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

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Actidata actiLib 1U LTO-Autoloader
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID

Conventional hard drives store user data by writing it sequentially across the disk surface, which means an entire file is typically located on a single drive. In contrast, when data is written to a RAID array, each file is split into multiple fragments. These fragments are then distributed and written in sequence across all the drives in the array. Depending on the configuration, fragment sizes can range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so every file is physically stored across several disks at once.

This approach significantly increases read and write performance — after all, writing two halves of a 1 GB file to two drives simultaneously is much faster than writing the full 1 GB to a single disk. However, this same mechanism makes file recovery far more complex.

Different RAID levels use different methods to distribute and protect data. On top of that, manufacturers like Actidata often add their own proprietary structures and variations. As a result, data can be written to disks in many different formats, and each requires a specific approach during recovery.

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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS actiLib 1U LTO-Autoloader can be accessed over the network, you still need to remove its hard disks and connect them directly to a Windows PC. Only then can the recovery software properly scan and analyze the drives. Follow these steps:

1. Power off the NAS and disconnect it from the power source.

   WARNING! Before removing any drives, carefully read the device manual. Improper actions may damage both the NAS enclosure and the hard disks in the RAID array.

2. Remove the hard disks one by one, gently sliding each drive out of its slot. Remember that hard disks are highly sensitive: any impact or drop can cause serious physical damage.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. Connect the drives to your computer. In this video, we explain which ports you can use to connect hard disks and what to do if your PC does not have enough free connectors.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Actidata actiLib 1U LTO-Autoloader. Each hard disk in the array contains technical metadata describing how files were written. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery analyzes this metadata, automatically reconstructs the damaged array, and provides access to its contents. After that, you can browse the recovered disk and save your files. The program can also restore files that were 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;

How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images

This utility allows you to create a complete copy of a disk and work with the disk image instead of the physical drive. This approach helps protect your data from:

• Overwriting during the recovery process;
• Additional data loss caused by bad sectors;
• User errors.

To create a disk image, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. When the Image Creation Wizard opens, select whether you want to save the entire disk or only a specific region. Adjust the settings and click Next.

   

4. Choose the directory where the image will be saved. You may select any available disk connected to your PC or upload the image via FTP.

   

Where Are the User’s Files Actually 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison