- 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 remote access to NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR645 Rack Server devices pose additional data loss risks?
Remote access to NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR645 Rack Server devices can pose additional data loss risks if proper security measures are not in place. Here are some potential risks:
- Unauthorized access: If remote access is not properly secured with strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and encryption, there is a risk of unauthorized individuals gaining access to the NAS device. This can lead to data loss or theft.
- Malware and hacking: Remote access can provide an entry point for malware or hacking attempts. Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in the remote access software or use brute force attacks to gain control of the NAS device. Once compromised, data can be deleted, encrypted, or stolen.
- Human error: Remote access increases the chances of human error, such as accidental deletion or misconfiguration of settings. If data is not properly backed up or protected, these errors can lead to permanent data loss.
- Network vulnerabilities: Remote access relies on network connections, which can introduce vulnerabilities. If the network is not properly secured, attackers can intercept or manipulate data during transmission, leading to data loss or corruption.
To mitigate these risks, it is important to implement strong security practices:
- Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for remote access.
- Keep the NAS device and remote access software up to date with the latest security patches.
- Implement encryption for remote access connections to protect data in transit.
- Restrict remote access to trusted IP addresses or use VPNs to create secure connections.
- Regularly back up data to an off-site location to minimize the impact of data loss.
- Train employees on best practices for remote access and data security to minimize human errors.
By implementing these security measures, the risks associated with remote access to NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR645 Rack Server devices can be significantly reduced.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS ThinkSystem SR645 Rack 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 SR645 Rack 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.
ThinkSystem SR645 Rack 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:
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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 SR645 Rack 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 |
Data recovery from a NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR645 Rack Server device can be challenging if the disks have been reformatted. Reformatting erases the file system and directory structure, making it difficult to recover data using conventional methods. However, it may still be possible to recover the data using specialized data recovery software or by seeking professional data recovery services.
The success of data recovery depends on various factors such as the extent of the reformatting, the type of file system used, and the actions taken after reformatting. If the disks have been completely overwritten with new data, the chances of recovering the original data become significantly lower.
It is recommended to immediately stop using the NAS device and seek professional assistance from a data recovery specialist who has experience in dealing with NAS systems. They can assess the situation, determine the feasibility of data recovery, and provide appropriate solutions.