We often get questions regarding batch programming of keys and we do it regularly on special requests from user having special needs or want larger volumes.
I would therefore like to do a bit of advertising for the new personalization tool, where we added a batch programming feature that allows Yubikeys (both Yubikey 1 and Yubikey 2) to be programmed reasonably fast without the need for any specialized hardware. Simply set up the scheme how to generate IDs and keys (fixed, incremental, randomized or read from file) and start the programming. Insert – wait 2-3 seconds – remove, insert next – wait – remove etc. A sound can be added that allows configuration to be done without even looking at the screen.
With a bit of training, one can easily configure 4-5 keys per minute sustained. Not a blazing speed, but if you have a few hundred keys and want to configure them for a closed environment, it can be done in an hour or two.
Check out the new tool at
http://www.yubico.com/developers/personalization/We of course still offer batch programming services and intend to continue doing so. When programming is done at manufacturing, it is very efficient and fast. We also have specialized hardware that bypasses the slow USB enumeration in normal OSes, allowing piece-by-piece programming to be done in about 0.5 seconds. As we use a specialized USB socket, programming is basically a touch-and-go operation.
With the best regards,
JakobE
Hardware- and firmware guy @ Yubico