Practical Steps for Accessing RAID Disk Files Without Online NAS Instek AS5416-2U

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Instek AS5416-2U
• 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 Instek 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.

Are there any compatibility issues that can result in data loss for NAS Instek AS5416-2U devices?

There is no specific information available regarding compatibility issues or data loss specifically for the NAS Instek AS5416-2U devices. However, it is always possible for compatibility issues to arise with any network-attached storage (NAS) device, which could potentially result in data loss.

To minimize the risk of data loss, it is recommended to follow best practices when setting up and using a NAS device:

1. Ensure that the NAS device is compatible with your network infrastructure, operating systems, and applications. Check the manufacturer's documentation and compatibility lists for any known issues.
2. Keep the NAS device's firmware or software up to date. Manufacturers often release updates that address compatibility issues and provide bug fixes.
3. Regularly back up your data from the NAS device to an external storage device or cloud storage. This ensures that even if data loss occurs, you have a recent copy of your important files.
4. Implement RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) or other data redundancy mechanisms. RAID configurations can help protect against data loss in case of a hard drive failure.
5. Use reliable and compatible hard drives in the NAS device. It is essential to choose hard drives that are recommended or certified by the NAS manufacturer to minimize compatibility issues.
6. Monitor the NAS device's health and performance regularly. Most NAS devices provide monitoring tools or software that can alert you to potential issues before they result in data loss.

Remember that data loss can occur due to various factors, including hardware failures, power outages, user errors, or software issues. While compatibility issues can contribute to data loss, following best practices and maintaining regular backups can help mitigate the risk.

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

Although the NAS AS5416-2U 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 Instek AS5416-2U. 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 Instek

AS5416-2U has 8 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 Instek AS5416-2U 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