- Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
- How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
Conventional hard disks keep user’s data by writing it to their surface in a consecutive way, and this is how an entire file is stored on a single hard disk. However, when data is written to a RAID system, a file is divided into several parts. Then these parts are written consecutively to all hard disks within such array. The size of such parts may range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so each file is stored on several hard disks at the same time.
Such approach helps to speed up read and write operations, and it is evident that saving two parts of a file having the size of 1 GB to two hard disks simultaneously is much faster than saving the same 1 GB of data to one hard disk. However, this peculiarity makes file recovery more complicated.
Various RAID levels store information in different ways. Additionally, manufacturers like Digiever also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.
How can quality of service (QoS) settings impact data transfer reliability on NAS Digiever MN-2109 Pro+ devices?
Quality of Service (QoS) settings can have a significant impact on data transfer reliability on NAS Digiever MN-2109 Pro+ devices. Here are a few ways QoS settings can affect data transfer reliability:
- Bandwidth allocation: QoS allows you to allocate specific bandwidth limits to different applications or services. By prioritizing certain applications over others, you can ensure that critical data transfers receive the necessary bandwidth, reducing the chances of congestion or network saturation that could lead to data transfer failures.
- Traffic prioritization: QoS enables you to prioritize certain types of network traffic, such as video streaming or VoIP, over other less time-sensitive traffic. By giving priority to critical data transfers, you can minimize delays and ensure their reliable delivery.
- Packet prioritization: QoS settings can prioritize specific packets within a data stream, ensuring that important packets are delivered first. This can be particularly useful in scenarios where data transfers are sensitive to latency or where real-time applications require uninterrupted data delivery.
- Traffic shaping: QoS allows you to shape or limit the rate of data transfer for specific applications or services. By controlling the flow of data, you can prevent network congestion and ensure a more reliable transfer of data.
- Error correction and retransmission: Some QoS mechanisms, such as Forward Error Correction (FEC) or Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ), can enhance data transfer reliability by detecting and correcting errors or retransmitting lost or corrupted data packets.
By configuring QoS settings appropriately on NAS Digiever MN-2109 Pro+ devices, you can optimize network resources, prioritize critical data transfers, and minimize the chances of data transfer failures or disruptions, ultimately improving overall reliability.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS MN-2109 Pro+ can be accessed over the network, you still need to take the hard disks out of the storage device and connect them to a Windows computer. Only in this case will the software be able to scan them properly. Here is what you should do:
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Turn off the storage and disconnect it from the power supply.
WARNING! Before you start taking hard disks out of your NAS device, read the manual carefully. Incorrect actions may damage your network-attached storage and/or the hard disks within the RAID system.
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Take the hard disks out of the NAS one by one, carefully removing them from their slots. Remember that the disks are extremely vulnerable: hitting or dropping them may result in serious physical damage.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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Remove the hard disks and connect them to the computer. In this video, we have explored what ports are used to connect hard disks, and what to do if there are not enough ports or connectors.
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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Digiever MN-2109 Pro+. The hard disks that make up the RAID contain technical information about the algorithm used to save files. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery reads this information and puts the damaged array together. Then you can open the disk and save your files. Also, you can recover the files accidentally deleted from the network drive.
MN-2109 Pro+ has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
- NTFS / ReFS;
- APFS / HFS+;
- Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
- VMFS / HikvisionFS;
Safe recovery from disk images
This utility lets you save an entire copy of the disk to file and then work with this image instead of the actual disk. Such feature helps to protect data on the disk from:
- Overwriting during the recovery process;
- Loss resulting from bad sectors;
- User mistakes.
To create an image, do the following:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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When the image creation wizard starts, you can choose to save the entire disk or select only a part of it. Specify the parameters and click Next.
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At this stage, you need to choose a directory where to save the image. Choose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP.
Where are user’s files stored?
The Digiever MN-2109 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.
Comparison of software for RAID recovery
Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
It is possible to recover data from a NAS Digiever MN-2109 Pro+ device that has undergone a system update or software upgrade, but it depends on the specific circumstances and the actions taken during the update/upgrade process.
If the update/upgrade process was performed correctly and did not involve any data loss or corruption, then the data should remain intact and accessible after the update/upgrade is completed. In such cases, there should be no need for data recovery.
However, if the update/upgrade process resulted in data loss or corruption, data recovery may be required. In such cases, it is recommended to contact professional data recovery services or the manufacturer of the Digiever NAS device for assistance. They may have specialized tools or techniques to recover the data from the device.
It is important to note that attempting data recovery on your own without proper knowledge or expertise can potentially cause further damage to the data or the device. Therefore, it is advisable to seek professional help in such situations.