Regardless of which tool you use, always complete the following step first: We use the following tools to create disk images of media: Kryoflux (default), Guymager, FTK Imager, IsoBuster, or FC5025.

Note: In order to ensure that the source media is unchanged by the process of data capture and transfer, hard drives and removable media drives should always be connected to the capture workstation through a hardware write-blocker. 'dd' or 'raw') or ISO images (for optical media). Once processed, it will be accessible through our access tool, SCOPE.Įxcept when circumstances require different solutions, CCA prefers raw disk image formats (e.g. If it is decided that the contents of a disk should be made available, disk images are ingested into the CCA's digital repository, Archivematica, to be stored until its contents are ready to be processed. Because disk images can be stored redundantly, backed up, and audited in ways that physical carriers like DVDs or external hard drives cannot, they are a much better suited for preservation of digital information over time, while retaining all characteristics of the original physical media as a storage volume. A disk image is a computer file that is an exact replica of the contents of a disk or other digital storage volume as that information exists on a particular physical storage medium.

Disk imaging with the Nimbie and ImgBurnĪt CCA, we capture the contents of original physical media as raw disk images.

Disk imaging 5.25' floppy disks with FC5025.

Disk imaging with Guymager (Bitcurator).

Raw disk image creator