FBI Unveils Next-Gen IT Strategy

By Antoine TadrosMay 20, 2010

What’s the new plan?Sentinel, a $425 million project to replace the agency's outdated case-management system with a new digital system that incorporates technologies from Adobe, EMC, IBM, Microsoft, and OracleThe Next Generation Workstation brings instant messaging, file transfer, voice over IP, desktop video teleconferencing, presence technology, and Web collaboration to employees.New workstations include 24-inch flat screen monitors, video cams, speakers, and headsets. Avocent KVM switches support toggling between classified and unclassified networks.

KVM SwitchesState-of-the-art remote access in a single consoleBenefit from time-saving installations and reduced downtime.These switches can convert analog signals into digital packets, compressing and transmitting them securely over TCP/IP connections.Allows administrators to transmit KVM data over TCP/IP, helping to eliminate the need for specialized hardware or cabling.Allows IT users to remotely access blade servers for installation and maintenance, helping to lower the cost of ownership

New plan…New Microsoft Office-based PC environment in its field offices.Reorganize the FBI's Information and Technology Branch to make it more "business aligned and services oriented.”Develop an IT Services Division that manages everything from 26,000 BlackBerrys to the agency's data centers.

New plan..They are replacing management tools with systems management software from Hewlett-Packard and BigFix. (prefer to use commercial software where possible for its built-in integration capabilities and ease of deployment)The FBI will use SharePoint 2010 to create a social networking environment on FBINet.New identity management system based on Oracle's Identity Manager.

Multiprotocol Label Switching

FBI has replaced its ATM/Frame Relay network with a new Cisco-based IP infrastructure that utilizes Multiprotocol Label Switching for higher performanceMPLS IS a mechanism in high-performance telecommunications networks. It directs and carries data from one network node to the next (a connection point, either a redistribution point or a communication endpoint). MPLS makes it easy to create "virtual links" between distant nodes. It can encapsulate packets of various network protocols.

The benefit of MPLSThe network provides 45 times as much backbone capacity as the one it replaced, as well as doubling access speed at network endpoints.The network replacement was a necessary upgrade in order to introduce the upgraded PCs that bring a range of new tools and capabilities to FBI special agents and other employees. The configuration of the FBI's “Next Generation Workstation” comprises Office 2007 and Windows XP running on a Dell PC with dual-core processor.The FBI upgraded existing PCs with new hardware where possible. As a cost saving measure.

Resourceshttp://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=KC1SBT4JEEHPBQE1GHPCKHWATMY32JVN?articleID=224900058&pgno=1&queryText=&isPrev=http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/business-technology/http://www.avocent.com/About/Newsroom/Press_Releases/2009/Avocent_Unveils_Combined_LCD_Consoles_and_KVM_Switches.aspx