[Muscle] Applet Evolution

[s.ferey]

Joao Pedro a écrit :
> 
> Regarding the new middleware mentioned earlier (in case changes are 
> needed), I think we can have two initial approaches:
> 1. Create a patch to Musclecard's middleware after the applet is changed 
> and then wait for approval (in case the API changes) - this can be done 
> but, to be honest, I don't use it and  I'm not very familiar with it 
> right now. We could study the middleware's source and then we could 
> implement the changes. But I think this would have to be discussed first 
> on the list to know what the creators/maintainers think about the idea...

there is an API that allows development of plug-in (dedicated to
tailored applets), it is quite simple, but:
- I don't know if it is the more expected product
- I don't know if deployement and use of such plug-in is that easy.

> 2. Change/create a new OpenSC [1] driver for the "new" CardEdge applet. 
> OpenSC is the middleware I use and I'm familiar with the Muscle driver. 
> I prefer the OpenSC middleware because it is (anyone please correct me 
> if I'm wrong) more maintained. For example, with OpenSC + the CardEdge 
> applet I have my smart card fully integrated with Mac OS X (I can sign 
> emails, login with the smart card, etc.). The downside is that the the 
> OpenSC Muscle driver doesn't take full advantage of the CardEdge applet 
> (some operations are not used) and it has to emulate a PKCS #15 file 
> system because OpenSC depends on it.

yep, I know openSC (rel. 0.9.6 supports one of my applets, namely
AuthentIC 2.2), it also looks like a better solution for me since
their middleware provides a standard PKCS11 (which loads tailored
plug-in) that can directly be used by end-user application (mailer,
browser and so on).

if the openSC middleware is used by 90% of the "musclers" and
only 10% for the Musclecard's middleware, the choice is obvious,
but I have no idea of the actual figures... nor on the scheduled
evolution (still I also feeel that openSC is more maintained).

Regards,
Sylvain.