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

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

Although NAS Data Protection Appliance DPA3610 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 DPA3610. 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 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;

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 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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery