Effective Methods to Recover Faulty RAID Arrays in NAS Idis DR-6216P-S

Contents

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

Are there any recommended practices for protecting NAS Idis DR-6216P-S devices against physical theft or unauthorized access that can lead to data loss?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for protecting NAS Idis DR-6216P-S devices against physical theft or unauthorized access:

1. Physical Security: Keep the device in a secure location, such as a locked server room or cabinet, to prevent physical theft. Limit access to authorized personnel only.
2. Strong Passwords: Change the default password of the device and set a strong password that includes a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable passwords.
3. User Access Control: Create individual user accounts with specific access rights and privileges. Only provide access to necessary users and restrict access to sensitive data.
4. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA if supported by the device. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a second form of authentication, such as a code generated on a mobile device, in addition to the password.
5. Firmware Updates: Regularly update the firmware of the NAS device to ensure it has the latest security patches and bug fixes. Check the manufacturer's website for firmware updates and follow the recommended update process.
6. Network Segmentation: Separate the NAS device from other network resources by using VLANs or network segmentation. This helps prevent unauthorized access to the device from other parts of the network.
7. Firewall Configuration: Configure the device's built-in firewall to restrict access to only necessary services and ports. Block all unnecessary incoming connections.
8. Encryption: Enable data encryption on the NAS device to protect the stored data. This ensures that even if the physical device is stolen, the data remains encrypted and inaccessible without the encryption key.
9. Regular Backups: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that important data is backed up and can be restored in case of data loss or device theft.
10. Monitoring and Auditing: Set up monitoring and auditing systems to track and log any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities. Regularly review the logs for any potential security breaches.

It is important to note that these practices are general recommendations and may vary based on specific requirements and the manufacturer's guidelines. Always refer to the manufacturer's documentation and consult with security professionals for the best practices specific to your environment.

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

Although the NAS DR-6216P-S 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-S. 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-S 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-S 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