How to Perform NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem ST250 V2 Data Recovery Like a Pro

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem ST250 V2
• 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 does a NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem ST250 V2 device store and manage data?

The Lenovo ThinkSystem ST250 V2 is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device that stores and manages data using various components and software. Here is a breakdown of how it stores and manages data:

1. Hard Drives: The ST250 V2 NAS comes with multiple hard drive bays where you can install SATA or SAS hard drives. These hard drives are used to store the actual data. You can configure them in various RAID levels (such as RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, or 10) for data redundancy and performance.
2. RAID Controller: The NAS device is equipped with a RAID controller that manages the connected hard drives and handles data storage and retrieval. It ensures data integrity, distributes data across multiple drives (in case of RAID levels like 5 or 6), and provides fault tolerance.
3. Operating System: The ST250 V2 runs on a specialized operating system designed for NAS devices. Lenovo typically uses the LenovoEMC Storage Manager or similar software. This OS provides the necessary tools and interfaces to manage and configure the NAS, including user access control, storage allocation, and data management features.
4. Network Connectivity: The NAS device has multiple network interfaces (such as Ethernet ports) that allow it to connect to the local network. This enables users to access and manage the stored data from various devices connected to the network, including computers, servers, or even mobile devices.
5. File System: The NAS device uses a file system (such as NTFS, ext4, or Btrfs) to organize and manage the data stored on the hard drives. The file system determines how data is structured, accessed, and stored, and it provides features like file permissions, file sharing, and file-level snapshots.
6. Management Software: Lenovo provides management software specific to the ST250 V2 NAS, such as the Lenovo Storage Manager or similar tools. This software allows administrators to configure and manage the NAS, including setting up storage pools, creating shares, monitoring performance, and implementing backup and recovery solutions.

Overall, the Lenovo ThinkSystem ST250 V2 NAS device combines hardware components like hard drives and RAID controllers with specialized software to store and manage data efficiently, providing reliable and accessible storage for organizations.

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

Although the NAS ThinkSystem ST250 V2 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 ST250 V2. 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 ST250 V2 has 32 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 ST250 V2 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