If you’re looking for the right door access card or fob for your business, you’ve come to the right place. In this article we will explain the types of access control cards and how to identify HID® card types for re-ordering correctly. In addition to that we will cover the basics of door access control systems and how access cards and fobs work.

 

Getting the Door Access Cards You Need

 

We can help you decide what to order and even send you a sample card to make sure you are on the right track!

How to Tell What Kind of Door Access Card I Need

 

There is a lot of information surrounding these cards, but if you need to order the right card, here is the information you need to know:

  • Technology: What card reader technology is in use? The most common are iClass® and Proximity. In this article we will show you how to identify the technology so you can order the correct cards or fobs.

 

  • Programming: You need to know the format, facility code, and starting card number you want to order. It is important to understand that the card programming never changes; instead, the cards are “enrolled” into the card reader system and allowed access. iClass® cards also offer the ability to store additional information separate from the access programming, but the access programming is still fixed on the iClass® cards.

 

  • Construction or form factor: The most commonly ordered “credential types” (the item used to access) are printable cards, clamshell cards, and fobs. However, there are a variety of form factors available.

 

The Label on the Last Box of Cards

If you have the box containing the last ordered cards, you can likely determine the technology and programming from the label.

This label clearly identifies the essential information that you will need to order more door access cards and enroll them in your access control system.

Card type and form factor – “PROXCARD II® Clamshell Card”

Programming – “Format, “facility code”, and “card range”

Information on Existing Cards – HID® Card Meaning

You may not be fortunate enough to have that label. Existing cards can tell you a lot.

Some cards have a series of letters and numbers on them like:

Looking up what you can see on your card is a great way to get started. This can help you determine they type of card technology your card reader requires. The most common being HID® iClass® and Proximity.

Access the card Reader System

You can also log in to the card reader system. There are many different access control systems, so it is difficult to provide clear guidance as to how you can identify the card type and programming needed, but please reach out with any questions! If you find that you are unable to identify what card you have, Easy Badges can send you a sample card to test for your programming information.

If you find that you are unable to identify what card you have, Easy Badges can send you a sample card to test for your programming information.

Where to Find Door Access Reader Information

We find that, for a lot of companies, ordering new door access cards is an infrequent process. Infrequent enough that no one can remember the key pieces of information between orders. Or, when a business moves into a new space, they inherit a card access system with little documentation. The components of that system can help you determine the information needed to order new cards. The key is to know how to identify the HID card type. There are many types of smart cards, and you need to order the right one for your system.

How do HID® Cards Work?

HID® cards are preprogrammed by the vendor – such as Easy Badges! – with unchangeable information: the facility code and card number. They have no authority when they are shipped and can’t open any door. When it is time to provide a card to a user, the administrator enters the card number into the door access control system. Then particular zones or doors are enabled for the user, either one at a time or by joining the user to a group with particular access.

Since the card cannot be changed, that access cannot be easily duplicated or altered.

Types of HID® Cards – vs. Proximity. And what does HID Stand for on These Cards, Anyway?

HID® stands for Hughes Identification Device, a secure access system and identity company headquartered in Austin, Texas. If you find that your cards are HID®, you will have to determine what type of HID® card they are. There are two main HID® Proximity card types: smart cards, also known as iClass®, and proximity cards (Proxy or Prox cards or Prox II).

What is a Proximity Card?

 

More than likely your system uses proximity technology, generally known as Prox or Prox II, cards. Proximity card readers, also based on an HID® technology, have been reliably managing door access in businesses around the world for many years.

Unlike iClass® cards, proximity technology is not patented. Because this technology is based on an open standard, Easy Badges can offer equivalent cards that save money and cut down on shipping times. It’s easy to think of proxy cards as passwords written down on digital paper and the scanner as door attendants being the only ones capable of reading the password. Proximity access cards don’t have the additional memory and encryption of iClass® cards (or fobs or clamshells). Easy Badges has Proximity cards and fobs in stock: we keep companies supplied with Proximity technology in any form factor.

How to Identify the Type of Prox

If you see any of the following printed on the card, then it is an HID® Proximity card:

hid 0009p

hid 0006l

hid 0008l

hid 0007l

hid 0007d

Note that these are just a few examples of printed text that would designate a card as an HID® Proximity card. For more help, don’t hesitate to contact Easy Badges.

