- 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 file system corruption impact data integrity on NAS Huawei OceanStor 5600 devices?
File system corruption on NAS Huawei OceanStor 5600 devices can have a significant impact on data integrity. Here are some ways it can affect the integrity of the data:
- Data loss: File system corruption can lead to the loss of data stored on the NAS device. This can occur if the corruption affects the metadata or file allocation tables, making it difficult or impossible for the system to locate and retrieve the data.
- Data inconsistency: Corruption in the file system can cause inconsistencies in the stored data. This means that the data may become fragmented or contain incorrect information, leading to issues with data integrity and reliability.
- Data access issues: File system corruption can also result in difficulties accessing the data stored on the NAS device. The corruption may cause the system to become unresponsive or generate errors when attempting to read or write data.
- Data corruption: In some cases, file system corruption can directly impact the integrity of the data itself. The corruption may introduce errors or modify the content of the files, resulting in data corruption that renders the information unusable or unreliable.
- Data recovery challenges: Recovering data from a corrupted file system can be challenging and may require specialized tools or services. The complexity of the recovery process can increase the risk of further data integrity issues or potential data loss during the recovery attempt.
To mitigate the impact of file system corruption on data integrity, it is important to regularly backup the data on the NAS device and perform routine checks for file system errors. Additionally, implementing RAID configurations and utilizing redundancy features can provide an extra layer of protection against data loss in case of file system corruption.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS OceanStor 5600 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 5600. 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.
How to recover data from a Huawei
OceanStor 5600 has 2000 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 5600 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 |
The Huawei OceanStor 5600 is a storage device that uses a distributed file system called Huawei Symantec File System (HSFS). HSFS is designed to provide high-performance and reliable storage capabilities.
While the specific data structures used in the OceanStor 5600 are not publicly disclosed, it is likely that the device employs various data structures to manage the storage and organization of data. These data structures may include file allocation tables, metadata indexes, and data block maps, among others.
Data recovery from a storage device like the OceanStor 5600 can be complex and depends on various factors, including the nature of the data loss and the specific implementation of the device. In general, data recovery from storage devices involves techniques such as logical recovery, file carving, and data reconstruction.
It is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service provider or contact Huawei support for specific guidance on data recovery for the OceanStor 5600 devices.