How to Restore Deleted Files from NAS Lenovo ix2 Storage

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Lenovo ix2
• 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.

Are there any recommended practices for regular testing and validation of data backups to prevent potential loss on NAS Lenovo ix2 devices?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for regular testing and validation of data backups to prevent potential loss on NAS Lenovo ix2 devices. Here are some of them:

1. Scheduled Backup Testing: Set up a regular schedule for testing your data backups to ensure they are working correctly. This can be done by restoring a subset of files or folders from the backup and verifying their integrity.
2. Verify Backup Logs: Monitor the backup logs generated by the Lenovo ix2 device to ensure that backups are completing successfully without any errors or warnings. Regularly review these logs to identify any issues or anomalies.
3. Perform Full and Incremental Backups: Implement a backup strategy that includes both full backups and incremental backups. Full backups capture all the data, while incremental backups only capture the changes made since the last full backup. Regularly test the restoration process for both types of backups.
4. Test Different Recovery Scenarios: Conduct tests to validate the restoration process in different recovery scenarios, such as recovering from a complete system failure or restoring specific files or folders. This will help ensure that you can recover your data successfully in case of any unforeseen events.
5. Offsite Backup Testing: If you have an offsite backup solution, periodically test the restoration process from the offsite location to ensure that your data can be recovered even if the primary Lenovo ix2 device is unavailable.
6. Regularly Update Firmware and Software: Keep your Lenovo ix2 device's firmware and backup software up to date to ensure compatibility and access to the latest features and bug fixes. This will help maintain the reliability and effectiveness of your backup solution.
7. Monitor Storage Capacity: Regularly monitor the storage capacity of your Lenovo ix2 device to ensure that you have enough space for backups. Running out of storage can lead to incomplete or failed backups, potentially resulting in data loss.
8. Document and Review Backup Procedures: Document your backup procedures and periodically review them to ensure they are up to date and align with your data protection requirements. This will help maintain consistency and accuracy in your backup processes.

By following these recommended practices, you can enhance the reliability and effectiveness of your data backups on NAS Lenovo ix2 devices, reducing the risk of potential data loss.

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

Although the NAS ix2 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.

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   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 ix2. 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.

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How to recover data from a Lenovo

ix2 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 ix2 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