- 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 preventive measures to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS Idis IR-310D devices?
Yes, there are several preventive measures you can take to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS Idis IR-310D devices:
- Regular Backup: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that all important data is backed up on a separate storage device or cloud storage. This will help you recover data in case of any data loss.
- RAID Configuration: Configure your NAS device in a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configuration. RAID provides redundancy by distributing data across multiple disks, so if one disk fails, the data can be recovered from the other disks in the array.
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Connect your NAS device to an uninterruptible power supply to protect it from power outages or surges. Sudden power loss can lead to data corruption or loss.
- Firmware Updates: Keep the firmware of your NAS device up to date. Manufacturers often release firmware updates that address security vulnerabilities and improve the overall performance and stability of the device.
- Access Control: Implement strong access controls and user authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to your NAS device. Use strong passwords and consider enabling features like two-factor authentication.
- Network Security: Secure your network by using firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other security measures to prevent unauthorized access to your NAS device from external sources.
- Physical Security: Protect your NAS device physically by keeping it in a secure location with restricted access. This will prevent theft or unauthorized physical tampering.
- Regular Maintenance: Perform regular maintenance tasks such as checking the health of your hard drives, monitoring system logs for any errors or warnings, and addressing any issues promptly.
By implementing these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of data loss on NAS Idis IR-310D devices.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS IR-310D 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 IR-310D. 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.
How to recover data from a Idis
IR-310D 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;
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 IR-310D 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 NAS device is not powering on, data recovery may still be possible, but it would require professional assistance from a data recovery service. These services have specialized tools and techniques to recover data from non-functioning devices.
Here are some steps you can try before seeking professional help:
If none of these steps work and the device still does not power on, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service. They have the expertise and specialized equipment to diagnose and recover data from non-functioning NAS devices. Keep in mind that professional data recovery services can be expensive, so it's important to weigh the value of the data against the cost of recovery.