- 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 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.
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 take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS DFS-8264-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:
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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 Digiever DFS-8264-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.
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;
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 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.
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, 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.