How to Restore NAS Idis DR-6216P Data from a Faulty RAID Array

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Idis DR-6216P
• 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.

Can the use of multiple NAS Idis DR-6216P devices in a backup or replication configuration mitigate data loss risks?

Yes, the use of multiple NAS Idis DR-6216P devices in a backup or replication configuration can help mitigate data loss risks. Here's how:

1. Redundancy: By having multiple NAS devices, you can create redundant copies of your data. This means that if one NAS device fails or experiences data corruption, you still have another copy of the data on a separate device. This redundancy reduces the risk of data loss.
2. Replication: NAS devices like the Idis DR-6216P often support replication functionality. This allows you to automatically copy data from one NAS device to another in real-time or on a scheduled basis. By replicating your data to multiple devices, you ensure that if one device fails, the replicated data on the other device is still intact.
3. Off-site backup: With multiple NAS devices, you can store one of them off-site, in a different physical location. This provides an additional layer of protection against data loss risks like natural disasters, theft, or accidents. If one location is affected, the off-site NAS device can still retain the data.
4. Load balancing: By distributing the backup or replication workload across multiple NAS devices, you can reduce the strain on individual devices, improving performance and reducing the risk of failures due to overloading.
5. Scalability: Having multiple NAS devices allows you to scale your backup or replication infrastructure as your data storage needs grow. You can add more devices to accommodate increased data volumes, ensuring that your backup and replication processes remain efficient and reliable.

It's important to note that while using multiple NAS devices can mitigate data loss risks, it does not guarantee complete protection. Other factors like regular backups, data integrity checks, and proper disaster recovery planning should also be considered for a comprehensive data protection strategy.

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

Although the NAS DR-6216P 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-6216P. 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-6216P has 6 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-6216P 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