- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS LG N2B1 / N2B1D
- 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 LG 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 regular software updates and patches enhance the security and stability of NAS LG N2B1 / N2B1D devices?
Regular software updates and patches can enhance the security and stability of NAS LG N2B1 / N2B1D devices in the following ways:
- Security vulnerability fixes: Updates and patches often address known security vulnerabilities in the device's software. By regularly updating the software, you ensure that any identified security flaws are patched, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches.
- Bug fixes and stability improvements: Updates and patches also address software bugs and stability issues. These fixes can improve the overall performance and reliability of the NAS device, minimizing crashes, data corruption, or other stability-related problems.
- Compatibility with new technologies: As technology evolves, new protocols, file systems, or network standards may emerge. Regular updates ensure that your NAS device remains compatible with the latest technologies, allowing you to take advantage of new features and functionalities.
- Improved user experience: Updates often include user interface enhancements, introducing new features, improving usability, or optimizing existing functionalities. These updates can enhance the overall user experience and make managing the NAS device easier and more efficient.
- Protection against emerging threats: Cyber threats constantly evolve, and new attack vectors are discovered regularly. Regular software updates help protect your NAS device against emerging threats by implementing security measures and countermeasures against the latest attack techniques.
- Compliance with industry standards: Many industries have specific regulations and standards for data security and privacy. Regular updates ensure that your NAS device remains compliant with these standards, helping you meet regulatory requirements and avoid potential penalties.
To ensure the security and stability of your NAS LG N2B1 / N2B1D devices, it is crucial to enable automatic updates or regularly check for and install the latest software updates and patches provided by the manufacturer.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS N2B1 / N2B1D 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 LG N2B1 / N2B1D. 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.
N2B1 / N2B1D 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 LG N2B1 / N2B1D 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 |
No, data recovery from a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the LG N2B1 / N2B1D cannot be done remotely. Data recovery typically involves physical access to the storage device to retrieve the data. Remote data recovery is usually not possible for NAS devices as they are designed to be accessed over a network rather than remotely recovered. If you need to recover data from a NAS device, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service or consult the manufacturer for assistance.