How to recover data from Lenovo ThinkEdge SE450 Edge Server 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.

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

Although NAS ThinkEdge SE450 Edge Server 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 ThinkEdge SE450 Edge Server. 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

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;

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 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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery