How to Address RAID Array Failures in NAS Idis IR-100 Recovery

Contents

• 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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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 recommended practices for regular testing and validation of data backups to prevent potential loss on NAS Idis IR-100 devices?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for regular testing and validation of data backups to prevent potential loss on NAS Idis IR-100 devices. Here are some of them:

1. Regular Backup Schedule: Establish a regular backup schedule to ensure that backups are taken at regular intervals. This can be daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the criticality of the data.
2. Offsite Backup: Maintain an offsite backup of your data to protect against physical damage or loss of the NAS device. This can be done by replicating the data to a remote location or using cloud storage services.
3. Test Restores: Regularly perform test restores to ensure that the backup files are valid and can be successfully restored. This helps identify any issues with the backup process or the backup files themselves.
4. Verify Data Integrity: Use data integrity checks, such as checksums or hash values, to verify the integrity of the backup files. This ensures that the data has not been corrupted or tampered with during the backup process.
5. Monitor Backup Logs: Monitor the backup logs and review them for any errors or warnings. This helps identify any issues with the backup process, such as failed backups or incomplete backups.
6. Document Backup Procedures: Document the backup procedures, including the backup schedule, restore process, and any specific settings or configurations. This ensures that the backup process can be easily replicated and followed consistently.
7. Regularly Update Backup Software: Keep the backup software and firmware of the NAS device up to date to ensure that you have the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches.
8. Disaster Recovery Plan: Develop a comprehensive disaster recovery plan that outlines the steps to be taken in case of data loss or system failure. This plan should include backup and restore procedures, contact information for support, and any other relevant information.

By following these recommended practices, you can minimize the risk of potential data loss and ensure the availability of your data in case of any unforeseen events.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS IR-100 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. 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.

   Go to view

   

   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Idis IR-100. 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.

Go to view

How to recover data from a Idis

IR-100 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:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 IR-100 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