- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 V2 Rack Server
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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.
Can improper network configuration or firewall settings result in data loss on NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 V2 Rack Server devices?
Yes, improper network configuration or firewall settings can potentially result in data loss on NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 V2 Rack Server devices.
If the network configuration is not properly set up, it can lead to connectivity issues between the NAS server and the client devices accessing the data. This can result in data transfer errors, interruptions, or even complete data loss if the connection is unstable or unreliable.
Similarly, if the firewall settings are not correctly configured, it can block necessary network traffic or protocols required for data transfer. This can lead to inaccessible or lost data, as the firewall may prevent the NAS server from communicating with the client devices or other network resources.
To mitigate these risks, it is important to ensure that the network configuration is properly set up, including appropriate IP addressing, subnetting, routing, and DNS settings. Additionally, firewall rules should be carefully configured to allow necessary traffic for NAS operations while maintaining security. Regular backups of the data on the NAS server should also be performed to minimize the impact of any potential data loss.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS ThinkSystem SR650 V2 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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
-
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.
Go to view
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 V2 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.
How to recover data from a Lenovo
ThinkSystem SR650 V2 Rack Server has 40 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:
-
Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
-
In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
-
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.
-
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 V2 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
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The success of data recovery from a water or fire-damaged NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 V2 Rack Server device depends on the extent of the damage. In general, water or fire damage can severely affect the internal components of the server, including the hard drives where the data is stored.
Water damage can cause corrosion and short circuits, damaging the electronic components and making data recovery challenging. Fire damage, on the other hand, can melt or warp the hardware, rendering it inoperable.
In some cases, data recovery specialists may be able to salvage data from partially damaged components or by using specialized techniques. However, if the damage is extensive, it may be difficult or impossible to recover the data.
It is recommended to immediately contact a professional data recovery service that specializes in handling water or fire-damaged devices. They will assess the situation and provide you with the best possible options for data recovery.