Best Practices for NAS Promise SmartStor A6-CLD RAID Array Data Recovery

Best practices for recovering data from a failed ⭐ NAS RAID array involve RAID level understanding, data redundancy, and selecting effective recovery tools.

Best Practices for NAS Promise SmartStor A6-CLD RAID Array Data Recovery

Promise SmartStor A6-CLD NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from SmartStor A6-CLD.

Best Practices for NAS Promise SmartStor A6-CLD RAID Array Data Recovery

RAID Recovery™ 2.6
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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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.

Are there any specific system logs or event notifications to monitor for early detection of data loss on NAS Promise SmartStor A6-CLD devices?

Yes, there are specific system logs and event notifications that you can monitor for early detection of data loss on NAS Promise SmartStor A6-CLD devices. Here are some key logs and notifications to monitor:

  1. SMART Logs: The SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) logs provide information about the health and status of the hard drives in the NAS device. Monitoring these logs can help you identify any potential issues with the drives that may lead to data loss.
  2. RAID Status Notifications: The NAS device may generate notifications or logs related to the status of the RAID array. Monitoring these notifications can help you detect any issues with the RAID configuration that could result in data loss.
  3. Disk Failure Notifications: The NAS device may send out notifications or log events when a disk fails or is predicted to fail. Monitoring these notifications can help you take immediate action to prevent data loss by replacing the failed disk.
  4. File System Errors: Monitoring the system logs for any file system errors can help you identify potential issues that may lead to data loss. Look for any error messages related to file system corruption, disk errors, or I/O errors.
  5. S.M.A.R.T. Notifications: The NAS device may generate notifications based on the S.M.A.R.T. data of the hard drives. These notifications can alert you to potential drive failures or other issues that could result in data loss.
  6. Backup and Sync Notifications: If you have configured backup or synchronization tasks on the NAS device, monitoring the related notifications can help you ensure that the data is being backed up or synced properly. Any failures or errors in these tasks may indicate a risk of data loss.

It is important to regularly review and monitor these logs and notifications to detect any potential issues early and take appropriate actions to prevent data loss.

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

Although NAS SmartStor A6-CLD 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 SmartStor A6-CLD. 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

SmartStor A6-CLD has 6 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 SmartStor A6-CLD 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 (3)

  • 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 SmartStor A6-CLD, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Zion Osborne
    Zion Osborne 6.09.2023 21:56 #
    Will data recovery from a NAS Promise SmartStor A6-CLD device be successful if the device was damaged by water or fire?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 6.09.2023 22:59 #

      The success of data recovery from a water or fire-damaged NAS device like the Promise SmartStor A6-CLD depends on the extent of the damage. In general, water or fire damage can severely impact the internal components of the device, including the hard drives.

      If the hard drives themselves are not severely damaged, data recovery may still be possible. However, if the drives have been physically damaged or exposed to extreme heat, the chances of successful recovery decrease significantly.

      In such cases, it is recommended to contact professional data recovery services that specialize in handling water or fire-damaged storage devices. These experts have the necessary tools and expertise to recover data from damaged devices, but the success rate will ultimately depend on the condition of the hardware.

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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

  • What is iSCSI and how does it work in the context of network storage?

    iSCSI stands for Internet Small Computer System Interface. It is a protocol that allows the transmission of SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) commands over IP networks, enabling the communication between servers and storage devices over a TCP/IP network.

    In the context of network storage, iSCSI works by encapsulating SCSI commands and data into IP packets, which can be transmitted over Ethernet networks. It allows servers to access storage resources as if they were locally attached, even though the storage devices may be physically located elsewhere on the network.

    iSCSI operates by using initiators and targets. The initiator is a client device (usually a server) that initiates the communication and sends SCSI commands over the network. The target, on the other hand, is a storage device that receives the commands and processes them accordingly.

    When an initiator wants to access a storage resource, it sends an iSCSI login request to the target. Once the login is successful, the initiator can perform various SCSI operations such as reading and writing data, querying device information, and managing storage volumes.

    The iSCSI protocol uses TCP/IP for reliable and ordered delivery of data packets. It leverages the existing IP infrastructure, making it a cost-effective solution for network storage. iSCSI also supports features like authentication, data encryption, and multipathing for improved performance and security.

    Overall, iSCSI enables the utilization of network storage resources by providing a standardized and efficient way for servers to communicate with storage devices over IP networks.

  • What are the advantages of using iSCSI for storage connectivity?

    There are several advantages of using iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) for storage connectivity:

    1. Cost-effective: iSCSI uses existing Ethernet infrastructure, which is widely available and cost-effective compared to Fibre Channel (FC) infrastructure. It eliminates the need for specialized hardware and reduces the overall cost of storage connectivity.
    2. Scalability: iSCSI allows for easy scalability as it can leverage existing IP networks. It can be easily integrated into existing network infrastructure and can support multiple hosts accessing the same storage device simultaneously.
    3. Flexibility: iSCSI is platform-independent, meaning it can be used with various operating systems and hardware platforms. It provides flexibility in terms of storage management and allows for the consolidation of storage resources.
    4. Performance: iSCSI provides good performance for most applications, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. With advancements in network speeds and technologies, iSCSI performance has improved significantly over the years.
    5. Ease of management: iSCSI simplifies storage management tasks as it uses standard IP-based management tools. It allows for centralized storage management and enables administrators to monitor and control storage resources more efficiently.
    6. Data protection: iSCSI supports various data protection mechanisms, including encryption, authentication, and access control. It ensures the security and integrity of data during transmission over the network.
    7. Compatibility: iSCSI is compatible with existing storage protocols and technologies, such as RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) arrays and virtualization technologies. It can seamlessly integrate with these technologies, providing a unified storage solution.

    Overall, iSCSI offers a cost-effective, scalable, and flexible storage connectivity solution with good performance and ease of management, making it a popular choice for many organizations.

  • Does the NAS Promise SmartStor A6-CLD support the iSCSI protocol for network storage connectivity?

    No, the NAS Promise SmartStor A6-CLD does not support the iSCSI protocol for network storage connectivity.

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