NAS Digiever DFS-16332-RM Data Recovery: How to Handle RAID Arrays

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 Digiever 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 compatibility issues or limitations when connecting NAS Digiever DFS-16332-RM devices to different operating systems or platforms?

The Digiever DFS-16332-RM NAS devices are compatible with various operating systems and platforms, but there may be some limitations and compatibility issues depending on the specific requirements and configurations. Here are a few points to consider:

1. File System Compatibility: The Digiever DFS-16332-RM NAS devices typically support multiple file systems such as NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT. While NTFS is the most commonly used file system in Windows, it may have limited compatibility with some non-Windows platforms like macOS or Linux. Compatibility with different file systems may vary, so it is recommended to check the device's documentation for specific details.
2. Network Protocols: The Digiever NAS devices support various network protocols such as SMB/CIFS, NFS, FTP, and WebDAV. These protocols are widely supported across different operating systems and platforms. However, it is essential to ensure that the specific operating system or platform you are using supports the network protocol required for accessing the NAS device.
3. Access Control and Authentication: The Digiever NAS devices offer various authentication methods like local user accounts, Active Directory, LDAP, etc. While most operating systems and platforms can connect to NAS devices using standard authentication methods, there might be some limitations or configuration requirements when integrating with specific authentication systems.
4. Software and Firmware Updates: To ensure compatibility and optimal performance, it is crucial to keep the NAS device's software and firmware up to date. Regularly check for updates provided by Digiever and follow the recommended upgrade procedures.
5. Third-Party Software and Applications: If you plan to use third-party software or applications to access or manage the NAS device, ensure that they are compatible with the operating system and platform you are using. Some software or applications may have specific requirements or limitations when connecting to NAS devices.

It is always recommended to consult the official documentation or contact Digiever support for detailed information about compatibility and limitations specific to your operating system or platform.

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

Although NAS DFS-16332-RM 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 Digiever DFS-16332-RM. 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 Digiever

DFS-16332-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;

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 Digiever DFS-16332-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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery