Virtual machines can connect to smart card readers that interface to serial ports, parallel ports, USB ports, PCMCIA slots, and PCI slots. A virtual machine considers a smart card reader to be a type of USB device.
A smart card is a plastic card that has an embedded computer chip. Many government agencies and large enterprises use smart cards to send secure communication, digitally sign documents, and authenticate users who access their computer networks. Users plug a smart card reader into their computer and insert their smart card in the reader. They are then prompted for their PIN to log in.
You can select a smart card reader from the Removable Devices menu in a virtual machine. A smart card can be shared between virtual machines, or between the host system and one or more virtual machines. Sharing is enabled by default.
Page 116 for the Parallels Desktop User's Guide for v.6 and page 83 for v.7 says, 'A Common Access Card (CAC) reader can work simultaneously in Mac OS X and Windows.' I really need to have this working. Save cac card install to get e-mail alerts and updates on your eBay Feed. New GemPC Gem PC Twin CAC DOD Military ID Smart Card Reader + Mac Friendly. 5.0 out of 5 stars. 1 product rating - New GemPC Gem PC Twin CAC DOD Military ID Smart Card Reader + Mac Friendly.
When you plug a smart card reader into the host system, the reader appears as two separate USB devices in Workstation. This is because you can use smart cards in one of two mutually exclusive modes.
Shared mode | (Recommended) The smart card reader device is available as Shared smart_card_reader_model in the Removable Devices menu. In Windows XP guest operating systems, the shared reader appears as USB Smart Card Reader after it is connected to the virtual machine. In Windows Vista and Windows 7 guest operating systems, the generic smart card reader device name appears under the Windows Device Manager list. The smart card reader can be shared among applications on the host system and among applications in different guest operating systems. |
USB passthrough mode | The smart card reader device is available as smart_card_reader_model in the Removable Devices menu. In USB passthrough mode, a single virtual machine directly controls the physical smart card reader. A USB passthrough smart card reader cannot be used by applications on the host system or by applications in other virtual machines. You should use USB passthrough mode only if connection in shared mode does not work well for your scenario. You might need to install the driver provided by the manufacturer to use USB passthrough mode. |
You can use smart cards with Windows operating systems and most Linux distributions. VMware provides full smart card support for Windows virtual machines running on Linux hosts. Using smart cards in Linux typically requires third-party software to effectively authenticate to a domain or enable secure communications.
Although smart cards should work with common Linux browsers, email applications, and directory services, these products have not been tested or certified by VMware.
CAC Reader / Smart Card Reader
The IOGEAR GSR202 is a TAA compliant USB Common Access Card Reader for military, government and even private sector workers who need everyday access to secure systems. Common Access Card (CAC) or Smart Card readers are used as a communications medium between the Smart Card and a host (e.g. a computer, point-of-sale terminal, network system, etc.) in secure systems such as those used by government, banking and health care.
IOGEAR's USB Common Access Card Readers require the card to be inserted directly into the reader where electrical contacts retrieve the data stored in the card’s chipset. IOGEAR’s physical contact readers are less prone to misalignment, which helps to eliminate the possibility of being misread.
What is a Smart Card or Common Access Card?
Often referred to as a Smart Card, the Common Access Card (or CAC) is the shape of a credit card, and is embedded with a data chip allowing specialized access. In addition to the embedded chip, Smart Cards are usually programmed with a PIN to ensure security for both the card holder and the system being accessed. Having reached tremendous adoption rates outside of the U.S., Smart Cards are now rapidly growing in this country to combat credit card fraud, while also providing the next generation of secure and user friendly identification. The federal government issues Common Access Cards programmed with a Personal Identification Verification (PIV) chip containing the data necessary for the cardholder to be properly identified and granted access to secure federal facilities and information systems. Smart Cards have been in use by the federal government in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) since 2006, and now the technology is rapidly spreading to banking, healthcare and other areas requiring identity verification and secured access.
How To Install Iogear Smart Card Reader For Mac
What is FIPS 201?
FIPS 201 is a set of United States federal government technical standards and issuance policies specifying the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) requirements for federal employees and contractors. These standards dictate the manner by which authorized persons are granted physical and/or logistical access to federal government facilities and networks. IOGEAR’s Smart Card/Common Access Card readers are FIPS 201 compliant.
What is TAA Compliance?
TAA compliance indicates that a specific product follows the requirements outlined in the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, basically stating that the product is made in either the United States or a designated country. The designated country list includes those entered into free trade agreement with the U.S., those that take part in the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement, those listed as a Least Developed Country (LDC), and others. Government purchase contracts, especially those for the Department of Defense, generally stipulate a product be TAA compliant in order to be considered for purchase. All of IOGEAR’s TAA compliant products meet the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule requirements for government procurement. Additionally, several of these products are already listed on the GSA Approved Products List so government contractors, distributors and buying offices may refer to the following APL numbers listed below. Please also note that TAA compliance is not mandatory for all government agencies, so IOGEAR also offers a similar non-TAA compliant version of some products in order to provide lower pricing when TAA compliance is not required. For more information or questions about TAA compliance products, please contact us directly.
For a list of all IOGEAR TAA compliant products click here.
The following IOGEAR products are already listed on the GSA Schedule:
GSR202 USB Smart Card Reader: GSA APL #579
GSR203 Portable Smart Card Reader: GSA APL #693
GKBSR201 Keyboard w/Built-in Common Access Card Reader: GSA APL #612
For a list of all IOGEAR TAA compliant products click here.
Installing Cac Reader On Mac
The following IOGEAR products are already listed on the GSA Schedule:
GSR202 USB Smart Card Reader GSA APL #579
GSR203 Portable Smart Card ReaderGSA APL #693
GKBSR201 Keyboard w/Built-in Common Access Card ReaderGSA APL #612