The DVI System Server is the key component of a DVI System deployment.
The hardware requirements are the recommended size of the hardware, and no absolute minimum requirements can be given as they will depend on the patience of the users and the composition of the disaster and distributed workload. In example, if all PM examinations are being recorded digitally at the morgue, you will have a higher simultaneous load as if all data entry is being done by a smaller group of operators. Also, the size of image attachments is determined by the photographic and XRay equipment and the number of photos that is relevant to the disaster.
This system has the same general requirements as all other database-oriented software, a machine for SQL Server with as much RAM and as fast disks as you can afford (with the size necessary for your anticipated number of cases and especially attachments) and a machine for IIS and business layer (web services) with RAM equivalent to the anticipated simultaneous sessions and CPU to support the matching load. If you have a heavy DNA load, just add another Application Server.
We assume that matching (automated everything against everything searches) is only performed during off-peak hours, such as at night time
National DVI Centre
A large DVI centre can handle 50.000 files of Missing Persons and/or Unknown Bodies and 150 simultaneous users
Hardware
SQL Server
IBM x3650M4 rack server (example)
2 * 4 core CPU
10 * 600 GB disks in RAID 10 configuration
24 GB RAM
Application Server
IBM x3650M4 rack server (example)
2 * 6 core CPU
4 * 600 GB disks in RAID 10 configuration
96 GB RAM
Software
Windows Server 2012R2 or later, Standard or Datacenter
Microsoft SQL Server 2008R2 or later, Standard or higher. Clustering or failover is not part of our advice/support options, but has proven to work if you know what you are doing.
Future requirement
The below requirement will be in effect by installation of DVI System International version 6 from May 2019, where at minimum SQL Server 2016 SP1 Standard is a requirement.
If you are buying new SQL Server licenses, please be aware that SQL Server 2016 may become a future minimum requirement, possibly from August 1st 2017, so consider getting Software Assurance or other protection of your current investment.
Regional DVI Center
A regional DVI center can handle 10.000 files of Missing Persons and/or Unknown Bodies and 75 simultaneous users
Hardware
Combined SQL- and Application Server
IBM x3650M4 rack server (example)
2 * 6 core CPU
6 * 600 GB disks in RAID 10 configuration
96 GB RAM
Software
Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard or Datacenter
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 -, 2012 - or 2014 Standard or higher. Clustering or failover is not supported in all configurations.
Local DVI Center (or Site server)
A local DVI center can handle 2.000 files of Missing Persons and/or Unknown Bodies and 25 simultaneous users
Hardware
Combined SQL- and Application Server
1 * 6 core CPU
4 * 600 GB disks in RAID 10 configuration
16 GB RAM
Software
Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials or Standard
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 -, 2012 - or 2014 Express or higher. Clustering or failover is not supported.
With the Express edition, there is a 10GB* maximum database size which effectively limits the storage for attachments (images, documents etc.), so you could be forced to upgrade to a Standard edition if you don't limit attachment sizes.
DVI Workgroup
A DVI workgroup can handle 500 files of Missing Persons and/or Unknown Bodies and up to 8 simultaneous users
Hardware
Combined SQL- and Application Server
1 * 4 core CPU (i.e. a laptop with Intel i7-4702MQ)
512 GB disk, preferably SSD
8 GB RAM
Software
Windows 7, 8, 8.1 or 10 Pro, 64bit
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 -, 2012 - or 2014 Express or higher.
With the Express edition, there is a 10GB* maximum database size which effectively limits the storage for attachments (images, documents etc.).
If you are unsure about the actual number of users in your DVI Workgroup, you could install a Windows Server license on the laptop.
It is important to understand the limitations of using a desktop operating system like Windows 7, 8 and 10 as a server. Microsoft has implemented some strict limitations on concurrent requests in Internet Information Server on these platforms (varying from 3 to 10 simultanous requests depending on OS edition), so you will experience, that just adding one more workstation doesn't just make the system gradually slower, but may change the response time from i.e. 0.5 seconds to 30 seconds per request.