How to Access Files on a RAID Disk When NAS Instek AS5416-3U is Not Functioning: Practical Steps

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 Instek 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 RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations impact data loss in NAS Instek AS5416-3U devices?

RAID configurations can have a significant impact on data loss in NAS Instek AS5416-3U devices. Here are a few ways RAID can affect data loss in these devices:

1. Redundancy: RAID configurations, such as RAID 1 (mirroring) or RAID 5 (striping with parity), provide redundancy by distributing data across multiple disks. If one disk fails, the redundant data on other disks can be used to rebuild the lost data. This helps in minimizing data loss due to disk failures.
2. Fault tolerance: RAID configurations enhance fault tolerance by allowing the system to continue functioning even if one or more disks fail. The NAS device can still serve data from the remaining disks, ensuring minimal downtime and reducing the risk of data loss.
3. Data recovery: In case of disk failures, RAID configurations provide options for data recovery. For example, RAID 5 can rebuild the lost data by using the parity information stored on other disks. This helps in recovering data without the need for a complete backup, minimizing data loss.
4. Performance impact: Depending on the RAID configuration, there can be a performance impact on the NAS device. RAID 1, for example, provides redundancy but doesn't offer performance improvements, while RAID 5 offers both redundancy and improved read performance. It's essential to choose a RAID configuration that balances performance and data protection needs.
5. RAID controller failure: While RAID configurations can protect against individual disk failures, they may not safeguard against RAID controller failures. If the RAID controller fails, it can lead to data loss or make data inaccessible. It's important to ensure the RAID controller is reliable and has proper backup mechanisms in place to mitigate such risks.

Overall, RAID configurations in NAS Instek AS5416-3U devices can significantly reduce the risk of data loss due to disk failures, enhance fault tolerance, and provide options for data recovery. However, it's crucial to regularly monitor the health of the RAID array, maintain backups, and ensure the RAID controller is reliable to minimize the chances of data loss.

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

Although NAS AS5416-3U 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 Instek AS5416-3U. 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 Instek

AS5416-3U 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;

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 Instek AS5416-3U 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