Managing Crescendo Devices

Applications Screen

The Applications Screen is the interface which allows users to configure the “Applications” on their Crescendo smart cards and devices. Applications, in this context, are the different functions that can be performed with a Crescendo device, such as generating a Secure One-Time Password (or OTP) with the Crescendo Key, or using a certificate on the Crescendo 2300 smart card device to sign or encrypt an email message.

Each of these Applications must be configured before they can be used. The Application types available to be configured on Crescendo devices are displayed on the Applications Screen.

Upon launching the Crescendo Management Tool, and after inserting a Crescendo device, available devices are shown in the Detected Device List. (The main elements of the interface are labeled in Getting Started). Once a device is selected and the Continue button is clicked, the Applications Screen is shown.

Each element of the Applications Screen, labeled in the diagram shown, is explained below.

  • Applications Screen – This is the interface of the Crescendo Management Tool that is the starting point for the configuration of Crescendo devices.

  • Help Content – clicking the Help icon launches the online help page.

    • The Help button launches the Crescendo Management Tool online help in your default internet web browser.

    Important: The Help Icon is context-sensitive, meaning that clicking the Help Icon displays information in your web browser that is specific to the screen or activity you are currently working on.

  • Version Information – displays the current version of the Crescendo Management Tool.

    • Hover the mouse pointer over the About section to view the current software version of the Crescendo Management Tool. (This is not a clickable button.)

  • Active Device Information – a display of information about the currently-selected device:

    • An image of the selected device

    • The name of the selected device type
    • The serial number of the specific device selected

  • OTP Slot Configuration – Configuration section containing the available “Slots”. HID Crescendo Key devices can store three distinct OTP configurations on the same device. Each of these configurations are stored in a logical area of the device called a Slot. These functions are detailed further in later sections.

  • PIV Certificate Slot Configuration – Configuration section containing the available options to configure a Crescendo device for use with PKI certificates. These functions are detailed further in later sections.

  • Device Security Actions – Configuration section containing the available options for managing the access security functions of your Crescendo device. These functions are detailed further in later sections.

  • Device Reset Button – Initiates the process to remove all configured Application data and completely reset your Crescendo device to default settings.

Workflows

Managing Crescendo smart cards and Crescendo Key devices with the Crescendo Management Tool is based on the concept of workflows. Each workflow is a series of steps that the Crescendo Management Tool will guide you through.

The process is similar for each credential type and each desired management operation. In this section, you can review various workflows available to familiarize you with using the Crescendo Management Tool to manage Crescendo devices.

Warning! Crescendo devices must be of the “Standard Profile” type to function with the Crescendo Management Tool. Devices that are initialized by a Credential Management System such as ActivID® or HID CMS cannot be configured with this tool.
Important: Not every possible scenario is outlined below; most main activities are covered, but additional functionality that is not covered here may be available or may become available in a future release.

The following workflows are described, step-by-step: