- 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?
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.
How can RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations impact data loss in NAS Huawei OceanStor 2600 V3 devices?
RAID configurations in NAS Huawei OceanStor 2600 V3 devices can have a significant impact on data loss prevention. Here are a few ways RAID configurations can help in reducing data loss:
- Redundancy: RAID configurations provide redundancy by distributing data across multiple disks, ensuring that if one disk fails, the data can still be accessed from the remaining disks. This redundancy helps to prevent data loss in case of disk failures.
- Fault tolerance: RAID configurations, such as RAID 1 (mirroring) or RAID 5 (parity), provide fault tolerance capabilities. In RAID 1, data is mirrored on two disks, so if one disk fails, the other can still provide access to the data. In RAID 5, parity information is stored across multiple disks, allowing the system to reconstruct data if one disk fails.
- Hot spare: Some RAID configurations, like RAID 6 or RAID 10, allow for the inclusion of hot spare disks. Hot spares are pre-configured disks that automatically replace a failed disk in the array. This reduces the downtime and minimizes the risk of data loss during the disk replacement process.
- Rebuild capability: When a failed disk is replaced, RAID configurations enable the system to rebuild the data on the new disk by using the redundancy or parity information stored on the remaining disks. This rebuild process helps to restore the data and maintain data integrity.
- Performance optimization: RAID configurations can also impact data loss prevention indirectly by optimizing performance. By distributing data across multiple disks, RAID configurations can improve read and write speeds, reducing the chances of data loss due to slow or inefficient access.
It is important to note that while RAID configurations provide enhanced data protection, they are not foolproof. It is still recommended to have regular backups and implement other data protection measures to ensure comprehensive data loss prevention.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS OceanStor 2600 V3 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Huawei OceanStor 2600 V3. 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.
OceanStor 2600 V3 has 500 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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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 OceanStor 2600 V3 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
Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
There are several error codes or messages that may indicate the need for data recovery from a Huawei OceanStor 2600 V3 NAS device. Some of the common ones include:
If you encounter any of these error codes or messages, it is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service provider who specializes in NAS devices, as attempting to recover data without proper expertise may lead to further damage or permanent data loss.