- 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?
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.
Can insufficient power supply or voltage fluctuations cause data loss on NAS Infortrend EonStor GS 3024 devices?
Insufficient power supply or voltage fluctuations can potentially cause data loss on any electronic device, including NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices like the Infortrend EonStor GS 3024. When a NAS device experiences power supply issues or voltage fluctuations, it can lead to various problems that may result in data loss, such as:
- Sudden power loss: If the power supply is insufficient or experiences fluctuations, it can cause the NAS device to shut down abruptly. This sudden power loss can interrupt ongoing read/write operations and corrupt data.
- Hard drive damage: Voltage fluctuations can damage the internal components of the NAS, including the hard drives. This damage can result in data loss or even complete drive failure.
- File system corruption: Power supply issues can cause the file system on the NAS to become corrupted. This corruption can make the data inaccessible or result in data loss.
To mitigate the risk of data loss due to power supply issues or voltage fluctuations, it is recommended to:
- Use a high-quality power supply that matches the requirements of the NAS device.
- Install an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to provide backup power during power outages or fluctuations.
- Ensure that the NAS device is properly grounded to minimize the risk of electrical damage.
- Regularly backup important data from the NAS to an external storage device or cloud storage.
- Consider implementing redundancy in the NAS setup, such as RAID configurations, to protect against data loss in case of drive failures.
It is important to note that while taking precautions can reduce the risk of data loss, unforeseen circumstances or severe power supply issues may still lead to data loss. Therefore, it is always recommended to have a robust backup strategy in place to protect your data.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS EonStor GS 3024 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Infortrend EonStor GS 3024. 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.
EonStor GS 3024 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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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 GS 3024 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
Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes, it is possible to recover data from a NAS Infortrend EonStor GS 3024 device even if the device is experiencing slow performance or file access issues. However, the success of data recovery depends on the specific cause of the performance issues.
If the slow performance is due to hardware failures or physical damage to the device, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service. They have the expertise and specialized tools to recover data from faulty NAS devices.
If the slow performance is caused by software issues or configuration problems, there are a few steps you can try before seeking professional help:
If none of these steps resolve the performance issues, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service. They can assess the situation and provide the best course of action to recover your data.