual, you can usually change the value of the output by
clicking on the numerical value of the output below the bar graph. You will
be presented with a small pop-up for entering a new value. For most Control
Blocks, remember to enter it as a percentage of full scale (0.00 to 100.00).
For Data Blocks, enter the value in engineering units.
The other green bar graphs represent the PV and any other input values the
point may have. A number may appear at the top and bottom of a bar graph
indicating the high and low engineering limits of the Process Variable (PV).
The number of bar graphs to appear depends on the point, but all of the bar
graphs are labeled at the bottom of the graph.
Some points have a setpoint associated with them. The setpoint is

represented as an arrow on the left-hand side of the bar graph. If the point
has a setpoint, you may enter a new setpoint by clicking on the numerical
value of the setpoint below the bar graph. As in changing the output value,
you will be presented with a small pop-up for entering a new setpoint value.
The setpoint value is entered in the engineering units of the setpoint instead
of as a percentage.
Note that changes to the output or setpoint have a security and mode check
associated with them. In order to change the value, your current maxVUE
security must be greater than or equal to the security of the point. In addition
to the security check, the output can only be changed if the current mode is
manual.
The units of measure for the process variable appear at the bottom of the
faceplate.

4-20
Using Faceplate Buttons
All analog control pop-ups have a set of buttons for controlling point output.
To use these buttons, the point must be in manual mode. Two sets of buttons
are associated with the output. One set points up and increments the output,
and the other set points down and decrements the output. Each set has a
double arrow button and a single arrow button. The double arrow button is
used for coarse adjustment of the output. The actual amount of the coarse
adjustment is controlled by the Output Large Step parameter. The single
arrow is used for fine adjustment of the output. The actual amount of fine
adjustment is controlled by the Output Small Step parameter. Both step
parameters could be adjusted by your engineer.
Analog Control Blocks with setpoint include two sets of buttons for
controlling Control Block setpoint. You may control setpoint in either
manual or auto mode. One set points up and increments the setpoint, and the
other set points down and decrements the setpoint. Each set has a double
arrow button and a single arrow button. The double arrow button is used for
coarse setpoint adjustment. The actual amount of coarse adjustment is
controlled by the Setpoint Large Step parameter. The single arrow is used for
fine setpoint adjustment. The actual amount of the fine adjustment is
controlled by the Setpoint Small Step parameter. Both step parameters could
be adjusted by your engineer.
Viewing Digital Faceplate
Digital faceplates are used for DSA Control and digital Data Blocks. See
Fig. 4-13. The faceplate contains color-coded buttons; the left, top button is
red, while the right, top button is green. If the point is in manual mode and
selected, it can be controlled by clicking on the two buttons. To make the
point change to the other state, click on the applicable button. When you do
this the text above the buttons changes to reflect the new condition.

4-21
Figure 4-13. DSA Point Data Pop-up
Digital Control Pop-ups
Digital control pop-ups are used for points such as digital Data Blocks,
Digital Status/Alarm and Sequencer Control Blocks. See Figure 4-13.
Digital control pop-ups include a set of buttons to control the state of the
point. The button labeled On activates the point. This is equivalent to the
operator keyboard button labeled <On Start Open>. The button labeled Off
deactivates the point. This is equivalent to the operator keyboard button
labeled <Off Stop Close>. Most points must be in manual or test mode for
these buttons to function. The window above the buttons displays the text
string for the current state. As the buttons are used or the point changes state
under automatic control, the text will update to reflect the current condition.
The digital pop-up is also used for some Control Blocks, such as Reversing
Motor Controllers and Ramp Generators. These control pop-ups use the two
additional buttons, Reverse and Reset, which are operational in certain, point
types such as the DSA. Like the on/off buttons, the block must be in manual
to use these buttons.
Viewing Point Detail Pop-ups

The point detail pop-up shows a detailed summary of a Control or Data
Block. From this display you may access and adjust online most of the

4-22
available point attributes associated with a given point. Figure 4-14 shows a
typical example of a detail pop-up. Press the Point Detail Pop-up icon
appearing on the Horizontal Toolbar display to access the Detail pop-up.
Note: You may open up this pop-up for a point in any subsystem using one
of two methods described in " Viewing Point Data Pop-up," earlier in this
chapter.
You may edit all point attributes (other than titles, tagname, etc.) by clicking
once on any given attribute. Click the Configuration Attributes button to
view the Configuration Attributes Pop-up. From this pop-up, you may edit
additional point attributes online.
Except for setpoint changes, the block must be set to Manual Mode before
you can edit the block's attributes. (No error message is given if an edit is
attempted in the wrong mode.)
Like the data pop-ups, most detail pop-ups have many features in common.
Point Selection Area
All point data pop-up information is located in the upper, left-hand corner. It
lists the point tagname, description and alarm string, if the point is in alarm.
This area may also be used to control the process.
Figure 4-14. Point Detail Pop-up of a PID

4-23
Point Attributes
Most Data and Control Blocks feature associated attributes such as Constants
(K fields), Limits (L fields), and Inputs (I fields). If they exist, these
parameters are displayed in separate boxes on the screen. If the block is in
manual, you may adjust K, L, and I attributes. These parameters are
displayed in yellow to indicate this. In order to adjust a parameter, you must
have the appropriate security level, and the block must be in manual.
To adjust an attribute, point to the attribute field on the display and click on
it. This generates a dialog box, which prompts you for the new value. Either
enter a new value and click on OK, or click on Cancel to cancel the
operation.
Configure
Click on this to access the Configuration Attributes Pop-up. This pop-up lets
you access additional point attributes that do not appear on the Detail Pop-up.
Refer to the next section, "Configuration Attributes Pop-up."
Figure 4-15. Configuration Attributes Pop-up
Configuration Attributes Pop-up
The Configuration Attributes Pop-up lets you access additional point

attributes that do not appear on the Detail Pop-up, such as Pass Run Mode,

4-24
LSP Tracking, attributes related to emergency-down behavior, and others.

The pop-up will automatically close if the Detail Pop-up is closed.
When you select an attribute, a drop-down menu appears allowing you to

select from one of the appropriate menu items.

4-25
Chapter 5
Using Alarm
Displays
Overview
Display Types
This chapter shows you how to use and configure the following alarm
display types. These displays either let you view alarm displays or control
how alarms are viewed.
You may view maxDNA alarms from a variety of standard and custom
maxSTATION graphic displays:
§ Alarm Summary
§ Alarm List
§ Other Display Types
§ Point Data Pop-up Faceplates; refer to Chapter 4
§ Point Detail displays; refer to Chapter 4
§ Custom graphic displays
This chapter deals exclusively with viewing and controlling the Alarm
Summary and Alarm List displays. Refer to Publication 277558, Alarm
Messages Reference Guide, for more information about all the possible
maxDNA alarm messages and their meanings.
Alarm Summary Display
The Alarm Summary display shows filtered or unfiltered alarms (up to a

maximum of 10,000) from all the DBM databases (subsystems). By default,
a single Alarm Summary page displays up to 20 alarms, however, the
window may be configured to display from 1 to 40 alarms; display buttons
let you page up and down through the full list.
Click the Alarm Summary button on the Vertical Toolbar or on the

Operator keyboard to access the display in a single keystroke. Each entry on
the display lists the time, date, tagname, long description, value, limit, and
acknowledge status of the alarm. Points may be selected in the summary for
display swap or control action. When selected, the tagname of the selected

5-1
point will appear on the Point Select button on the Horizontal Toolbar
display.
Alarm List Display
The Alarm List display shows the most recent acknowledge and
unacknowledged alarms (with the highest severity) of the maximum 10,000
alarms from all the DBM databases (subsystems). By default, the Alarm List
displays up to 20 alarms, however, the window may be configured to display
from 1 to 40 alarms; the alarms appear inside a window at the lower part of
the Vertical Toolbar.
Because the Alarm List remains on the Vertical Toolbar display, you never
lose sight of highest priority alarms. Unacknowledged alarms are displayed
in their corresponding alarm severity color combination; acknowledged
alarms are in white text on a black background.
Unacknowledged alarms appear at the top of the list followed by

acknowledged alarms; within these groups alarms are furthered ordered,
from top to bottom, by severity and time.
Severities are shown with the following backgrounds: unacked blink

bright/dark red for severities 5 and 4; blink bright/dark yellow for severities 3
and 2; blink bright/dark green for severity 1. Black is used for all acked
alarms. Colors are as consistent as possible with Alarm Summary displays.
However, maxVUE color conditional implementation used for the Alarm
List does not permit both text and background colors to change.
If an alarm is acknowledged, its severity background will turn Black, and its
position in the list will change. You may select points from the list for
display swap or control action. When selected, the tagname of the selected
point will appear on the Point Select button on the Horizontal Toolbar.
maxDNA System Alarm Classes

maxDNA System lets you view two classes of alarms:
§ Process Alarms
§ System Alarms
Process Alarms
Process alarms consist of alarm messages associated with the process itself.
These consist of two types:
Process Limit Alarms
Process limit alarms are caused by values exceeding their assigned

limits. Alarm information consists of time, point tagname and its

5-2
Using Alarm Displays
long description, alarm text associated with the alarm, current value
of the point, alarm limit value, and the units of measure for the point
in alarm.
Process Status Alarms
Process status alarms are generated by points and programs at DPUs.

Alarm information consists of time, point tagname and its long
description, alarm type text and the alarm value.
System Alarms
System Alarms consist of alarm messages associated with the system

hardware. These consist of two types:
Station Diagnostic Alarms
Station diagnostic alarms are caused by maxSTATION or Remote

Processing Unit (DPU, I/O boards) faults, such as weak batteries,
card failures, etc. Alarm information consists of time, tagname of the
station reporting the alarm, the device reporting the fault, and the
alarm text.
DPU Bus Network Diagnostic Alarms
This relates to two classes of alarms, DPU Bus related (DBM-based

systems only), and maxNET network related. DPU Bus network
diagnostic alarms are caused by cable breaks, token passing errors,
failure of stations to respond, etc. maxNET Network alarms are
caused by Frame Switch failure, Ethernet card failures, Ethernet
cable breaks, or a failed target maxSTATION.
Alarm information consists of time, tagname for the DPU Bus

reporting the alarm (e.g. DPUBUS1), name of the maxSTATION
involved in the fault, and the alarm text.

5-3
Figure 5-1. Alarm Summary Display
Viewing Alarms
Click the Alarm Summary button on the Vertical Toolbar to view system
alarms on the Alarm Summary display. See Figure 5-1.
Note: By default, the Alarm Summary display lists all alarms in the DBM
database without filtering. Use the Temporary Filter Setting Display to set up
and control how alarms are seen on the actual Alarm Summary displays.
You may filter alarms by type, the state of acknowledgment, and the severity.
See "Filtering Alarms."
The Alarm Summary Display includes six buttons at the bottom of the
display that lets you view alarms filtered by various categories that you select
from the Temporary Filter Setting dialog box. See "Alarm Summary Menu
Buttons."
Alarms can be acknowledged from a variety of places in the system. Both the
Alarm Summary and Alarm List displays have Ack Top buttons which
acknowledge the top-most alarm.
The Alarm Summary display includes an Ack Page button that

acknowledges all alarms in the currently displayed page. The Horizontal
Toolbar, Point Data Pop-ups and Point Detail displays also include an Ack

5-4
button. The Ack button on the Horizontal Toolbar display, Point Data pop-
ups and Point Detail display, however, acknowledges the point currently
selected, not the top most alarm in the maxSTATION’s DBM database.
You may select a point from the Alarm Summary display using two methods:
Method 1: Using your mouse or track ball, point to a desired point and
click the left mouse or track ball button. In response, the
tagname will appear on the Selected Point button on the
Horizontal Toolbar.
Method 2: Click the Selected Point button on the Horizontal Toolbar

display and enter the text for the selected point in the dialog
box pop-up. Enter the point name and attribute in either tag
name or Hierarchical Identifier (HID) format using the
keyboard or graphic keypad.
Once you select a point any of the point specific buttons on that display will
act on it. These consist of Clear Point, Ack Point, Point Data Pop-up, and
Point Detail Display.
With either method, the selected point name appears on the Selected Point
button in the Horizontal Toolbar display.
Alarm Summary Display Features
Each line of the Alarm Summary display is color coded to facilitate quick
recognition of severe alarms. Broken down by fields, the color coding is
applied to each field as follows:
Time Stamp Field
Yellow on Red Unacknowledged alarm with a severity of 5
Black on Red Unacknowledged alarm with a severity of 4
Red on Yellow Unacknowledged alarm with a severity of 3
Black on Yellow Unacknowledged alarm with a severity of 2
Green on Black Unacknowledged alarm with a severity of 1
White on Black Acknowledged alarm
Date Field (blinking)
Yellow on Unacknowledged alarm with a severity of 5

Red/Maroon
Black on Red/Pink Unacknowledged alarm with a severity of 4

5-5
Date Field (blinking) (continued)
Red on Yellow/Light Unacknowledged alarm with a severity of 3

Yellow
Black on Unacknowledged alarm with a severity of 2

Yellow/Light Yellow
Green/Light Purple Unacknowledged alarm with a severity of 1

on Black
White on Black Acknowledged alarm
All other fields
White on Black Acknowledged/Unacknowledged alarm
This color scheme makes unacknowledged alarms more visible on the

display, however, you may customize color schemes to suit your preferences.
Alarm Summary Menu Buttons
The Alarm Summary Display includes six buttons at the bottom of the
display that let you view alarms filtered by various categories that you select
from the Temporary Filter Setting dialog box. See "Temporary Filter Setting"
later in this chapter. You may click the following buttons to display a filtered
alarm list:
Click This To View This Display
All Display all alarm messages.
Process Display only process diagnostic and process control

diagnostic/control alarms.
Process/system Display only system diagnostic and process

diagnostic diagnostic alarms.
System diagnostic Display only system diagnostic alarms.
Process diagnostic Display only process diagnostic alarms.
Process control Display only process control alarms.
Tools
The Alarm Summary Display includes several Tool icons located in the
upper, left-hand side of the display. Refer to the following for a description
of each tool.

5-6
PgDn
Click on this button to scroll down by one page in the alarm list
PgUp
Click on this button to scroll up by one page in the alarm list
Home
Click on this button to return to the beginning of the alarm list
Ack Top
Click on this button to acknowledge the top-most alarm in the list.
Ack Page
Click on this button to acknowledge all the alarms in the currently

displayed page.
Temporary Filter
Click on this button to bring up the Temporary Filter Setting display.

Use this to control the types of alarms seen on the alarm summary.
See the next section.
Filtering Alarms
You may control what allows appear on the Alarm Summary display using
one of the following two methods:
Method 1: This method uses Hierarchical Identifier (HID) filtering.

HID filtering is preprogrammed on the Alarm Summary
Display button on the Vertical Toolbar to selectively include
or exclude portions of your Hierarchical Identifier database.
This method allows a maxSTATION to selectively display
alarms based on a portion or portions of the process.
Method 2: Use this method to selectively include and exclude different

alarm types. Use this in combination with the
preprogrammed Alarm Summary Display button to
maximize your control over alarms.

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Temporary Filter Setting
Figure 5-2. Temporary Filter Setting Display
Use the Temporary Filter Setting display to select the type of alarms you
wish to display on your alarm summaries. See Figure 5-2. You may click
buttons at the bottom of the Alarm Summary display to access various
filtered alarm summaries. See "Alarm Summary Menu Buttons," earlier in
this chapter. The display lets you select four filtering options, Type, Ack_
Status Severity, and Sort Order. See the following sections.
Filtering by Alarm Type
The Alarm Type field allows you to choose the types of alarm messages to
be displayed on the alarm summary. Open the drop down menu and select
the appropriate option.
Refer to the following Alarm Filtering Quick Reference Table for a listing of
each filtering category that you may select, and the corresponding alarm
classes and types that come under this category. The following section,
"Alarm Type Definitions," expands on the information presented in
Table 1-1.
Refer to the "Alarm Types" section, at the beginning of this chapter, for a
description of all the maxDNA alarm types.

