Expert Tips for RAID Array Recovery in NAS Digiever DS-643256-RM Pro+ Data Recovery

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Digiever DS-643256-RM Pro+
• 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 the number of drives in a NAS Digiever DS-643256-RM Pro+ device's RAID array impact data recovery and potential loss?

The number of drives in a NAS Digiever DS-643256-RM Pro+ device's RAID array can impact data recovery and potential loss in the following ways:

1. Data Redundancy: RAID arrays use different levels (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, etc.) to provide data redundancy and fault tolerance. The more drives in the RAID array, the higher the level of redundancy. For example, RAID 5 requires a minimum of three drives, while RAID 6 requires a minimum of four drives. With more drives, the array can withstand multiple drive failures without data loss.
2. Performance: The number of drives in the RAID array can impact the performance of the NAS device. More drives in the array generally result in improved read and write speeds, allowing for faster data access and transfer. However, adding too many drives may also introduce latency due to increased data synchronization overhead.
3. Rebuild Time: When a drive fails in a RAID array, the data from the failed drive needs to be reconstructed onto a replacement drive. The rebuild time is the period during which the array is vulnerable to data loss if another drive fails. With more drives in the array, the rebuild time can be longer, increasing the exposure to potential data loss.
4. Probability of Drive Failure: The more drives in the RAID array, the higher the probability of drive failure. Each drive has a certain failure rate, and as the number of drives increases, the overall probability of at least one drive failure also increases. This increases the risk of data loss before the array can be rebuilt.
5. Cost: Adding more drives to the RAID array increases the cost of the NAS device. However, the cost of potential data loss due to a drive failure may outweigh the initial investment in additional drives.

It is important to consider these factors when configuring the number of drives in a NAS Digiever DS-643256-RM Pro+ device's RAID array to ensure an optimal balance between data protection, performance, and cost.

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

Although the NAS DS-643256-RM Pro+ 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-643256-RM Pro+. 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-643256-RM Pro+ has 60 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:

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-643256-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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison