- 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?
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 Lenovo also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.
Are there any compatibility issues that can result in data loss for NAS Lenovo EMC px4-300r devices?
There can be several compatibility issues that could potentially result in data loss for NAS Lenovo EMC px4-300r devices. Some possible issues include:
- Incompatible firmware or software updates: If the NAS device is not updated with the latest firmware or software versions compatible with the hardware, it could lead to data loss or corruption.
- Incompatible hard drives: Using incompatible or unsupported hard drives in the NAS device could result in data loss. It is important to ensure that the hard drives are compatible with the device and meet the recommended specifications.
- Network compatibility issues: If the NAS device is not properly configured or connected to the network, it could result in data loss. Network issues such as incorrect IP settings, firewall restrictions, or network interruptions can cause data loss or corruption.
- Power supply or hardware compatibility: Incompatibility between the power supply or other hardware components can lead to data loss. Faulty power supply or incompatible hardware can cause the device to malfunction and result in data loss.
To minimize the risk of data loss, it is recommended to regularly update the firmware and software, use compatible hard drives, ensure proper network configuration, and use compatible power supply and hardware components. Additionally, implementing regular data backups is crucial to mitigate potential data loss risks.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS EMC px4-300r 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Lenovo EMC px4-300r. 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.
EMC px4-300r has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- RAID 5;
- RAID 6;
- 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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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 Lenovo EMC px4-300r 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.
Comparison of software for RAID recovery
Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Lenovo EMC px4-300r network-attached storage (NAS) device supports various encryption methods that can affect data recovery. One of the primary encryption methods used in this device is AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). AES is a widely adopted encryption algorithm that provides strong security for data at rest.
When data is encrypted using AES or any other encryption method on the NAS device, it becomes unreadable without the encryption key. If the encryption key is lost or forgotten, data recovery can become extremely difficult or even impossible. This is because the encryption key is required to decrypt the data and make it accessible again.
It is important to ensure that you have proper backup mechanisms in place and securely store the encryption key to avoid data loss. Without the encryption key, recovering encrypted data from the Lenovo EMC px4-300r NAS device may require specialized tools and techniques, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a secure backup strategy and securely store the encryption key to minimize the risk of data loss and facilitate data recovery in case of any unforeseen circumstances.