How to Manage and Recover a Faulty RAID Array from NAS Actidata actiLib 1U LTO-Autoloader

Contents

• Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
• How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?

Conventional hard disks keep user’s data by writing it to their surface in a consecutive way, and this is how an entire file is stored on a single hard disk. However, when data is written to a RAID system, a file is divided into several parts. Then these parts are written consecutively to all hard disks within such array. The size of such parts may range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so each file is stored on several hard disks at the same time.

Such approach helps to speed up read and write operations, and it is evident that saving two parts of a file having the size of 1 GB to two hard disks simultaneously is much faster than saving the same 1 GB of data to one hard disk. However, this peculiarity makes file recovery more complicated.

Various RAID levels store information in different ways. Additionally, manufacturers like Actidata also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.

Are there any recommended practices for protecting NAS Actidata actiLib 1U LTO-Autoloader devices against physical theft or unauthorized access that can lead to data loss?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for protecting NAS Actidata actiLib 1U LTO-Autoloader devices against physical theft or unauthorized access. Here are some best practices:

1. Secure the physical location: Ensure that the device is located in a secure area with restricted access. Use locked server rooms or cabinets to prevent unauthorized physical access.
2. Use strong access controls: Implement strong authentication mechanisms such as complex passwords or biometric authentication to restrict access to the device.
3. Regularly update firmware and software: Keep the device's firmware and software up to date with the latest security patches and updates. This helps to address any known vulnerabilities.
4. Enable encryption: Utilize encryption features provided by the device to protect sensitive data stored on the NAS. This ensures that even if the physical device is stolen, the data remains encrypted and inaccessible.
5. Implement network security measures: Secure the network infrastructure around the NAS device by using firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other security measures to prevent unauthorized access.
6. Regularly backup data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that critical data is backed up and can be restored in case of theft or data loss.
7. Implement monitoring and auditing: Enable logging and monitoring features on the device to detect any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts. Regularly review logs and audit trails to identify any potential security breaches.
8. Train employees: Educate employees about the importance of physical security and the potential risks associated with unauthorized access. Promote a culture of security awareness and ensure that employees follow best practices.

By implementing these recommended practices, you can enhance the security of your NAS Actidata actiLib 1U LTO-Autoloader device and protect it against physical theft or unauthorized access that may lead to data loss.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS actiLib 1U LTO-Autoloader can be accessed over the network, you still need to take the hard disks out of the storage device and connect them to a Windows computer. Only in this case will the software be able to scan them properly. Here is what you should do:

1. Turn off the storage and disconnect it from the power supply.

   WARNING! Before you start taking hard disks out of your NAS device, read the manual carefully. Incorrect actions may damage your network-attached storage and/or the hard disks within the RAID system.

2. Take the hard disks out of the NAS one by one, carefully removing them from their slots. Remember that the disks are extremely vulnerable: hitting or dropping them may result in serious physical damage.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. Remove the hard disks and connect them to the computer. In this video, we have explored what ports are used to connect hard disks, and what to do if there are not enough ports or connectors.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Actidata actiLib 1U LTO-Autoloader. The hard disks that make up the RAID contain technical information about the algorithm used to save files. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery reads this information and puts the damaged array together. Then you can open the disk and save your files. Also, you can recover the files accidentally deleted from the network drive.

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How to recover data from a Actidata

actiLib 1U LTO-Autoloader has 8 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
• NTFS / ReFS;
• APFS / HFS+;
• Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
• VMFS / HikvisionFS;

Safe recovery from disk images

This utility lets you save an entire copy of the disk to file and then work with this image instead of the actual disk. Such feature helps to protect data on the disk from:

• Overwriting during the recovery process;
• Loss resulting from bad sectors;
• User mistakes.

To create an image, do the following:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. When the image creation wizard starts, you can choose to save the entire disk or select only a part of it. Specify the parameters and click Next.

   

4. At this stage, you need to choose a directory where to save the image. Choose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP.

   

Where are user’s files stored?

The Actidata actiLib 1U LTO-Autoloader network-attached storage keeps OS Linux operating system files on a separate RAID 1 (mirrored) array. Usually, all NAS systems create several volumes on every hard disk, and the first of them takes up to 2 Gb of space. This is where operating system files are stored. Other volumes are united into a RAID array where user’s data is written.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery