- 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.
Are there any specific network security measures to implement for safeguarding NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR860 Mission-Critical Server devices against data loss?
Yes, there are several network security measures that can be implemented to safeguard NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR860 Mission-Critical Server devices against data loss. Here are some key measures:
- Access Control: Implement strict access control policies to ensure only authorized personnel have access to the server. Use strong passwords and enforce regular password changes. Consider implementing multi-factor authentication for added security.
- Firewall: Configure and maintain a firewall to control incoming and outgoing network traffic. This helps prevent unauthorized access and protects against potential attacks.
- Encryption: Enable encryption for data in transit and at rest. This ensures that even if the data is intercepted or stolen, it remains unreadable without the encryption key.
- Regular Updates and Patching: Keep the server's operating system, applications, and firmware up to date with the latest security patches. Regularly check for updates and apply them promptly to protect against known vulnerabilities.
- Intrusion Detection/Prevention System (IDS/IPS): Deploy an IDS/IPS solution to monitor network traffic and detect any suspicious activity or potential attacks. This helps in identifying and mitigating threats in real-time.
- Backup and Disaster Recovery: Implement a robust backup strategy to regularly back up critical data stored on the NAS server. Store backups in a separate location to protect against data loss due to hardware failure, natural disasters, or cyber-attacks.
- Network Segmentation: Segment the network to isolate the NAS server from other systems and devices. This limits the potential attack surface and prevents lateral movement of threats within the network.
- Logging and Monitoring: Enable logging and monitoring on the NAS server to track and analyze any unusual activities or security incidents. Implement a centralized logging solution to consolidate logs from multiple devices for easier analysis.
- Antivirus/Antimalware: Install and regularly update antivirus and antimalware software on the NAS server to detect and remove any malicious software that may compromise data integrity.
- User Education and Awareness: Train users on best practices for data security, such as avoiding suspicious emails, not clicking on unknown links, and recognizing social engineering attempts. Regularly educate users about the importance of data protection and the potential risks associated with mishandling sensitive information.
It is important to note that these measures should be implemented as part of a comprehensive security strategy, tailored to the specific needs and requirements of your organization.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS ThinkSystem SR860 Mission-Critical 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 SR860 Mission-Critical 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 SR860 Mission-Critical 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;
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 SR860 Mission-Critical 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 SR860 Mission-Critical Server device that has been affected by a virus or malware infection. However, the success of data recovery depends on various factors such as the severity of the infection, the type of virus or malware, and the steps taken to mitigate the infection.
Here are some general steps you can take to recover data from an infected NAS device:
It is important to note that prevention is always better than recovery. Regularly updating the NAS device's firmware, using strong passwords, implementing security best practices, and maintaining up-to-date antivirus software can help mitigate the risk of virus or malware infections.