Debugging mode is a temporary state in which users can decrypt the communication between nodes on a BACnet/SC network. As BACnet/SC traffic is encrypted with Transport Layer Security (TLS), decoding communication with a tool like WireShark is not possible without the respective keys. Users with the appropriate access can download short-lived session keys of TLS-secured web socket connections for debugging. WireShark and other tools can then be used to import session keys. Refer to the tool's documentation for information about importing keys.

Once debugging mode has been enabled, the user has eight hours to download the current session keys. Debugging mode is automatically disabled if the session keys are not downloaded within the eight-hour period. The session keys are only valid for the node that you are trying to debug, not for other devices in the same system. Only Administrators can enable debugging mode and download the session keys.

Session keys are valid for 24-hours starting at the initial download and are only valid for the device they are downloaded from. The validity period cannot be extended. Debugging mode is automatically disabled at the end of the 24-hour period.

If the device is rebooted after downloading the session keys, the debugging session terminates and the session keys become invalid.

The debugging page is accessible from anywhere in the web interface. Use this procedure to enable debugging mode and download session keys.

  • BACnet/SC has been configured for a failover hub or node in ABT Site.
  • You are logged into the device's web interface as an Administrator.
  • WireShark has been started. Session keys that have been downloaded before opening WireShark will fail.
  1. In the address bar of the web browser, enter /debug after /main.
  1. Click Start to start a new debugging session.
  • The session key's expiration displays.
  1. Click Save to download the session keys.
  • Session keys download as a .txt file and can be imported into WireShark. Refer to the WireShark documentation for information about importing keys.