- 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 Infortrend 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 precautions to take while replacing or upgrading hard drives in NAS Infortrend EonStor CS 3060D devices?
Yes, there are several precautions to consider while replacing or upgrading hard drives in NAS Infortrend EonStor CS 3060D devices. Here are some important steps to follow:
- Backup Data: Before replacing or upgrading any hard drives, it is crucial to backup all the data stored on the NAS device. This ensures that if any data loss or corruption occurs during the process, you have a backup to restore from.
- Verify Compatibility: Ensure that the new hard drives you plan to install are compatible with the Infortrend EonStor CS 3060D device. Check the manufacturer's documentation or contact their support to confirm compatibility.
- Power Off: Before replacing or upgrading any hard drives, power off the NAS device properly. This prevents any electrical shock or damage to the device and the hard drives.
- ESD Protection: Use proper Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection measures to avoid damaging the hard drives or other sensitive components. Use an ESD strap or mat to ground yourself and handle the hard drives safely.
- Follow Manufacturer's Instructions: Follow the specific instructions provided by Infortrend for replacing or upgrading hard drives in the EonStor CS 3060D device. These instructions may include steps like removing drive trays, connecting cables, or configuring RAID settings.
- Hot-Swappable Drives: If the Infortrend EonStor CS 3060D supports hot-swappable drives, follow the proper procedure for removing and replacing the drives while the device is powered on. This allows you to replace drives without shutting down the NAS.
- RAID Rebuilding: If you are replacing a failed drive in a RAID configuration, allow the RAID controller to rebuild the array after installing the new drive. This process may take some time, depending on the size and configuration of the RAID.
- Test and Monitor: After replacing or upgrading the hard drives, test the functionality of the NAS device and monitor its performance. Ensure that all the drives are recognized, and the RAID configuration is intact. Monitor for any errors or issues that may arise during the operation.
By following these precautions, you can minimize the risk of data loss, damage to the device, or any other complications while replacing or upgrading hard drives in NAS Infortrend EonStor CS 3060D devices.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS EonStor CS 3060D 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 Infortrend EonStor CS 3060D. 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.
EonStor CS 3060D has 60 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 Infortrend EonStor CS 3060D 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 |
Yes, data recovery from a NAS Infortrend EonStor CS 3060D device can still be performed even if there are issues with the network router or switch.
The NAS device itself stores the data on its internal hard drives, so as long as the drives are functional and not physically damaged, data recovery can still be attempted.
In such cases, the NAS device can be directly connected to a computer using an Ethernet cable, bypassing the network router or switch. This allows the computer to directly access the NAS device and attempt data recovery using specialized software or tools.
However, if the network issues are related to the NAS device itself or its internal components, it may require professional assistance from data recovery experts or contacting Infortrend support for further guidance.