FREDC Data Centers

FREDC Forensic Data Center

Fredc standard line art

 

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 standard line art
Fredc with options line art
Fredc storage expansion line art
Fredc storage expansion with vm server line art

FREDC Scalability

View configurations

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.
FREDC Data Center
FREDC Implementation

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.

Call (262) 782-3332

What our customers are saying

Rick lee
Rick Lee
EnCE, GCFA, CISSP
Digital Forensics Consultant
SaskTel Business Solutions
We’ve been using Digital Intelligence hardware for 15 years and the FRED C Data Center for over 10 years. The FRED C Data Center is the core of our Digital Forensic network and has worked very well for us...We will be continuing to use Digital Intelligence hardware in the future.
Francis brackin
Francis Brackin
Computer Evidence Specialist III
Onondaga County Center
for Forensic Sciences
We've relied on Digital Intelligence and the FREDC Data Center as the backbone of our forensic operation since 2010. In that time we've come to appreciate and depend on the Digital Intelligence team's expertise, responsiveness, and professionalism.
Detective mike carpenter
Mike Carpenter
Detective
Criminal Investigations Division
Waukesha Police Department
Our FREDC Data Center installation went flawless. The Digital Intelligence team has this product dialed-in. Our installation was completed in one day. We were running cases on our new FREDC by the end of day two.

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.

Fredc full front

The base FREDC system includes SERVER-RM, FRED-RM, RAID-RM SAN, Network, Display/Access, Automated Backup (LTO), and in-rack UPS modules.

Each FREDC includes Digital Intelligence's proprietary Management utilities and may also be configured with a number of optional modules.

 
SERVER-RM Module
Processor
Intel Xeon W5-3435X CPU with 16 cores, 3.1 GHz / 4.7 GHz, 45 MB cache.
Chipset
Intel W790
Memory
128 GB PC5-38400 DDR5 4800 MHz ECC. RAM upgrades are available
Software
openSUSE Leap Enterprise Server operating system
Symantec Ghost
Hard Drive Storage
100 TB internal RAID array (80 TB RAID 6, 10 x 10TB drives)
1 x 500 GB 7200 RPM SATA disaster recovery drive (in drive bay enclosure)
4 x 2.5" SATA Drive Chassis with external access
DVD/CD/Blu-ray
BD-R/BD-RE/DVD±RW/CD±RW Blu-ray burner, dual-layer combo drive
Networking
Intel Quad port X710-T4L 10 GbE network adapter (RJ45 copper)
Expansion / Connectors
1 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type C
2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C
5 USB 3.2 Gen2
10 USB 3.1 Gen 1
2 USB 2.0
Power
1200 Watt modular power supply
Chassis
4U rackmount
 
FRED-RM Module
Processor
Intel Core i9-13900K CPU with 24 cores, up to 5.8 GHz, 36 MB Smart Cache. Processor upgrades are available.
Chipset
Intel Z790
Memory
128 GB PC5-38400 DDR5 4800 MHz ECC. RAM upgrades are available.
Software
Microsoft Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
OpenSUSE Linux
Symantec Ghost
Hard Drive Storage

500 GB Internal M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (OS)
1 TB Internal M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (user defined)
1 TB Internal M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (user defined)
4 TB SATA III 7200 RPM HotSwap (user defined)

Additional drive slots: 4 x 2.5" SATA connected, USB 3.2 connected HotSwap
Many drive options and capacities are available.

Drive Bays
4 x 2.5" SATA drive bay chassis
1 x 2.5/3.5" SATA, shock mounted, HotSwap, removable
1 x hot-swap USB 3.2 connected SATA, shock mounted, HotSwap, removable
DVD/CD/Blu-ray
BD-R/BD-RE/DVD±RW/CD±RW Blu-ray burner, dual-layer combo drive
Forensic Imaging / Write Blocking

UltraBay 4d forensic bridge – write blocks SATA, SAS, IDE, USB 3.0/2.0/1.1, FireWire, and PCIe SSD storage devices.

Touch screen UI support local, on-screen access to device information:

  • Storage media details
  • LUN selection
  • Management of protected regions
  • File system partitions (independent of OS)

Supports simultaneous and sequential forensic imaging. Hot swapping on all but PCIe devices

Drive Cooling
Retractable imaging work-shelf and cooler
Media Card Reader
DI Forensic Media Card Reader – user selectable RO/RW
Networking
1 x Realtek 2.5 Gigabit ethernet (RJ45)
WIFI 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz bands
Bluetooth v5.2
Expansion / Connectors
1 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type C
1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C
2 USB 3.2 Gen 2
5 USB 3.2 Gen 1
4 USB 2.0
Storage Controllers
M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 (3)
SATA 6 Gb/s ports (4)
Audio
Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC
Power
1200 Watt modular power supply
Chassis
4U rackmount
 
RAID-RM SAN Module
Base Internal RAID
Master Unit – 240 TB RAID array module (220 TB RAID 6)
24 bay, 4U rackmount RAID enclosure (multilane SAS attached)
24 – 10 TB 7200 RPM HDDs in hot-swap removeable trays
Upgrades from 10 TB HDDs available
Power
Dual redundant 460 Watt power supplies
Chassis
3U rackmount
 
Network Module
Switch
10 Gigabit copper
1 fully managed, line-rate 10G copper Base-T switch.
Supports up to 48 10G Base-T RJ45 and 4 SFP+ ports
Patch Panel
Two (2) 24 port CAT 6A for a total of up to 48 panel ports
Cables
Two (2) x 25 x 1 ft. for a total of 50 cables
Chassis
3U rackmount
 
Display / Access Module
Monitor / Keyboard
19 inch LCD rackmount display with integrated keyboard / trackpad
KVM
8 port KVM switch with IP remote access
Cables
KVM cable set – 2 USB, 1 P/S2
Chassis
1U rackmount
 
System Backup Module
Tape Changer
LTO-8 Ultrium Drive, 24 slot library, SAS interface
Media Set
LTO-8 media set
11 data media cartridges (12 TB / 30 TB capacity)
One cleaning tape cartridge included
Software
Quest NetVault
Chassis
2U rackmount
 
FREDC System Management Utilities
Workstation Prep
FCCInstall – prepare a stock workstation for use with FREDC Data Center
Image Management
DIWIMS – create and maintain functional images of workstations
Drive Mapping
NetLogon – Forensic workstation drive mapping and time sync
Disaster Recovery
DIDRE – “Bare metal” recover of the server to a known good state
SMS Communications
Notifies designated parties of a system warning or critical event via SMS text

The following modules are available as upgrades for FREDC.

 
FREDC Optional Modules
FREDC RAID-RM
Additional add-on RAID storage, increments of 240 TB when using 10TB HDDs.
3U rackmount
FREDC DB Server
Database server for FREDC.
4U rackmount
FREDC VM Server
Virtual Machine Server.
4U rackmount
Decryption Appliance
Multi-GPU based accelerator for password recovery.
Includes 4 or 6 NVIDIA RTX 3080 graphics acceleration cards.
4U rackmount with integrated liquid cooling
FRED-RM Workstation
FRED Forensic Workstation.
4U rackmount

Call (262) 782-3332 to talk to a FREDC specialist