- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Digiever MN-1105 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.
Are there any specific precautions to take while migrating data between NAS Digiever MN-1105 Pro+ devices?
Yes, there are several precautions you should take while migrating data between NAS Digiever MN-1105 Pro+ devices:
- Backup your data: Before starting the migration process, it is crucial to create a backup of all your data. This ensures that in case of any data loss or corruption during the migration, you can restore your files from the backup.
- Check compatibility: Ensure that the target Digiever MN-1105 Pro+ device is compatible with the source device. Check the specifications and supported features to ensure a smooth migration process.
- Update firmware: Make sure that both the source and target devices are running the latest firmware version. Updating the firmware ensures that any known bugs or issues are fixed, which can prevent data loss or migration problems.
- Plan the migration process: Create a migration plan to outline the steps and order in which the data will be migrated. This includes deciding whether to migrate all data at once or in stages, depending on the size of the data and available resources.
- Allocate sufficient time: Migrating data can take time, especially if you have a large amount of data. Allocate sufficient time for the migration process to avoid rushing and potential errors.
- Test the migration process: Before migrating all your data, perform a test migration with a small subset of files. This allows you to identify any issues or errors that may occur during the migration process and make necessary adjustments.
- Monitor the migration progress: Keep a close eye on the migration progress to ensure that it is proceeding as expected. Monitor for any errors or failures and take appropriate action if required.
- Verify data integrity: Once the migration is complete, verify the integrity of the migrated data. Check that all files have been successfully transferred and are accessible on the target device.
By following these precautions, you can minimize the risk of data loss or corruption during the migration process and ensure a successful migration between NAS Digiever MN-1105 Pro+ devices.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS MN-1105 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Digiever MN-1105 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
MN-1105 Pro+ has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- None;
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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.
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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 MN-1105 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 |
Yes, data recovery from a NAS Digiever MN-1105 Pro+ device can be performed even if there are issues with the network router or switch. The NAS device itself stores the data on its hard drives, so as long as the drives are functioning properly, the data recovery can be done independently of the network infrastructure.
However, if the network issues are preventing access to the NAS device or its management interface, it may be necessary to troubleshoot or resolve those issues before attempting data recovery. This could involve fixing the router or switch problems, ensuring proper network connectivity, or connecting directly to the NAS device using a direct Ethernet connection.