
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Infortrend EonStor CS 3060D
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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 Infortrend 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.
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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS EonStor CS 3060D 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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.
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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Infortrend EonStor CS 3060D. 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.
How to recover data from a Infortrend
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;
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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.

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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 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.
RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | 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.