Essential Tips for RAID Array Recovery in NAS Digiever DS-4005 Systems

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Digiever DS-4005
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

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.

How can a NAS Digiever DS-4005 device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?

The power management settings of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Digiever DS-4005 can have a significant impact on data availability and potential loss. Here are a few ways these settings can affect the device:

1. Power-off schedule: If the power management settings are configured to automatically power off the NAS device during certain hours or periods of inactivity, it can lead to data unavailability during those times. If users or applications require access to the data during the power-off period, it can disrupt their operations and cause inconvenience.
2. Data synchronization: NAS devices often use RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology to provide data redundancy and protection against disk failures. However, if the power management settings cause the NAS device to turn off abruptly, it can interrupt the synchronization process between the disks. This can result in data inconsistencies or even data loss if the synchronization process was not completed properly.
3. Disk spin-down: Some NAS devices have the capability to spin down or idle the hard drives when they are not in use for a certain period. While this can save power, it can also lead to delays in accessing the data when needed. If a user or application tries to access data from a spun-down disk, there will be a delay as the disk needs to spin up to the operational speed. This delay can impact the user experience and productivity.
4. Power outage protection: Power management settings can also affect the NAS device's ability to handle power outages. If the settings are not configured properly, sudden power loss can result in data corruption or loss. For example, if the NAS device is not equipped with a battery backup or if the power-off process is not gracefully handled, ongoing read/write operations may not be completed, leading to data inconsistencies or even data loss.

To mitigate the potential impact on data availability and loss, it is important to carefully configure the power management settings of the Digiever DS-4005 NAS device. Consider factors such as the required availability of data, the expected usage patterns, and the importance of power saving versus immediate data access. Additionally, implementing appropriate backup strategies, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and monitoring systems can help ensure data integrity and availability.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS DS-4005 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Digiever DS-4005. 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.

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How to recover data from a Digiever

DS-4005 has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• 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:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 DS-4005 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