- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Level One GNS-2000
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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.
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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS GNS-2000 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Level One GNS-2000. 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.
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;
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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.
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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 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.
RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | 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.