5-8
Table 5-1. Alarm Filtering Quick Reference Table
Filtering Category Alarm Class Alarm Types

(from Alarm Type
field)
Process Process Process Limit, Process Status
Diagnostic/Control
Process/System System, System Diagnostic, Process Limit
Diagnostic Process Alarm, Process Status Alarm
System Diagnostic System Station Diagnostic, Highway

Network Diagnostic
Process Diagnostic Process Process Limit Alarm, Process
Status Alarm
Process Control Process Process Limit, Process Status
All Process, Process Limit, Process Status,
System Station Diagnostic Highway
Network
Alarm Type Definitions
For the Alarm Type category, you may select from the following choices.
Refer to Table 5-1 for a summary of alarm classes and types that fall under
the following categories:
Process Diagnostic/Control
Display only process diagnostic and process control alarms. Process

alarms consist of all process limit alarms and all process status
alarms both in I/O failure and control state and classify all points
associated with control application as oppose to system points.
Process/System Diagnostic
Display only system diagnostic and process diagnostic alarms, and

classify all points in need of maintenance or repair. Diagnostic
alarms consist of system diagnostic alarms and process diagnostic
alarms.
System Diagnostic
Display only system diagnostic alarms.
System diagnostic alarms consist of DPU Bus diagnostic alarms and

station diagnostic alarms.

5-9
Process Diagnostic
Display only process diagnostic alarms. Process diagnostic alarms

consist of process limit alarms and process status alarms associated
with hardware failures, such as open thermocouples or transmitter
failures.
Process Control
Display only process control alarms. These consist of process limit

and process status alarms that pertain to normal process control.
All
Display all alarm messages.
Filtering by Ack_Status
Ack_Status allows you to choose to display acknowledged alarms,

unacknowledged alarms, or both. You may choose among the options by
opening the drop down menu and selecting the appropriate option from the
menu:
Unacknowledged Display only unacknowledged alarms.
Acknowledged Display only acknowledged alarms.
Both Display both acknowledged and unacknowledged

alarms.
Filtering by Severity
Severity allows you to control the severity of alarms presented on the alarm
summary. Alarm severities are set on a point by point basis when the
database is configured. Generally, hardware alarms have a higher severity,
but this can be changed by the person configuring the database. You may
qualify what severity alarms are displayed by using one of the following
buttons:
Severity >= 1 Display all alarms with a severity greater than or equal to 1.
Severity = 5 Display all alarms with a severity equal to 5.

5-10
Filtering by Sort Order
Sort Order allows you to set the order in which alarms are sorted. Select the
two choices by clicking on one of the following buttons:
Severity/Time Sort alarms by the major categories, unacknowledged,

and acknowledged. Within those categories sort the
alarms in order of severity. When there are two alarms
with the same severity and acknowledge status, sort them
in the order of their occurrence.
Time Only Sort the alarms by the major categories, unacknowledged,

and acknowledged. Within those categories sort the
alarms in the order of their occurrence.
Use the Reset button at the bottom of the Temporary Filter Setting display to
return to the default values.
As shipped, the system is set up to show all alarms, both acknowledged and
unacknowledged, severity greater than or equal to one, with alarms sorted by
Ack severity and time. The current setting for each of the four fields can be
seen in the text description just below each of them.
Note: The Alarm Summary Display uses a color circle at the upper-right
corner of the display as a visual indicator of filtering. When the display
comes up as an unfiltered alarm summary, it is indicated by a momentary
yellow circle that disappears. A filtered alarm summary is indicated by a
momentary red circle that turns to pink.
Using the Event Summary Display

Access the Event Summary display to view current or past events and to
direct event output to a printer. The display shows the following event
types:
§ Process alarms
§ System alarms
§ Operator actions
§ Sequence of events
§ Program generated events
§ Edit actions
In addition to the events display log, the display includes a button bar
appearing in the upper part of the display just beneath the title bar. The
button bar consists of start and end time fields and four buttons:

5-11
Start Begin event retrieval
Stop Stop event retrieval
Properties Modify display properties and apply filters
Print Print events or save to a file
Start Stop Properties Print
Figure 5-3. Event Summary Button Bar
Viewing Current Events Log

Click the Start button on the display button bar to begin the collection of
current events. Click the Stop button to halt event collection.
Note: the Event Collector and Event Server programs must be running for
event collection to occur.
Figure 5-4. Event Summary Log Display

5-12
Interpreting Events Data Fields
Events are listed on the display under the following fields:
Time
Date and time that the event occurred.
A/C (Alm/clr)
When an unacknowledged process or system alarm is logged, the
character string alm appears in this three-character wide field. If the alarm
is acknowledged or otherwise clears, the character string clr appears. If
the line applies to any other event, such as the SOE events shown above,
the field is blank.
Type
The following event types are listed here by a two-character type code:
Event Type Type Code

Process alarms PA
System alarms SY
Operator actions OA
Sequence of events SQ
Program generated events PG
Edit actions EA
Note: An Edit Action occurs when an operator edits, for instance, the
constants or limits of a point.
S(Severity)
Alarm severity ranging from 1 to 6.
Tagname
Tagname of associated point; the tagname is created when you configure
a point using maxTOOLS4E.
Event Text
Alarm message text appears here, such as HiHi LoLo; Range High; and so
forth.
When this field applies to an edit action, the message text describes an
attribute that was edited.
Description
Description of the point which experienced the event.
AltDesc

5-13
Description of point in another language; used in multilingual

environments.
Changing Event Summary Log Layout
You may remove columns from the event log and change column order using
the Layout feature.
To remove columns and change column order:
1. Click the Properties button on the Event Summary display to access the
Event Retrieval Properties dialog.
2. Click the Layout button to access the Layout dialog.
3. Clear the checkbox next to a column heading name to remove that

column from the event log presentation.
4. To change the order of event headings, click on a heading in the list to

highlight it and use the up and down arrow buttons to move the heading
to a different position in the list.
5. Click OK to close the dialog. The changes should now be in effect while
the event log remains open on your display.
Modifying the Display Presentation

You may modify the display presentation by changing column widths,
reordering columns or changing the sort order of records. See the following
sections.
Note: these changes only persist while the display is open. When you close
this display, open another display, and then return to the Event Summary
display, the display opens with its original default settings.
Changing Event Log Column Width
In the Event Summary Log, you may change column widths and the order of
columns.
To change a column width:
1. Rest the mouse cursor over the vertical border between two columns
until the pointer changes to a vertical bar with a horizontal arrow in each
direction.
2. Click and drag the mouse to move a column border left or right. This
feature always adjusts the width of the column to the left of the pointer.

5-14
Reordering Columns
To change the order of any column in the window:
1. Click and drag the column heading to the left or right.
2. Release the mouse button after you move the column to its new, desired
location.
Changing Sorted Order of Records
To change the sort order of records in a column:
1. Stop the display from retrieving, using the button in the Event Summary
Button Bar.
2. Click on the desired column header. This causes the tabular view to be
sorted by that column in ascending order.
Customizing the Event Summary Display

You may change display properties to modify the display presentation and to
filter specific events by type, tagname, severity, alarm types, hierarchy, text,
description, and alternate description.
Note: these changes only persist while the display is open. When you close
this display, open another display, and then return to the Event Summary
display, the display opens with its original default settings.
Accessing Properties Dialog
To change Event Summary display properties and apply filters:
Click the Properties button appearing on the Event Summary display button
bar to open the following dialog:

5-15
Figure 5-5. Event Retrieval Properties Dialog
The property dialog presents you with display customization and filtering
options.
Changing Start and End Times
The dialog contains fields for selecting start and end times that are identical
to fields appearing on the Event Summary display itself just beneath the title
bar.
If you already selected starting and ending times on the event summary
display itself, those settings appear on the Event Retrieval Properties dialog.
To select specific start and end times:
1. Click the drop-down arrow in the Start Time and End Time fields
appearing at the top of the display and enter new start and end dates
from a pop-up calendar.

5-16
2. Use the spin control to enter new starting and end times.
Note: when you clear the Start Time checkbox, the event function uses the
earliest available start time, which will be the date and time of the oldest
event stored in C:\custom\database\system\events. When you clear the End
Time checkbox, the event function collects current events continuously.
Modifying Event Summary Display Properties
Click the Properties button on the Event Summary display to modify several
display properties.
In the Service field, specify an event provider source. The default source is
_evtserver.event_data, which assumes the event source is local. To specify a
source on a workstation in another domain, the path should include a specific
domain name.
Check the checkbox next to Sort by Most Recent Events First to display the
most recent events first on the display versus last.
Check the checkbox next to Show Counts of Each Occurrence to show a

running count of event records with the same tagname, type, and event state.
The counts will appear in the Counts column of the display. The Counts
column will replace the Time column.
Check the checkbox next to Maximum# to enable a feature which limits the
number of events that may be displayed. In the field next to Maximum#,
enter the maximum number of events to display.
Selecting Filtering
To specify temporary filters, click the Properties button to access the Event
Retrieval Properties dialog.
1. Under A/C to Include, clear any checkboxes to exclude alarm state

events, clear alarm state events, or other.
2. Under Event Types to include, clear any check boxes to exclude those
events from the log. Only the events of the type that are checked will be
displayed in the list view.
3. Under Severity Filtering, enter any severities to be included or excluded

in the appropriate fields. To enter multiple severities, specify them with a
space separating each one of them.
4. Under TagName Filtering, enter any tag names to be included or

excluded in the appropriate fields. To enter multiple tag names, specify
them with a space separating each one of them. Example: Tag1 Tag2.

5-17
You may also specify filters using pattern matching. In the fields provided,
enter specific tagname information or alphanumeric characters in
combination with wild card characters. wildcard characters are asterisk (*),
any string, and question mark (?), any character.
Note: you may also specify filters using parameterization. See “Using
Parameterization to Specify Filters,” the next section.
5. Under Optional Hierarchy Filtering, enter any hierarchical identifiers

(HIDs) to be included or excluded in the appropriate fields. To enter
multiple HIDs, specify them with a space separating each one of them.
You may also specify filters using pattern matching. In the fields provided,
enter specific HID information or alphanumeric characters in combination
with wild card characters. wildcard characters are asterisk (*), any string, and
question mark (?), any character.
Note: you may also specify filters using parameterization. See “Using
Parameterization to Specify Filters,” the next section.
6. The Optional Pattern Match Filtering area consists of three fields that
permit you to view Event Summary display events having similar
message text, description text, or alternate description text.
7. In any of these fields, you may enter specific text, or use pattern
matching.
8. When you select filter options, click ok to accept these options and close
the dialog, or click Cancel to cancel these selections and close the dialog.
9. Click Reset to cancel any custom filtering and reestablish the default
settings.
Using Parameterization to Specify Filters
To specify filters using parameterization, instead of entering specific

tagnames, HIDs, etc., enter a Software Backplane identifier between % signs,
such as
%_SEL_PT.TAGNAME%
This particular parameter could be used with the Alarm Summary display,
for instance. When this is used as an inclusive filter for tagnames, an operator
may open the Alarm Summary Display, click on an alarm message, making it
the selected point. With the selected point now set, an operator may now
open the Event Summary display to see the most recent relevant events for
the selected point.

5-18
Selecting Filtering Using Right-Click Option

To make it easier to select filters and also eliminate keying errors, you may
select filters for event types, severity, tagnames, and so forth, directly from
the event log using the mouse.
To select filters using the mouse:
Access the Event Summary display and click the Stop button to stop event
collection, if it is not already stopped.
Right-click on any of the following fields in the event log to select it:
§ Time
§ A/c
§ Type
§ S (severity)
§ Tagname
§ Event text
§ Description
§ Alternate description
When you right-click on any one of these fields, a dialog appears showing
the selected item. Click OK to confirm your selection.
When you select an item, it is automatically selected and placed on the Event
Summary Retrieval Properties dialog in the appropriate field.
You may also make multiple selections at one time using familiar Windows
features. Make selections from the event log in succession, or make random
selections. See the following sections.
Selecting Multiple Event Records for Printing
To select multiple items in succession:
1. While holding down the <Shift> key, click on the first item you wish to
select, such as a tagname. Then click on the last tagname in the list you
wish to include to highlight the entire selection.
2. Right-click on your selection to access a dialog.
Randomly Selecting Items
In addition to selecting items in succession as they appear in the event log,

you may also select records randomly.
To make random selections:

5-19
1. While holding down the <Ctrl> key, click on each record you wish to
include to highlight then.
2. Right-click on your selection to access a dialog.

5-20
Chapter 6
Using System
Menu Displays
System Menu Overview

System Menu displays are a collection of screens used to diagnose problems
in your maxDPU4E system. Refer to this chapter to learn what maxDPU4E
related displays are available and how to use them.
Click the System Menu button appearing on the Vertical Toolbar display to
access the System Menu Display. The System Menu consists of a number of
large buttons, each of which is dedicated to a different system display.
Clicking a button calls up the appropriate display. Note that the use of large
buttons provides easier operation with touch screens and allows the use of
pictorial backgrounds for faster functional recognition especially in non-
English versions of the system.
Note: in a mixed system using DPU4Es and DBMs, your system may
maintain separate System Status displays for each system. Additionally, a
System Status display may be customized. Buttons that do not apply to your
system may be removed.
Click this button… To open this display…
System Status Two button types are available. The first type lets you
access the display summarizing the health of each of
the DPU4Es in your system. See Publication 277599,
maxSTATION Operator's Guide (maxDPU4E Edition).
The second type lets you access the display
summarizing the health of DPU Bus Modules in your
system.
Point Summaries Lets you access manual points and defeated alarm
DPU4Es summary displays, described later in this chapter.
Network Status Click to view the operational status of maxNET

networks A and B for WorkStations and DBMs. See
“Viewing the Network Status Display.”
Event Loggers Click to view the Event Logger display that shows the

6-1
status of, and controls, up to three Event Loggers.
Reports Control Click to control the printing of reports. See

Panel “Controlling Report Generation,” later in this chapter.
Network Printing Click to redirect Event Logger print jobs between a

primary printer and a secondary printer. See “Using
Network Printing Function.”
Event Summary Click to access the Event Summary display, described

in the previous chapter.
Point Summaries Click to access the Point Summary displays, described

DBM later in this chapter.
Interaction Page Click to access pages showing DPU data and statistics.
See "Using Interaction Pages," in Chapter 3. Not used
with DPU4Es.
Disk Usage Click to view current maxSTATION disk usage

information by application. See “Viewing Disk Usage
Data,” later in this chapter.
Workstation Click to access information pertaining to your

Information Workstation. See "Viewing Workstation Information,"
later in this chapter.
System Menu Display

6-2
Using System Status Displays
Viewing the System Status Display

The System Status display shows the available DBM Status Display objects.
See Fig. 6-1. Each object shows the current condition of the maxNET
redundant Ethernet network and DPU Bus of each subsystem. From this
DBMs Status Displays object, you may access additional status displays.
Figure 6-1. DBM Status Display object
The following system information is available from the DBM Status Display
object:
maxNET Status
You may view the status of the maxNET redundant Ethernet network in each
individual DPU Bus DBM Status Display object. Status for both maxNET
network A and B are individually represented by color and symbol.
Conditions are complete or broken.
Examples: A red colored symbol indicates a broken Network B status. A

green colored symbol indicates complete status for Network A.
DPU Bus Cable Status
You may view the DPU Bus cable status for each DPU Bus (DPUBus1 and
DPUBus2). The cable status consists of four DPU Bus loop indicators to
represent the clockwise and counter-clockwise electrical and optical portions
of the DPU Bus. Conditions are complete or broken. A red colored loop
indicator represents a broken status for that portion of the DPU Bus.
Token Pass Rate
The Token Pass Rate of the DPU Bus appears to the right of the DPU Bus
loop indicators. This reports the number of times per second the selected
DBM device receives the token.
Map and Station Buttons
Click the Map and Station buttons to access the DPU Bus Map and Station
Status Displays, respectively, for the selected subsystem. These displays
provide additional system status information. See Fig. 6-2 and 6-4,
respectively.

6-3
DPU Bus Map

The DPU Bus Map shows all of the configured stations on the selected DPU
Bus and their statuses. See Figure 6-2. Each line is color coded to highlight
problems. Stations with normal status are colored white on gray. Stations
reporting a cable problem are colored yellow on gray. Stations that have
failed (are not token-passing) are colored yellow on red. Striped fields
indicate that the information to be displayed in a column cannot be retrieved.
This usually occurs when a station has failed. Stations that connect directly to
the DPU Bus include DPUs and DBMs.
In addition, MAX 1 and MAX 1000 stations such as Real-Time Processors,

Controller Files, and 58x Operator Stations could also be connected directly
to the DPU Bus. Briefly, the information shown consists of the following
fields:
STATION Name of DPU Bus device; this was selected during

database configuration.
ADDR DPU Bus address of device; this can be used with the
next and perm fields to determine the token passing
path.
NEXT Address of the next station to which the token can be

passed. If the DPU Bus is IGAP'd (see below), this
will be the actual station to which the token is passed.
PERM Address of the next station to which this station will

try to pass the token; if the DPU Bus is UGAP'd, this
will always be this station's address plus one. If the
DPU Bus is IGAP'd, this will be the next station that
has responded before (see NEXT above).
TYPE Station type; types that could be displayed are:
DBM DPU Bus Module
RTP Real-Time Processor
DPU Standalone Distributed Processing Unit
PRI DPU Primary DPU of a backup pair
SEC DPU Secondary DPU of a backup pair
CNTRL Standalone controller (any type)
PRI CNTRL Primary controller of a backup pair
SEC CNTRL Secondary controller of a backup pair

6-4
OP STN 582/585 Operator's Workstations
ACT If there are backup devices configured, this column

will display ACT next to the active device in a
backup pair.
STATUS Current status of the station.
OK No cable breaks detected by the station.
OC Optical clockwise cable is broken.
EC Electrical clockwise cable is broken.
BC Both clockwise cables are broken.
OCC Optical counter-clockwise cable is broken.
ECC Electrical counter-clockwise cable is broken.
BCC Both counter-clockwise cables are broken.
Note: If the station is no longer passing the token, the status field will be
striped out representing a FAILED station.
Figure 6-2. DPU Bus Map Display

6-5
The display includes buttons labeled IGAP, UGAP, RZAP, and Statistics.
Refer to the following for a description of their respective functions:
IGAP The IGAP (Initialize Go Ahead Pointers) function is used to

increase system efficiency by skipping nonexistent station
numbers on a DPU Bus. Accordingly, each time new stations
are added in an IGAP'd system, the data DPU Bus must be un-
IGAP'd (UGAP) to allow the new stations to be recognized. If
you are adding new stations, you should UGAP the DPU Bus,
verify that the new stations are performing correctly and then
IGAP the DPU Bus again.
UGAP UGAP causes the system to try all possible addresses on the
DPU Bus. This mode will cause some inefficiencies in the
DPU Bus, because many stations will not respond (they will
not be there). UGAP is used when a new station is being
added to the DPU Bus. After the new station begins
communicating, the DPU Bus should be put back into IGAP
mode.
RZAP RZAP clears the error counters for the DPU Bus. To view the
error counters click the DPU Bus Statistics button.
DPU Bus The DPU Bus Statistics button opens the DPU Bus
Statistics Performance Statistics display; refer to "Using the DPU Bus
Performance Statistics Display" for a discussion of this
display.
Using the DPU Bus Statistics Display

The DPU Bus Statistics display shows the diagnostic counters for the DPU
Bus. These are the statistics that are zeroed out when you click the RZAP
button on this display or on the DPU Bus Map display. See Fig. 6-3.
The display includes troubleshooting information that indicates the current

performance of the DPU Bus. For a detailed description of the information in
this display, see Publication 277582, DPU Bus Troubleshooting.

6-6
Figure 6-3. DPU Bus Statistic Display
Using DPU Bus Station Status Display

Press the DPU Bus Station Status button for the desired DBM to bring up
the DPU Bus Station Status Display. See Figure 6-4. Use this display to view
the current condition of DPUs on a DPU Bus.

6-7
Figure 6-4. DPU Bus Station Status Display
The display is divided into two areas. The top area shows:
§ The DPU Bus
§ DBM name
§ Next or Previous Page button
The Next Page/Previous Page buttons, located on the title bar just to the
right of the DPU Bus Module name, let you page through multiple displays
when there are more stations to display than will fit on one page.
Understanding DPU/Controller File Objects

The DPU Station Status display consists of several graphical windows called
objects. See Figures 6-5 and 6-6. Three object styles, each associated with a
DPU/Controller File model, may appear on this display. An object style for
the following models is available:
§ DPU PDP100 Series
§ All other DPU models:
§ DPU3
§ DPU Model PSF001 SFP
§ DPU PDP001 Series
§ Controller Files

6-8
Interpreting DPU Display Object Styles

All DPU models share a display object that is virtually the same in
appearance and functionality. However, depending on the DPU model DPU
Conf Button will open a different DPU Configuration display. See "Using
DPU Configuration Display."
The gray portion of each object contains information fields. Refer to

"Interpreting Information Fields" in this section. A status "light" that displays
up to four colors in appears on the far left. The DPU name appears above and
to the right of the status light. DPU-specific buttons, Run and Offline, are
located below the DPU name. Refer to "Controlling the DPU" in this chapter.
Figure 6-5. DPU Status Display Object
In the maxVUE Editor, you may assign to the DPU Bus Station Status
Display a DPU name for each of the available status objects on the display. It
is recommended that backup pairs be placed next to each other. If your
system has more than 16 DPUs, you may configure multiple displays.
Interpreting Status Lights
Each DPU status display object provides DPU running, communications, and
configuration status information. The DPU status light behaves like the light
on the DPU itself. Refer to the following to learn how to interpret status light
colors.
Color What It Means
Green Running; passing token on the DPU Bus; active DPU

in a backup pair.
Yellow Running; passing token on the DPU Bus; inactive DPU
in a backup pair.
Red Offline; passing token on the DPU Bus; either DPU in a
backup pair.
Striped Cannot communicate with the DPU; all other statuses
unknown.
Interpreting Information Fields
The gray section of each object displays the following information:
Field What the Field Contains

6-9
Title bar Name of the DPU.
Backup Status The title bar background color represents the backup
status. A blue background indicates a Primary Active
DPU. A yellow background indicates a Secondary
Inactive DPU. If any system diagnostic alarm is being
reported by this station, the alarm is shown here.
Alarm text Same as Alarm Summary display, prioritized.
Locked/Unlocked If the DPU is locked, the icon will appear as a closed

Icon lock; if the DPU is unlocked the icon will appear as a
opened lock; if there is no DPU Bus communications,
this field will be striped.
Controlling the DPU
To change a DPU state:
Click on one of the following two buttons on the DPU Status Display to
control the DPU:
Run Places the selected DPU in run mode.
Off Places the selected DPU offline.
Note: Some DPU error or startup conditions require that the DPU be put in
run mode from Interaction Page 9 before the run command is given. Also in
some cases, the key on the DPU must be turned Off/On.
The display includes three buttons to access other status displays. Click the
I/O Module, DTB Status, and DPU Configuration buttons to access the I/O
Module Status Display, Digital Terminal Board Status Display, and the DPU
Configuration Display, respectively. Refer to the following for a description
of each display's respective functions.
Note: If the display object is associated with a DPU model other than Model
4B, the I/O Module button opens Interaction Page 8.
Interpreting Controller File Display Object Style

Unlike DPU-style display objects, Controller File objects have more limited
functionality. In contrast to DPU-style objects, notice that Controller File
objects have no Run and Off buttons and no Locked/Unlocked Icon. The
object presents display-only status information.

6-10
The gray portion of each object contains information fields. Refer to

"Interpreting Information Fields" in this section. A status "light" that displays
up to four colors in appears on the far left. The Controller File name appears
above and to the right of the status light.
Figure 6-6. Controller File Status Display Object
In the maxVUE Editor, you may assign to the DPU Bus Station Status
Display a CONTROLLER FILE name for each of the available status objects
on the display. It is recommended that backup pairs be placed next to each
other. If your system has more than 16 CONTROLLER FILEs, you may
configure multiple displays.
Interpreting Status Lights
Each CONTROLLER FILE status display object provides Controller File

running, communications, and configuration status information. Refer to the
following to learn how to interpret status light colors.
Color What It Means

Green Running; passing token on the DPU Bus; active
Controller File in a backup pair.
Yellow Running; passing token on the DPU Bus; inactive
Red Offline; passing token on the DPU Bus; either
Striped Cannot communicate with the Controller File; all other
statuses unknown.
Interpreting Information Fields
The gray section of each object displays the following information:
Field What the Field Contains
Title bar Name of the Controller File.

