Why Your Company Needs Proximity Card Access Control

Proximity cards are used extensively by companies that want to control the physical areas that their employees are able to access. A proximity card is issued to each employee and proximity card readers are installed in appropriate physical locations. Each employee must then pass their proximity card near the proximity reader to gain access to the physical area.

The proximity card reader receives the information stored on the card, which is then transmitted to the computer network. It is the computer system that will determine if a person will be given access to the restricted area, or whether access will be denied, depending on earlier configurations. Proximity cards are a form of smart cards that controls access.

These smart cards offer both physical access control, and logical access control. Proximity cards are used a great deal in business, because they allow the employer to provide access to not just physical areas, but also computer networks, and other resources of the company. Areas of a computer network can be made accessible or blocked depending on an employee's clearance. They can also be used for simpler tasks such as web authorization, encryption of email, and digital signatures, to name just a few.

Restricted areas might be off limits to the majority of employees, which can easily be implemented with proximity cards; while at the same time providing access to those that should have access. It could also be exactly the opposite.

Proximity readers are relatively simple to install, and they come with a very easy to use access control system. It is encoded in a way that it easily reads and responds to electronic signals that are sent by the card and received by the reader. Proximity cards don't need to come directly in contact with the reader. You can be as far as an inch away from the reader and it will still be able to read it. That's why they are used so often in parking garages. That said, there are a handful of readers that require the proximity card to come in contact with the reader's magnetic face.

Distance proximity technology provides a great deal of convenience, especially in door technology. These systems allow you to be even further away than one inch. It's like walking through an unlocked door, yet it's exactly the opposite - as secure as Fort Knox. A credit size card can be kept in an employee' brief case, wallet, purse, or even a pocket and when the employee walks past the door it automatically unlocks.

Proximity cards are very versatile, yet another reason why they have been such a big hit in businesses. You can install them almost anywhere. You can install them on doors to various buildings or areas of a building, computers, washrooms, lunch rooms, and the list goes on. There really are few situations where a proximity system can't be used. The card readers read and respond to encoded electronic signals from the proximity (access) cards. And they will respond only to cards that are authorized.

Power outages don't generally pose a problem for the proximity readers, because they either have a battery back up system or sometimes they use rechargeable batteries. So you never have to worry that your system becomes vulnerable if the power goes out.

There are several different proximity card systems. In fact, you can even use your Bluetooth cell phone as a proximity card for laptops that are Linux based. Of course that's not how most business will use it, but it's just another example of the versatility of these systems.

The FBI, NASA, federal governments, municipalities, universities, schools, daycares, hospitals, and malls - these are all places where you'll find proximity systems, and that's just the beginning.

HID ISO Prox II cards are a popular choice in proximity cards. They feature 125 kHz technology, ISO standards, gloss finish, and there are more than 137 billion possible codes. Programmable photo ID relies on the use of a smart card.

Security proximity technology can be matched to the needs of your company, no matter what the size of your business. This technology can be installed at a price that's affordable, and exactly as you need it. When business is concerned about the bottom line, as well as the security of their business, proximity card systems makes very good sense.

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Pros and cons of Satellite Internet access

Perhaps you live in a rural area and you can't get cable or DSL high-speed Internet access, but you can get satellite. Or, maybe you are at your wit's end with the cable and/or phone (DSL) companies and don't want to give either of them another dime. Satellite may be the answer, but you'll need to do a bit of research before determining if it will fit your needs. Here are answers to many of the most common questions regarding satellite service.

Q: How fast is satellite access?
A: Satellite providers typically offer several levels of service with download speeds ranging between 700 Kbps and 1.5 Mbps and upload speeds as high as 256 Kbps. Note, though, that these are optimal speeds. Typical speeds, particularly during peak times, can be somewhat slower.

Q: How much does satellite access cost?
A: The price depends on your provider and the service plan that you acquire. As a generalization, prices range from approximately $60 a month for service providing roughly 700 Kbps download speed to about $80 a month for service in the 1.5 Mbps range. In addition, your equipment costs can be as much as $300 or $400 and installation can cost another $200, although vendors often have special offers for equipment and installation.

Q: What impact can weather have on satellite access?
A: As is the case with satellite television, severe rain or snow can slow or stop satellite Internet access. That is true both for bad weather in your area as well as bad weather at the location of the satellite provider's network operations center (NOC). However, while severe weather can break the connection, satellite systems typically operate even in strong, steady downpours.

Q: Besides the weather, how reliable is satellite access?
A: Besides service degradation due to weather, satellite access is extremely reliable. The outdoor equipment is quite rugged and, while it does break down occasionally, such problems are rare.

Q: Still, should I keep a dial-up connection "just in case?"
A: While it is tempting to keep a dial-up connection because of the complex technical nature of satellite connections, it isn't necessary for most people. As mentioned above, the satellite equipment is very robust and rarely breaks down and weather-related problems occur infrequently. However, if something does go wrong, it can take days before repair personnel can get to your house. If that concerns you, you may want to have a dial-up back-up but know that you'll rarely, if ever, use it.

