NAS Digiever MN-1120 Pro+ RAID Array Recovery: Dealing with Faulty Arrays

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Digiever MN-1120 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 use of specific file-sharing protocols impact data loss risks on NAS Digiever MN-1120 Pro+ devices?

The use of specific file-sharing protocols can impact data loss risks on NAS Digiever MN-1120 Pro+ devices in several ways:

1. Encryption: Some file-sharing protocols offer built-in encryption mechanisms to secure data during transmission. Using protocols with strong encryption can significantly reduce the risk of data loss due to unauthorized access or interception.
2. Authentication: Certain protocols provide robust authentication mechanisms, such as username/password or digital certificates, to ensure that only authorized users can access the shared files. Strong authentication can prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to sensitive data and reduce the risk of data loss.
3. Access Controls: File-sharing protocols may offer granular access control mechanisms, allowing administrators to define permissions and restrictions for different users or user groups. By using protocols that support fine-grained access controls, organizations can minimize the risk of accidental or intentional data loss by limiting access to sensitive information.
4. Error Handling: Different protocols handle errors and network interruptions differently. Some protocols may have built-in error detection and correction mechanisms, ensuring data integrity during transmission. Choosing protocols with robust error handling capabilities can reduce the risk of data loss due to network issues.
5. Compatibility: The choice of file-sharing protocol should also consider compatibility with different operating systems and devices. Using protocols that are widely supported across various platforms can help prevent data loss caused by compatibility issues or data corruption during file transfers.
6. Vulnerabilities: It's important to consider the security vulnerabilities associated with specific file-sharing protocols. Some protocols may have known vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access or cause data loss. Staying informed about the latest security updates and patches for the chosen protocols can mitigate these risks.

Overall, selecting file-sharing protocols that prioritize encryption, authentication, access controls, error handling, compatibility, and security can significantly reduce the risk of data loss on NAS Digiever MN-1120 Pro+ devices.

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

Although the NAS MN-1120 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.

   Go to view

   

   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 MN-1120 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.

Go to view

How to recover data from a Digiever

MN-1120 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:

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 MN-1120 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