- 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 Promise also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.
How can RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations impact data loss in NAS Promise FileCruiser VA2600 devices?
RAID configurations in NAS Promise FileCruiser VA2600 devices can have a significant impact on data loss prevention. Here are a few ways RAID can help mitigate data loss:
- Fault tolerance: RAID configurations, such as RAID 1 (mirroring) or RAID 5 (striping with parity), provide redundancy by distributing data across multiple disks. In case of a single disk failure, the system can continue to operate without any data loss. The failed disk can be replaced, and the data can be rebuilt from the remaining disks.
- Increased reliability: By combining multiple disks into an array, RAID configurations improve overall system reliability. If one disk fails, the system can still function with the remaining disks. This reduces the chances of complete system failure and subsequent data loss.
- Faster data recovery: In the event of a disk failure, RAID configurations can expedite data recovery. With RAID 1, the data is mirrored across multiple disks, allowing for quick access to the redundant copy. RAID 5 uses parity information to rebuild the data on a replacement disk, minimizing the time required to restore the data.
- Hot-swappable drives: Many NAS devices, including the Promise FileCruiser VA2600, support hot-swappable drives. This means that failed drives can be replaced without shutting down the system or interrupting user access to data. Hot-swapping enables quicker recovery and reduces the risk of data loss during the replacement process.
- RAID monitoring and management: NAS devices often provide RAID monitoring and management tools. These tools can alert administrators in case of disk failures or other issues, allowing proactive measures to be taken to prevent data loss. Regular monitoring and maintenance of RAID configurations can help identify potential problems before they escalate into data loss situations.
It is important to note that while RAID configurations can greatly reduce the risk of data loss, they are not foolproof. Other factors such as power surges, natural disasters, human errors, or multiple disk failures can still lead to data loss. Therefore, it is crucial to have additional backup strategies in place, such as offsite backups or cloud storage, to further protect critical data.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS FileCruiser VA2600 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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.
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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Promise FileCruiser VA2600. 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 Promise
FileCruiser VA2600 has 16 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- RAID 1E;
- RAID 3;
- RAID 5;
- RAID 6;
- RAID 30;
- RAID 50;
- RAID 60;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
- NTFS / ReFS;
- APFS / HFS+;
- Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
- VMFS / HikvisionFS;
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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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 Promise FileCruiser VA2600 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 |
Data recovery from a NAS Promise FileCruiser VA2600 device can be challenging if there are issues with the disk array or storage pool. However, it may still be possible to recover the data depending on the specific problem and the severity of the issue.
If there are disk failures in the array, the first step would be to replace the faulty disks and rebuild the array. Once the array is rebuilt, the data may be accessible again. However, if there are multiple disk failures or if the array is not rebuildable, the data recovery process becomes more complex and may require professional assistance.
If there are issues with the storage pool, such as corruption or misconfiguration, it may be necessary to troubleshoot and repair the pool before attempting data recovery. This can involve using the device's management interface or command-line tools to diagnose and fix the problem.
In any case, it is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service or contact the manufacturer's support for guidance on recovering data from a NAS Promise FileCruiser VA2600 device with disk array or storage pool issues.