Registering a Key Card (Access Control Credentials)

Topics included in this article:

• Registering a Key Card
  • User Management Method
  • Access Control Credentials Method
  • Unknown Serial Number
• Supported Cards
  • Rhombus Secure Cards and Fobs
    • Secure Card Hole Punch
  • Standard Card and Fobs
  • Wiegand Card
• NFC Antenna
• Helpful Links
• Contact Support or Sales

Registering a Key Card

Registering a Key Card covers associating a Key Card with a specific user to use with the Access Control system. A user must be included in a group with an assigned grant to gain access to the intended doors at the scheduled times. For more information on setting up grants, review our article on Door Access Conditions (Grants).

1. Navigate to "Settings" in the Rhombus Console.

2. There are two methods for adding Access Control Credentials. Navigate to an individual user by selecting "Manage Users." Add credentials by selecting "Access Control Credentials."

User Management Method

1. Select "Manage Users" from the "Settings" page.

2. Select the user for which you would like to add a credential.

3. Select the "Access Control" tap in the upper right corner, and ensure "Credentials" is highlighted in the upper left corner.

4. This page shows the current settings for the Rhombus Key App and all currently active credentials. To add a new credential, click "Add Credential."

5. Select which card type you are registering, and fill in the corresponding information.

6. Once filled in, the "Add" button will turn blue. Click "Add." Note: Standard NFC cards cannot be added as Rhombus Secure cards.

Access Control Credentials Method

1. Select "Access Control Credentials" from the "Settings" page.

2. This page provides information on all active credentials, who they are assigned to, and when they were last used. To add a new credential, click "Credential Actions," then click "Add Credential."

3. A window will appear where you can assign a user to the card credential and view the card information. Once you have completed these steps, click " Add."

Unknown Serial Number

If a card or fob does not have an easily identifiable serial number, it can still be added to the Rhombus system as long as it is compatible. 

1. Scan the card/fob at the reader.

2. In the console, navigate to the "Devices" tab, and select the reader where the card/fob was scanned.

3. Under "Events," look for a failed scan. Since the credential has not been added to the system, it will show "Authentication failed." Click the three dots below "Actions."

4. Alternatively, hovering over the red dot beside "Authentication failed" will display the "Credential Hex Value" which can be used to add this card/fob as a credential.

Supported Cards

Below is the list of Standard and Wiegand cards and fobs supported by Rhombus Access Control.

Rhombus Secure Cards and Fobs

This is a key card, or fob, sold by Rhombus intended to be used specifically with Rhombus door readers. While these cards and fobs can be set up as a standard NFC badge, to take advantage of the additional security benefits, we recommend setting them up as Rhombus cards paired with Rhombus door readers.

Rhombus cards can now be registered as a "Rhombus Secure" card during setup, even if they will be used for a third-party reader. If the Rhombus Secure card is paired with a third-party reader and a Rhombus reader, the card will utilize the additional security benefits when used with the Rhombus reader, while still allowing for the flexibility of being used with the third-party reader. Contact Rhombus Support to enable this dual-reader card feature.

Secure Card Hole Punch

Reference the below diagram when opting to punch a hole in a Rhombus Secure card.

Standard Card and Fobs

Standard key cards or fobs work with our Rhombus door readers and third-party readers.

Below is the list of standard cards and fobs that work with our Rhombus door readers and any third-party readers.

Note: This list is based on the ISO 14443A/B standard.

  MIFARE DESFire EV1 (comes in 2k,4k,8k varieties)
  MIFARE Ultralight EV1
  Openpath DESFire EV3
  Openpath DESFire EV2
  HID® MIFARE
  Schlage MIFARE® 
  XceedID MIFARE®

Wiegand Card

These key credentials are associated with the Wiegand protocol.

Below is the list of the current key cards that will be accepted via a Wiegand Reader for the Rhombus Door Controller.

Note: Rhombus Readers will not work with Wiegand cards or fobs.

  H10301 
  H10304
  64-bit
  D10202

NFC Antenna

When using a key card with the DR20 or DR40, hold the card over the NFC antenna, as shown below, to ensure the credential is read properly.

Helpful Links

• Rhombus Access Control Deployment Guide and Best Practices
• User Credentials for Rhombus Key App
• Door Access Conditions (Grants)

Contact Support or Sales

Have more questions? Contact Rhombus Support at +1 (877) 746-6797 option 2 or support@rhombus.com.

Interested in learning more? Contact Rhombus Sales at +1 (877) 746-6797 option 1 or sales@rhombus.com.