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Controller Reset for New Installation

13 min read

Controller Reset for New Installation

Overview

An Integriti controller (ISC or IAC) can only be enrolled into one Integriti software installation at a time. Once enrolled, the controller stores the server identity, database, and programming. If you need to move a controller to a different Integriti system — for example, repurposing hardware, replacing a failed unit at a new site, or recovering from a corrupted database — you must factory-reset it first.

This guide covers the complete process: the hardware-level reset procedure, what gets erased, what stays intact, LED behaviour during and after reset, and how to enrol the reset controller into the new Integriti installation.

Important: This procedure erases all programming. Make sure you have a backup of the existing database if you might need it later.

Prerequisites

  • Physical access to the controller PCB (enclosure opened)
  • Small jumper or piece of wire for shorting header pins
  • AC power and battery available for power cycling
  • For ISC: the controller must be Revision G or later (see Revision Notes section)
  • Smart Card should remain in its holder during reset (licences are preserved)
  • If re-using at a new site: the new Integriti server software must be installed and reachable on the network

When You Need a Controller Reset

ScenarioReset Required?
Moving a controller to a completely new Integriti installationYes — full IN1+IN2 reset
Replacing the Integriti server at the same site (software reinstall)Yes — full IN1+IN2 reset
Controller purchased second-hand or from a decommissioned siteYes — full IN1+IN2 reset
Database corrupted and controller won’t boot properlyYes — use OK link only (or IN1+IN2 if OK alone doesn’t fix it)
Moving a controller between test bench and productionYes — full IN1+IN2 reset
Adding a second controller to an existing single-controller siteNo — use Integriti software enrolment
Replacing a failed controller at the same site with a new unitNo — swap Smart Card and enrol via software

What Gets Erased vs Preserved

Keypad reset is possible — but limited. Contrary to the earlier version of this document, Integriti controllers CAN be reset via a keypad (PrismaX or LCD Terminal) using the Firmware Menu (MENU-7). This method reloads firmware from either a USB drive or the controller’s internal SFLASH storage, and prompts to default the database during the process. However, this is not a standalone “factory reset” function — it’s a firmware reflash that optionally wipes the database. It requires the Installer PIN and either a USB drive with firmware or pre-loaded firmware on the controller. Both methods are documented below.

Erased (full IN1+IN2 reset)

  • All programming: Users, Doors, Zones, Areas, Schedules, Time Periods, Access Levels, etc.
  • Controller database and memory configuration
  • Server enrolment / identity binding
  • Review event log and history

Preserved

  • Smart Card licences — feature licences remain on the card
  • Controller firmware — not affected by reset
  • Hardware serial number — unchanged
  • LAN module addressing (physical DIP switches on modules are not affected)

Partial Reset Options

  • IN1 only: Resets the Installer PIN Code to 01 and grants full menu access on first entry. Does NOT erase programming. Use this if you’re locked out but want to keep the database.
  • OK only: Initialises NVRAM. Erases programming. Same effect as IN1+IN2 for Rev J+. Use when Fault 1 LED is flashing and Prompt LED is on.

controller-reset-pcb-links.excalidraw

View online: excalidraw.com — drag-and-drop to edit or export as PNG/SVG.

Open the controller enclosure and locate the following on the PCB (typically near the Smart Card holder):

LinkLabelFunction
IN1Input 1Default Installer Code to 01
IN2Input 2Default Memory Configuration
IN3Input 3(Reserved / not commonly used for reset)
OKOKConfirm / Execute the selected default option

The exact position varies by PCB revision — look for the IN1, IN2, IN3, and OK silk-screen labels.

Also locate the Prompt LED — a small LED near the SIM/SD Card slot. You will watch this LED during the procedure.

Step 2: Power Down Completely

  1. Disconnect the AC mains power (unplug the transformer, adapter, or plug pack).
  2. Disconnect the battery leads from the controller terminals (T6 on ISC).

