- 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?
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 Asustor also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.
How can data be recovered from a NAS Asustor DRIVESTOR 2 Pro device after a malfunction or data loss event?
To recover data from a NAS Asustor DRIVESTOR 2 Pro device after a malfunction or data loss event, you can follow these steps:
- Identify the cause of the malfunction: Determine if the issue is hardware-related (e.g., failed hard drives, power supply, or motherboard) or software-related (e.g., corrupted file system, firmware issue, or accidental deletion).
- Hardware troubleshooting: If the issue is hardware-related, check the connections, power supply, and replace any faulty components. If the hard drives are damaged, you may need professional data recovery services.
- Software troubleshooting: If the issue is software-related, try the following steps:
a. Check the network connectivity: Ensure that the NAS device is connected to the network properly and can be accessed by other devices.
b. Update firmware: Check for firmware updates on the manufacturer's website and update the NAS device to the latest version. This may fix any software bugs or compatibility issues.
c. Check disk health: Use the NAS management interface to check the health status of the hard drives. If any drive shows errors or warnings, it may need to be replaced.
d. Rebuild RAID array: If the NAS device uses RAID for data redundancy, try rebuilding the RAID array using the management interface. This process may vary depending on the RAID level used.
e. Data recovery software: If the file system is corrupted or files are accidentally deleted, you can use data recovery software like Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill to scan the NAS device and recover lost data. Install the software on a separate computer and connect the NAS device as an external drive.
- Professional data recovery services: If the above steps do not resolve the issue or if the data is critical and cannot be recovered using software, consider contacting professional data recovery services. They have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from faulty NAS devices.
Remember to always have a backup strategy in place to prevent data loss in the future. Regularly backup your data to an external storage device or cloud storage to minimize the impact of any future malfunctions or data loss events.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS DRIVESTOR 2 Pro 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Asustor DRIVESTOR 2 Pro. 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.
How to recover data from a Asustor
DRIVESTOR 2 Pro has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- Ext2;
- Ext3;
- Ext4;
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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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 Asustor DRIVESTOR 2 Pro 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
| Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes, data recovery from a NAS Asustor DRIVESTOR 2 Pro device can be done in cases of RAID system failures. RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a storage technology that combines multiple physical drives into a single logical unit for improved performance, data redundancy, and fault tolerance.
In the event of a RAID system failure, it is possible to recover data from the NAS device by following certain steps:
It is important to note that RAID data recovery can be a complex and time-consuming process, depending on the severity of the failure and the RAID configuration used. It is always recommended to seek professional assistance to ensure the best chances of successful data recovery.