Backup Status The title bar background color represents the backup
status. A blue background indicates a Primary Active
Controller File. A yellow background indicates a
Secondary Inactive Controller File. If any system
diagnostic alarm is being reported by this station, the
alarm is shown here.
Alarm text Same as Alarm Summary display, prioritized.

6-11
The display includes buttons to access other status displays. Click the DTB
Status, and Ctrl system buttons to access the Digital Terminal Board Status
Display, and the Controller File Status Display, respectively. Refer to the
following for a description of each display's respective functions:
Using the I/O Module Status Display

I/O Module Status Display shows all possible addresses on the I/O Bus for
the selected DPU. See Figure 6-7. The status of each address (active,
standby, or communication problems) is indicated by color. A color legend is
provided to identify the I/O Module address status:
Background/Text Status
Green background/black text Good
Red background/white text Bad/Missing
Yellow background/cyan text Standby
Black background/black text No Module
Cyan background/blue text Invalid Data
Figure 6-7. I/O Module Status Display

6-12
Click the Select DPU button to bring up a dialog box for selecting the I/O
Module Status Display of another DPU. Enter the DPU name and select OK
to pick a new DPU, or select Cancel to remain with the current DPU.
Note: The Last Bad Module field allows for the latching of the last I/O
Module address for which there was a communications failure.
Using the Digital Terminal Board Status Display

The Digital Terminal Board Status display shows a digital tabular display for
the selected DPU. The display graphically represents the logical names of
FAST DIO board 1-32 from DTB01 to DTB32. See Fig. 6-8.
The indicator lights represent the following Bit values:
True = Green
False = Red
Figure 6-8. Digital Terminal Board Status Display
Click the Select DPU button to bring up a dialog box for selecting the I/O
DTB Status Display of another DPU. Enter the DPU name and select OK to
pick a new DPU, or select Cancel to remain with the current DPU.

6-13
Using the DPU Configuration Display

The DPU Configuration Display shows DPU Status and configuration. See
Figure 6-9. This display can be used to view specific DPU information.
For PDP 100 Series the following information appears:

§ The DPU name and current revision levels for the DHW, CP, and IOP
processors.
§ Current DPU run mode and state.
§ DPU current Time and Date.
§ IEC 1131-3 current scan, maximum scan, logic size and data size.
§ DPU serial port baud rate, link type, bits/stops, parity, XON/XOFF, and
RTS/CTS
For all other DPUs, the following information appears:

§ The DPU name and current revision levels for the DHW, CP, and IOP
processors.
§ Current DPU run mode and state.
Figure 6-9. DPU Configuration Display

6-14
Viewing the Controller File Status Display

The Controller File Status display lists the version numbers for the circuit
boards that comprise a Controller File configuration. Click the Int Page
button to view of associated Interaction Pages.
To access this display:
Open the Station Status display, locate a Controller File Style object, and
click the Ctrl System button.
Figure 6-10. Controller File Status Display
Viewing Point Summary Displays

Click the Point Summaries button on the System Menu display to access
six point status displays. When you open this display, three point summary
and three alarm summary buttons appear at the bottom of the display. Click
the appropriate button to open one of the following displays:
Manual Points Provides a list of points that are in Manual mode.

Summary
Bad Points Provides a list of points having bad or doubtful

Summary quality.
Defeated Alarms Provides a list of points that have defeated alarms.

Summary

6-15
Suppressed Alarms Provides a list of points that have suppressed alarms.

Summary
Point Value Provides a list of all points.

Summary
All View a list of all alarms from the standard Alarm

Summary display.
The displays typically list the following point information:
Tag Name Point name assigned in maxTOOLS
Value Current point value
Quality Current quality of value
UOM (Unit of Measure)
Description Brief description of point.
HID Associated hierarchical identifier of the point
Viewing Workstation Information

Click the WorkStation Information button on the System Menu display to
access a workstation information pop-up. The display provides a centralized
location for information that applies to the workstation. Currently, this
information covers the revision level of maxSTATION software and
information on the Security Dongle.
The dongle fields show dongle serial number, order number, and item
number. There are also fields for information regarding the dongle’s
expiration. This information consists of the expiration date, the number of
days until the dongle expires, and a status message area that warns as the
expiration date approaches. The status message area remains blank until the
current date is within ninety (90) days of the dongle expiration date.
Thereafter, the warning message changes at 30 days, 15 days, and 5 days
until expiration.
It is important to note that the dongles sold as part of customer systems do

not expire. They are good forever. Only test dongles and dongles provided
for demonstration purposes expire. It is only for these dongles that the
expiration information is important.

6-16
Controlling Report Generation

Click the Reports Control button on the System Menu display to open the
Reports Control Panel. Use the Control Panel to control how reports are
printed and manage various configured and generated reports. The panel is
divided into four views, titled Configured Reports, Generated Reports,
Printers Available, and Print Queue. See Fig. 6-11.
These respective views display:

§ Configure reports by name and type, and last modification date
§ Generated reports by name and type, and generation date
§ Printers that are physically or logically connected to the engineering
station
§ The station’s print queue information
From the control panel, you may demand configured reports, print preview,
print, archive, or delete generated reports. You may also cancel a single print
job listed in the print queue or cancel and remove all jobs in the queue at
once. From the Printers Available view, you may select a default printer from
the list of available printers.
Figure 6-11. History Reports Control Panel
Viewing Disk Usage Data

Access the Disk Usage dialog to view current maxSTATION disk usage data
from an information display.
To view this display:

6-17
1. Open maxVUE Runtime and access the main menu.
2. Click the System Menu button and click the Disk Usage button.
The display shows the assigned maximum storage buffer, the assigned alarm
limit, and the disk space remaining for each application.
Figure 6-12. Disk Usage Display
Using Network Printing Function

Use the Network Printing function to redirect Event Logger print jobs
between a primary printer and a secondary printer. Printers can be either
directly connected to a maxSTATION, or directly connected to one of the
two Ethernet networks. Network Printing also monitors the status of both
local printers and network printers connected through Axis Print Servers, and
allows for printer failover.
To access the Network Printing function, click the Network Printing button
on the System Menu to get to the Network Printing dialog.

6-18
Figure 6-13. Network Printing Printers Tab
The dialog consists of two tabs, Printers and Assignment. See the following
two sections.
Using the Printers Tab
The Printers tab lists all available printers connected locally or remotely with
the Shared property, and printers connected over the network through the
Axis Print Server or any other print server.
For each listed printer, the display consists of the following:

§ printer status,
§ number of print jobs queued for the printer
§ LPT port the printer is currently assigned to.
Printers may be in one of the following three states:

§ normal: the printer icon bears a green dot.
§ paused: the printer icon appears purple to indicate the printer needs
attention.
§ fault: the printer icon appears red to indicate the printer needs attention.
The small icon next to the printer name indicates the printer status.
Due to differing status returns, depending on the server in use, only the status
of local printers and printers connected through Axis Print Server will be
guaranteed correct.
Using the Assignment Tab
The Assignment tab displays the current assignment settings of all three
maxSTATION LPT ports. The settings are:
§ primary printer,
§ secondary printer,
§ current printer,
§ connection status.

6-19
Figure 6-14. Network Printing Assignment Tab
The small icon next to printer name indicates the printer assignment:
§ Primary printer as current printer: the printer icon has a green dot.
§ Secondary printer as current printer: the printer icon has a yellow dot.
Buttons
The following buttons appear on either the Printers tab or Assignment tab.
brings up the Assignment dialog box for a selected LPT port; the
primary printer and secondary printer can be reset (see next section
for detail).
switches the setting of the selected LPT port’s current printer from
primary printer to secondary printer, or from secondary printer to
primary printer.
pauses printing on the selected printer or current printer of the

selected LPT port.
resumes printing on the selected printer or current printer of the

selected LPT port.
clears all print jobs queued to the current printer of the selected LPT
port.
Assignment Dialog Box
Use the Assignment dialog to select a printer and set it as primary or

secondary.
This dialog contains information about printer drivers and page orientation,
portrait or landscape. The drivers of primary printer and secondary printer

6-20
must be the same to ensure that redirection of spooled print jobs will be
successful.
To set a printer as primary or secondary:
1. Click the Assignment button appearing in the upper left of the

Network Printing dialog to access the Assignment dialog.
2. Select a desired printer and click the Primary or Secondary button.
Click the Clear button to clear these settings.
Network Printing Error Reporting
If any error is detected for the primary printer or secondary printer of an LPT
port, the following system event is reported:
ALM Primary/Secondary Printer Error
Additionally, the following alarm message appears on alarm-related displays

for the related LPT object:
Primary/Secondary Printer Error.
Using the Event Loggers Display

Access the Event Logger display to view the status of up to three Event
Loggers and to control their operation. Any Event Loggers monitored by this
display may be running on the same maxSTATION as this display or may be
running on different maxSTATIONs. You may access these event loggers
from the Event Logger display. See the following figure. For more
information regarding the Event Logging process, see Publication 277594,
maxSTATION Auxiliary Functions User's Guide.

