SDK for Gemalto .NET Smart Card

Support for Gemalto .NET smart card technology is built into Windows Vista and also is available in other Windows operating systems via Windows Update. Gemalto .NET technology capitalizes on the secure and portable aspects of the Common Language Infrastructure (CLI) to support application development in C# using the .NET Framework.  It also supports multiple applications running on the same card simultaneously while isolating each application to ensure application security and integrity.

Full programming functionality is provided within the integrated development environment to streamline the development process.  The SDK leverages enhancements to Visual Studio .NET, making it easy to integrate smart card applications with other .NET based technologies such as Smart Clients, ASP.NET Web Services, etc.  Applications communicating with the Gemalto .NET smart card are secure because they are independent of the communications transport being used.

Host and smart card applications interact transparently using secure communication channels so multiple card applications can be “active” at the same time without explicit application selection. Access to the on-card timer supports new or custom applications such as temporary web-coupons or the use of time based PINs.

The .NET Smart Card Framework SDK includes the Card Explorer, a tool for managing .NET cards, and code templates, examples for creating client and server applications that access .NET smart card services.

The Card Explorer (also available as an add-in to Visual Studio .NET) simplifies .NET smart card management with these important functions:

	•	Viewing card contents
	•	Managing card assemblies, data files, and directories
	•	Managing user authentication according to the requirements of the current Access Manager
	•	Creating and deleting services on the card

The .NET Smart Card Framework sample code templates aid in creating server applications and client applications that can access services running on a .NET card. You can choose to install Visual C++ templates, Visual Basic templates, or both. Each programming language set includes these two templates:

	•	netCard Server template (for creating a server project)
	•	netCard Client Console template (for creating a client project)

Some components in the .NET Smart Card Framework SDK reside on the client machine:

	•	Gemalto.Smart Card.Runtime - A library containing the client side remoting, CardAccessor, and the IAccessManagerClient interface.
	•	C++ Marshaller - allows application developers to concentrate on building service interfaces on the card without worrying about the implementation of the APDU transport protocol.
	•	Redistributables - The .NET Card components required to deploy your application.