I looked at specification for smartcarp hardware JCOP types, and there are two ECC protocols listed ECC GF(p), ECC GF(2n). Some JCOP types support one or the other. Whereas Microsoft simply stated ECC is supported in Windows 2008 R2. Can someone tell me which of the 2 protocols is supported when the certification Authority is configured to use the ECDSA? [I have tested with JCOP41 which specifies to support ECC GF(2n) and it does not work with win208R2 CA configured for ECDSA_P256, Before I go to purchase another type JCOP J3A specified to support ECC GF(p).]

I looked into the Suite B specification from NSA, and saw: ECDH and ECDSA using the 256-bit prime modulus elliptic curve as specified in FIPS PUB 186-3 and SHA-256 provide adequate protection for classified information up to the SECRET level. Since that seems to be what Windows R2 implemented, I assume ECC GF(p) is the protocol supported by Windows 2008 R2. I wish someone will confirm this.