- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Digiever DFS-8264-RM
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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.
Can remote access to NAS Digiever DFS-8264-RM devices pose additional data loss risks?
Remote access to NAS Digiever DFS-8264-RM devices can potentially pose additional data loss risks if proper security measures are not in place. Here are a few risks to consider:
- Unauthorized access: If remote access is not properly secured, it can be vulnerable to unauthorized access by hackers or malicious actors. They may gain access to sensitive data, modify or delete files, or even take control of the device.
- Weak passwords: Weak or easily guessable passwords can make it easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access. It is important to ensure strong passwords are used and that they are regularly changed.
- Network vulnerabilities: Remote access relies on network connectivity, which can introduce additional vulnerabilities. If the network is not properly secured, it could be susceptible to attacks such as man-in-the-middle attacks or network eavesdropping.
- Malware and ransomware attacks: If a remote access connection is compromised, it can serve as an entry point for malware or ransomware attacks. These attacks can encrypt or delete data, causing significant data loss.
To mitigate these risks, it is essential to implement strong security practices such as:
- Enabling secure remote access protocols like SSH or VPN.
- Using strong and unique passwords for remote access accounts.
- Regularly updating the firmware and software of the NAS device to patch any security vulnerabilities.
- Implementing firewall rules and access controls to limit remote access to trusted IP addresses.
- Enabling two-factor authentication for remote access.
- Regularly backing up data to a separate location to mitigate the impact of potential data loss.
By implementing these security measures, the risks associated with remote access to NAS Digiever DFS-8264-RM devices can be significantly reduced.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS DFS-8264-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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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.
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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Digiever DFS-8264-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.
How to recover data from a Digiever
DFS-8264-RM has 8 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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.
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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 DFS-8264-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
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes, it is possible to recover data from a NAS Digiever DFS-8264-RM device that has been affected by a controller card failure or interface problem. However, the success of data recovery depends on the extent of the damage and the expertise of the data recovery service provider.
In such cases, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service that specializes in NAS devices. They will have the necessary tools, expertise, and knowledge to diagnose the issue, repair or replace the faulty hardware components, and recover the data from the NAS device.
It is important to note that attempting DIY repairs or recovery methods without proper knowledge and experience can further damage the device and potentially result in permanent data loss.