- 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 Netgear also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.
Can the use of specific data synchronization or replication mechanisms mitigate data loss risks for NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN516 devices?
Yes, the use of specific data synchronization or replication mechanisms can mitigate data loss risks for NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN516 devices. These mechanisms ensure that data is regularly and automatically backed up or replicated to another location or device, reducing the chances of data loss in the event of hardware failure, accidental deletion, or other unforeseen incidents.
Netgear ReadyNAS RN516 devices support various data synchronization and replication features, such as:
- RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks): RAID configurations can be set up on the ReadyNAS device to provide redundancy and data protection. Different RAID levels, such as RAID 1 (mirroring) or RAID 5 (striping with parity), can be used to protect against drive failures and ensure data availability.
- Snapshot Replication: ReadyNAS devices offer snapshot technology, which allows you to take point-in-time copies of your data. These snapshots can be replicated to another ReadyNAS device or an offsite location, providing additional data protection and the ability to recover previous versions of files.
- Remote Replication: ReadyNAS devices support remote replication, where data can be automatically replicated to another ReadyNAS device located in a different physical location. This ensures that data is protected in case of a disaster at the primary location.
- Cloud Backup: ReadyNAS devices can be integrated with various cloud backup services, allowing you to back up your data to the cloud. This provides an additional layer of protection by storing your data offsite and protecting against local hardware failures or disasters.
By utilizing these data synchronization and replication mechanisms, you can significantly reduce the risk of data loss on Netgear ReadyNAS RN516 devices. It is important to configure and monitor these mechanisms properly to ensure that backups are up to date and data can be easily restored when needed.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS ReadyNAS RN516 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 Netgear ReadyNAS RN516. 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.
ReadyNAS RN516 has 6 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- X-RAID;
- RAID 1;
- RAID 5;
- RAID 6;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- Ext2;
- Ext3;
- Ext4;
- Btrfs;
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 Netgear ReadyNAS RN516 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 |
Yes, there are limitations on the size of data that can be recovered from a NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN516 device. The maximum size of data that can be recovered depends on several factors such as the available storage capacity of the device, the file system used, and the configuration settings.
The Netgear ReadyNAS RN516 device supports various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, and RAID 10. The maximum storage capacity and data recovery capabilities will vary based on the RAID configuration chosen.
Additionally, the file system used on the ReadyNAS device can also impact the maximum recoverable data size. The ReadyNAS supports multiple file systems, including Btrfs, EXT4, and XFS. Each file system may have different limitations and recovery capabilities.
It is recommended to consult the Netgear ReadyNAS RN516 documentation or contact Netgear support for specific details on the maximum recoverable data size based on the device's configuration and settings.