
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Infortrend EonStor DS 1024B
- 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 recommended steps to take after detecting or suspecting data loss on a NAS Infortrend EonStor DS 1024B device?
If you suspect or detect data loss on a NAS Infortrend EonStor DS 1024B device, here are some recommended steps to take:
- Stop all write operations: As soon as you notice data loss, it is crucial to stop any write operations on the NAS device. This will prevent further overwriting of the lost data and increase the chances of recovery.
- Identify the cause: Determine the cause of the data loss. It could be due to hardware failure, software corruption, accidental deletion, or other factors. Understanding the cause will help in choosing the appropriate recovery method.
- Contact technical support: Reach out to the technical support team of Infortrend or the vendor from whom you purchased the NAS device. They can provide guidance and assistance based on their expertise and knowledge of the specific device.
- Backup and restore: Check if you have a recent backup of the lost data. If you do, restore the data from the backup to the NAS device. This is the simplest and most efficient way to recover lost data.
- Use data recovery software: If you do not have a backup or if the backup is outdated, you can try using data recovery software. There are various data recovery tools available in the market that can scan the NAS device and attempt to recover the lost data. Remember to use the software on a separate computer and not directly on the NAS device to avoid overwriting any data.
- Consult professional data recovery services: If the above steps do not yield satisfactory results or if the data is critical and valuable, it is recommended to consult professional data recovery services. These services have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from various storage devices, including NAS devices. They can perform advanced recovery techniques to maximize the chances of successful data retrieval.
Remember, data recovery is not always guaranteed, especially if the data has been overwritten or the storage media is severely damaged. Therefore, it is crucial to regularly back up your data to prevent or minimize data loss incidents.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS EonStor DS 1024B 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 DS 1024B. 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 DS 1024B has 24 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 DS 1024B 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 |


The steps involved in data recovery from a NAS Infortrend EonStor DS 1024B may vary depending on the specific situation and the severity of the data loss. However, here is a general outline of the steps involved in data recovery from a NAS:
Note: It is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery specialist or the manufacturer's support team for specific guidance and assistance in recovering data from a NAS Infortrend EonStor DS 1024B, as the process can be complex and delicate.