Best Practices for NAS Promise Pegasus2 R8 RAID Array Data Recovery

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Promise Pegasus2 R8
• 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 Promise 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.

Can remote access to NAS Promise Pegasus2 R8 devices pose additional data loss risks?

Remote access to NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices, including the Promise Pegasus2 R8, can pose potential data loss risks if not properly secured and managed. Here are some considerations:

1. Security vulnerabilities: Remote access can introduce security vulnerabilities if not properly configured. If unauthorized individuals gain access to the device, they may be able to delete or modify data, or even steal sensitive information.
2. Weak passwords: Weak or easily guessable passwords can make it easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access to the NAS device. It is crucial to use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication if available.
3. Network vulnerabilities: If the network used for remote access is not secure, it may be susceptible to attacks like man-in-the-middle or eavesdropping. It is recommended to use secure protocols like SSH or VPN to establish remote connections.
4. Firmware and software updates: Regularly updating the firmware and software of the NAS device is important to patch any security vulnerabilities. Failure to do so may expose the device to potential exploits.
5. Data backup and redundancy: Remote access does not inherently increase data loss risks, but it is essential to have proper backup and redundancy measures in place. This ensures that even if data is accidentally deleted or lost due to remote access issues, it can be recovered from backups.
6. User error: Remote access can increase the likelihood of user error leading to data loss. Accidental deletion, formatting, or modification of data can occur if users are not cautious or lack proper training.

To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to follow best practices for securing remote access, such as using strong passwords, enabling encryption, updating firmware and software, and regularly backing up data. Additionally, implementing access controls and monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts.

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

Although the NAS Pegasus2 R8 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.

   Go to view

   

   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 Promise Pegasus2 R8. 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.

Go to view

How to recover data from a Promise

Pegasus2 R8 has 8 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;

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 Promise Pegasus2 R8 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