Ubuntu 64 bit: Accessing the Smartcard within Java Applets

I had some trouble to get the smartcard api working within Java Applets in Ubuntu 13.04 using the Firefox browser.

After some experimentation, I managed to fix this issue. The fix is in 3 parts:

1. make sure all pcscd libraries are installed: 

   sudo apt-get install pcscd pcsc-tools libpcsclite1 libccid
   

2. install the Oracle JDK (I couldn't get the smartcard API under the default OpenJDK to work):
   
   • download and install the latest JDK: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk7-downloads-1880260.html
   • Install the firefox plugin: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/manual-plugin-install-linux-136395.html
     

     mkdir ~/.mozilla/plugins
     cd ~/.mozilla/plugins
     ln -s ~/jdk1.7.0_40/jre/lib/amd64/libnpjp2.so
     

     (modify the path depending on where you installed the JDK)
3. the Oracle JDK uses an incorrect path for accessing the pcsclite library. Fix it with a symlink:
   

   sudo mkdir /usr/lib64
   sudo ln -s /lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libpcsclite.so.1 /usr/lib64/libpcsclite.so
   

If you now restart Firefox, the smartcard API for Java Applets should work.

source: https://lists.launchpad.net/openjdk/msg07864.html