- 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.
Can implementing user quotas or permissions help prevent accidental data loss on NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SN550 V2 Blade Server devices?
Yes, implementing user quotas and permissions can help prevent accidental data loss on NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SN550 V2 Blade Server devices. User quotas allow administrators to allocate a specific amount of storage space for each user, ensuring that they cannot exceed their allocated limit. This helps prevent accidental deletion or overwriting of data by users.
Additionally, setting up appropriate user permissions ensures that only authorized users have access to specific files or directories. By granting read-only or restricted access to certain files, the risk of accidental data loss is reduced.
Furthermore, regular backups and data replication can be implemented to provide an additional layer of protection against accidental data loss. By regularly backing up data to separate storage devices or off-site locations, organizations can quickly recover data in case of accidental deletion or other data loss incidents.
Overall, a combination of user quotas, permissions, and backup strategies can significantly reduce the risk of accidental data loss on NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SN550 V2 Blade Server devices.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS ThinkSystem SN550 V2 Blade 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:
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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 ThinkSystem SN550 V2 Blade 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.
How to recover data from a Lenovo
ThinkSystem SN550 V2 Blade Server has 32 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:
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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 ThinkSystem SN550 V2 Blade 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
| 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, it is possible to recover data from a NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SN550 V2 Blade Server device that has been affected by a hardware RAID controller failure. However, the success of data recovery depends on the extent of the failure and the condition of the drives.
In case of a RAID controller failure, the first step is to replace the faulty controller with a new one. Once the new controller is installed, it may be possible to access the data again. However, if the RAID configuration or metadata is corrupted, additional steps may be required.
If the RAID configuration is intact but the drives are not accessible, you may need to use data recovery software or consult a professional data recovery service. These experts can analyze the drives, repair any logical errors, and recover the data.
If the RAID configuration is lost or damaged, you may need to rebuild the RAID array. This involves recreating the RAID configuration and restoring the data from backups, if available. If backups are not available, a data recovery service may be able to reconstruct the RAID configuration and recover the data.
It is important to note that data recovery from a failed RAID system can be complex and time-consuming. It is recommended to seek professional help from data recovery experts who have experience in dealing with RAID failures to increase the chances of successful data recovery.