- 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?
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.
Are there any limitations or restrictions on file or folder names that can cause potential data loss on NAS Level One GNS-2000 devices?
There are certain limitations and restrictions on file and folder names that can potentially cause data loss on NAS Level One GNS-2000 devices. These limitations may vary depending on the specific firmware version and configuration of the device. Some common limitations and restrictions include:
- Length Limitations: The file or folder name length may be limited to a certain number of characters, typically 255 characters. If a file or folder name exceeds this limit, it may cause issues and potential data loss.
- Character Restrictions: Certain special characters may not be allowed in file or folder names, such as slashes (/), backslashes (), colons (:), question marks (?), asterisks (*), quotation marks ("), less than (<), greater than (>), and vertical bars (|). Using these restricted characters in file or folder names can lead to data loss.
- Case Sensitivity: Some NAS devices, including Level One GNS-2000, are case-sensitive when it comes to file and folder names. This means that "file.txt" and "File.txt" would be treated as two separate files. Failure to adhere to the correct case sensitivity can result in data loss or confusion.
- Reserved Names: Certain names may be reserved for system use and cannot be used for files or folders. These reserved names can vary depending on the NAS device and its operating system. Attempting to use reserved names can lead to data loss or system instability.
It is important to consult the device's documentation or contact the manufacturer for specific limitations and restrictions on file and folder names to avoid potential data loss on NAS Level One GNS-2000 devices.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS GNS-2000 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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
-
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.
Go to view
Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Level One GNS-2000. 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.
How to recover data from a Level One
GNS-2000 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- 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:
-
Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
-
Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
-
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.
-
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 GNS-2000 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
| Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
It is possible to recover data from a physically damaged NAS Level One GNS-2000 device, but the success of the recovery process depends on the extent of the damage. If the damage is limited to the hardware components and the hard drives are still intact, it may be possible to recover the data by transferring the drives to a compatible NAS device or using data recovery services.
However, if the damage extends to the hard drives themselves, such as physical platter damage or severe electronic failure, the chances of data recovery may be significantly reduced. In such cases, it is recommended to consult with professional data recovery services who specialize in handling physically damaged storage devices. They have the necessary tools and expertise to recover data from such situations, although the success and cost of the recovery may vary.