Card defragmentation


If data (keys, certificates, data objects, …) are repeatedly stored and deleted from the card's memory, empty fragments are created. These fragments can be so small that they can not be used to save new data - thus the effective size of the smart card memory gets smaller.

Defragmentation relocates data on the card in order to eliminate empty fragments, and maximize the free memory for new data.

It's recommended to defragment the card if in card information at least one of the following values:

is bigger than 0 B. Defragmentation is also recommended, when
nF – nCAF < nFrag

[nF is no. of files available for certificates; nCAF is no. of files available for root certificates; nFrag is no. of free fragments in the space reserved for certificates].
There is no risk in defragmenting a card, even if it has not been recommended explicitly. The program is able to determine that the data is not fragmented, and leave the data without changes.

Before you run defragmentation process make sure that the card which is going to be defragmented is inserted into the card reader the way information tree shows. If another card was inserted, read data from card first and then run the defragmentation process.

Option Defragmentate card is available only if a card is selected in information tree.