Repairing a Damaged RAID Array on NAS Idis DR-8364D with Several Disks

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Idis DR-8364D
• 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 a NAS Idis DR-8364D device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?

The power management settings of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Idis DR-8364D can impact data availability and potential loss in the following ways:

1. Power Interruptions: If the power management settings are not properly configured, sudden power interruptions or outages can occur. This can lead to unexpected shutdowns of the NAS device, resulting in data corruption or loss.
2. Unsaved Data: If the NAS is set to power off or enter a low-power mode too quickly, it may not provide enough time for data to be saved or synchronized properly. This can result in unsaved changes or incomplete backups, leading to data loss or inconsistency.
3. Accessibility: Power management settings that automatically power down the NAS during periods of inactivity may cause delays in accessing data. If the NAS takes a significant amount of time to power up or resume from a sleep mode, it can affect the availability of data when needed urgently.
4. RAID Rebuilds: In a NAS with a RAID configuration, power management settings can impact the rebuild process after a drive failure. If the NAS powers down or enters a low-power mode during a RAID rebuild, it can prolong the process or even lead to a failed rebuild, increasing the risk of data loss.
5. Scheduled Tasks: Power management settings may interfere with scheduled tasks such as backups, replication, or synchronization processes. If the NAS powers off or enters a low-power mode during these tasks, they may be interrupted and leave data in an inconsistent state.

To mitigate these risks, it is essential to configure power management settings carefully. It is recommended to:

• Set appropriate timeouts: Adjust the power-off or sleep timers to allow sufficient time for data saving and synchronization processes to complete.
• Use uninterruptible power supplies (UPS): Connecting the NAS to a UPS can protect it from sudden power interruptions, ensuring uninterrupted operation and data integrity.
• Disable aggressive power-saving modes: Avoid overly aggressive power-saving modes that may cause excessive delays in accessing data or interrupt critical processes.
• Monitor power events: Regularly check power event logs or notifications to identify any issues related to power management and take appropriate actions to prevent data loss.

By properly configuring power management settings and implementing necessary precautions, the risk of data availability issues and potential loss can be minimized.

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

Although the NAS DR-8364D 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.

   Go to view

   

   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-8364D. 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.

Go to view

How to recover data from a Idis

DR-8364D has 8 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• 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-8364D 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