HID® Proximity vs EZproximity: Cost and Availability

 

HID® Proximity  

EZProximity

Printable Door Access Cards

HID® 1386LGGMN ISOPROX II 

$429.00/Box of 100  

16–24-week lead time

Printable Door Access Cards

EZProximity Clamshell Cards 

$339.00/Box of 100

7–10-day lead time  

NON-Printable Door Access Card 

HID® 1326LSSMV PROXCARD II® 

$265.00/Box of 100 

16–24-week lead time 

NON-Printable Door Access Card

EZProximity Printable Proximity Cards

$229.00/Box of 100

7–10-day lead time 

Door Access Key Chain Fob  

HID® 1346 PROXKEY III®  

$429.00/Box of 100 

16–24-week lead time 

Door Access Key Chain Fob

EZProximity Key Fob 

$359.00/Box of 100

7–10-day lead time 

What is HID® iClass®?

iClass® cards, also known as “HID smart cards,” use a unique iClass® technology that reads and writes information using radio frequencies. The technology is patented by HID® and can only be manufactured and programmed by them.

Distinctive from proximity cards, iClass® cards can store additional information. They can be used for many things (even payments!) depending on the iClass® product being used. These cards may have “HID® iClass® dl” or “HID® iClass® dp” printed on the card. There are 3 main types of IClass® technology used today. The first generation is simply called iClass®. It was followed by iClass® SE and iClass® SEOS®.

Identifying Different iClass® Cards

If it’s an…

  • ICLASS® card, there will be an HID® logo with “ICLASS®” printed or engraved in the bottom corner of the card
    HID iclass card

 

 

 

 

  • ICLASS SE® Card, it will have one of the following written or engraved on the bottom corner of the card: HID ICLASS dl or HID ICLASS dp
    HID iclass card

 

 

 

 

  • ICLASS SEOS® card, it will have HID SEOS written, printed or engraved on the card

 

 

 

 

 

What is inside the card? RFID, MIFARE, and NFC

One of the key differences between the Prox access system and the iClass® system is the circuitry inside of the cards or fobs.

Nerd alert! this section digs into the technical nature of the two card types.

Proximity cards use RFID, which stands for radio frequency identification. It is a technology standard used in many industrial and consumer applications. They operate at 125 kHz. To add the expanded memory and encryption, iClass® is built using MIFARE integrated chips, which operate at 13.56 MHz.

What is Mobile Access?

You may have heard about near-field communication (NFC) as well for access reader systems. NFC is integrated into mobile phones and “tap to pay” credit cards. There are so-called “mobile access” systems that use NFC, though they are not very common.

Types of HID® Cards - Cards vs. Fobs

You will very likely see “HID” printed on the cards your company is already using. That does not necessarily mean you have to buy expensive and hard-to-get HID® cards for the system! Read on.

While Hollywood wants us to believe everyone is using palm scanners and retina cameras to turn off boobytraps, the truth is slightly less exciting. Most organizations grant access to building using cards or fobs that work with secure access systems managed by the organization itself. There are many kinds of access cards, smart cards, and fobs because there are so many systems that grant secure access to buildings and rooms. Sometimes, it can be hard to know exactly what system you have, and you’ll find yourself playing detective when trying to find what cards to order.

The first step is understanding what style of cards you currently have and the options for new ones. While there are thousands of access control systems out there, most of them use one of two card technologies, proximity and iClass®.

Printable Door Access Cards

EZProximity Printable Proximity Card

Printable cards are placed in a machine that can print information or identification photos onto them. They sometimes have a magnetic strip on the back or a proximity chip that a scanner can read. Printable cards are standard CR80 30 mil cards. They can be printed with any ID card Printer system.

1386LGGMN is the most commonly ordered HID® printable proximity card. The Easy Badges house brand is affordable, reliable, and ready to ship.

EZProximity Printable Proximity Cards.

2000PGGMN is the most commonly ordered iClass® printable card.

 

What is a Clamshell Card? Am I Using one?

EZProximity Clamshell Card

Non-printable clamshell cards are noticeably thicker cards made of two pieces of plastic that protect the inner components. They lack a magnetic strip and are only read through a proximity sensor.

