- 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 or limitations when connecting NAS Lenovo EMC px6-300d devices to different operating systems or platforms?
The Lenovo EMC px6-300d NAS devices are compatible with various operating systems and platforms. They support Windows, Mac OS, and Linux operating systems, allowing users to connect and access the NAS from different computers and devices.
However, there might be some limitations or compatibility issues depending on the specific features or protocols used. For example:
- File system compatibility: The NAS devices typically support various file systems like NTFS, FAT32, HFS+, and ext4. While most operating systems can read and write to these file systems, there might be limitations when it comes to certain advanced features or permissions.
- Protocol compatibility: The NAS devices support common protocols like SMB/CIFS, NFS, FTP, and HTTP. Most operating systems can connect using these protocols, but there might be variations in the level of support or performance. For example, Mac OS might have better compatibility with AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) for file sharing.
- Software compatibility: Lenovo EMC provides software utilities like LenovoEMC Storage Manager for managing the NAS device. These utilities might have different versions or compatibility requirements for different operating systems.
- Third-party application compatibility: If you plan to use third-party applications or services with the NAS, you should check their compatibility with the specific operating system or platform. Some applications might have limitations or require additional configuration for proper integration.
In general, the Lenovo EMC px6-300d NAS devices offer broad compatibility with different operating systems and platforms. However, it is always recommended to review the product documentation, specifications, and compatibility lists provided by Lenovo EMC to ensure compatibility with your specific setup.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS EMC px6-300d 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 px6-300d. 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 px6-300d has 6 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 px6-300d 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.
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 supply or voltage fluctuation issue, but the success of the recovery depends on the extent of the damage.
If the power supply or voltage fluctuation caused physical damage to the hard drives in the NAS device, it may be necessary to send the drives to a professional data recovery service. They have specialized equipment and expertise to recover data from damaged drives.
However, if the power supply or voltage fluctuation only caused software or firmware issues, you may be able to recover the data yourself by troubleshooting and fixing the problem. This could involve resetting the NAS device, updating the firmware, or repairing any corrupted files or settings.
It is always recommended to have a backup of your important data to avoid data loss in case of hardware or software failures.