Restoring a RAID Array on NAS Idis DR-2308P-A with Multiple Damaged Disks

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Idis DR-2308P-A
• 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 Idis 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.

How can the number of concurrent users or clients accessing a NAS Idis DR-2308P-A device affect data loss risks?

The number of concurrent users or clients accessing a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Idis DR-2308P-A can affect data loss risks in several ways:

1. Network congestion: When multiple users access the NAS simultaneously, it can lead to network congestion. If the network becomes overloaded, it may result in slower data transfer speeds and increased latency. This congestion can increase the chances of data loss or corruption during file transfers.
2. Performance degradation: As the number of concurrent users increases, the NAS device may experience performance degradation. If the device is unable to handle the workload efficiently, it may lead to slower response times and increased chances of data loss due to timeouts or errors.
3. Hardware limitations: NAS devices have hardware limitations, including processing power, memory, and storage capacity. When multiple users access the device simultaneously, it can put a strain on these resources. If the device is not equipped to handle the load, it may result in data loss or system crashes.
4. Access conflicts: Concurrent users accessing the same files or directories on the NAS device can create conflicts. If two or more users attempt to modify the same file simultaneously, it can lead to data corruption or loss. The NAS should have proper file locking mechanisms to prevent such conflicts.
5. Security vulnerabilities: With more concurrent users, the risk of security vulnerabilities increases. Each user accessing the NAS represents a potential entry point for unauthorized access or malware attacks. If the NAS device is not properly secured, it can result in data breaches or data loss due to malicious activities.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to ensure that the NAS device is adequately sized and configured to handle the expected number of concurrent users. Regular backups should also be performed to minimize the impact of any potential data loss. Additionally, implementing proper network security measures and access controls can help protect the NAS device from unauthorized access and potential data breaches.

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

Although the NAS DR-2308P-A 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 Idis DR-2308P-A. 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 Idis

DR-2308P-A has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• 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 Idis DR-2308P-A 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