- 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 data storage capacity limitations that can impact data loss risks for NAS Lenovo EMC px4-400r devices?
Yes, there are data storage capacity limitations that can impact data loss risks for NAS Lenovo EMC px4-400r devices. Some of these limitations include:
- Physical storage capacity: The Lenovo EMC px4-400r devices have a limited number of hard drive bays, which determines the maximum physical storage capacity. If the device reaches its maximum capacity and there are no available bays to add more hard drives, there is a risk of data loss if there is no backup or data management strategy in place.
- RAID configuration: The Lenovo EMC px4-400r supports various RAID configurations, such as RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10. Each RAID level has its own limitations and potential risks. For example, RAID 0 offers high performance but provides no data redundancy, so a single drive failure can result in data loss. RAID 5 provides data redundancy by distributing parity information across multiple drives, but if multiple drives fail before the failed drive is replaced, data loss can occur.
- Firmware and software limitations: The device's firmware and software may have limitations on the maximum supported storage capacity or the number of drives that can be connected. It is important to check the device's specifications and ensure that it can handle the desired storage capacity.
- Backup and data management strategy: Regardless of the device's storage capacity, having a proper backup and data management strategy is crucial to mitigate the risk of data loss. Regular backups, offsite backups, and redundancy measures should be implemented to protect against hardware failures, human errors, and other potential risks.
Overall, it is important to consider the storage capacity limitations and implement appropriate data management practices to minimize the risk of data loss for NAS Lenovo EMC px4-400r devices.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS EMC px4-400r 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 px4-400r. 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.
How to recover data from a Lenovo
EMC px4-400r 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 px4-400r 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 |
It is possible to recover data from a NAS device that has been affected by a power surge or electrical malfunction, but the success of the recovery depends on the extent of the damage.
In cases of power surges or electrical malfunctions, the NAS device's internal components may be damaged, including the hard drives where the data is stored. If the hard drives are not severely damaged, data recovery specialists may be able to recover the data by repairing or replacing the damaged components.
However, if the damage is extensive and the hard drives are severely affected, data recovery may be more challenging or even impossible. In such cases, it is recommended to consult with professional data recovery services who have the expertise and specialized equipment to recover data from damaged storage devices.
It is important to note that attempting DIY data recovery methods without proper knowledge and tools can potentially cause further damage and make the recovery process more difficult.