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MAC36 - Unable to Log In to Platform

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Quick Diagnostic Guide

If you cannot log in to your MAC36 controller, follow this simple checklist:

1. Check the RUN LED Status

What to look for:

  • Fast blinking = Platform has started (ready to connect)

  • Slow blinking = Station has started (ready to connect)

  • Solid/continuously lit = Controller is still booting (not ready)

Solution: Wait at least 2 minutes after powering on before attempting to connect.

2. Verify Network Connection

Test: Can you ping the controller's IP address?

If YES (responds to ping):

  • The network connection is working

  • Wait 2 minutes and try again

  • Check if you're using the correct login credentials

If NO (does not respond to ping):

  • Check IP address settings may be incorrect

  • See Section 6: IP Address Issues below

3. Check SD Card

The SD card must be:

  • Properly inserted (correct side up)

  • Fully seated in the slot (try removing and reinserting)

  • Not damaged or cracked

LED indicator:

  • Red ALARM LED = SD card problem

Solution: Power off, check/reseat SD card, power back on.

4. Check DIP Switches

CRITICAL: Incorrect DIP switch settings prevent login.

Common issues:

DIP Switch Position

Problem

Solution

S3 Pin 6 = ON

Factory reset mode active

Turn OFF (power must be OFF first)

All S3 switches ON + Both rotary at 0

Bootloader mode

Change any DIP or rotary switch

⚠️ WARNING: Setting S3 Pin 6 to OFF while powered ON will trigger factory reset!

5. Long-Running Controller Won't Connect

Symptom: Controller has been running for days/weeks without restart and suddenly won't allow login.

Cause: Memory overload from accumulated data.

Solution:

  1. Reboot the controller

  2. After login, navigate to File Transfer Client

  3. Delete contents of the sw folder (if present)

6. IP Address Issues (After Commissioning)

Symptom: Changed IP address during setup, now can't connect.

Solutions:

Option A: Direct PC Connection

  1. Connect controller directly to PC with Ethernet cable

  2. Set PC IP address to same subnet as expected controller IP

  3. Use Advanced IP Scanner to find the actual IP address

  4. Connect and correct the IP settings

Option B: Serial Console (requires mini USB cable)

  1. Connect via serial console (see MAC36 serial connection guide)

  2. Run command: cat /etc/network/interfaces

  3. Check the actual IP configuration

  4. Set your PC to match the subnet and connect

Option C: Factory Reset (Last Resort)

  • Use S3 Pin 6 DIP switch factory reset function

  • Or reload the SD card image

  • ⚠️ WARNING: This will reset ALL settings to default

7. First Commissioning Issues

Symptom: Completed first setup wizard, but still can't log in with new credentials.

Likely Cause: PuTTY session was left open during commissioning with default user (tridium/niagara).

Solution: Reload the SD card image (see iSMA CONTROLLI Download Center).

Prevention: Always close PuTTY before running the first login wizard.

8. Windows Turkish Language Issue

Symptom: Cannot connect when using Windows in Turkish language.

Cause: Character encoding incompatibility.

Solution: Install Workbench on Windows using English language settings.

9. Damaged SD Card

Signs of SD card damage:

  • Red ALARM LED lit

  • Controller unresponsive

  • Visible cracks or physical damage

  • Card feels warm/hot

Solution: Replace SD card with new iSMA-B-SD-NL card.

Prevention:

  • Never use tools (screwdrivers) to insert SD card

  • Insert gently by hand only

  • Do not force card into slot

Quick Reference: Common Solutions

Problem

Quick Fix

Just powered on, can't connect

Wait 2 minutes

Red ALARM LED

Check/reseat SD card

Been running for weeks

Reboot controller, delete sw folder

Wrong IP address

Use serial console or Advanced IP Scanner

First setup failed

Reload SD card image

S3 Pin 6 is ON

Turn OFF (power off first!)

Before Calling Technical Support

The following document located in our downloads site describes the steps on how to write an
iSMA-B-MAC36NL factory image to the iSMA-B-SD-NL SD Card if the controller has corrupted during a power failure part way through the commissioning process.

MAC36NL SD Card Flash Tools - Forest Rock Downloads > ISMA > iSMA-B-MAC36 > MAC36NL SD Card Flash Tools

Follow these steps first and then if all else fails, contact support.

When to Contact Technical Support

Contact iSMA CONTROLLI or Forest Rock technical support if:

  • SD card is physically damaged

  • None of the above solutions work

  • Error logs show KeyMaterial file corruption

  • Controller was working but now completely unresponsive

Product: iSMA-B-MAC36 Series
Category:Troubleshooting - Platform Access
Difficulty:Basic to Intermediate

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