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

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 Level One also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.

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

Although NAS FNS-7000B 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 Level One FNS-7000B. 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 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;

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 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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery