Essential Guide to NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem ST50 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 specific precautions to take while migrating data between NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem ST50 devices?

Yes, there are a few precautions you should take while migrating data between NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem ST50 devices. Here are some key considerations:

1. Backup your data: Before starting the migration process, it is crucial to create a backup of all your data. This ensures that even if something goes wrong during the migration, you will still have a copy of your important files.
2. Verify compatibility: Ensure that the destination NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem ST50 device supports the same file systems and protocols as the source device. This will help ensure a smooth migration process without any compatibility issues.
3. Plan the migration process: Create a detailed plan outlining the steps involved in the migration process. This includes identifying the data to be migrated, determining the order of migration, and estimating the time required for each step.
4. Allocate sufficient time: Migrating data between NAS devices can take a significant amount of time, depending on the amount of data and the network speed. Allocate sufficient time for the migration process to avoid rushing and potential errors.
5. Test the migration process: Before initiating the actual migration, perform a test migration with a small amount of data to ensure everything works as expected. This will help identify any potential issues or challenges that may arise during the actual migration.
6. Monitor the migration progress: Keep a close eye on the migration process to ensure it is progressing smoothly. Monitor the data transfer speed, network connectivity, and any error messages that may appear. This will help you identify and address any issues promptly.
7. Verify data integrity: After the migration is complete, verify the integrity of the migrated data by comparing it with the original data. Perform data validation checks to ensure that no data loss or corruption occurred during the migration process.
8. Keep a rollback plan: In case the migration encounters unexpected issues or errors, have a rollback plan in place. This includes having a backup of the original data and a step-by-step plan to revert to the previous state if needed.

By following these precautions, you can minimize the risk of data loss or corruption during the migration process and ensure a successful transfer of data between NAS Lenovo ThinkSystem ST50 devices.

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

Although NAS ThinkSystem ST50 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 ST50. 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 ST50 has 128 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 ST50 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