- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Digiever DS-8342-SRM Pro+
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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.
Can remote access to NAS Digiever DS-8342-SRM Pro+ devices pose additional data loss risks?
Remote access to NAS Digiever DS-8342-SRM Pro+ devices can potentially pose additional data loss risks if proper security measures are not in place. Some potential risks include:
- Unauthorized access: If remote access is not properly secured, it could allow unauthorized individuals to gain access to the NAS device. This can result in data breaches, data theft, or unauthorized modifications to the data.
- Weak passwords: If weak or easily guessable passwords are used for remote access, it increases the risk of unauthorized access. Attackers can use various methods like brute-force attacks to gain access to the device and potentially cause data loss.
- Vulnerabilities and exploits: If the NAS device or its firmware has vulnerabilities or security flaws, attackers can exploit them to gain unauthorized access or perform malicious activities. This can lead to data loss or compromise.
- Malware and ransomware attacks: If the remote access is not properly secured, it can provide an entry point for malware or ransomware attacks. Once inside the NAS device, these malicious programs can encrypt or delete data, leading to data loss.
To mitigate these risks, it is important to follow best practices for securing remote access to NAS devices. This includes using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping the firmware up to date, using secure protocols like HTTPS or VPN for remote access, and regularly monitoring and auditing access logs for any suspicious activities.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS DS-8342-SRM 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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
-
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.
Go to view
Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Digiever DS-8342-SRM 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.
How to recover data from a Digiever
DS-8342-SRM Pro+ 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;
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:
-
Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
-
In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
-
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.
-
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-8342-SRM 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
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Recovering data from a NAS device that has undergone a system restore or factory reset can be challenging. When a system restore or factory reset is performed, it typically erases all data on the device and restores it to its original factory settings.
In most cases, the data is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered using conventional methods. However, there are professional data recovery services that specialize in recovering data from various storage devices, including NAS devices. These services may be able to help you recover your data, but keep in mind that the success rate and feasibility of data recovery depend on various factors such as the specific device, the extent of the reset, and the condition of the storage media.
If you have important data on the NAS device that you need to recover, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service as soon as possible. They can assess the situation and provide guidance on the best course of action.