Practical Steps for Accessing RAID Disk Files Without Functioning NAS Level One FNS-7000B

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Level One FNS-7000B
• 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.

How can file system corruption impact data integrity on NAS Level One FNS-7000B devices?

File system corruption can have a significant impact on data integrity on NAS Level One FNS-7000B devices. Here are some ways it can affect data integrity:

1. Data Loss: File system corruption can lead to the loss of data stored on the NAS device. This can occur if the corruption affects critical file system structures or if it causes files to become inaccessible or unreadable.
2. Data Inconsistency: Corruption in the file system can result in data inconsistencies, where the stored data does not match its expected state. This can lead to errors, data corruption, or incorrect results when accessing or using the data.
3. Unreliable Data Access: File system corruption can make it difficult or impossible to access data stored on the NAS device. This can result in data being unavailable or inaccessible, leading to disruptions in business operations or loss of productivity.
4. Data Modification or Alteration: Corruption in the file system can cause unintended modifications or alterations to the stored data. This can result in data being modified, overwritten, or replaced with incorrect or nonsensical information.
5. System Instability: File system corruption can lead to system instability, causing the NAS device to crash or become unresponsive. This can further exacerbate data integrity issues and make it challenging to recover or restore the affected data.

To mitigate the impact of file system corruption on data integrity, it is essential to regularly backup data, implement data redundancy measures, and use file system checking and repair tools provided by the NAS device manufacturer. Additionally, ensuring the NAS device is running the latest firmware and applying any relevant patches or updates can help prevent file system corruption and maintain data integrity.

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

Although the NAS FNS-7000B 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-7000B. 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-7000B has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• 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-7000B 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