- 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 Idis 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 system logs or event notifications to monitor for early detection of data loss on NAS Idis DR-6308P-S devices?
Yes, there are specific system logs and event notifications that can be monitored for early detection of data loss on NAS Idis DR-6308P-S devices. Here are a few key logs and notifications to monitor:
- System Logs: The NAS device generates system logs that record various events and activities. Monitoring these logs can help detect any unusual or abnormal activities that may indicate data loss. Look for any error messages, disk failures, or unexpected shutdown events.
- Disk Health Notifications: The NAS device typically provides disk health monitoring and notifications. By monitoring these notifications, you can identify any disk failures or degradation that may lead to data loss. Pay attention to notifications related to disk SMART status, bad sectors, or high error rates.
- RAID Array Status: If the NAS device uses RAID for data redundancy, monitoring the RAID array status is crucial. Any notifications or alerts indicating a degraded or failed RAID array should be addressed promptly to prevent data loss.
- Network Connectivity: Monitoring network connectivity events can help detect any disruptions or failures that may result in data loss. Look for notifications related to network disconnections, link failures, or high latency.
- Backup Job Notifications: If you have scheduled backup jobs on the NAS device, monitoring the backup job notifications can provide early detection of data loss. Any failed or incomplete backup jobs may indicate data loss or corruption.
It is important to configure the NAS device to send these logs and notifications to a central monitoring system or email alerts so that you can be promptly notified in case of any issues.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS DR-6308P-S 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 Idis DR-6308P-S. 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.
DR-6308P-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;
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 Idis DR-6308P-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.
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 |
If the storage disks in a NAS device like the Idis DR-6308P-S have been physically disconnected or damaged, the chances of recovering data from them become significantly lower. However, it may still be possible to recover the data depending on the extent of the damage and the expertise of the data recovery specialists.
In such cases, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service that specializes in NAS devices. They have the necessary tools, knowledge, and experience to handle such situations. They can assess the damage, determine the possibility of data recovery, and perform the necessary procedures to recover the data if feasible.
It is important to note that data recovery from physically damaged disks can be a complex and time-consuming process. Additionally, there is no guarantee of successful recovery, especially if the damage is severe. Therefore, it is always advisable to regularly backup important data to avoid such situations.