Quick Tips for NAS LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000316 / LAC9000519 / LAC9000354 / LAC9000317 / LAC9000495 / STGL12000400) Data Recovery Success

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 LaCie 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 the number of concurrent users or clients accessing a NAS LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000316 / LAC9000519 / LAC9000354 / LAC9000317 / LAC9000495 / STGL12000400) device affect data loss risks?

The number of concurrent users or clients accessing a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 can affect data loss risks in several ways:

1. Performance and Bandwidth: When multiple users access the NAS simultaneously, it puts a strain on the device's performance and available bandwidth. If the NAS is not equipped to handle the increased workload, it may result in slower response times, increased latency, and potential data loss due to timeouts or incomplete file transfers.
2. Network Congestion: Concurrent access by multiple users can lead to network congestion, especially if the NAS is connected to a shared network. Increased network traffic can cause data packets to be dropped or lost, resulting in data loss or corruption.
3. File Conflicts and Overwrites: If multiple users attempt to modify the same file simultaneously, conflicts can arise. Without proper file locking mechanisms or version control, there is a risk of data loss due to overwrites or inconsistent modifications.
4. Security Risks: With more concurrent users accessing the NAS, the potential for security breaches increases. If proper access controls, authentication, and encryption measures are not in place, unauthorized users may gain access to sensitive data, leading to data loss or compromise.
5. Hardware Failure: Increased usage and concurrent access can put additional stress on the NAS hardware, potentially leading to higher chances of hardware failure. If the NAS device fails, it may result in data loss if there are no proper backup mechanisms in place.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to consider the NAS device's specifications and ensure it can handle the expected number of concurrent users. Implementing proper network infrastructure, such as using a dedicated network or VLAN for the NAS, can help reduce network congestion. Additionally, implementing access controls, file locking mechanisms, and regular backups can help minimize the risks associated with concurrent access and data loss.

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

Although NAS 2big Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000316 / LAC9000519 / LAC9000354 / LAC9000317 / LAC9000495 / STGL12000400) 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 LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000316 / LAC9000519 / LAC9000354 / LAC9000317 / LAC9000495 / STGL12000400). 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 LaCie

2big Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000316 / LAC9000519 / LAC9000354 / LAC9000317 / LAC9000495 / STGL12000400) has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• 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 LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000316 / LAC9000519 / LAC9000354 / LAC9000317 / LAC9000495 / STGL12000400) network-attached storage keeps LaCie NAS OS 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