Accessing RAID Disk Files Without Working NAS Level One FNS-5000B: Step-by-Step Guide

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Level One FNS-5000B
• 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 Level One 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.

Can remote access to NAS Level One FNS-5000B devices pose additional data loss risks?

Remote access to NAS Level One FNS-5000B devices can potentially pose additional data loss risks if proper security measures are not in place. Some potential risks include:

1. Unauthorized access: If remote access is not properly secured with strong authentication and encryption, malicious individuals may gain unauthorized access to the device. This can lead to data theft, manipulation, or deletion.
2. Weak passwords: If weak or default passwords are used for remote access, it increases the risk of unauthorized access. Attackers can use brute-force attacks or exploit known vulnerabilities to gain access to the device and potentially cause data loss.
3. Exploitation of vulnerabilities: If the NAS device or its remote access software has security vulnerabilities, attackers can exploit these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access. They may then manipulate or delete data, or even install malware that can lead to data loss.
4. Data interception: If remote access is not properly encrypted, data transmitted between the remote device and the NAS can be intercepted by attackers. This can lead to data leakage or unauthorized access to sensitive information.
5. Human error: Remote access increases the likelihood of human error, such as accidental deletion or modification of critical data. If proper access controls and backup procedures are not in place, these errors can result in permanent data loss.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to implement strong security measures such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping the NAS firmware and remote access software up to date, using encrypted connections (e.g., VPN), and regularly backing up data to an off-site location. Additionally, restricting remote access to only trusted IP addresses or using a secure remote access solution can further reduce the risks.

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

Although the NAS FNS-5000B 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 Level One FNS-5000B. 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 Level One

FNS-5000B has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• Ext2;
• Ext3;
• Ext4;

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 Level One FNS-5000B network-attached storage keeps OS Linux 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