How to Get Back Data from a Faulty RAID Array in NAS Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3210

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3210
• 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 Huawei 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 a NAS Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3210 device's cache settings impact data loss risks?

The cache settings of a NAS Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3210 device can impact data loss risks in the following ways:

1. Write Cache: The write cache is a temporary storage area where data is stored before being written to the main storage. If the write cache is enabled, it can improve the performance by allowing the system to acknowledge write operations before they are fully committed to the storage. However, if there is a power failure or system crash before the data is written to the main storage, the data in the write cache may be lost, leading to data loss risks.
2. Read Cache: The read cache stores frequently accessed data in a faster storage medium, such as solid-state drives (SSDs), to accelerate read operations. If the read cache is enabled, it can improve the overall read performance. However, if the data in the read cache becomes corrupted or lost, it can result in data inconsistency or data loss risks.
3. RAID Cache: The RAID cache is used in a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) configuration to improve the performance and reliability of the storage system. It can provide faster read and write operations by caching data in memory. However, if there is a power failure or system crash, the data in the RAID cache may be lost, leading to data loss risks.

To mitigate the data loss risks associated with cache settings, it is recommended to:

• Implement a backup strategy: Regularly back up the data stored in the NAS device to an external storage or cloud-based backup solution. This ensures that even if data loss occurs, a recent copy of the data is available for recovery.
• Use a battery backup unit (BBU): Install a BBU to provide temporary power during a power outage. This allows the NAS device to complete pending write operations and ensure data integrity before shutting down.
• Configure cache flush settings: Adjust the cache flush settings to ensure that data is written to the main storage in a timely manner. This reduces the risk of data loss in case of power failure or system crash.
• Monitor cache health: Regularly monitor the health and performance of the cache components, such as SSDs or RAID controllers. This helps identify any potential issues or failures that could lead to data loss.
• Follow best practices: Follow the manufacturer's recommendations and best practices for configuring and managing cache settings. This ensures optimal performance while minimizing data loss risks.

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

Although the NAS Data Protection Appliance DPA3210 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 Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3210. 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 Huawei

Data Protection Appliance DPA3210 has 12 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 Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3210 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