LookoutDirect Frequently Asked Questions
Use "Ctrl-F" to search for specific words in this FAQ.
Question:
What are the differences between NI Lookout 4 and LookoutDirect 4?
Answer
Please refer to this PDF cross-reference of the differences between LookoutDirect and NI Lookout.
FAQ ID: 254
Question:
Can you set Lookout Direct to not print acknowledgements in error log?
Answer
No.
FAQ ID: 255
Question:
Lookout Direct and redundancy?
Answer
With Lookout Direct you can configure two process control computers for redundancy, providing automatic transfer of control if the primary computer should fail.
FAQ ID: 256
Question:
How can you create an alarm group in LookoutDirect?
Answer
Edit, database, select alarm group and type in a new name
FAQ ID: 257
Question:
Can LookoutDirect transfer data from one location PC to another via Internet?
Answer
Yes, Version 4 can accomplish this by applying a National Instruments Lookout Client license to your installed LookoutDirect Version 4 Software
FAQ ID: 258
Question:
Can you please tell me if there is a Modicon Ethernet driver available for Lookout Direct?
Answer
Yes, there is a 'Modbus Ethernet' driver option in Lookout Direct.
FAQ ID: 563
Question:
Does LookoutDirect have OPC server and client capabilities?
Answer
Yes LookoutDirect has both OPC client and server capabilities.
FAQ ID: 564
Question:
Does Lookout Direct support Devicenet?
Answer
No.
FAQ ID: 727
Question:
I am a new user, do you have any documents to help me get started using Lookout Direct?
Answer
Yes, please check the application notes listed here.
Lookout App notes
Specifically, http://support.automationdirect.com/docs/an-lkd-008.pdf
deals with getting started programming Lookout Direct.
FAQ ID: 1057
Question:
I get an error message "Unable to start the hardware key driver. Please check the driver installation and try again." message when trying to run Lookout Direct after installing the newest drivers for the Sentinel key, what is wrong?
Answer
The driver should install both the USB and Parallel driver by default. It is possible only the USB driver was installed. Please run the Sentinel update utility in add/remove programs and make sure both the USB and Parallel drivers are installed.
FAQ ID: 1236
Question:
Does LookoutDirect have e-mail? Can I e-mail alarms?
Answer
No, LookoutDirect does not have any e-mail capability. Please consider a C-more panel.
FAQ ID: 1358
Question:
When connecting to a P3 system, what do I do?
Answer
First, you must assign the Modbus addresses in the P3 Tag Database. There are no pre-assigned addresses, but the Tag DB will Auto-Increment and assign addresses according to data type (2 sequential addresses for any 32-bit data type)
Next, create a Modbus driver in Lookout. All of your P3 tags will be created under this object (normally called "Modbus1") Then, go thru the usual "Insert Expression" procedure to create your tags and select the "Modbus1" object. This will populate the "Contents" field with the various Modbus addresses and the different datatypes (no modifiers required). There are different tags for different types, D for double word integer, F for Real (Floating Point), and so forth.
NOTE: If you use F type, you will need to modify the Modbus driver object (choose Advanced when modifying this object, and check the box for "Modicon 32-bit etc). This will correctly display the P3 Float values.
FAQ ID: 1365
Question:
Why Am I Getting the Alarm "The logging buffer is full"?
Answer
This is covered in the National Instruments Knowledgebase
Why Am I Getting the Alarm "The logging buffer is full"?
FAQ ID: 1385
Question:
My USB key isn't recognized/ getting a "Sentinel" error, what can I do?
Answer
The latest Sentinel driver is at the link below. They have been purchased by Gemalto, so we aren't sure how much longer this link or even this driver may be available. Make SURE you remove the USB key before installing this driver.
Sentinel driver is here:
http://www2.gemalto.com/support/files/SentinelProtectionInstaller7.5.0.zip
FAQ ID: 1569