- 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.
Are there any specific precautions to take while migrating data between NAS Huawei OceanStor Dorado 8000 V6 devices?
Yes, there are some precautions to consider while migrating data between Huawei OceanStor Dorado 8000 V6 devices. Here are a few:
- Backup: Before starting the migration process, it is important to take a complete backup of the data on the source NAS device. This ensures that in case of any data loss or corruption during migration, you can restore the data from the backup.
- Verify compatibility: Ensure that the source and destination NAS devices are compatible in terms of hardware, firmware, and software versions. Check the compatibility matrix provided by Huawei to ensure a smooth migration process.
- Plan the migration: Develop a detailed migration plan that includes the migration timeline, resource allocation, and any potential risks or challenges. This will help in executing the migration process smoothly and efficiently.
- Network bandwidth: Consider the network bandwidth available between the source and destination NAS devices. If the data volume is large, it is recommended to have a high-speed network connection to minimize the migration time.
- Validate data integrity: Before starting the migration, verify the integrity of the data on the source NAS device. Run integrity checks or data validation processes to ensure that the data is complete and error-free.
- Test migration process: Perform a test migration on a small subset of data to validate the migration process and identify any potential issues or errors. This will help in fine-tuning the migration plan and reduce the risk of data loss or disruption.
- Monitor the migration: During the migration process, closely monitor the progress and performance of the migration. Keep track of any error messages or warnings and take appropriate actions if required.
- Post-migration validation: Once the migration is complete, validate the data on the destination NAS device to ensure that it matches the source data. Perform data integrity checks and test the accessibility of the migrated data.
It is recommended to consult the official documentation, user manuals, and support resources provided by Huawei for detailed instructions and best practices specific to your NAS device model and firmware version.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS OceanStor Dorado 8000 V6 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 Dorado 8000 V6. 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 Dorado 8000 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;
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 Dorado 8000 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.
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 |
It is possible to recover data from a NAS Huawei OceanStor Dorado 8000 V6 device even if it is experiencing firmware update or installation problems. However, the process may vary depending on the specific issue and the severity of the problem.
If the firmware update or installation process is interrupted or fails, it could potentially cause data corruption or loss. In such cases, it is recommended to contact Huawei technical support for assistance. They can provide guidance on troubleshooting the issue and recovering the data.
In some cases, it may be necessary to perform a firmware recovery or reinstallation process to fix the problem. This process typically involves booting the device from a recovery image or using specialized tools provided by Huawei. It is important to follow the instructions provided by Huawei or seek professional assistance to avoid further data loss.
Additionally, it is always recommended to have regular backups of important data to mitigate the risk of data loss in case of any unforeseen issues with the device.