Q: What equipment is required?
A: Satellite access requires installation of two pieces of equipment. Outdoors is a dish that collects and transmits the signal to and from the satellite. Indoors is a "satellite modem" that is connected to the dish via coaxial cable. The modem is connected to a PC or to networking equipment such as a router using an Ethernet cable.

Q: Is any on-going maintenance required?
A: Although nothing is absolute, typically, no on-going maintenance is required. On rare occasions, you will need to have your dish "re-peaked," or re-aimed at the satellite. Even more rarely, there will be an equipment failure and some part of the system such as the receiver, transmitter or modem, will have to be replaced. But, as mentioned above, the equipment is quite rugged and such problems are rare.

Q: Can I network my satellite connection so that more than one computer in my home can have access?
A: The satellite systems can be networked the same as DSL or cable connections. That is to say, you can connect the indoor satellite modem to a router using a standard Ethernet cable, which then distributes the connection to other computers. Note, however, that the satellite providers won't help you set up or troubleshoot home networks.

Q: What is latency and how will it impact me?
A: Latency is the time required for a signal to travel from its source to its destination. In the case of satellite access, that includes the time it takes to send the signal up to a satellite and back down to the ground. Since satellites typically orbit about 22,000 miles above the earth, that latency can be as long as a second every time data is sent and received.
That delay means that certain types of applications aren't practical when using satellite systems. One notable example is voice-over-IP. Over a satellite connection, a second or more passes between the time you say something and the time it is heard, which makes communications clumsy. Satellite connections also aren't good for so-called "twitch" real-time online games and for use with terminal server software, which lets telecommuters connect to their company's servers as if they were in the office.

Q: How many satellite providers are there?
A: In the U.S., there are three primary satellite providers: HughesNet (www.hughesnet.com), WildBlue (www.wildblue.com) and Starband (www.starband.com). Other vendors and organizations may offer satellite service, but it typically is provided by one of the three services. For instance, AT&T offers satellite service but actually is reselling WildBlue service.

Q: Does it matter where I mount the dish?
A: The dish must have a clear view of the southern sky, which is where the satellite is in orbit. Beyond that, the dish can be positioned using a pole stuck into the ground, on the side of your house or on your roof. Obviously, a ground-mounted dish is easier in case maintenance is required. Also, sometimes snow and ice collecting on the dish can slow down service -- it is easier to brush snow and ice off a ground-mounted dish.

Q: Can I install satellite service by myself?
A: No -- satellite access vendors won't let you do that. And that's probably a good thing since it requires certain skills to link the dish to the right satellite. Further, the Federal Communications Commission requires that professionals install satellite systems that both send and receive signals.

Q: How does satellite service operate in actual usage? Is it different than using cable or DSL?
A: Other than limits on a few specific types of applications mentioned previously, satellite Internet Service operates virtually identically to DSL or cable broadband.

Q: I live in the city. Are there any reasons to consider satellite access?
A: In most cases, DSL or cable access is faster and cheaper. If that type of service is available to you, chances are high that it will be preferable to satellite access.

Q: Is satellite access two-way access?
A: Yes. Data that you receive, such as downloaded files and Web pages, is sent via the satellite system, as are items you upload. Early satellite systems, however, were one-way systems. Downloads occurred via the satellite but information sent by you was transmitted via a standard dial-up connection. Such old-fashioned systems haven't been available for several years.

Q: I'm a Mac user. Can I use satellite access?
A: Yes. All major satellite access systems work with Macs.

Q: Is mobile satellite access available?
A: No. A satellite connection requires a constant connection with a satellite that is in high orbit. It is a time-consuming task for a trained installer to aim your dish at that satellite. While some companies have been experimenting with antennas that can maintain a connection with the satellite while a vehicle moves, this technology isn't yet practical for day-in, day-out use.

Q: I also get satellite TV. Can I use only one dish for both?
A: No. While single dish solutions once were available, vendors determined that separate dishes work better for both Internet access and TV.

Q: Can I download as much as I want over a satellite system?
A: No. Like other broadband providers, satellite vendors have Fair Access Policies (FAP) that detail how much you can download at a given time. The purpose of the FAP is to prevent a few heavy downloaders from hogging bandwidth used by everybody. Satellite vendors tend to have stricter FAPs than other broadband providers. For instance, with HughesNet you can download as much as 350 MB at a time, depending on your service plan. That is roughly one-third the size of a typical downloadable feature-length movie. When you surpass the limits of the FAP, the provider has the option of temporarily throttling down your speed.
For more, go to www.digitallanding.com

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Best information for Intel Computers

Intel has become intensely popular that it has been commonly mistaken as a PC brand. Generally, when people say Intel computers, what they really are referring to are Intel-branded computers. For several years or even decades now, since Intel has been launched on the market, when people think of Intel they mistakenly imagine a computer brand. So what does Intel computer really mean? Has anyone actually seen an Intel-branded computer? For sure, nobody has seen one yet. What most individuals actually see is a sticker outside CPUs that says "Intel Inside." What do the sticker sign really mean?

The Famous "Intel Inside" Sticker

Ever since the advent of personal computers, the Intel micro-processor has been used on almost all known computer brands on the market. Naturally, since the name Intel is seen in almost any computer, the phrase 'Intel computers' stuck in a mind of computer and non-computer users alike.

This is especially true when a couple of years ago, Intel launched a product called Centrino. Everybody, especially all the tech personal out there, were all excited over this new product. But for the non-technology savvy and non-computer users, it was common misconception that Centrino was a tag name of a laptop. Centrino to them was a notebook that was super fast, super-reliable and had super-sleek design. But much to their disappointment, Centrino is not at all a computer or a notebook. Centrino is the Intel processor that runs inside the notebook or computer.

What's Really Inside?

So basically, the real product of Intel is not the whole computer set itself. There is no such thing as Intel computers as popularly misinterpreted by most consumers. The real product of Intel is the microprocessor that runs "inside" the computer.

The misconception is also understandable since the processor is considered the brains of the computer. The performance of the computer generally comes down to the performance of its processor, thus the analogy: computer-processor-Intel. Therefore, there really is no surprise to this misconception and people don't even seem to mind correcting it. Even Intel doesn't mind; they greatly benefit from this misconception. New computer users would naturally want nothing more than to have an Intel computer.

What really fortified the popular belief about Intel computers as a computer brand is the amount of recognition that Intel has earned throughout the years as the leading microprocessor manufacturer. Their recognition and popularity is basically backed by its high-end performance. Current Intel processors run at an impressively clock speed of equal to or more than 3.0 GHz. Intel processors are also the best in power and energy efficiency, keeping noise level down and heat production/control. Moreover, the promotion and marketing strategy of Intel may have also contributed to the popular misconception.

What this all really means is that at this period of the Information Age, Intel so far is the most valued processor in the market. They are not the only processors in the market and may not have always been the market leader particularly considering the performance of its rival AMD Athlon. Yes, there have been several times when the rival has been able to launch a product that outperformed Intel's, but, Intel has always managed to climb back. Therefore, due to the integrity, reliability and effectiveness of its main product - the processor - Intel has earned a brand name synonymous with everything that is computers.

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Using Security Card Printers to Produce ID Card

Card Printers have unique customisable levels of security to ensure an ID card cannot be easily counterfeited. This article identifies some of the methods that are used.

Ensure a strong base card is used. It must be durable and resistant to cracking. Choose card stock that is ten times the flex life of regular PVC cards and check that it does not tear easily. The lanyard slot in the top of a regular PVC card is a weak point. If it can be torn it's simple for a forger to replace the photo and create an ID card that will fool a brief inspection.

A high capability card printer will have a built-in laminator that extends card life by up to seven years. It applies a protective laminate covering to the ID card. This is recommended if the ID card is frequently swiped using abrasive equipment such as a bar code or magnetic stripe reader.

A basic ID card will have the holder's name, photograph, signature and in some cases colour coding to show access entitlement. It's simple to inspect at a glance but also very easy to reproduce.

To prevent illegal reproduction card stock can be purchased that has pre-printed security features including ultra-violet visible text. Micro text can be used that is only known to the issuing organisation. Pre-printed serial numbers can also be incorporated into card stock.

All these features are exceptionally difficult to reproduce. For instance micro text can be as small as 5 thousandths of an inch (0.125mm). Most card printers cannot print text this small so without the card stock it is virtually impossible to reproduce an ID card.

UV holograms printed over the surface of an ID card are an effective security measure. The image is not visible to the naked eye but can be seen under UV light. A hologram images including embossed micro-text can be incorporated into the over-laminate film that is applied by card printers. Storing the cardholder's information on a centrally located computer enables a security officer to check details and compare a photograph by using the ID card's magnetic stripe, proximity chip or smart card.

High capability card printers can be set up for this function. Card stock must be used that has been pre-printed with a serial number. The serial number is recorded on the card's credential medium such as the magnetic stripe, proximity chip or smart card. The employee's details are then attached to this serial number and stored in the printer's host computer. This information can be uploaded to the issuing organisation's central database.

When the ID card needs to be checked the serial number triggers the cardholder's details to be downloaded to a local terminal, on which photographs and card information are displayed and can be compared with the original.

The strength of an ID card's security comes from a combination of media features, card printer capabilities, database verification and built in security measures such as holographic images. Card printers come in a variety of models, all with different capabilities. A specialist card printer retailer or manufacturer will be able to provide advice about which model is best for an organisation's needs.

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