How to Choose Data Recovery Software for NAS Infortrend EonStor DS 1012: Complete Guide

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Infortrend EonStor DS 1012
• 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 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.

How can a NAS Infortrend EonStor DS 1012 device's network throughput or bandwidth capacity affect data transfer and potential loss?

The network throughput or bandwidth capacity of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Infortrend EonStor DS 1012 can have a significant impact on data transfer speed and potential loss. Here's how:

1. Data Transfer Speed: The network throughput or bandwidth capacity determines how much data can be transferred between the NAS device and the connected network at a given time. Higher throughput means more data can be transferred, resulting in faster file transfers and access to the stored data. Conversely, lower throughput can lead to slower data transfer speeds, causing delays in accessing or transferring files.
2. Latency and Response Time: Network throughput also affects the latency or response time of the NAS device. Latency refers to the time taken for a data packet to travel from source to destination. Higher throughput helps reduce latency, resulting in quicker response times when accessing or transferring files. Lower throughput can increase latency, leading to slower response times and potential delays.
3. Concurrent Users and Workloads: The network throughput capacity of a NAS device determines how many concurrent users and workloads it can handle effectively. If the throughput is insufficient to support the number of users or the workload demands, it can result in network congestion, slower data transfers, and potential data loss due to timeouts or connection failures.
4. Data Loss and Corruption: Insufficient network throughput can increase the chances of data loss or corruption during data transfer. If the network is unable to handle the data flow efficiently, it may result in dropped packets, incomplete file transfers, or errors in data transmission. This can lead to data loss or corrupted files, affecting the integrity and reliability of the stored data.

To mitigate these issues and ensure optimal performance:

• Ensure that the NAS device's network interface is connected to a network switch or router with sufficient bandwidth capacity.
• Use high-quality network cables and ensure they are properly connected to avoid any signal degradation.
• Regularly monitor network traffic and identify any bottlenecks or congestion points that may affect throughput.
• Consider upgrading the network infrastructure or NAS device if the current throughput capacity is insufficient for the workload demands.
• Implement data redundancy and backup strategies to mitigate the risk of data loss in case of any network or transfer failures.

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

Although the NAS EonStor DS 1012 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.

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   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 Infortrend EonStor DS 1012. 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.

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How to recover data from a Infortrend

EonStor DS 1012 has 12 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 Infortrend EonStor DS 1012 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