Step-by-Step Guide to NAS Lenovo EMC px2-300d Data Recovery

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Lenovo EMC px2-300d
• 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 Lenovo 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 a NAS Lenovo EMC px2-300d device's cache settings impact data loss risks?

The cache settings on a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Lenovo EMC px2-300d can impact data loss risks in the following ways:

1. Write-back cache: If the device is configured to use a write-back cache, it means that data is first written to the cache before being written to the actual storage disks. This can improve performance but also increases the risk of data loss if a power outage or system failure occurs before the data is written to the disks. In such cases, any data in the cache that has not been written to the disks may be lost.
2. Write-through cache: On the other hand, if the device is configured to use a write-through cache, data is written simultaneously to both the cache and the disks. This reduces the risk of data loss in case of a power outage or system failure since the data is immediately written to the disks. However, it may result in slightly slower write performance compared to write-back cache.
3. Cache size: The size of the cache can also impact data loss risks. A larger cache can improve performance by allowing more data to be stored temporarily before being written to the disks. However, if the cache size is not appropriately managed, it can increase the risk of data loss because a larger cache means more data is vulnerable to loss in case of a failure.
4. RAID configuration: The NAS device may also support RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations, which provide data redundancy and protection against disk failures. The cache settings can impact the way data is written and distributed across the RAID array, affecting the overall data loss risks. Proper RAID configuration and cache settings are essential to minimize the chances of data loss.

It is important to carefully consider the cache settings and their impact on data loss risks based on the specific needs and priorities of the NAS device's usage scenario.

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

Although the NAS EMC px2-300d 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.

   Go to view

   

   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 Lenovo EMC px2-300d. 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.

Go to view

How to recover data from a Lenovo

EMC px2-300d 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;

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 Lenovo EMC px2-300d network-attached storage keeps LifeLine 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