How to Recover Data from a Faulty RAID Array on NAS Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3610

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3610
• 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 recommended best practices for securely storing usernames and passwords on NAS Huawei Data Protection Appliance DPA3610 devices?

Yes, there are several recommended best practices for securely storing usernames and passwords on NAS Huawei Data Protection Appliance (DPA3610) devices. Here are some of them:

1. Use strong and unique passwords: Ensure that you use strong passwords that include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using common or easily guessable passwords.
2. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Implement MFA to add an extra layer of security. This can include using a combination of passwords, security tokens, biometrics, or other authentication methods.
3. Regularly update passwords: It is essential to change passwords periodically, especially for privileged accounts. This helps mitigate the risk of password compromise.
4. Limit access privileges: Grant access privileges only to authorized users and restrict access to sensitive data. Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to ensure users have the necessary permissions required for their job roles.
5. Encrypt stored passwords: Ensure that passwords are encrypted when stored on the NAS device. This prevents unauthorized access to the passwords in case of a security breach.
6. Regularly update firmware and software: Keep the NAS device's firmware and software up to date with the latest security patches and updates. This helps protect against known vulnerabilities.
7. Implement network segmentation: Separate the NAS device from the rest of the network using network segmentation. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access and lateral movement within the network.
8. Regularly backup data: Implement a robust backup strategy to ensure that data can be recovered in case of data loss or ransomware attacks. Store the backups in a secure location separate from the NAS device.
9. Implement intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS): Deploy IDPS solutions to monitor and detect any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities on the NAS device.
10. Train employees on security best practices: Educate users about the importance of strong passwords, phishing awareness, and other security best practices. Regular security awareness training helps reduce the risk of human error.

It is important to consult the official documentation and guidelines provided by Huawei for specific recommendations and best practices related to the DPA3610 device.

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

Although the NAS Data Protection Appliance DPA3610 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 DPA3610. 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 DPA3610 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 DPA3610 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