Expert Tips for RAID Array Data Recovery on NAS Infortrend EonStor DS 3024B Devices

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Infortrend EonStor DS 3024B
• 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 software bugs or glitches impact data integrity on NAS Infortrend EonStor DS 3024B devices?

Software bugs or glitches on NAS Infortrend EonStor DS 3024B devices can impact data integrity in several ways:

1. Data corruption: Bugs or glitches in the software can cause data corruption, leading to the loss or alteration of data stored on the NAS device. This can result in data becoming unreadable or inconsistent, affecting the overall integrity of the stored information.
2. Data loss: In some cases, software bugs or glitches can cause data loss, where files or entire directories may become inaccessible or completely disappear from the NAS device. This can lead to significant data integrity issues, especially if there are no proper backup mechanisms in place.
3. Data duplication: Another impact of software bugs or glitches can be the creation of duplicate files or data. This can happen when the software fails to properly handle file operations like copying or moving, resulting in multiple copies of the same file. Data duplication can lead to confusion, wasted storage space, and potential data integrity issues if changes made to one copy are not reflected in others.
4. Inconsistent metadata: Software bugs or glitches can also affect the metadata associated with files and directories on the NAS device. Metadata includes information like file permissions, creation/modification dates, and file attributes. If the software fails to update or maintain this metadata correctly, it can result in inconsistencies, making it difficult to manage and track files accurately.
5. Performance degradation: Some software bugs or glitches can impact the performance of the NAS device, leading to slower data access or transfer speeds. This can indirectly affect data integrity as it may result in incomplete or corrupted file transfers, especially for large files.

To mitigate the impact of software bugs or glitches on data integrity, it is crucial to regularly update the NAS device's firmware and software to the latest stable versions. Additionally, implementing proper backup and disaster recovery strategies can help recover data in case of any unforeseen issues. Regular monitoring and testing of the NAS device can also help identify and resolve any potential software bugs or glitches before they cause significant data integrity problems.

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

Although the NAS EonStor DS 3024B 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 3024B. 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 3024B 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:

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 3024B 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