Troubleshooting
Problem
Data expected to be visible in the Maximo Renewables platform may appear missing, outdated, or incomplete. To ensure efficient support and resolution, it is critical for site administrators to first confirm that the data is being correctly transmitted from the field SCADA/datalogger device to the FTP Server.
Symptom
If you observe the following issues, this guide should be followed:
- Missing or Outdated Data: Key performance indicators or operational data are not visible, or they haven't been updated recently in the Maximo Renewables platform.
- File Integrity Issues: Files received on the FTP server are empty, incomplete, or show signs of corruption.
Communication Errors: The link between the field SCADA/datalogger and the FTP server may be interrupted or misconfigured.
Cause
These data visibility issues typically stem from the data transmission layer and can be caused by:
- SCADA Transmission Failure: Data is not being updated or transmitted correctly from the field SCADA/datalogger device itself.
- Transfer Integrity: Problems with the file integrity occurred during the transfer process to the FTP server.
- Network/Access Issues: Network-related problems (e.g., firewall rules, connectivity drops) are preventing FTP access or file upload.
Configuration Changes: Recent changes to the SCADA configuration, such as modifications to the data format, file naming conventions, or date/time formatting, which prevent the Maximo system from correctly parsing the data.
Environment
The verification process focuses on the initial data flow stage:
- SCADA/Datalogger: The source device in the field generating the raw data.
- Client Network: The infrastructure facilitating the data transfer.
- FTP Server: The repository where the SCADA/datalogger data is stored and accessed by Maximo Renewables.
Maximo Renewables Platform: The destination system that consumes, processes, and visualizes the data.
Diagnosing The Problem
Perform the following checks to identify and potentially resolve the issue:
- Verify FTP Access and File Presence
- Connect to the FTP Server: Log in to the designated FTP repository.
- Check for Expected Files: Confirm that the files Maximo Renewables is expected to consume are present in the correct directory.
- Review Timestamps: Check the file creation or modification timestamps. Confirm that they are updated according to your regular data transmission schedule (e.g., every 5 minutes, hourly, daily). If timestamps are stale, the SCADA system is not sending data.
- Validate Data Integrity
- Download a Recent File: Download the most recent data file from the FTP server.
- Inspect Content: Open the file to ensure it is complete and not empty or filled with null characters (a sign of corruption).
- Confirm Format: Verify that the internal data format (e.g., CSV, XML) and structure match the expected specification.
- Confirm SCADA System Status and Configuration
- Coordinate with SCADA Team: Engage your SCADA/Control team.
- Check for Alerts: Ask them to verify the SCADA system status for any internal errors, warnings, or alerts related to data logging or external communication.
- Review Changes: Confirm that no recent changes have been made to the SCADA system's communication setup, data mapping, or file output settings.
- Review Communication Logs
- Request Transfer Logs: If available, request detailed logs from the SCADA team that show the data transfer history to the FTP server.
- Look for Anomalies: Examine the logs for interruptions, failed transfer attempts, or error codes that could indicate a data delivery failure.
Resolving The Problem
- If any of the diagnostic steps above uncover a local issue (e.g., stale timestamps, empty files, or SCADA error alerts), resolve the problem at the source (SCADA/datalogger or FTP transfer mechanism).
- If all checks are successful (i.e., you confirm the correct, complete, and timely data files are present on the FTP server) and the issue persists in the Maximo Renewables Platform, please proceed to raise a support case.
Crucial Note: When raising the support case, please include the findings from your review (e.g., file timestamps, log snippets, confirmation of SCADA configuration stability). This documentation will allow our support team to bypass the initial verification steps and assist you far more efficiently.
Document Location
Worldwide
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Document Information
Modified date:
30 November 2025
UID
ibm17249664