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

Contents

• 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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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.

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 take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS EonStor DS 3024B 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Infortrend EonStor DS 3024B. 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.

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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;

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:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery