- 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 preventive measures to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS Digiever DS-243128-RM Pro+ devices?
Yes, there are several preventive measures you can take to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS Digiever DS-243128-RM Pro+ devices. Here are some suggestions:
- Regular backups: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that your data is regularly backed up to a separate storage device or cloud storage. This will help you recover your data in case of any data loss or system failure.
- Redundant storage: Configure your NAS device with a redundant storage setup such as RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) to provide data redundancy and protection against drive failures. RAID configurations like RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 6 can help protect your data.
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Connect your NAS device to an uninterruptible power supply to protect it from sudden power outages or surges. This will prevent any data corruption or loss that can occur due to sudden power failures.
- Regular firmware updates: Keep your NAS firmware up to date by regularly checking for firmware updates provided by the manufacturer. Firmware updates often include bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements that can help prevent data loss.
- Implement user access controls: Set up proper user access controls and permissions on your NAS device to ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive data. This can help prevent accidental deletion or modification of critical files.
- Network security measures: Implement proper network security measures such as firewall configurations, strong passwords, and encryption to protect your NAS device from unauthorized access or data breaches.
- Regular system monitoring: Monitor your NAS device regularly for any hardware or software issues. Set up alerts or notifications to be informed of any potential problems that may lead to data loss.
- Physical security: Protect your NAS device physically by placing it in a secure location with restricted access. This will help prevent theft or physical damage to the device.
Remember, while these preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of data loss, it is important to have a comprehensive data backup and recovery plan in place to ensure the safety of your data.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS DS-243128-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-243128-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-243128-RM Pro+ has 24 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-243128-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 NAS Digiever DS-243128-RM Pro+ device can be performed even if there are issues with the file system or data corruption. However, it is important to note that the success of data recovery depends on the extent of the damage and the specific circumstances of the issue.
In case of file system issues or data corruption, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service or a specialized IT technician. They have the expertise and tools to diagnose and recover data from such situations. They might use specialized software or techniques to repair the file system or extract data from the corrupted files.
It is important to avoid attempting DIY data recovery methods as they can potentially worsen the situation and make data recovery more difficult or even impossible.