Faulty RAID Array Recovery Guide for NAS Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3230 Systems

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3230
• 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.

Are there any guidelines for configuring security settings on NAS Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3230 devices to prevent unauthorized access and potential data loss?

Yes, there are guidelines for configuring security settings on Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3230 devices to prevent unauthorized access and potential data loss. Here are some general guidelines:

1. Change Default Passwords: Immediately change the default passwords for all accounts on the appliance, including the administrator account. Use strong, unique passwords that are not easily guessable.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Implement two-factor authentication for all user accounts, including the administrator account. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, such as a code sent to a mobile device.
3. Disable Unused Services: Disable any unnecessary services or protocols that are not required for the functioning of the device. This helps reduce the attack surface and potential vulnerabilities.
4. Regularly Update Firmware: Keep the device firmware up to date by regularly applying patches and updates provided by the manufacturer. These updates often include security fixes for known vulnerabilities.
5. Implement Network Segmentation: Use VLANs or other network segmentation techniques to isolate the NAS device from other network resources. This prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data in case other devices on the network are compromised.
6. Enable Access Control: Configure access control lists (ACLs) to restrict access to the NAS device only to authorized users or IP addresses. This can help prevent unauthorized access attempts.
7. Enable Auditing and Logging: Enable auditing and logging features on the NAS device to track and monitor user activities, system events, and potential security breaches. Regularly review the logs to identify any suspicious activities.
8. Regularly Backup Data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that critical data stored on the NAS device is protected against potential data loss. Store backups in a separate location or on a different device to mitigate the risk of data loss due to device failure or physical damage.
9. Educate Users: Provide training and awareness programs to educate users about best practices for data security, including password management, phishing awareness, and safe browsing habits.

It is important to note that these guidelines provide a general starting point, and the specific configuration may vary depending on the organization's security policies and requirements. It is recommended to consult the official documentation and seek assistance from the manufacturer or a qualified security professional for detailed guidance on configuring security settings specific to the Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3230.

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

Although the NAS Data Protection Appliance DPA3230 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 DPA3230. 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 DPA3230 has 36 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 DPA3230 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