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

Contents

• 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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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 Huawei also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.

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 take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS Data Protection Appliance DPA3230 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3230. 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.

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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;

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:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery