BioLink AFIS/APIS Architecture

BioLink AFIS is a flexible, responsive, and scalable solution that can be implemented in projects of any size: from a single desktop AFIS to a distributed network for local, regional, and national systems. The system is based on the client-server model enabling workstations to independently send requests to the server.

Local AFIS Designed for database capacity of up to 100 000 tenprint cards. Generally, this type of systems includes 1-3 workstations connected over a standard local area network. They can be installed in small jurisdictions (towns, cities, etc.).

Regional AFIS Designed for operating with up to 1 million records. This system can be used to automate fingerprint and palm print record collections in larger administrative districts (metropolises, regions, counties, states, etc.). Architecture consists of a central site and a distributed network of local systems.

National AFIS Designed to automate the maintenance and search of the largest databases on a national scale. A National AFIS includes a federal central site networked with regional central sites.

The server functions (database insertion, storing, searches, and communication) in large-scale distributed AFIS systems are performed by several subsystems as listed below:

Database Server provides maintenance of the electronic disk array of the index data related to database objects, receiving requests from connected workstations and remote users, distribution of computational tasks, and generation and transfer of search results to workstations according to their requests.

Matching Subsystem is responsible for comparing incoming tenprints and latents against fileprints (tenprint-to-tenprint, latent-to-tenprint, tenprint-to-latent, latent-to-latent) and for processing express ID requests.

Data Storage Subsystem comprises disk units, so-called “memboxes”, and the Oracle server for unloading alphanumeric related information.
 
Communications Subsystem provides for the interaction of the database server with the subsystems and interaction of the AFIS/APIS with remote sites (external AFIS systems, booking stations, express ID check stations, etc.) through an IP connection.


Administrator Workstation
The Administrator Workstation is used to execute online control of the AFIS/APIS status. It is also intended for database backup, for archiving the system status data, and for recording complete database segments on a CD or flash drive.

Operator Workstation
The Operator Workstation is used to perform tenprint and latent entry, examination, and analysis of search results and other fingerprint related functions. In parallel with interactive processes, this WS processes all incoming information in background mode. In smaller AFIS, the computational resources of the operation workstation can be deployed for carrying out searches and matches.

Remote Workstation
Configured for operation at a remote site, the remote WS uses modem communication through dial-up lines, or a wireless channel, or other IP-connection media, including cellular ones, to interact with a central AFIS/APIS site.

The key functions that the remote WS can perform are as follows:

1. Livescan fingerprinting and data transfer to a central AFIS/APIS site
2. Remote access to a central AFIS/APIS database
3. Express identity checking against a central AFIS/APIS database