How to recover data from Lenovo ix2 NAS

Contents

• 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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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 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 take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS ix2 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Lenovo ix2. 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.

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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;

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:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery