Color-coding containers in Sparcs

Troubleshooting Navis Sparcs

Lost connection with server

If the connection to the server is lost, Navis SPARCS immediately backs up all data to a folder titled backup in your Private Data folder and displays the alert message:

The connection to the server was lost and all data was backed up. Press OK to quit Navis SPARCS.

After you quit Navis SPARCS, ask your Navis SPARCS administrator whether the Navis SPARCS server is down. If the server is still running, try restarting your workstation to reconnect to the server. If the Navis SPARCS server is down, several things can happen, depending on how Navis SPARCS is configured at your site.

 •A backup server can be brought on line to replace the usual server.
This operation is handled by the Navis SPARCS administrator.
•If no replacement server is available, your workstation can run in solo mode, without connecting to a server.
This operation is handled by the Navis SPARCS administrator.
•The Navis SPARCS administrator can eventually bring the failed server back on line and you can restart Navis SPARCS.

Navis SPARCS access denied

If the dongle is missing or disconnected, or the dongle driver is not installed, Navis SPARCS will not launch. To determine the problem, visually inspect the dongle and check that it is installed and securely connected.

Note 

Only the Navis SPARCS server and any machine running in solo mode requires a dongle. Workstations that serve as clients to a Navis SPARCS server do not need a dongle.

Then take the most appropriate of the following actions:
•If either the dongle or EvE INIT is missing, report it to the Navis SPARCS administrator immediately.
•If the dongle is installed but loose, fasten it securely to the back of the workstation and to the keyboard cable, restart, and launch Navis SPARCS again.
•If the dongle is installed and securely connected and the EvE INIT file is in the Extensions folder, and Navis SPARCS still fails to launch, see your Navis SPARCS administrator.

Low memory condition

In general, you should run Navis SPARCS without any other application open, particularly if your workstation has less than 64MB of RAM. If you have any application open when you get a memory alert message, close the application(s) immediately.

System freezes

If Navis SPARCS “freezes” your computer so you cannot work, restart your workstation by either pressing the breaker switch or turning the power switch off and on.

When the workstation restarts, you can launch Navis SPARCS again.

Note

Having other applications open simultaneously with Navis SPARCS can cause problems that might result in a system freeze.

Dr. Watson prompt appears

If the Dr. Watson screen displays, Navis SPARCS has crashed.

Dr. Watson is a special diagnostic application that enables you to save a log file that describes the events and conditions that caused the crash. This log file helps Navis engineers determine the cause of the problem.

The following steps describe how to generate the log file and get your machine running again. Record what you were doing at the time of the crash and perform the following steps.

   

To obtain a log file:

1.Locate the file named drwtsn32.log.

2.Restart Navis SPARCS and work normally.

3.Notify the Navis SPARCS Administrator, who should e-mail the log file to Navis technical support.

Note

Dr. Watson also creates a user.dump file, which Navis technical support may also require, depending on the nature of the crash.

Selection counter flashing red

 
The selection counter is located at the left end of the Navis SPARCS toolbar. The flashing red means that the server has lost contact with the host computer. You can continue to work normally in Navis SPARCS because Navis SPARCS will spool changes to disk and pass them to the host when the host is back on line.
Be aware, however, that with no connection to the host, Navis SPARCS cannot receive updates, such as containers coming in the gate. Inform the Navis SPARCS administrator immediately of a lost connection with the host.

Cannot locate ship file

The ship file is a file in the ship files folder that defines Navis SPARCS’s electronic model for a vessel class. If the ship file for the vessel you want to open is missing from the ship files folder or misnamed, Navis SPARCS cannot open the vessel.

•Open the vessel call for the desired vessel and identify its class

 Check the ship files folder for a ship file with the same vessel class.

•Check to see that the ship file is named with the correct class and that the vessel call specifies the correct vessel class. Correct one or the other if it is wrong. If you cannot locate a ship file for the vessel you want to open, see your Navis SPARCS administrator.

The problem may be the ship naming format. There are two formats for naming ship files: an older format still in use at some sites, and a more recent format. Ask your Navis SPARCS administrator which format is in use at your site.

•In the older format, the ship file must be named ship.{vessel class}. For example, the ship file for class SPR is ship.SPR. If the class is not preceded by “ship.” the file will not be recognized as a ship file by Navis SPARCS.

•In the new format, the vessel class does not have to be preceded by “ship.” but must be preceded and followed by a period. In the new format, the ship file for class SPR could be either of these: NAV.SPR.Springtide, or NAV.SPR., and so forth. (As long as the class is set off by periods, Navis SPARCS will recognize the file as a ship file.)

Missing menu command, tool, or container attribute
Navis SPARCS is a configurable application. Many commands, tools, and container attributes can be turned on and off by your Navis SPARCS administrator for security and other reasons. See your Navis SPARCS administrator about restoring the lost command or tool.

View window stuck behind the toolbar

You can close the window by double-checking it to make it active and selecting File>Close. Or you can move the toolbar by clicking the left side of the toolbar and dragging it down to reveal the window, then drag the window to another location. Drag the toolbar to its previous position when done.

Cannot enter values in Edit Container or Container Modify dialog

The container attribute is a validated field, and you have entered an invalid value. Acceptable values must be defined in the Navis SPARCS codes file in order for Navis SPARCS to accept the value. Ask your Navis SPARCS administrator to add the desired value to the codes file.

Mouse moves slowly
If this starts happening after you disconnect your keyboard or mouse, restart your workstation and the mouse should work normally. Otherwise, refer to the hardware documentation to learn how to configure mouse tracking speed.

Palette loses colors
The palette file might have been deleted from the Shared Data folder on the server or renamed, causing Navis SPARCS to create a new one without colors assigned to attributes. Another possibility is that you opened a vessel with its own palette file, and after closing it, Navis SPARCS returned to its default palette file, in which colors have not been assigned to attributes.

