Essential Tips for RAID Array Recovery in NAS Digiever DBS-16364-RM

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Digiever DBS-16364-RM
• 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 Digiever 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.

How can RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations impact data loss in NAS Digiever DBS-16364-RM devices?

RAID configurations in NAS Digiever DBS-16364-RM devices can have a significant impact on data loss prevention. Here are some ways RAID can affect data loss in these devices:

1. Redundancy: RAID configurations provide redundancy by spreading data across multiple disks. In case of a disk failure, the data can be rebuilt or retrieved from the remaining disks, minimizing the risk of data loss.
2. Fault tolerance: RAID configurations like RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 6 offer fault tolerance, allowing the NAS device to continue functioning even if one or more disks fail. This ensures that data remains accessible and reduces the chances of data loss due to hardware failures.
3. Data recovery: In the event of a disk failure, RAID configurations can facilitate data recovery. Depending on the RAID level, the system can rebuild the lost data using parity information or mirror the data from the remaining disks, preventing any permanent data loss.
4. Performance impact: RAID configurations can impact performance, especially in write-intensive scenarios. Higher RAID levels like RAID 5 or RAID 6 require additional computation for parity calculations, which can slightly reduce write speeds. However, this performance impact is often considered worthwhile for the added data protection.
5. RAID expansion and migration: NAS devices like Digiever DBS-16364-RM often support RAID expansion and migration, allowing users to increase storage capacity or switch to a different RAID level without data loss. This flexibility ensures that data remains intact during changes in the RAID configuration.

It's important to note that while RAID configurations can significantly reduce the risk of data loss, they are not a substitute for regular backups. Implementing a comprehensive backup strategy alongside RAID can provide an additional layer of protection against data loss.

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

Although the NAS DBS-16364-RM 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.

   Go to view

   

   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 Digiever DBS-16364-RM. 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.

Go to view

How to recover data from a Digiever

DBS-16364-RM has 16 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 Digiever DBS-16364-RM 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