FREDC Forensic Data Center

The FREDC Data Center is a purpose-built, high-performing departmental forensic server. With over 100 installations world-wide, FREDC is a proven solution for departmental forensic acquisition, analysis, case management, evidence storage and data archival needs.

The FREDC Forensic Data Center is the core infrastructure of a high-performance Forensic Network. Visit our Forensic Networks solutions page to learn how Forensic Networks help corporations, law enforcement and law firms manage their forensic and eDiscovery workloads. Learn more

FREDC Data Centers function as a digital forensic data server and complete forensic network infrastructure. The heart of each FREDC is a SERVER-RM module, powered by an Intel Xeon W5-3435X 16 core processor. 128 GB DDR5 4800 GHz ECC memory and 100 TB of internal RAID storage are standard. Please check with us if you are interested in CPU or RAM upgrades. Our experience shows that the base SERVER-RM specs are more than sufficient to handle your forensic network.

Each FREDC Server-RM comes standard with a ten (10) drive, 100 TB internal RAID array for operating system, workstation images and other internal data storage needs. Base FREDC systems include a twenty-four (24) 10 TB RAID-RM module with 240 TB RAW capacity for digital evidence storage. To increase storage capacity within a single RAID-RM module, larger hard drive are available. As storage needs grow, additional RAID-RM modules can be easily added.

FREDC Data Centers achieve extremely fast data transfers via an Intel quad port 10 GB network connection, providing 40 GB of throughput. By design, FREDC’s are perfect systems for direct to network forensic imaging.

The FREDC SERVER-RM’s operating system is OpenSUSE Enterprise Server Linux, optimized by Digital Intelligence for incredible performance and near-zero system administration. With a FREDC Data Center, you avoid the headaches, upgrades, and higher support cost that come with traditional Windows data server environments.

How Many Petabytes Do You Need?

FREDC’s fault tolerant data storage capacity is huge. Every FREDC Data Center ships standard with one RAID-RM module. To maximize the storage capacity of a single rack FREDC, add two RAID-RM modules (for a total of three). Configured with 18 TB hard drives, a single rack FREDC filled with RAID-RM modules has a total fault-tolerant data storage capacity in excess of 1.9 Petabytes.

Need even more on-line data storage? FREDC can handle it. Each FREDC can support up to two additional racks of RAID-RM modules, bringing total fault tolerant data storage capacity to more than 5.5 and 9.1 Petabytes respectively.

FREDC Data Centers ship standard with a 24-tape robotic tape library and enterprise class backup/archival software. The backup software is pre-installed and configured to support automated archival of evidence and other data.

FREDC Scalability

• FREDC
  Standard System
• FREDC with Options
  Adds RAID-RM storage up to 1.5 Petabytes
• FREDC with Options
  Adds 2nd rack, RAID storage up to 5.5 Petabytes
• FREDC with Options
  Adds 3rd rack, RAID storage up to 9.1 Petabytes, Server-VM

FREDC Value

• Security of evidence and case data. Ability to store and manage very large amounts of forensic data in a fault-tolerant, centralized data management infrastructure.
• Accessibility of evidence and case data. Case data is accessible by any examiner working at any forensic workstation that is connected through the FREDC forensic network.
• Speed and convenience. The 10 Gb network supports extremely fast file transfers and direct-to-network forensic imaging (at drive speed).
• A true turn-key, complete solution. FREDCs include all hardware and software components required to install a fully functioning, high-performance forensic network and being investigative work within 48 hours (from start of installation).
• Ease of system management and administration. FREDC Data Centers include a management console with utilities built to enable efficient system administration by forensic examiners or IT professionals alike.
• Secure Evidence Chain of Custody. Access to digital forensic evidence is logged and reported accordingly.
• Agnostic Infrastructure. The FREDC is built to operate with all modern, forensic tools and software.
• Scalable. Easily add RAID data storage modules and other processing appliances as needs grow and evolve.
• Highly responsive, low latency network. Round-trip data transfers between networked workstations and the central server are minimized for efficient user operation.
• Easy archival and retrieval of evidence and case data. Moving case data and evidence from on-line to archive (and back) is easily accomplished with automated tape backup tools.

Share Software Licenses. Lower Software Costs

Use the FREDC Data Center to manage your software investment. Forensic and eDiscovery software license dongles connected to the SERVER-RM USB 3.0 ports are managed as shared resources for departmental access and use. This feature, exclusive to Digital Intelligence FREDC Data Centers promotes efficient sharing of software licenses and may help lower software licensing costs.

Peace of Mind with Automated Alerts

Digital Intelligence’s proprietary FREDC SMS gateway supports real-time, text-based event notifications. Problems like disk failures and temperature alerts trigger automatic notifications sent to a configurable list of recipients. This feature is available at no additional charge to our North American customers.

Easier to Manage. Lower Cost to Own

To further reduce the cost of FREDC ownership, we’ve included a proprietary set of system and network administration utilities. Built by Digital Intelligence, these utilities reduce or eliminate the time and effort required to maintain a properly running high-performance forensic network. Network workstation installation, system backup, system restoration, drive mapping, single user sign-on, and even bare metal disaster recovery is made almost trivial.

Install Today. Run Cases Tomorrow.

FREDC’s are integrated and tested prior to shipment. The modular FREDC design and extensive pre-ship testing ensures minimal field issues during site installation. DI System Engineers install, test, and train at your site typically in three days or less. A FREDC Data Center investment pays casework dividends within days of its arrival.