If the palette file in the Shared Data folder has been removed, you can replace it with a backup copy if one is available. See your Navis SPARCS administrator about obtaining a backup copy of the palette file. If no backup is available, you must manually reassign colors to attributes in the new palette file.
If the palette file has been renamed, you can discard the new default palette file and return the name of the old one to palette. Select the palette file with Edit>Other Palette to use the original palette file again.

Navis SPARCS PrimeRoute for Terminal Tractors

Elements of the Navis SPARCS user interface

About Expert Decking

Sparcs administrator tasks

Administrative tasks
This section outlines the routine tasks required to maintain Navis SPARCS at your site. Details on how to accomplish these tasks are provided in the later chapters of this manual

.
Weekly
•Restart the server.
•Copy the Shared Data folder from the server to the backup server.
As Needed
•Review the Integrity Check and Log files.
•Update the codes file.
•Update the equiv file(s).
•Modify the yard file

•Configure the yard satellite view.
•Change report formats (stow plans, sequence sheets, recap reports).
•Add a ship to your data set.
•Change all Navis SPARCS workstations’ configurations.
•Change individual workstation configurations.
•Change the display of container attributes.
•Add and delete logical blocks.
•Switch the Navis SPARCS server (to backup server).
•Verify backup procedures during simulated hardware failures.

Weekly
You should complete these tasks weekly to help ensure smooth Navis operation at your site.

Restart the server
On start-up the server does a comprehensive data evaluation of all Navis SPARCS files. Restarting also ensures that the server and all the clients use the same codes, Navis SPARCS Settings, and yard files

Copy the Shared Data folder
Make a copy of the Shared Data folder and store it on a separate volume or removable storage media (such as a ZipTM disk). In the event a hardware failure destroys the Shared Data folder, you have an up-to-date backup copy. For more information, see Note

Note

If a vessel is open when you copy the Shared Data folder, a dialog box might appear alerting you that some items are in use. Click Continue. If these items are critical, you can find them in that workstation’s Private Data\vessel data folder

As needed
You should complete the following tasks  as required. These tasks should be done on a periodic basis, depending on how the Navis SPARCS configuration and files are modified at your location.

Modify the yard file

Periodically, you may need to modify the Navis SPARCS yard file to reflect changes made to your actual yard (alteration in layout, addition of new blocks, and so on).
Note

When you modify the yard file, you must use the Yard Compiler feature

Review the Integrity Check and Log files

In the weeks immediately after an installation or upgrade, complete these reviews daily until errors no longer appear.
•The Integrity Check file can be used to find data consistency problems between the host and Navis SPARCS.
•The Log files can be used to identify where host/server communication problems occur

Update the codes file
Periodically, you may need to enter or modify codes in the codes file, and update the equiv file(s) accordingly

Update the equiv file(s)

Periodically, you may need to enter or modify codes in the equiv file, and update the codes file accordingly

Set up the yard

satellite view
During installation, you must set up the yard satellite view to match the layout of blocks in the yard. Similarly, if changes are made to the yard file, you must modify the yard satellite view accordingly

Change report formats
Report formats (font, font size, and so on) can be modified directly in the Navis SPARCS Settings file

Add a ship to the data set

After aShipEditor file has been created for a ship, place the ship file in the ship files folder located in the Shared Data folder

Create or modify new users and/or groups
You enable Navis SPARCS access via user IDs and passwords; you set user privileges at the group level

Change Navis SPARCS configuration

You can change the Navis SPARCS configuration for your terminal by modifying the Navis SPARCS Settings file

Change the display of container attributes
You can modify the attributes that Navis SPARCS displays by modifying the #ATTRIBUTE section of the Navis SPARCS Settings file

Adding and deleting logical blocks
You can modify the logical blocks that Navis SPARCS uses to define the status of a container’s location by modifying the #LOG BLOCK section of the Navis SPARCS Settings file

Switch to backup server or system
In the event of a hardware failure, you want Navis SPARCS to return to operation as quickly as possible . Navis recommends using the backup system .. in following post we will explain how to setup iy

Add a workstation
Periodically, you may need to add a workstation (client, server, solo, backup server, file server) to your existing Navis SPARCS network

Update D&H Rules file
(if your site licenses Hazardous Checking by Class and UN Number Rules Option)
If your site has licensed the Hazardous Checking by Class and UN Number Rules Option and not the UN Number Hazardous Rules Set Maintenance Option, you must update your D&H Rules files to keep current with the UN numbers and stowage rules as defined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and published in a document called IMDG Code.
If your site also licenses the UN Number Hazardous Rules Set Maintenance Option, Navis updates the D&H Rules file as changes are made to the IMDG Code and sends you the file via e-mail or by posting directly to your Web site. You are responsible for replacing the old file with the new one

Troubleshooting
The Navis SPARCS administrator is the first resource for user technical support, and is usually able to resolve most of the issues that users experience. Normally it is only a matter of the user’s unfamiliarity with Navis SPARCS

If the procedures and references do not help you solve your problem, contact Navis technical support

Navis SPARCS files and folders

ShipEditor

About Navis

 Navis is the global technology standard for managing the movement of cargo through terminals, standing the test of time.  Navis’ mission is to deliver solutions that improve operational efficiencies, productivity and visibility for terminal operators.  Navis combines industry best practices with innovative technology and world-class services that enable marine terminal operators worldwide to optimize their operations, maximize performance and reduce risk.

Whether tracking cargo through a port, automating equipment operations, or managing multiple terminals through an integrated, centralized solution, Navis provides a holistic approach to operational optimization.  As a result, Navis customers experience improved visibility, velocity and measurable business results