Quick Guide to NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR950 Mission-Critical Server Data Recovery

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.

Are there any preventive measures to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR950 Mission-Critical Server devices?

Yes, there are several preventive measures that can be taken to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem SR950 Mission-Critical Server devices. Here are some of them:

1. Regular backups: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that critical data is backed up frequently. This can be done using built-in backup tools or third-party backup software.
2. RAID configuration: Configure the server's RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) for data redundancy. This helps protect against disk failures by distributing data across multiple drives.
3. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Connect the server to a UPS to protect against power outages or fluctuations. This helps prevent data corruption or loss due to sudden power failures.
4. Use redundant power supplies: Install redundant power supplies in the server to ensure continuous power availability. If one power supply fails, the other can take over without interrupting the server's operation.
5. Implement proper security measures: Use strong passwords and enable access controls to protect against unauthorized access. Regularly update firmware and software to patch any security vulnerabilities.
6. Monitor system health: Implement a system monitoring solution to track the health and performance of the server. This can help identify potential issues before they lead to data loss.
7. Regular maintenance and updates: Perform regular maintenance tasks such as cleaning the server, checking for firmware updates, and replacing aging hardware components. This helps ensure the server's reliability and reduces the risk of data loss.
8. Implement disaster recovery plan: Develop and implement a comprehensive disaster recovery plan that includes procedures for recovering data in case of a major failure or disaster.

It is important to note that these measures can greatly reduce the risk of data loss, but they cannot completely eliminate it. It is always recommended to have a comprehensive data backup and recovery strategy in place.

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

Although NAS ThinkSystem SR950 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 SR950 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 SR950 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:

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 SR950 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