- 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.
How can quality of service (QoS) settings impact data transfer reliability on NAS Lenovo Iomega StorCenter px4-300d devices?
Quality of Service (QoS) settings can impact data transfer reliability on NAS Lenovo Iomega StorCenter px4-300d devices in the following ways:
- Bandwidth Allocation: QoS settings allow you to allocate specific bandwidth limits to different applications or services. By prioritizing critical applications such as file transfers or backups, you can ensure that they receive the necessary bandwidth, reducing the chances of data transfer interruptions or delays.
- Traffic Prioritization: QoS settings enable you to prioritize certain types of network traffic over others. By assigning higher priority to data transfers or NAS-related traffic, you can ensure that these transfers are given precedence over less critical traffic, minimizing the chances of data transfer issues.
- Traffic Shaping: QoS settings allow you to shape or control the flow of network traffic. By setting limits on the maximum and minimum bandwidth available for different types of traffic, you can prevent any single application or service from consuming excessive bandwidth, which could lead to data transfer reliability issues.
- Packet Prioritization: QoS settings enable you to prioritize certain types of network packets over others. By assigning higher priority to packets related to data transfers, you can ensure that they are processed and delivered more quickly, reducing the chances of packet loss or delays during the transfer process.
- Congestion Control: QoS settings can help manage network congestion by controlling the rate at which data is transmitted. By implementing congestion control mechanisms such as traffic shaping or prioritization, you can prevent network congestion from affecting data transfer reliability on the NAS device.
It is important to note that the specific QoS settings and their impact may vary depending on the specific firmware and configuration options available on the Lenovo Iomega StorCenter px4-300d device. It is recommended to consult the device's user manual or contact Lenovo support for detailed instructions on configuring QoS settings for optimal data transfer reliability.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Iomega StorCenter px4-300d 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 Iomega StorCenter px4-300d. 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.
Iomega StorCenter px4-300d 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 Iomega StorCenter px4-300d 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 |
Yes, it is possible to recover data from a NAS device that has been infected by malware or viruses. However, the process may vary depending on the severity of the infection and the specific circumstances.
Here are a few general steps you can take to recover data from an infected NAS device:
It's important to note that the success of data recovery depends on various factors, such as the extent of the infection and the damage caused by the malware or virus. Therefore, it is always recommended to regularly backup your important data to minimize the risk of data loss.