Both power sources must be removed. The controller stores no residual charge — you can proceed immediately.

Step 3: Set the Jumper Configuration

Place a jumper (shorting link) across both IN1 and IN2 pins simultaneously:

IN1: [==]   (shorted)
IN2: [==]   (shorted)
IN3: [  ]   (open)
OK:  [  ]   (open — do not short yet)

A small piece of wire, a spare jumper from another board, or tweezers can be used as a temporary shunt. Do NOT short IN3 unless specifically instructed by Inner Range support.

Step 4: Power Up and Wait

  1. Reconnect battery first, then AC power.
  2. Observe the Prompt LED (near the SIM/SD Card slot).
  3. Wait until the Prompt LED begins flashing. This typically takes 20–60 seconds after power-up.

The Prompt LED flashing indicates the controller has detected the IN link configuration and is ready to execute the default operation.

Step 5: Confirm the Reset

  1. Momentarily short the OK link — touch a jumper across the OK pins for about 1 second, then remove it.
  2. The controller will now erase its memory and database.

Step 6: Remove Jumpers

  1. Remove the jumpers from IN1 and IN2.
  2. Leave all four links (IN1, IN2, IN3, OK) open for normal operation.

Step 7: Wait for Normal Operation

The controller will reboot. Watch the Status LEDs:

Status 1Status 2Meaning
ONOFFController booting
Alternating FLASHAlternating FLASHNormal operation — reset complete

This may take up to 60 seconds after a default operation. Once you see alternating flashes on Status 1 and Status 2, the controller is clean and ready for enrolment.

LED Reference: What You See During Reset

LED PatternMeaningAction
Status 1 ON, Status 2 OFFBootingWait
Fault 1 ON, Fault 2 OFFNo SD Card detectedPower down, check SD Card
Fault 1 FLASH, Fault 2 OFFNVRAM not initialisedPrompt LED should be flashing — short OK
Fault 1 FLASH, Fault 2 OFF (with Status 1 OFF, Status 2 ON)Database errorShort OK to default memory
Fault 1 FLASH, Fault 2 OFF (with Status 1 ON, Status 2 ON)Review log errorShort OK to default review log
Status 1+2 alternating FLASHNormalController ready

If the Prompt LED is NOT flashing after power-up with IN1+IN2 shorted, check that the jumpers are making good contact. If the controller boots normally instead, power down and try again with a more secure jumper connection.

Method 2: Keypad-Based Reset (PrismaX or LCD Terminal)

If you have a keypad connected and know the Installer PIN, you can reset the controller without opening the enclosure. This works by reflashing the firmware and opting to default the database during the process.

Requirements:

  • PrismaX or LCD Terminal connected and enrolled on the controller’s RS485 LAN
  • Installer PIN (default: 01, entered as 0 → 1 → OK)
  • For USB method: a USB drive formatted as FAT (FAT16/FAT32) containing a .DLD firmware file
  • For SFLASH method: firmware must already be stored on the controller’s internal flash (pre-loaded from a previous firmware upload)

Method 2A: USB Drive (MENU-7-4) — Works on Any Controller

Use this method when you have a firmware file on a USB stick. This is the most flexible keypad method — it works on any controller regardless of whether firmware was previously loaded.

Step 1: Prepare the USB Drive

  1. Download the correct .DLD firmware file from the Inner Range Technician Downloads portal.
  2. Format a USB drive as FAT (FAT16 or FAT32).
  3. Copy the .DLD file to the root of the USB drive. (A blank drive with only the firmware file is recommended.)

Step 2: Plug in and Log On

  1. Insert the USB drive into the controller’s USB-H port (labelled on the PCB). The USB-H status LED below the port should illuminate.
  2. At the keypad, log on as Installer: press 0 → 1 → OK.

Step 3: Navigate to Firmware Menu

  1. Press MENU → 7 → 4 to enter the Firmware Upgrade menu.
  2. Select USB Drive: press OK.

Step 4: Select Firmware and Default Database

  1. Use the arrow keys (^/v) to highlight the .DLD firmware file.
  2. Press OK to select it.
  3. Press OK again to confirm firmware replacement.
  4. Wait for the controller to verify the firmware file.
  5. When prompted “Default database?”, press 9 (Y) to wipe the programming. (Press END to abort.)

Step 5: Begin Upgrade

  1. Press 9 (Y) to begin the firmware upgrade.
  2. The keypad will show upgrade progress. The controller will restart automatically when done.
  3. Wait approximately 40 seconds for the controller to come back online.
  4. Remove the USB drive.

Note: If the firmware on the USB drive is the same version already running on the controller, the “default database?” prompt may not appear. In that case, use the PCB link method instead, or downgrade/upgrade to a different version to force the prompt.

Method 2B: SFLASH Drive (MENU-7-5) — Pre-Loaded Firmware

Use this method when firmware has already been uploaded to the controller’s internal SFLASH storage. This is the method used in the Demo Case Setup procedure, because demo cases ship with firmware pre-loaded. It also works on any controller that has previously been upgraded via the Integriti software (which uploads firmware files to SFLASH automatically).

Step 1: Log On

  1. At the keypad, log on as Installer: 0 → 1 → OK.
  2. Press MENU → 7 → 5 to enter the SFLASH menu.

Step 2: Select Firmware and Reset

  1. Select SFLASH Drive: press OK.
  2. Select the Integriti Firmware file: press OK.
  3. Select the controller type (Controller IAC or Controller ISC): press OK.
  4. Press 9 (Y) to download/reflash the firmware.
  5. When prompted, press 5 (N) to default the database. (Yes, counterintuitively, N = Yes for this prompt — confirmed in the official manual.)

Step 3: Wait

  • The controller will default and reset. Allow up to 2 minutes for the controller to come back online and the keypad to become responsive.

Keypad Method Comparison

FeatureUSB (MENU-7-4)SFLASH (MENU-7-5)PCB Links
Requires opening enclosureNo (USB port accessible from outside on some enclosures)NoYes
Requires USB driveYesNoNo
Requires pre-loaded firmwareNoYesNo
Keypad typeLCD Terminal or PrismaXLCD Terminal or PrismaXNone needed
Time to complete~40 seconds~2 minutes~60 seconds
Works on fresh-from-factoryYes (with USB)NoYes
Defaults databaseYes (prompts)Yes (prompts)Yes
Defaults Installer PINNoNoYes (IN1-only option)

If the controller has never had firmware uploaded to it, SFLASH will be empty and MENU-7-5 will not work. Use the USB method (MENU-7-4) or PCB links instead.

Background: SD Card, SFLASH, and Firmware Storage

Understanding how firmware is stored helps choose the right reset method:

  • Micro SD Card (pre-Rev G controllers, before 2018): Older ISC revisions used a removable Micro SD Card for the database, review log, and firmware storage. If a pre-Rev G controller fails, the SD Card cannot be moved to a Rev G or later replacement controller — the newer hardware uses on-board flash memory instead.

  • On-Board Flash Memory (Rev G and later, 2018+): Replaced the Micro SD Card. The database and review log are stored on non-removable flash. This places greater emphasis on maintaining regular controller database backups via Integriti Pro or CS software.

  • SFLASH (Serial Flash): A separate partition of the on-board flash dedicated to storing firmware files (.DLD files). Each time firmware is uploaded via the Integriti software or copied via USB, a copy is stored here. Multiple firmware versions can accumulate and eventually fill SFLASH, causing the error “Error Uploading File to Controller… Check if S-Flash is full”. Old firmware files can be safely deleted without affecting controller operation:

    • Via keypad: MENU → 7 → 4 → select file → Delete File option → 9 to confirm.
    • Via System Designer: Right-click controller → Browse Controller Files → Serial Flash → select file → Delete.

