Avoiding Data Loss on NAS Asustor LOCKERSTOR 4RS and Recovering Deleted Files: A Guide

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 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.

Are there any specific precautions to take while migrating data between NAS Asustor LOCKERSTOR 4RS devices?

Yes, there are some precautions to take while migrating data between NAS Asustor LOCKERSTOR 4RS devices. Here are a few important ones:

1. Backup Data: Before starting the migration process, it is highly recommended to create a backup of all the important data on the source NAS device. This will ensure that you have a copy of the data in case anything goes wrong during the migration.
2. Check Compatibility: Ensure that the destination NAS device (LOCKERSTOR 4RS) is compatible with the source NAS device in terms of firmware version, hardware specifications, and supported features. Refer to the manufacturer's documentation or contact their support team for compatibility details.
3. Network Connectivity: Make sure that both the source and destination NAS devices are connected to the same network and have proper network connectivity. This will ensure smooth data transfer during the migration process.
4. Synchronize Data: Use the synchronization feature provided by Asustor to ensure that all the data on the source NAS device is up to date and synchronized with the destination NAS device. This will help in avoiding any data loss or inconsistencies during the migration.
5. Plan Downtime: Depending on the amount of data being migrated, the migration process may take some time. Plan for a maintenance window or downtime during which the migration can be performed without affecting the normal operation of the NAS devices.
6. Test the Migration: If possible, perform a test migration with a small amount of data to ensure that the process works as expected and there are no issues. This will help in identifying any potential problems before migrating the entire dataset.
7. Seek Professional Assistance: If you are not familiar with the migration process or if you have any doubts, it is recommended to seek assistance from a professional or contact the Asustor support team for guidance. They can provide specific instructions and help troubleshoot any issues that may arise during the migration.

Remember, data migration is a critical process, and taking necessary precautions will help ensure a smooth and successful migration without any data loss or disruptions.

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

Although NAS LOCKERSTOR 4RS 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 Asustor LOCKERSTOR 4RS. 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 Asustor

LOCKERSTOR 4RS has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• 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:

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 Asustor LOCKERSTOR 4RS 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