How to Recover Data from NAS Lenovo ThinkEdge SE450 Edge Server After Accidental Deletion

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Lenovo ThinkEdge SE450 Edge Server
• 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.

How can a NAS Lenovo ThinkEdge SE450 Edge Server device's cache settings impact data loss risks?

The cache settings of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device such as the Lenovo ThinkEdge SE450 Edge Server can impact data loss risks in the following ways:

1. Write Cache: The write cache is a temporary storage area where data is stored before being written to the actual storage media. If the write cache is enabled, it can improve performance by allowing the server to acknowledge write operations before they are fully completed. However, if there is a power loss or system failure before the data is written from the cache to the storage media, there is a risk of data loss or corruption. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the write cache is properly configured and that appropriate backup and UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) measures are in place to minimize the risk.
2. Read Cache: The read cache stores frequently accessed data in a faster storage medium, such as solid-state drives (SSDs), to accelerate read operations. While the read cache can significantly improve performance, it does not directly impact data loss risks. However, it is worth noting that if the read cache becomes corrupted or fails, it may affect the availability of data, potentially leading to data loss if not addressed promptly.
3. RAID Configuration: The ThinkEdge SE450 Edge Server supports various RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations, which involve distributing data across multiple drives for redundancy and improved performance. The choice of RAID configuration can impact data loss risks. For example, RAID 0 offers improved performance but provides no data redundancy, meaning that the failure of a single drive can result in complete data loss. On the other hand, RAID 1 or RAID 5 configurations provide data redundancy, allowing for drive failures without immediate data loss.
4. Cache Flush Policy: The cache flush policy determines how often the data in the cache is written to the storage media. A more conservative policy that flushes the cache frequently reduces the risk of data loss in the event of a power loss or system failure. However, it may also impact performance, especially for write-intensive workloads. Finding the right balance between performance and data protection is crucial when configuring the cache flush policy.

In summary, the cache settings of a NAS device like the Lenovo ThinkEdge SE450 Edge Server can impact data loss risks by influencing the reliability and availability of data. Proper configuration, backup strategies, and power protection measures are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure data integrity.

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

Although the NAS ThinkEdge SE450 Edge Server 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 ThinkEdge SE450 Edge Server. 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

ThinkEdge SE450 Edge Server has 12 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• 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 ThinkEdge SE450 Edge Server 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