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

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Instek AS5416-3U
• 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.

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

Although the NAS AS5416-3U 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 AS5416-3U. 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

AS5416-3U 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;

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 AS5416-3U 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison