- 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 the number of drives in a NAS Asustor LOCKERSTOR 16R Pro device's RAID array impact data recovery and potential loss?
The number of drives in a NAS Asustor LOCKERSTOR 16R Pro device's RAID array can impact data recovery and potential loss in the following ways:
- Redundancy: RAID arrays are designed to provide redundancy and protect against data loss. The more drives you have in the RAID array, the higher the level of redundancy. For example, a RAID 1 array with two drives mirrors the data, so if one drive fails, the other still contains a complete copy. In contrast, a RAID 5 array with three or more drives uses parity to distribute data across the drives, allowing for recovery even if one drive fails.
- Fault tolerance: With more drives in the RAID array, there is a higher level of fault tolerance. If a drive fails, the remaining drives can continue to function and the data can be recovered from the redundancy or parity information. However, if there are fewer drives in the array, the failure of a single drive can result in data loss if there is no redundancy or parity to recover from.
- Rebuilding time: When a drive fails in a RAID array, the array needs to be rebuilt by redistributing the data across the remaining drives. The more drives there are in the array, the longer it may take to rebuild the array. During this rebuilding process, the array is at risk of another drive failure, which can lead to data loss if there is not enough redundancy or parity.
- Capacity and performance: The number of drives in the RAID array also affects the overall capacity and performance of the NAS device. More drives can provide higher storage capacity and potentially better performance due to increased read and write speeds. However, if you have a larger number of drives, the risk of drive failure and potential data loss also increases.
In summary, having more drives in a NAS Asustor LOCKERSTOR 16R Pro device's RAID array generally provides better data protection and recovery options. However, it is important to consider the trade-offs in terms of cost, capacity, performance, and the potential risks associated with multiple drive failures during the rebuilding process.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS LOCKERSTOR 16R 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 LOCKERSTOR 16R 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
LOCKERSTOR 16R Pro has 16 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- RAID 5;
- RAID 6;
- RAID 50;
- RAID 60;
- RAID 10;
- 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 LOCKERSTOR 16R 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 LOCKERSTOR 16R Pro device can still be possible even if the device is experiencing intermittent connectivity issues. However, the process may be more challenging and time-consuming compared to recovering data from a fully functional device.
Here are a few steps you can take to attempt data recovery:
Remember, it is crucial to avoid further damage to the NAS device and its data during the recovery process. It is advisable to consult with professionals who specialize in data recovery to ensure the best possible outcome.