Troubleshooting and Recovering Faulty RAID Arrays from NAS Huawei OceanStor Dorado 6000 V6

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Huawei OceanStor Dorado 6000 V6
• 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 specific factors to consider when choosing a NAS Huawei OceanStor Dorado 6000 V6 device to minimize data loss risks?

Yes, there are specific factors to consider when choosing a NAS Huawei OceanStor Dorado 6000 V6 device to minimize data loss risks. Here are some key considerations:

1. Redundancy: Look for a device that offers redundancy features like RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) to protect against data loss in case of disk failures. RAID levels like RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 6 can provide data redundancy.
2. Backup and Recovery: Ensure that the NAS device supports regular backup and recovery mechanisms. Look for features like snapshotting, which allows you to take point-in-time copies of your data, and replication, which enables data replication to another device or location for additional protection.
3. Data Protection Features: Check if the NAS device provides data protection features such as data deduplication, compression, and encryption. These features can help reduce storage space requirements, enhance data security, and minimize the risk of data loss.
4. Scalability: Consider the scalability of the NAS device to accommodate your growing data storage needs. A scalable device allows for easy expansion of storage capacity without compromising data availability or risking data loss.
5. High Availability: Look for a NAS device that offers high availability features such as active-active controllers, redundant power supplies, and network connectivity. These features ensure continuous access to data even in the event of hardware failures.
6. Data Integrity Checks: Verify if the NAS device performs regular data integrity checks to identify and repair any potential data corruption issues. Features like checksums or cyclic redundancy checks (CRC) can help detect and mitigate data corruption risks.
7. Monitoring and Alerting: Choose a device that provides comprehensive monitoring and alerting capabilities. This allows you to proactively detect any potential issues or failures and take appropriate actions before they lead to data loss.
8. Service and Support: Ensure that the NAS device is backed by reliable technical support and maintenance services. In case of any issues or data loss events, having access to prompt and knowledgeable support can be crucial.

By considering these factors, you can minimize the risks of data loss when choosing a NAS Huawei OceanStor Dorado 6000 V6 device.

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

Although the NAS OceanStor Dorado 6000 V6 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 OceanStor Dorado 6000 V6. 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

OceanStor Dorado 6000 V6 has 32 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 OceanStor Dorado 6000 V6 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