[elevatorman]

What "enhanced functionality" that will benefit the residents is there? It's a gate goes up and down.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

I posted this because there was a recent thread that cloned cards still worked. I have NO idea of how they can tell a valid card from a cloned card, but I am sure there will be many people that will pull up to the reader and the gate will not open and then they will have to push the red button or find their card, in either case I am betting it will slow down the gate access until everyone gets acquainted with the new readers.

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Interesting point, I absolutely agree with you I mistook "invalid" for cloned or copied cards, so my initial warning may not be anywhere as bad as it could be.

It was clear from the discussion by the District in various earlier meetings that they expect cloned cards to stop working when the new software is activated. They may be wrong, we'll have to wait and see, and that is why I wish they would just get on with it so this could be put to bed.

Why might they expect a cloned card to stop working?
1. They may believe that there are cards in circulation that were cloned from cards that are no longer valid. The old original cards were reclaimed long ago but the clones may still work in the system. When the new software is activated for only valid cards, the clones of the invalid cards will no longer work.

2. They may believe that there are dozens or more clones of a single card being used. The software might identify that this single card is being presented at locations that are physically impossible to reach with a single card. For instance, the card may be seen at Spanish Springs, 466, Hillsborough, and Fenney all within ten minutes - something impossible to do with a single card. In this case they may invalidate that card in the system.

3. There may be features of the cards that cannot be cloned but can be identified by the new software. It would then be possible for the software to recognize the difference between an original card and a cloned card and not accept the clone.

For whatever reason, they have expressed their belief that cloned cards will stop working. We will see if they are correct - sometime.

[mikef65]

The project to upgrade was initiated to overcome the original gate system's limit in the number of valid cards. The Villages is a victim of it's own success.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by elevatorman

What "enhanced functionality" that will benefit the residents is there? It's a gate goes up and down.

The reasoning for the new software was presented at the PWAC and other meetings when the upgrade was proposed - this is why residents should attend those meetings.

Some of the reasons that I recall:
- The number of valid cards had outgrown the capabilities of the old software
- The new software will make it easier to disable invalid cards and since not all the gates are on public roads this will improve security at those other gates
- The new software will allow the use of new readers that are compatible with long-range systems that can work from within the car without the need to roll down a window

[RoadToad]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The message in your original post says nothing about "cloned" cards. It only refers to valid cards. It sounds like they may have lost track of valid vs invalid cards. An invalid card is a card that is not authorized to be used in the system. A clone of a valid card could still be allowed and function like a valid card. They need to clarify this. Very confusing.

Yes, A clone of a valid card could still be allowed and function like a valid card.
Clone is an identical image. If original is still valid in the system, clone will be also.

[Normal]

Originally Posted by RoadToad

Yes, A clone of a valid card could still be allowed and function like a valid card.
Clone is an identical image. If original is still valid in the system, clone will be also.

There may be a digital signature if an RIDF is cloned. I would think newer software could pick this up. In other words, every card that is valid would work, but tagged or copied cards would not. The extra digits on stickers would not be ignored and make those clones invalid?

[crash]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The message in your original post says nothing about "cloned" cards. It only refers to valid cards. It sounds like they may have lost track of valid vs invalid cards. An invalid card is a card that is not authorized to be used in the system. A clone of a valid card could still be allowed and function like a valid card. They need to clarify this. Very confusing.

No they are eliminating the ability of the gates to use cloned cards one reason for the update. The other reason is to increase the storage capacity. A cloned card is an invalid card it was not issued by the district.

Originally Posted by JoMar

And depending on how you enter, go through the visitor side.....quicker to get in if speed is your need.

Shhhhh... some things best left a secret.

[allsport]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

I received this from VCDD: (Please do not shoot the messenger....)

e-Notification
Subject: Administrative Message - Special Notification to All Newsletter Subscribers
Date: 5/31/2024

Important Gate System Update Notice – UPDATED INFORMATION
The District Government is implementing an update to our gate system to support future enhanced functionality.
Please note the following important information:
• Beginning JUNE 2024, the gate system will only operate with valid cards active in the system.
• This update to the card reader software does not affect the existing red button functionality. The red button can still be used to access gates throughout the community.
• If one of your cards is not working, please bring both cards that were originally issued as a pair to one of our offices for assistance.
Our offices are located at:
• NORTH SATELLITE OFFICE 1200 Avenida Central in La Hacienda
• DISTRICT CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER 984 Old Mill Run in Lake Sumter Landing
• SOUTH SATELLITE OFFICE 4856 S. Morse Blvd. just south of SR 44
Please contact Customer Service at 352-753-4508 or visit one of our offices to determine if your card needs replacement.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation as we work to upgrade our community's access system.

No big deal.

[kendi]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

The reasoning for the new software was presented at the PWAC and other meetings when the upgrade was proposed - this is why residents should attend those meetings.

Some of the reasons that I recall:
- The number of valid cards had outgrown the capabilities of the old software
- The new software will make it easier to disable invalid cards and since not all the gates are on public roads this will improve security at those other gates
- The new software will allow the use of new readers that are compatible with long-range systems that can work from within the car without the need to roll down a window

Have had my card for 4 years and it has always worked through the window. Maybe with the new system you won’t have to get as close to the reader for this to work.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by crash

No they are eliminating the ability of the gates to use cloned cards one reason for the update. The other reason is to increase the storage capacity. A cloned card is an invalid card it was not issued by the district.

That may not be possible unless they issue new cards. If a valid card and a clone are identical, the software will not do what you said.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

The reasoning for the new software was presented at the PWAC and other meetings when the upgrade was proposed - this is why residents should attend those meetings.

Some of the reasons that I recall:
- The number of valid cards had outgrown the capabilities of the old software
- The new software will make it easier to disable invalid cards and since not all the gates are on public roads this will improve security at those other gates
- The new software will allow the use of new readers that are compatible with long-range systems that can work from within the car without the need to roll down a window

Thanks for the clear explaination Bill. The official communication of this could have been better involving people like you.

I saw a tech installing the long range hardware at a gate near me this week That will be a nice enhancement.

Upgrading these 30+ year old legacy systems is no easy matter, hope it rolls out well.

[Two Bills]

Today is June 1st.
Have any cloned Villagers been locked out?

[M2inOR]

Here is something that may shed some light on cloned cards.

Thereay be two sets of ID numbers. One unclonable, and the other programmable.

A Tag ID (TID) and a separate serial number.

This would use the tag ID (TID) in the transponder along with the serial number. Each RFID chip has a unique serial number that cannot be changed, which identifies the chip as unique. A serial number is then written to the tag's memory. You could read the TID and serial number and make sure there was a correct match, in order to ensure the tag was not cloned.

Imagine true security badges, credit cards, and other IDs in use today for access or spending.

[MikeN]

IMO the residents side gate should go up quicker and the visitor side slower and only when the resident side isn’t in use. Stop these drag racing idiots