How to Access Files on a RAID Disk Without Active NAS Overland Storage SnapServer DX1: Practical Steps

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Overland Storage SnapServer DX1
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

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 Overland Storage 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 a NAS Overland Storage SnapServer DX1 device's network throughput or bandwidth capacity affect data transfer and potential loss?

The network throughput or bandwidth capacity of a NAS Overland Storage SnapServer DX1 device can significantly affect data transfer and potential loss in the following ways:

1. Data Transfer Speed: A higher network throughput or bandwidth capacity allows for faster data transfer speeds. This means that larger files or a higher volume of data can be transferred within a shorter time frame. Conversely, a lower network throughput can result in slower data transfer speeds, which can cause delays in accessing or transferring files.
2. Latency: Network throughput also affects the latency or delay in data transfer. A higher throughput can reduce latency, ensuring that data is transferred quickly and with minimal delay. On the other hand, a lower throughput can increase latency, leading to slower response times and potential performance issues.
3. Data Loss: Insufficient network throughput can result in data loss during transfer. If the network capacity is not enough to handle the data being transferred, packets may be dropped or lost. This can lead to incomplete or corrupted files, resulting in data loss or the need to retransfer the data.
4. Network Congestion: If the network throughput capacity is not sufficient to handle the volume of data being transferred, it can lead to network congestion. Congestion occurs when the network becomes overloaded with data, causing delays, packet loss, and potential data loss. This can impact the overall performance and reliability of data transfer.
5. Scalability: A NAS device with higher network throughput capacity allows for better scalability. As the data storage requirements increase, a higher throughput can accommodate more simultaneous data transfers, ensuring efficient and uninterrupted data access. With a lower throughput, scalability may be limited, and the device may struggle to handle increased data transfer demands.

It is essential to consider the network throughput or bandwidth capacity of a NAS Overland Storage SnapServer DX1 device to ensure efficient data transfer, minimize potential data loss, and maintain optimal performance.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS SnapServer DX1 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Overland Storage SnapServer DX1. 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.

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How to recover data from a Overland Storage

SnapServer DX1 has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• JBOD;
• DynamicRAID;

NAS supports:

• exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
• NTFS / ReFS;
• APFS / HFS+;
• Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
• VMFS / HikvisionFS;

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:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 Overland Storage SnapServer DX1 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