- 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.
Are there any specific network security measures to implement for safeguarding NAS Digiever DS-16596-RM Pro+ devices against data loss?
Yes, there are several network security measures that can be implemented to safeguard NAS Digiever DS-16596-RM Pro+ devices against data loss. Here are some important measures to consider:
- Use strong passwords: Ensure that strong, unique passwords are set for all user accounts on the NAS device, including the administrator account. Avoid using default or easily guessable passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Implement 2FA to add an extra layer of security to the device. This requires users to provide an additional verification code, usually sent to their mobile device, along with their password to log in.
- Regularly update firmware and software: Keep the NAS device's firmware and software up to date to patch any security vulnerabilities. Regularly check for updates and apply them promptly.
- Enable firewall and intrusion detection: Activate the built-in firewall on the NAS device to control incoming and outgoing network traffic. Additionally, consider enabling intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to detect and block any suspicious activities.
- Use VLANs or separate subnets: If your network supports it, consider isolating the NAS device on a separate VLAN or subnet. This helps to limit access and prevent unauthorized devices from reaching the NAS.
- Implement access controls: Use access control lists (ACLs) or permissions to restrict access to the NAS device. Only allow necessary users or devices to access specific folders or files.
- Regularly back up data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that important data stored on the NAS device is regularly backed up to an off-site location. This helps to mitigate the impact of data loss in case of a security incident.
- Monitor and log activities: Enable logging and monitoring features on the NAS device to track and analyze user activities and system events. This can help identify any suspicious or unauthorized access attempts.
- Encrypt data in transit and at rest: Enable encryption protocols such as SSL/TLS for data transmission over the network. Additionally, consider enabling encryption for data stored on the NAS device to protect it from unauthorized access.
- Educate users: Train users on best practices for network security, such as avoiding suspicious email attachments, phishing attempts, and using secure connections when accessing the NAS device remotely.
It is important to note that these measures are general recommendations and may vary depending on the specific requirements and capabilities of the Digiever DS-16596-RM Pro+ device. Always refer to the manufacturer's documentation and security guidelines for the device for more specific recommendations.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS DS-16596-RM Pro+ 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 DS-16596-RM Pro+. 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.
DS-16596-RM Pro+ 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:
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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 DS-16596-RM Pro+ 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, data recovery from a non-responsive or frequently freezing NAS Digiever DS-16596-RM Pro+ device can be attempted. However, it is important to note that the success of data recovery depends on the specific cause of the device's unresponsiveness or freezing.
Here are some steps you can take to attempt data recovery:
If the above steps do not resolve the issue, it is advisable to consult a professional data recovery service provider. They have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from malfunctioning NAS devices.