Introduction

The purpose of the Playback tab is to query, review, analyse, and compare all track, alarm, area and system data. The results can then be used for analysis, for finding patterns of behaviour, for making data predictions, for extracting specific statistics, and as evidence of past incidents. Data results are presented in result tables as well as graphs for clear, visual data absorption and understanding.

Contents

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Running a Query

There are four steps to running a query:

1. Select the Time Period - use a time preset, the Time Bar or a custom date range to select a time period over which to query the database.

2. Select the Query Type - select one or more query types to run.

3. Select the Query Filters - for each selected query type, apply any required filter criteria.

4. Run the Query - run the query and analyse the result. You can now refine the search criteria and repeat the process if required.

Selecting the Time Period

The first step is to select the time period. There are several ways to select the time period using the options available on the Time Bar. By default the time period is set for the last hour, so if this is adequate then you are ready to go.

Time Bar

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Time Presets: Select a quick time period preset. All the presets represent a time from now into the past for the period selected. For example selecting 1h will search for data over the last hour from the time the preset was selected.

Custom Time Period: Select Custom to set a user-defined start and end time for the query

Time Bar: Use the time bar to visually select a start and end time. Each end of the selection can be dragged with the mouse to increase or reduce the time, and the entire time window can be moved by using Ctrl+Drag.

Selected Time: This represents the start and end time based on the currently selected period, regardless of which option was used to select it.

Time Scale: This option sets the scale of the Time Bar. This value sets the total amount of time visible on the Time Bar.

Selecting the Query Types

All the available query types are listed in the left hand panel. To select one or more queries to run, you must select the check box next to the query name. In the illustration below both the System Log Query and Alarm Query have been selected. When the query is run, it will search for both types of data within the selected time frame.

When you select a query type, this automatically exposes the filter criteria which are applicable for the selected query. Typically queries do not have any default filters so they will return all data for the selected time period. By applying filters you will be reducing the amount of data returned which should make the query faster and help you find your results much easier.

Selecting the Query Filters

Once you have selected the query types, the individual filters for each query are available to set as required. Each query will offer filters which are applicable to the data being searched.

Complete the query filters details as required. Remember filter parameters can be easily changed and the query re-run.

Running the Query

Once you have set all the required query filters you can run the query by selecting the Query button.

Query Results

By default the results are limited to 5000 records. If the query would have returned more data then you will only see the first 5000 results. However you can adjust this limit using the Record Limit slider.

Depending on the type and number of queries you selected you will get a number of results. These will typically take the form of a results list, but may also include graphs to help visualise the data. Each selected query will generate its own results set.

Query Types

Alarm Queries:

• Alarm Locations

• False Alarms

• Alarm Query

For further information please view the AdvanceGuard® Alarm Queries page.

Log Queries

• Audit Log Query

• System Log Query

TheSystem Log Queries page has more information.

System Alarm Query

Please visit the System QueriesUNDEFINED page for more details.

False Alarm Tracks

Please visit the Using False Alarm Analysis | Querying False Alarm Tracks section for more information.

Track Queries

• Track Query

• ATI

• Lost

Visit the AdvanceGuard® Track Queries page for more details on using this feature.

Exporting Results

Most data can be exported as CSV by selecting the Export button on the relevant results panel. For example, alarm results can be exported as a CSV file by selecting the Export button from the Alarm Query result list:

Quick Reports

Quick Reports are a way of quickly displaying track histories on the PPI without having to leave the Live tab to perform a Playback Query. There are two types of Quick Report:

Recent Tracks: All tracks will be displayed that were detected in the selected period.

Recent Alarm Tracks: All tracks that caused or contributed to an alarm in the selected time period will be displayed.

Recent Tracks Quick Report

A Recent Tracks Quick Report will display all recent track histories as pathways on the PPI in the specified time period. For example:

1. Long Right Click on the PPI:
   
   

    

2. Select Recent Tracks, and then a time period - always measured from the present, e.g. 10 minutes ago:
   
   

    

3. The track pathways will appear on the PPI display. Ctrl+Click to view individual Track Details.
   
   

    

4. Open the Quick Commands Menu and select Clear to remove the report from the PPI:
   
   

Recent Alarm Tracks Quick Report

A Recent Alarm Tracks Quick Report will display recent alarm track histories as pathways on the PPI in the specified time period. For example:

1. Long Right Click on the PPI:
   
   

    

2. Select Recent Alarm Tracks, and then a time period - always measured from the present, e.g. 30 minutes ago:
   
   

    

3. The alarm track pathways will appear on the PPI display. Ctrl+Click to view individual Track Details.
   
   

    

4. Open the Quick Commands Menu and select Clear to remove the report from the PPI.

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