This is a story of transformation of the concept of an imager itself, and of what it can achieve.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
2018.1 – The initial release<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
With the initial release on May 15, 2018, we launched Atola TaskForce.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
TaskForce’s feature set was revolutionary in its flexibility of user operation and connectivity. With the range and number of storage devices it supported, and the unprecedented overall performance of 15 TB\/hour<\/a>, TaskForce instantly became the Superman among forensic imagers!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Shortly after, revision 2018.1.1, also enabled imaging to password-protected servers<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The first firmware update<\/a> brought over a hundred new features and bug fixes. For example, the introduction of custom settings (aka presets<\/em>) that help create and share optimal imaging workflows between colleagues. It works both when you use different TaskForce imagers or when the same device is used from different workstations<\/a>. Look up release 2020.4 to see how this functionality evolved further!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In 2018.8, users received the ability to export lists of sectors on the source drive that have or have not been successfully imaged, as well as the sectors that contained errors.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This firmware version brought, among other features and improvements, NVMe support<\/a> via M.2 extension module and Imaging of all sectors with data<\/a>. The latter is a time-saver for those who want to get all the data from the drive while skipping empty sectors.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Almost a year into TaskForce’s existence, more functionality was released and included imaging to files on target<\/a> and imaging to E01 compressed file<\/a>. The release also added drive temperature graphs and drive working timespans to the Diagnostics module (for some investigators, it may provide clues about the way the drive was recently used). On top of that, TaskForce received a considerable performance boost during imaging and wiping.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Here came a groundbreaking solution for forensic examiners implementing automation solutions in their labs!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n By introducing Web API<\/a> in 2019.7 release and its integration into Magnet AUTOMATE<\/a>, TaskForce became the first hardware imager able to operate in automated workflows.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We listened to our customers when they were asking to implement a solution that would reduce the number of clicks to launch imaging with predefined settings. This is a crucial feature when working under time pressure. We brought you the Express mode<\/a> which allows a zero-click launch of up to 17 imaging sessions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Just plug the drives and watch them get imaged!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.atola.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/tf151.jpg\")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2018.8 – Presets. Performance boost<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.atola.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/2click-imaged-1024x691.png\")
\r\n2018.12 – More interfaces. Selective imaging<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.atola.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/imagingNVMe1-1024x577.png\")
\r\n2019.4 – New target options. Improved performance<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.atola.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/E01-compressed-1024x683.png\")
\r\n2019.7 – Web API for external automation tools or scripts<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/atola.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Magnet-workflow1.png\")
\r\n2019.9 – Express mode. Selective head imaging<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n