6-21
Figure 6-15 - Event Logger
The Event Logger display consists of three columns, each corresponding to

one Event Logger. The name of the logger appears at the top of each
column (e.g., _EVTOPR for the middle column).
Each event logger column consists of three fields:

§ Printer Control
§ Print Status
§ Print Buffer Statistics
Printer Control Area
The Printer Control area contains a switch that permits you to enable or
disable event printing. To indicate printer enabled status, a green rocker
appears with the right side depressed, and an adjacent printer symbol
indicates the enabled state (e.g., _EVTOPR and _EVTNT55).
To indicate printer disabled status, a red rocker appears with the left side
depressed. Additionally, the printer symbol is covered with a circle and
slash, indicating the disabled state (e.g., _EVTVALIDAT2). Click on the
switch to toggle the enabled / disabled state.
Events entering the logger pass through a FIFO (First In First Out) buffer that
can hold 600 events. The contents of this buffer are shown in the Event
Logger window. When an event is removed from the event buffer it is

6-22
placed into a printer spool file (one file per event) and entered into the queue
for printing.
When printing is disabled, events entering the logger build up in the event
FIFO buffer since they have no where to go. If the buffer ever fills up, the
oldest events in the buffer will be deleted (and therefore lost) to make room
for the newest events. Events will continue to be lost until room becomes
available in the buffer.
Click the Print Test button to print one line on that logger’s printer to verify
the printer’s operational status. Events are printed in time sequence order.
However, for speed, the Print Test button bypasses the normal time ordering
process so the test line may appear out of time sequence on the printout. The
test print will appear after any previously spooled events have been printed.
Print Status Field
The Print Status field displays the following information:

Printer Port the name of the port to which printing will be directed
Printer Status The Open/Close status of the printer spool file queue (open
means that events may enter the queue for printing). This
status will change from Open to Closed when the switch is
changed from Enable Printing to Disable Printing.
Hold Status The Held/Going status of the logger. If the current number
of spool files exceeds the maximum (see Spool File Limit
and Current Spool Files, below), the Event Logger status
changes from Going to Held and no more events can be
placed into the printer queue until the number of spool files
drops below the limit. It is possible to lose events when in
the Hold state since events will build up in the FIFO buffer.
If the FIFO buffer fills up, the oldest events in the buffer
will be lost to make room for new events.
Spool File Indicates the maximum number of event spool files that
Limit may be queued up (waiting to be printing). If the spool file
limit is reached, the logger status changes to Hold to
prevent additionally events from this logger from being
spooled. The Spool File Limit is configured in the
EventLogger.ini file for each logger. Each event logger
may have a different spool file limit. In fact, it is a good
idea to assign a higher limit to higher priority event
loggers. This will reduce the possibility of losing high
priority events due to spool limits.
Current Spool Indicates the number of spool files currently in use. As
Files spooled events are printed, the spool files are deleted and
this number drops. All loggers and other programs that
direct output to the same printer port create spool files and
therefore contribute to the total number of spool files that
exist at any given time. Thus, the spool file limit may be

6-23
reached even if any particular logger is not processing

many events.
Print Buffer Statistics
The Print Buffer Statistics field displays event information:

Events Printed total number of events that have been printed.
Events Lost total number of events that could not be printed (due to the
spool file limit or other reasons). Lost events may not be
recovered or printed by the Event Logger.
Click the Reset Stats button to clear (zero) the counts for Events Printed and
Events Lost.
Click the Purge Events button to delete all events from the event buffer.
Deleted events may not be recovered or printed by the Event Logger.
To reduce the possibility of accidentally purging events, a pop-up display

will appear and ask for confirmation before performing the purge. If you
change your mind, click the Cancel button instead of the Purge button on the
confirmation pop-up.

6-24
Chapter 7
Using the
Operator Keyboard
The maxDNA Operator Keyboard is a Metso Automation MAX Controls-

supplied inputting device designed to perform process control and operator
display control functions. This keyboard was developed specifically for
maxDNA control operations and is intended to augment inputting functions
which you may also perform using a mouse, trackball or touch screen.
In addition to the operator keyboard, you may also use the Engineer's
keyboard, a standard PC Qwerty keyboard, to perform similar inputting
functions. This chapter discusses the operator keyboard functions versus the
standard PC typewriter keyboard functions.
Notice that the Operator's keyboard is divided into sections. Each section has
a title (Mode, Setpoint, etc.), and uses the following color coding to help you
identify the function of the keys:
Light Gray User-programmable function keys
Yellow Alarm control
Blue Display manipulation and control
Gray Keyboard entry keys
The following sections discuss each of the keys on the keyboard.
Custom Keys
Eight custom function keys, located in the upper, left-hand corner of the
keyboard, are designed to be user configurable by the system engineer as
display swaps.

7-1
Functionally, these keys correspond to function keys F1 through F8 on a PC

keyboard. Consequently, if you have a PC keyboard connected, its function
keys can be used interchangeably.
The keyboard is designed so that an overlay can slide in between the

keyboard and the plastic. This overlay can be used to identify the functions
currently assigned to the function keys.
Mode Keys
Mode keys, colored blue on the keyboard, are used to alter the current
operating mode of a selected block. Note that not all keys will be applicable
to a selected block. For instance, if the block is not a PID, the cascade mode
button probably will not be appropriate.
<Man>: Manual Mode
Use this key to put the selected block into manual control. For most
digital blocks, you will be able to turn the block on and off manually.
For most analog blocks, including PIDs, you will be able to adjust
the output. If the block is an input block, placing it in manual will
freeze the current value, effectively blocking the input, and allowing
you to enter a substitute value. On the PC keyboard, the equivalent
key is <Shift-F1>.
<Auto>: Automatic mode
Use this key to place the selected block on automatic control. This
means that you will not be able to manually affect the output of the
block. Some Control Blocks, such as PIDs, will allow you to enter a
value for the setpoint while in auto. On the PC keyboard the
equivalent key is <Shift-F2>.
<Casc>: Cascade mode
When the selected block is a PID, this key will cause the Remote
Setpoint to be accepted as the Working Setpoint. In other analog
blocks, cascade operation is the same as automatic mode. On the PC
keyboard the equivalent key is <Shift-F3>.
In Digital Sequencer and Ramp Generator Control Blocks, cascade

will cause the block to go into a test mode. When in test mode, the
<On Start Open> key can be pressed to successively test the
outputs by stepping through the sequence. Note that in this mode the
outputs are active. When using the <On Start Open> key in manual
mode the step is changed, but the output is not.
In all other digital Control Blocks, cascade operation is the same as

automatic.

7-2
Using the Operator Keyboard
<Comp>: Host computer mode
Use this key to place a selected block into host computer request
mode. If the computer accepts, the output will then be controlled by
the computer. On the PC keyboard, the equivalent key is <Shift-F4>.
Setpoint Keys
Setpoint keys, colored blue, are used to incrementally adjust the current
setpoint of a point. The increment is the small step setpoint interval defined
with the Control Step % in the maxSTATION settings defaults.
Ý>: Raise Setpoint

<Ý
This key is marked with an up arrow. Pressing it will cause the

setpoint of the selected analog block to be raised. On the PC
ß>: Lower Setpoint

<ß
This key is marked with a down arrow. Pressing it will cause the
setpoint of the selected analog block to be lowered. On the PC
Output Keys
Output keys, colored blue, are used to incrementally adjust the current output
of a block. The increment is the small step output interval defined with the
Control Step % in the maxSTATION settings defaults. Note that the current
output cannot be raised or lowered unless the block is in manual.
<+>: Raise output
Press this key to raise the output of the selected block. To

implement, the block must be an analog type block set in manual
mode. On the PC keyboard the equivalent key is <Ctrl-F1>.
<->: Lower output
Press this key to lower the output of the selected block. To

implement, the block must be an analog type set in manual mode. On
the PC keyboard the equivalent key is <Ctrl-F2>.

