How to Perform a NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 Rack Server Data Recovery

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 Rack 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 the number of drives in a NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 Rack Server device's RAID array impact data recovery and potential loss?

The number of drives in a NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 Rack Server device's RAID array can impact data recovery and potential loss in the following ways:

1. Data recovery: The more drives in the RAID array, the higher the chance of successful data recovery. RAID arrays with more drives often use higher RAID levels like RAID 5 or RAID 6, which provide redundancy and allow for data reconstruction in case of drive failures. With more drives, the array can sustain multiple drive failures without losing data.
2. Potential loss: If the RAID array has a smaller number of drives, such as RAID 0 or RAID 1, the potential loss of data increases. RAID 0 does not provide redundancy, so if one drive fails, all data on the array is lost. RAID 1 mirrors data across two drives, but if both drives fail simultaneously, data loss can still occur.
3. Rebuild time: When a drive fails in a RAID array, the remaining drives need to rebuild the data onto a replacement drive. With a larger number of drives, the rebuild time can be longer, increasing the risk of another drive failure during the rebuild process. If another drive fails during this time, data loss can occur.
4. Performance impact: The number of drives in a RAID array can also impact performance. RAID arrays with more drives can provide higher data transfer rates and better overall performance. However, if the number of drives is too high, it can lead to increased latency and decreased performance due to the complexity of data striping and parity calculations.

In summary, having more drives in a NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 Rack Server device's RAID array generally improves data recovery chances and reduces the potential loss of data. However, the specific RAID level and configuration should be carefully chosen based on the desired balance between performance, redundancy, and data protection.

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

Although the NAS ThinkSystem SR650 Rack 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 ThinkSystem SR650 Rack 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

ThinkSystem SR650 Rack Server has 24 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 ThinkSystem SR650 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison