How to Overcome Faulty RAID Array Issues in NAS Idis DR-4308P Devices

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Idis DR-4308P
• 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 data fragmentation impact data availability and potential loss on NAS Idis DR-4308P devices?

Data fragmentation can have several impacts on data availability and potential loss on NAS Idis DR-4308P devices:

1. Reduced Performance: Fragmented data on a NAS device can lead to decreased performance as the device needs to search for and retrieve data from different locations on the storage medium. This can result in slower read and write speeds, affecting the availability of data.
2. Increased Disk Space Usage: Fragmentation can cause data to be scattered across different sectors of the storage medium, leading to inefficient disk space utilization. As a result, the NAS device may run out of available storage space more quickly, potentially resulting in data loss if there is no space left to store new data.
3. Data Integrity Issues: Fragmentation can increase the likelihood of data corruption or loss. If a file is fragmented and a portion of it becomes corrupted or lost, it may be challenging to recover the complete file. This can lead to data unavailability or partial data loss.
4. Longer Backup and Recovery Times: In the case of backup and recovery processes, fragmented data can significantly increase the time required to complete these operations. Backup and recovery software needs to locate and collect all the fragments of a file, which can be time-consuming and impact data availability during the process.
5. Increased Wear and Tear on Storage Medium: Fragmentation can also contribute to increased wear and tear on the storage medium. As the NAS device needs to access different locations on the disk to retrieve fragmented data, it can result in more frequent disk head movements, potentially shortening the lifespan of the storage medium and increasing the risk of data loss.

To mitigate the impact of data fragmentation on NAS devices like the Idis DR-4308P, regular disk defragmentation should be performed. Defragmentation rearranges fragmented data on the storage medium, improving data availability, performance, and reducing the risk of potential data loss. Additionally, monitoring storage capacity and ensuring sufficient free space is available can help prevent data loss due to lack of storage.

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

Although the NAS DR-4308P 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-4308P. 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-4308P has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• 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-4308P 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