1326 Proxcard ll is the most commonly ordered HID® Prox clamshell card. The Easy Badges clamshell prox card is ready to program and ship!

EZProximity Clamshell Cards.

2080PGSMV is the most commonly ordered iClass® clamshell card.

What is a HID Key Fob? How do I get Replacements?

HID-1346-proxkey-iii

Keychain fobs have the same capabilities as door access cards in a different form factor. They also contain proximity sensors. Often, they are round or tear-drop shaped and have a hole on them that allows them to be placed on a key ring (hence the name!) or attached to a lanyard.

1346 Proxkey llI® is the most common HID® prox key fob. Check out the Easy Badges proximity key chain fob for better pricing and a faster lead time.

EZProximity Key Fob

The most commonly used HID® iClass® fob is the 2050PNNMN IClass® ll Keyfob.

Mobile Access

Mobile access is a newer method that allows door access systems to use things like cellphones, tablets, or even smart watches as means of entry. Most portable devices like these have NFC proximity technology built in. However, this requires special apps and systems to be set up to work.

How the Programming of HID® Cards Works

All door access cards and credentials come pre-programmed from the manufacturer with your organization’s unique programming information. They cannot be un-programmed or re-written. However, it is common for people to say that they are “programming” a door access credential when in fact they are enrolling it into the access control system and assigning it to a user.

Three pieces of data are stored on cards from the manufacturer:

  • The card format (H10301 (also called 26-bit Weigand format) is most common)
  • A number between 0 and 255—often referred to as the facility code or a site code
  • A unique card number. It’s important to not order duplicate card numbers of numbers that are already enrolled and assigned in your access control system.

EZProximity Credential Format Guide

Format Code Access Control Issuer Bits Facility Codes Available Card Numbers Available
         
H10301 HID 26 0-255 0-65,535
AWID AWID 26 0-255 0-65,535
40134 Indala 26 0-255 0-65,535
Quadrakey Honeywell 32 N/A 0 – 4,294,967,295
H10306   34 0 – 65,535 0 – 65,535
N1002 Honeywell OmniProx 34 0 – 65,535 0 – 65,535
S12906 Simplex 36 Default 17 0 – 16,777,215
N901157A Napco 36 0 – 255 0 – 67,108,863
A10202 3 37 0 – 4,095 0 – 524,287
H10302 HID 37 No FC 37 N/A 0 – 34,359,738,367
H10304 HIF 37 No FC 37 0 – 65,535 0 – 524,287
S10401 AMAG 37 Default 9 0 – 536,870,911
H10314   40 0 – 4,095 0 – 65,535
K11101 Kantech ioProx 32

0-63

Fixed Field: 0-255

Card Range: 0 – 65,535
Kantech XSF Requires Extended Family Code & Family Code 64 Ext Fam Code: Must Provide 0 – 65,535

 

How do Keycards Work?

 

Multiple components make up door access control systems. These include the system and software used to control the system, door readers, and credentials.

  • System and software of the door access control server are the brains of the operation. These host the database of information used by the system to determine what cards belong to who and what doors they are allowed to access.
  • Key cards and fobs come pre-programmed with a format, facility code, and card number. These are assigned to people within the organization who will use them when accessing the system.
  • Door readers are easy to spot. They are next to (or sometimes on) doors. Once it reads the card, the door unlocks if the facility code and card number are on the “allowed” list in the door access control server.

While door access cards transmit credentials, the system and software handle the heavy lifting. When credentials are placed near a door reader, the information it transmits is sent to the system and checked against a database. If the information matches the database and its setting, the door unlocks, and the person can walk through. If the credentials do not match, or if they do not have the proper permissions listed in the system, it remains locked.

HID® iClass® readers, HID® proximity card readers, and door access control systems are typically wired into backup power or have fail safes built in so that doors will still open in case of power outages or other emergencies.

Ordering Your New Cards

Understanding the kind of cards you need, their specifics, and how these systems work together can feel a little overwhelming if you’re new to them. However, with the information you’ve gained here, you should be on your way to finding what you need, including how to identify the HID card type. Easy Badges offers a wide array of affordable and easy-to-source cards that work with everything described here. Please don’t hesitate to browse our selection of cards and place an order today!

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