Best Data Recovery Software for Lost NAS Infortrend EonStor GSe 2012 Data: How to Choose

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Infortrend EonStor GSe 2012
• 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 GSe 2012 device's caching policy impact data loss risks?

The caching policy of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Infortrend EonStor GSe 2012 can have an impact on data loss risks. The caching policy determines how data is temporarily stored in the device's cache memory before being written to the permanent storage medium (such as hard drives or SSDs). Here are a few ways the caching policy can affect data loss risks:

1. Write-Through Policy: In a write-through caching policy, data is immediately written to the permanent storage medium before it is acknowledged as written. This policy reduces the risk of data loss as the data is stored in the permanent storage medium right away. However, it can impact performance as each write operation requires a disk I/O operation.
2. Write-Back Policy: In a write-back caching policy, data is initially written to the cache memory, and the acknowledgment is sent back to the application. The data is then written to the permanent storage medium at a later time, usually during idle periods. This policy improves performance as write operations are faster, but it increases the risk of data loss if a power failure or system crash occurs before the data is written to the permanent storage. In such cases, the data in the cache may be lost.
3. Battery-Backed Cache: Some NAS devices, including the Infortrend EonStor GSe 2012, have battery-backed cache modules. These modules use a battery to provide power to the cache memory in case of a power failure. This allows the device to complete pending write operations and ensure data integrity even during unexpected power outages. Battery-backed cache reduces the risk of data loss associated with write-back caching policies.
4. Cache Flush Frequency: The frequency at which the cache is flushed and data is written to the permanent storage medium can also impact data loss risks. A more frequent cache flush reduces the amount of data stored in the cache at any given time, minimizing the potential loss in case of a failure. However, frequent cache flushes can also impact performance, especially if the storage system is under heavy write load.

It is important to consider the specific requirements of your data storage environment and the criticality of the data being stored when selecting the caching policy for a NAS device.

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

Although the NAS EonStor GSe 2012 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 GSe 2012. 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 GSe 2012 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 GSe 2012 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