  • Prompt LED: Located near the SIM/SD Card slot on the PCB. This LED flashes when the controller is ready to accept a default/initialisation command (via the OK link).

Sources for SD Card / SFLASH information:

DocumentKey Content
Manual - Integriti IP Security Controller Install.pdfSD Card replacement with on-board flash (Rev G+), Prompt LED location, USB-H port for firmware upgrades
Manual - Integriti Security Controller Rev G and I Installation.pdfPre-Rev G SD Card cannot be moved to Rev G+ controllers
Manual - Integriti Security Controller RevG Supplement.pdfOn-board flash memory details
Guide - Firmware upgrading the Integriti controller.pdfComplete USB (MENU-7-4) and SFLASH (MENU-7-5) procedures, SFLASH cleanup, FAT formatting requirement
Manual - Demo Case Setup.pdfSFLASH method (MENU-7-5) with database default option, IAC controller reference
Manual - Integriti System Configuration Handbook.pdfController file browsing, firmware upload via software
Manual - IAC Integriti and Infiniti Access Controller.pdfUSB firmware upgrade, SD Card slot location on IAC

Post-Reset: Enrolling into a New Integriti Installation

Once the controller is reset, enrol it into the new Integriti system:

  1. Connect the controller to the same network as the Integriti server.
  2. In Integriti System Designer, right-click the site and select New Controller.
  3. Enter the controller’s serial number (printed on the PCB label or available via the Smart Card).
  4. Configure the controller’s IP address, subnet mask, and gateway to match the new network.
  5. Select a Data Synchronisation Policy:
    • Disallow Changes From Controller: Recommended for centrally managed sites. Software completely overwrites the controller.
    • Merge Changes: Suitable for single-controller sites. Conflicts resolved in favour of software.
    • Prefer Controller Changes: Use only if re-enrolling a controller whose database you want to keep (not applicable after a full reset).
  6. Click Enrol and wait for the controller to come online.

Option B: Direct Connection (bench / no network)

See the Static IP Controller Connection guide for enrolling via crossover cable and static IP addressing.

Option C: Restoring a Backup

If you have a database backup from a previous installation:

  1. In Integriti System Designer, Download Database From Controller. This pulls the empty database.
  2. Restore your backup file via File → Restore.
  3. Upload the restored database to the controller.
  4. Verify all entities are present.

After restoring a backup, the controller’s serial number must match the one in the backup. If it doesn’t, contact Inner Range support.

Revision-Specific Notes

ISC Revision J and Later (2023+)

  • No on-board PSTN modem.
  • The IN1/IN2/OK procedure is identical to earlier revisions.
  • These controllers ship with V22+ firmware.

ISC Revision G and I

  • Use the same IN1/IN2/OK procedure.
  • Refer to Installation Manual Revision 2.2 (P/N: 636001) for exact PCB layout.
  • Pre-Rev G controllers (A–E) use a slightly different PCB layout but the same IN/OK logic.

IAC (Integriti Access Controller)

  • The IAC uses a similar defaulting procedure. Refer to the IAC installation manual for link locations.
  • IAC does not support 8-Zone expanders.

Troubleshooting

ProblemLikely CauseSolution
Controller boots normally despite IN1+IN2 jumpersJumpers not making good contactUse a more secure jumper or hold in place with tweezers during power-up
Prompt LED never flashesController may already be in a fault stateCheck Fault LEDs. If Fault 1 is flashing, just short OK (no IN links needed)
Reset appears to work but controller still shows old hostname/IPNetwork settings stored in NIC (not controller memory)Reconfigure IP via System Designer after enrolment
Controller won’t enrol after resetIP configuration mismatchCheck that the controller’s IP address, subnet, and gateway are correct for the new network
Smart Card licences missing after resetSmart Card was removed during resetRe-insert the Smart Card. If licences still missing, regenerate via Inner Range KeyPoint
Controller has no SD Card (older revisions)Pre-Rev G controllers used Micro SDThe procedure is the same; the SD Card slot is in a different location

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