Expert Steps for RAID Array Data Recovery on NAS Infortrend JB 316 Devices

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Infortrend JB 316
• 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 user training or education help in minimizing data loss incidents on NAS Infortrend JB 316 devices?

User training or education can help minimize data loss incidents on NAS Infortrend JB 316 devices in the following ways:

1. Understanding backup and recovery procedures: Users should be educated on the importance of regular backups and the correct procedures for backing up data on the NAS device. This includes scheduling regular backups, verifying backup integrity, and testing the restoration process.
2. Secure access control: Users should be trained on how to set up and manage user accounts and access permissions on the NAS device. This ensures that only authorized users have access to sensitive data and minimizes the risk of accidental or intentional data deletion or modification.
3. Data encryption and security: Users should be educated on the importance of data encryption and how to enable encryption on the NAS device. This helps protect data in case of unauthorized access or theft of the device.
4. Firmware updates and patches: Users should be trained on the importance of keeping the NAS device's firmware up to date. Regular firmware updates and patches often include bug fixes and security enhancements that can help minimize the risk of data loss incidents.
5. Monitoring and alerting: Users should be educated on how to monitor the NAS device's performance and health status. This includes setting up email or SMS alerts for critical events such as disk failures or abnormal system behavior. Promptly addressing these alerts can help prevent data loss incidents.
6. Best practices for handling hardware: Users should be trained on how to handle the NAS device hardware properly. This includes guidelines for safely installing or replacing hard drives, avoiding physical damage to the device, and following proper shutdown procedures to prevent data corruption.

Overall, user training and education play a crucial role in minimizing data loss incidents on NAS devices by promoting awareness of best practices and ensuring that users have the necessary knowledge to effectively manage and protect their data.

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

Although the NAS JB 316 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 JB 316. 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

JB 316 has 16 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 JB 316 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