- 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 known issues or limitations when using NAS Lenovo ix4-200d devices with virtualization platforms such as VMware or Hyper-V?
Yes, there are some known issues and limitations when using NAS Lenovo ix4-200d devices with virtualization platforms such as VMware or Hyper-V.
- Limited Performance: The Lenovo ix4-200d is a low-end NAS device, and its performance may not be sufficient for running virtual machines with high resource demands. It may not be suitable for running multiple virtual machines simultaneously or handling heavy workloads.
- Limited Storage Capacity: The ix4-200d has a maximum storage capacity of 8TB, which may not be sufficient for storing large virtual machine files or snapshots. This limitation can impact the number and size of virtual machines that can be hosted on the device.
- Limited Scalability: The ix4-200d is designed for small-scale environments and may not provide the scalability required for larger virtualization deployments. It may not support advanced features like clustering or high availability.
- Limited Integration: The ix4-200d may not have direct integration with virtualization platforms like VMware or Hyper-V. It may not support features like VAAI (VMware vStorage APIs for Array Integration) or Microsoft's VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service), which can impact the efficiency and functionality of virtual machine management.
- Lack of Advanced Data Protection: The ix4-200d may not provide advanced data protection features like snapshotting, replication, or backup integration with virtualization platforms. This can limit the ability to protect and recover virtual machines in case of data loss or hardware failures.
It is recommended to carefully review the specifications and capabilities of the Lenovo ix4-200d NAS device and consider these limitations before using it with virtualization platforms.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS ix4-200d 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 ix4-200d. 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
ix4-200d 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 ix4-200d 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, data recovery from a Lenovo ix4-200d NAS device can be done in cases of RAID system failures. However, the process may vary depending on the specific circumstances and the severity of the failure.
In cases of RAID system failures, it is important to immediately stop using the NAS device to prevent further damage and data loss. It is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service that specializes in RAID recovery to assess the situation and provide appropriate solutions.
The data recovery process for a RAID system failure typically involves repairing or rebuilding the RAID array, recovering the data from the failed drives, and then reconstructing the data to make it accessible again. This process can be complex and time-consuming, so it is crucial to rely on experts who have experience and knowledge in RAID recovery.
It is important to note that the success of data recovery in RAID system failures depends on various factors such as the extent of the damage, the availability of spare drives, and the expertise of the data recovery service.