How to recover data from Promise Pegasus R4 NAS

Is your network drive gone, and you are wondering what to do? Has a RAID system crashed, and your files are no longer accessible? Does your device display an error while booting? Have you accidentally rebuilt your RAID system? Are several hard disks out of order?

How to recover data from NAS Promise Pegasus R4

Promise Pegasus R4 NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from Pegasus R4.

How to recover data from NAS Promise Pegasus R4

Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.

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 regular data verification or checksum processes help maintain data integrity on NAS Promise Pegasus R4 devices?

Regular data verification or checksum processes can help maintain data integrity on NAS Promise Pegasus R4 devices in the following ways:

  1. Detecting and preventing data corruption: Regular data verification processes involve comparing the checksum of the data being read with the stored checksum value. If the checksums don't match, it indicates that data corruption has occurred. By performing these verifications regularly, you can identify corrupted data early and take appropriate actions to prevent further damage.
  2. Ensuring accurate data storage: Checksum processes generate a unique value based on the data being stored. This value is stored alongside the data. When retrieving the data, the checksum is recalculated and compared with the stored value. If they match, it ensures that the data has been accurately stored and retrieved without any modifications.
  3. Identifying hardware or software issues: Regular data verification processes can help identify any underlying hardware or software issues that may be causing data corruption. If you consistently encounter checksum mismatches, it may indicate problems with the storage device, cables, or even the NAS system itself. By addressing these issues promptly, you can prevent further data integrity problems.
  4. Preventing silent data corruption: Silent data corruption refers to the situation where data gets corrupted without any indication or error message. By regularly performing data verification or checksum processes, you can proactively identify silent data corruption and take corrective measures before it leads to data loss or other critical issues.
  5. Enhancing data recovery capabilities: In case of data loss or corruption, having regular data verification processes in place can improve the chances of successful data recovery. By comparing the checksums of the corrupted data with the known good checksums, you can identify which portions of the data are corrupted and attempt to recover them from backups or other sources.

Overall, regular data verification or checksum processes provide an additional layer of protection and help ensure the integrity of data stored on NAS Promise Pegasus R4 devices.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS Pegasus R4 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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

  4. 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
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Promise Pegasus R4. 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.

Go to view
How to recover data from a Promise

How to recover data from a Promise

Pegasus R4 has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • RAID 0;
  • RAID 1;
  • RAID 1E;
  • RAID 3;
  • RAID 5;
  • RAID 6;
  • 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:

  1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

  2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu ToolsSave Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

  3. 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.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  4. 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.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: hoose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP

Where are user’s files stored?

The Promise Pegasus R4 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

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Comments (2)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #
    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS Pegasus R4, feel free to leave a comment!
  • DJ
    DJ 28.04.2023 19:24 #
    Hello, I have a Pegasus2 R8 which sadly has failed. There used to be a RAID with 8 disks used on MacOS, can I use your tool to recover my files?
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • How can the NAS Promise Pegasus R4 be configured and utilized as a VPN server?

    The NAS Promise Pegasus R4 is primarily designed as a network-attached storage device and does not have built-in VPN server functionality. However, you can still utilize it as a VPN server by following these general steps:

    1. Connect the Pegasus R4 to your network and ensure it has a static IP address.
    2. Install a VPN server software on a separate computer or virtual machine (VM) that is connected to the same network as the Pegasus R4.
    3. Configure the VPN server software with the desired settings, such as encryption protocols, authentication methods, and IP address ranges.
    4. Set up port forwarding on your network router to forward VPN traffic to the IP address of the computer or VM running the VPN server software.
    5. Configure the VPN server software to use the Pegasus R4 as the storage location for VPN user credentials and configuration files.
    6. Create user accounts on the VPN server software and assign appropriate access permissions.
    7. Configure VPN client devices (computers, smartphones, etc.) to connect to the VPN server using the provided credentials and connection settings.

    It's important to note that the specific steps and software required may vary depending on the operating system and VPN server software you choose to use. It's recommended to consult the documentation or support resources of your chosen VPN server software for detailed instructions on configuration.

  • What are the advantages and limitations of using the NAS Promise Pegasus R4 as a VPN server compared to dedicated VPN server solutions?

    Advantages of using the NAS Promise Pegasus R4 as a VPN server:

    1. Cost-effective: The Pegasus R4 is primarily a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device, so using it as a VPN server eliminates the need for purchasing a separate dedicated VPN server, thereby saving costs.
    2. Integrated storage: The Pegasus R4 combines the functionality of a VPN server with a storage solution. This means that you can have both VPN services and network storage in a single device, reducing the need for additional hardware.
    3. Ease of setup: The Pegasus R4 is designed to be user-friendly, making it relatively easy to set up and configure as a VPN server. It provides a web-based interface that simplifies the process of creating VPN connections and managing user access.
    4. Scalability: The Pegasus R4 offers scalability in terms of storage capacity. As a VPN server, it can handle a significant number of simultaneous connections and allow for expanding storage as needed.

    Limitations of using the NAS Promise Pegasus R4 as a VPN server:

    1. Limited VPN protocols: The Pegasus R4 may have limited support for VPN protocols compared to dedicated VPN server solutions. It may not support advanced protocols like OpenVPN, which are commonly used for secure remote access.
    2. Performance limitations: While the Pegasus R4 can handle VPN connections, its performance may be limited compared to dedicated VPN servers. It may not be able to handle high traffic loads or provide the same level of performance as specialized VPN server hardware.
    3. Security considerations: The Pegasus R4 may not have the same level of security features and capabilities as dedicated VPN server solutions. It is important to ensure that the device is properly secured and regularly updated with the latest firmware to mitigate potential security risks.
    4. Limited customization options: The Pegasus R4 may have limited customization options compared to dedicated VPN server solutions. It may not offer advanced features or the ability to configure specific settings that are commonly available in dedicated VPN server hardware.

    Overall, using the NAS Promise Pegasus R4 as a VPN server can be a cost-effective and convenient solution for small-scale VPN deployments. However, it may not be suitable for large-scale or high-performance VPN requirements that demand advanced protocols, extensive customization, and robust security features.

  • What security measures and protocols does the NAS Promise Pegasus R4 offer when functioning as a VPN server?

    The NAS Promise Pegasus R4 is primarily a network-attached storage device and does not have built-in VPN server capabilities. It is designed to provide high-performance storage for data backup, sharing, and collaboration purposes.

    However, if you want to use the NAS device as a VPN server, you would need to install third-party VPN server software on the device, such as OpenVPN or SoftEther VPN. These software packages offer various security measures and protocols for VPN connections, including:

    1. Encryption: VPN servers typically support encryption protocols like OpenVPN's OpenSSL library, which provides strong encryption for data transmission.
    2. Authentication: VPN servers can authenticate users based on various methods, such as username/password, certificates, or two-factor authentication. This ensures that only authorized users can establish a VPN connection.
    3. VPN Protocols: VPN servers support different protocols like OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, or PPTP. These protocols define how data is encapsulated and transmitted securely between the VPN server and client devices.
    4. Firewall and Access Control: VPN servers often include firewall capabilities to filter and control incoming and outgoing traffic. This helps protect the network from unauthorized access and potential threats.
    5. Logging and Auditing: VPN servers can log connection details, including timestamps, IP addresses, and data transfer information. This aids in troubleshooting, monitoring, and auditing VPN connections.

    It's important to note that the security measures and protocols offered by the VPN server software may vary depending on the specific software you choose to install on the NAS device. It's recommended to research and select a reputable VPN server software that meets your security requirements.

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