Buying Smart Cards that work with Windows XP/Vista
Developers need to test test their code with real Smart Cards that can work with Windows. Here are some manufacturers who can provide the same. If you are a manufacturer and not listed here, please drop me a note and I will include the same.
They have 2 types of MiniDriver cards for general sale. (for our OEM channel a larger selection is available). For developers I would recommend the C2-40, which is a Javacard (IBM JCOP Card OS) that supports both RSA 1024 and 2048.
For small quantities, price can range from $14-17 per card and you can expect a 24-hour turnaround.
Smart Cards can be purchased online. From their web site, select "BUY ON-LINE" at the top. There are two families of cards that support the minidriver architecture:
- Classic TPC is our Java card-based solution
- Gemalto .NET is our .NET-based solution. This has the minidriver built into Vista.
For the “monolithic” CSP-based solution there is:
- Access TPC that requires the TOP IM (what used to be called ACS) software package that includes the CSP. This software cannot be ordered from the webstore but through a Gemalto sales representative.
- Classic TCP (as above) that (optionally) requires Classic Client software package for the CSP
From the web store, you can select “Smart Cards” in the right-hand column to view and order the Classic and Access TPC cards. Select “.Net Solutions” to order the Gemalto .NET cards and development kit. Also, the Gemalto .NET cards can be managed through some utilities at www.netsolutions.gemalto.com. Select “Utilities” in the bar at the top.
Individual .NET cards can cost around $55-$60 and the SDK can cost around $300