Commonly Asked Questions

Where can I find documentation and tools for rf IDEAS products?

Visit our downloads page for access to firmware, drivers, configuration software, user manuals and more

Do I need to install additional drivers for rf IDEAS readers in standard keyboard emulation mode?

Our standard AKU/BKU models do not require any additional drivers. They obtain their driver from the OS and are recognized as a human interface device.

What frequency can rf IDEAS readers read?

Our readers can read 125 kHz and/or 13.56 MHz. Models that begin with RDR-6xxx read 125 kHz; RDR-7xxx read 13.56 MHz; and RDR-80xxx read both 125 kHz and 13.56 MHz.

What is the reading distance/range of rf IDEAS readers?

Typical read range is 1–4 inches; however, this can vary based on how the card was manufactured and how the reader is mounted.

Can the reader be mounted to metal?

No. Mounting a reader to metal can result in failure to read cards or a significantly reduced read range.

Can I export any current configurations from the rf IDEAS reader?

Yes. You can use the WAVE ID® Configuration Utility to save an HWG configuration file and load the file to readers with the same model number. Once connected, please follow these steps to copy the configuration from a working reader and import it to a nonworking reader:

 

1.         Go to File > Save device data to HWG file.

2.         Name the file and save to a location that is easy to browse back to.

3.         Disconnect the working reader.

4.         Connect the nonworking reader.

5.         Connect to the Configuration Utility.

6.         Go to File > open HWG file.

7.         Browse to the file you just saved from the working reader.

8.         Click “write active” in the Configuration Utility.

How can I update firmware on my device?

Please contact Technical Support to see if your device is eligible to be upgraded.

Why is my rf IDEAS reader not reading my card?

If you are using the WAVE ID® Plus card reader, you will need to configure the reader to read the correct card type. This reader holds 2–4 configurations and can read over 50 types of cards.

If you are using a single-band, single-configuration reader, these readers are only able to read one card type at a time and your card may not be supported.

What card types are supported on the WAVE ID® Plus reader?

Supported card types are listed here

Why does my AK0/BK0 reader have a flashing yellow light?

Any reader models that end in AK0 or BK0 are considered to be our virtual com readers. These readers require a specific driver that can be found here

What is the default IP address of my reader?

There is not a default IP address. All readers receive their IP address from a DHCP server. If you do not have a DHCP server, you can use the boot-p server located here.

What are the power requirements for PoE devices?

Our PoE ethernet readers require 48 VDC.

Where can I find the SDK?

To purchase the SDK, send a request by email to sales@rfideas.com.

What is the pinout of my serial reader?

Download a list of available pinouts here.

My reader will not connect to the Configuration Utility.

Be sure you choose the correct interface type on the Connect tab. There are options for USB, serial and ethernet.

If using an ethernet reader, you must connect using port 10001.

AK0 readers must connect using the “Use Com Port” option.

How do I reset my reader to factory defaults?

Using the Configuration Utility, go to File > Reset to factory defaults.

What is the VID/PID of the standard USB reader?

0C27 3BFA

Why use BLE for authentication?

Smartphones are an indispensable part of our lives. We use them for instant communication, web surfing, entertainment, photos, online purchases etc. Mobile credentials add further capabilities to your phone, enabling physical and/or logical access via your smartphone. BLE Mobile authentication enables:

o   Operational efficiency with daily tasks

o   Simple, secure and flexible user journeys

o   Universal applicability to all mobile devices (NFC is heavily restricted on iPhones)

o   Improved brand image

What type of user are rf IDEAS Mobile readers best suited for? Are there any recommended use cases for the WAVE ID® Mobile Reader?

Best suited for users who are looking for badge-based physical and logical access but are unable or hesitant to carry a physical card.They can benefit from mobile credential solutions and the corresponding WAVE ID® Mobile readers. This includes remote or on-the-go office workers, workers requiring access to multiple facilities and identity systems within an organization, temporary contractors, visitors, etc.

All rf IDEAS use cases such as enterprise single sign-on, secure print, user enrollment, event management, cashless vending and many others can be served with a mobile solution.

Can the look and feel of the mobile credential app be customized?

Pack ID and HID® Mobile access allow customization with customer’s own logo. More comprehensive customization can be achieved if the customers integrate these solutions with their own apps using mobile SDK libraries for these vendors.

How secure is the BLE authentication with each of the solutions?

Depending on the solution, the interface between the mobile phone and the WAVE ID® Mobile Reader uses AES-128 or AES-256 encryption and mutual authentication. HID® Mobile Access is built upon HID’s highly secure SEOS® platform.

What is the deployment model for the Orange, Safetrust and HID® Mobile Readers offered by rf IDEAS?

End-user’s organization will generally place a purchase order for the mobile credentials and readers on rf IDEAS through one of many rf IDEAS channel partners. Orange Business Services, Safetrust or HID® Global will set up an instance of the management portal for the end-user organization, so the end-user admin can issue and manage their employees’ credentials. Readers will generally need to be configured towork with end user’s credentials. This is done either through the WAVE ID Mobile Configurator utility (for Orange), through the mobile app (for Safetrust) or with the use of mobile configuration cards (for HID® Mobile Access).

Do the readers have BLE beaconing capability and can they be used for indoor wayfinding applications?

The WAVE ID Mobile Reader for Orange PACK ID has beaconing functionality, but it cannot be used simultaneously with mobile authentication. Beaconing needs to be enabled by switching the configuration from “Orange PACK ID” to “BLE Beacon”. The Safetrust and HID® Mobile Access readers do not have beaconing capabilities.

How can the user manage their mobile credentials? What is the maximum number of credentials that I can store in the Orange, Safetrust and HID® app?

The end user admin manages the organization’s credentials through a portal. The mobile app for each of the solution is essentially a wallet that can store multiple credentials.

There is generally no limit on how many credentials a user can have in their app, but each credential has to be unique (e.g. have a unique mobile ID) and targeted to a specific application.

If I have mobile credentials from one partner, can I mix mobile credentials from more than one vendor using one reader model number?

The only reader that can support more than one credential is WAVE ID® Mobile Reader for Orange PACK ID, as it can alternatively be configured to support rf IDEAS’ own WAVE ID Mobile demo app. The Safetrust and HID® Mobile Access readers currently only support their own credentials.

How many mobile devices can a user have per license for Orange, Safetrust and HID®?

o   Orange: 1 mobile device per license

o   Safetrust: 2 mobile device per license

o   HID®: 5 mobile device per license

How can accessibility for new users be managed? Is there a platform or portal to manage user identity access?

Yes, there is a portal for each of the solutions and managers will be able to handle user accessibility through it.

Is the portal solution on-premise or cloud? Where is it hosted?

The portal is cloud-based. Safetrust is hosted by AWS, while Orange and HID® are hosted on vendor’s secure servers.

Where are WAVE ID® Mobile Readers currently being sold?

The readers are available through the same rf IDEAS channel partners that offer all other solutions from rf IDEAS.

What is the process for the purchase of the mobile authentication solution, including the credentials?

Contact your sales representative for detailed information and help placing the order at sales@rfIDEAS.com