7-3
Logic Keys
Logic keys, colored blue, are used to control digital Control Blocks.
<On Start Open>
Use this key to activate a digital output block type. To operate the
block, it must be in manual or test mode and selected. On the PC
keyboard, the equivalent key is <Shift-F5>.
When a Sequencer or Ramp Generator block type is selected, this

key will cause the Control Block to advance the sequence if the
block is in manual or test mode (cascade will cause the Control
Block to enter test mode). If the Control Block is in test mode, the
output will be active; in manual mode the sequence will advance
without changing the output.
<Off Stop Close>
Use this key to deactivate a digital output block type. To operate the
block, it must be in manual or test and selected. On the PC keyboard,
the equivalent key is <Shift-F6>.
<Reset>
Use this key to reset a function. On the PC keyboard, the equivalent

key is <Shift-F7>.
<Reverse>
Resulting action of this key is Control Block dependent. It is

typically use to reverse the direction of a reversing motor. On the PC
keyboard, the equivalent key is <Shift-F8>.
Alarm Keys
The four alarm keys, colored yellow, control alarms. Use these keys to
temporarily stop alarms from occurring (defeat them), restore their function,
silence audible alarms, and acknowledge them.
<Acknowledge>
Acknowledges the highest priority unacknowledged alarm; this is the

top alarm displayed in the alarm list display box on the Vertical
Toolbar display. This key has the same effect as the Ack button on
the Alarm List display. On the PC keyboard, the equivalent key is
<Ctrl-F3>.

7-4
<Silence>
When a new alarm is detected, the maxSTATION can sound an

audible alarm in addition to posting the new alarm in the appropriate
location in the alarm list. This key lets you quiet the alarm with a
single keystroke and has the same effect as the Silence button on the
Vertical Toolbar display.
<Defeat>
Defeats all alarms on the currently selected block. When

implemented, the block will not alarm until it has been restored. Use
of this key may be restricted. On the PC keyboard, the equivalent
key is <Ctrl-F4>.
<Restore>
Restores all alarms on the currently selected block so that it can

alarm again. On the PC keyboard, the equivalent key is <Ctrl-F5>.
Display Keys
Display keys, colored blue, are shortcut keys for bringing up the most
commonly used displays. See Chapter 3, "Using Standard Displays" for a
description of each of these displays.
<Main Menu>
Calls up the main menu display for the maxSTATION; on the PC

keyboard the equivalent key is <Ctrl-F6>.
<Alarm Summary>
Calls up the alarm summary display for the maxSTATION; on the

PC keyboard the equivalent key is <Ctrl-F7>.
<Last Screen>
Redisplays the screen displayed prior to the current one; on the PC

keyboard the equivalent key is <Ctrl-F8>.
<Print Screen>
Prints the screen if you use network printing or a printer connected to

the LPT1 port on your maxSTATION. The printer must be set up
through Windows NT as the default printer. On the PC keyboard the
equivalent key is <Ctrl-F9>.

7-5
Pan and Zoom Keys

Use the gray Pan arrow keys to move around a display that is larger than the
screen. Use the blue zoom keys (Norm, Full and Mag) to increase and
decrease the magnification of the display.
<Norm>
This key will act the same as the <Full> key, this key provides a
magnification level between <Full> and <Mag>. The PC keyboard
equivalent for this key is <Ctrl-N>.
<Full>
This key, the opposite of <Mag>, causes the display to zoom out to
its fullest size. The PC keyboard equivalent for this key is <Ctrl-F>.
<Mag>
This key causes the display to be shown at full magnification. This is

useful for showing all possible detail in a display. The PC keyboard
equivalent for this operation is <Ctrl-M>.
⇔> <⇐
<⇔ ⇐> <∨
∨> <∧
∧>
The pan keys cause the view window to pan in the selected direction.
For many displays the screen will have to be magnified for these
keys to be functional. The equivalent PC keyboard keys for these
actions are <Page Up>, <Page Down>, <Ctrl-Page Down>, <Ctrl-
Page Up>.
Cursor Keys
The cursor keys are colored gray on the keyboard indicating that they are
used for movement and data entry. The cursor group is used for cursor
movement in Interaction Pages. Press the arrow keys to move the pointer
about the display.
Note: The <Pick> key has no current function.
Numeric Entry Keys

The numeric entry keys, also colored gray on the keyboard, are used to enter
values into numeric fields. They can be used to change setpoints, output
values, etc.

7-6
To change a numeric value on the screen, move the pointer to the field you
want to change. If the field is changeable, the pointer will turn into a vertical
bar. You can also move the pointer to the input field by pressing the <Tab>
key. Once you have started entering a number you may use the <Rubout>
key to erase the character to the left of the cursor. After you have finished
entering the number you must use the <Enter> key to save your changes.
On the PC keyboard, the equivalent for <Rubout> is <Backspace>.
Function Keys
Use the 8 programmable function keys to bring up your own custom
displays. The programmable function keys are preassigned in the
maxSTATION default settings by your system engineers.
Note: The F1 key is preassigned as the Help key and will bring up the
maxVUE Help display
Figure 7-1. maxVUE Help Display

7-7

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maxSTATION

Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc.

Attention: Manager, Technical Publications

Copyright © 2001, 2002 by Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc.

Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc. • 277557 •

Chapter 1 ..................................................................................................................................... 1-1

Hardware Environment ......................................................................................................................... 1-1

Chapter 2 ..................................................................................................................................... 2-1

Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 2-1

Chapter 3 ..................................................................................................................................... 3-1

Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc. • 277557 •

Working with Standard Displays ................................................................................................ 3-1

Using the Main Menu Display .............................................................................................................. 3-1

Chapter 4 ..................................................................................................................................... 4-1

Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 4-1

Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc. • 277557 •

Using the Freeze/UnFreeze Scoreboard Buttons............................................................................................. 4-12

Chapter 5 ..................................................................................................................................... 5-1

Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 5-1

Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc. • 277557 •

Filtering by Severity........................................................................................................................................ 5-10

Chapter 6 ..................................................................................................................................... 6-1

System Menu Overview ........................................................................................................................ 6-1

Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc. • 277557 •

Viewing Workstation Information ...................................................................................................................... 6-16

Chapter 7 .................................................................................................................................... 7-1

Custom Keys......................................................................................................................................................... 7-1

Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc. • 277557 •

This publication is written for anyone who operates a maxDNA Distributed

This publication provides operator information for DPU Bus Module

This publication consists of the following seven chapters:

Chapter 1, "Introduction" provides an overview of the maxSTATION,

Chapter 2, "Getting Started," describes maxSTATION logon and logoff

Chapter 4, "Using Standard Display Objects" covers the use of pop-up

Chapter 6, "Using System Status Displays" covers the use of system

Chapter 7, "Using the Operator Keyboard" discusses a keyboard developed

Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc. • 277557 •

A variety of editorial and typographic conventions are used in this book to

For information about related topics, refer to the following maxDNA

Publication Book Number

Alarm Message Reference Guide 277558

Model IOP Output Driver and Auto/Manual 277559

Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc. • 277557 •

The Operator’s Workstation uses maxVUE graphical interface software to

The Engineer’s Workstation is used for creating and maintaining

In addition to these functions, the maxSTATION collects and manages

These software functions can be distributed among multiple workstation

The maxSTATION processor is an 800 MHz Pentium® III processor, or

Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc. • 277557 •

§ 128 MB RAM, or greater

The full maxDNA Distributed Control System consists of one or more

§ maxDPU4E Distributed Processing Units (DPUs), the process

MaxDNA uses a client/server architecture. The DBM, acting as a server,

A maxDNA system is composed of subsystems. A subsystem database,

Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc. • 277557 •

System resources consist of:

Control points consist of the following:

Operators may view points from any subsystem at any Operator's

Multiple subsystems can share a common maxNET Network, which allows

maxSTATION components, normally located in a control room, can be

Metso Automation MAX Controls Inc. • 277557 •

maxTOOLS (Configuration Manager)

maxTOOLS is the software application configuration engineers use to create