How to recover data from Lenovo ThinkSystem SR860 V2 Mission-Critical Server NAS

Contents

• 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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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.

How can RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations impact data loss in NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR860 V2 Mission-Critical Server devices?

RAID configurations can significantly impact data loss in NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR860 V2 Mission-Critical Server devices. Here are a few ways RAID can affect data loss:

1. Data Redundancy: RAID configurations, such as RAID 1 (mirroring) or RAID 5/6 (parity), provide redundancy by storing multiple copies of data across multiple disks. This redundancy helps protect against data loss in case of disk failures. If a disk fails, the data can be rebuilt using the redundant information stored on other disks.
2. Improved Fault Tolerance: RAID configurations enhance fault tolerance by allowing the server to continue operating even if one or more disks fail. This minimizes the risk of data loss and ensures uninterrupted access to stored data.
3. Hot-Swap Capability: Some RAID configurations support hot-swapping, which means failed disks can be replaced without shutting down the server. This reduces downtime and the potential for data loss during disk replacement.
4. Performance Impact: Depending on the RAID level chosen, there may be a performance impact on the NAS device. RAID configurations like RAID 5 or RAID 6 require additional processing power and disk I/O, which can affect overall system performance. It's essential to consider the trade-off between performance and data protection when selecting a RAID configuration.
5. RAID Controller Failure: While RAID configurations provide data redundancy, if the RAID controller itself fails, it can lead to data loss. It is crucial to ensure the RAID controller is reliable and has proper backup and failover mechanisms to prevent such scenarios.
6. Human Error: RAID configurations can also be susceptible to human error during setup or maintenance. Accidental deletion or formatting of RAID arrays, misconfiguration, or improper handling of disks can result in data loss. Proper training and adherence to best practices are essential to minimize the risk of human-induced data loss.

In summary, RAID configurations play a vital role in reducing the risk of data loss in NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR860 V2 Mission-Critical Server devices. They provide data redundancy, fault tolerance, and the ability to recover from disk failures. However, it's important to understand the limitations and potential risks associated with different RAID levels and ensure proper configuration, maintenance, and backup practices are in place to mitigate data loss.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS ThinkSystem SR860 V2 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Lenovo ThinkSystem SR860 V2 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.

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How to recover data from a Lenovo

ThinkSystem SR860 V2 Mission-Critical Server has 48 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:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 V2 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