Professional Tips for Recovering Data from a Failed NAS Promise SmartStor NS2300N RAID Configuration

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Promise SmartStor NS2300N
• 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.

How can user training or education help in minimizing data loss incidents on NAS Promise SmartStor NS2300N devices?

User training or education can help in minimizing data loss incidents on NAS Promise SmartStor NS2300N devices in the following ways:

1. Understanding device functionality: Proper user training can help users understand the features and functionality of the NAS device. This knowledge can prevent accidental data loss due to incorrect usage or unintended actions.
2. Backup best practices: Educating users about the importance of regular backups and providing guidance on how to set up automated backup schedules can help prevent data loss incidents. Users should be trained on how to configure backup settings and verify the integrity of backups.
3. User access management: Users should be trained on how to properly manage user accounts and access permissions on the NAS device. This ensures that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive data, reducing the risk of data loss due to unauthorized access or accidental deletion.
4. Firmware updates and security measures: Users should be educated on the importance of keeping the NAS device's firmware up to date and implementing necessary security measures such as strong passwords, firewall settings, and antivirus software. Regular firmware updates help in addressing any security vulnerabilities that could potentially lead to data loss.
5. Data recovery procedures: Users should be trained on the steps to follow in case of data loss incidents, such as accidental deletion or hardware failure. This includes understanding the process of data recovery from backups or utilizing data recovery tools provided by the NAS device manufacturer.
6. Physical security: Users should be educated on the importance of physical security measures to protect the NAS device from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. This includes guidelines on secure device placement, locking mechanisms, and access control.

By providing comprehensive user training and education, users can develop a better understanding of the NAS device's capabilities, security measures, and best practices. This knowledge empowers users to make informed decisions and take necessary precautions, ultimately minimizing the risk of data loss incidents on NAS Promise SmartStor NS2300N devices.

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

Although the NAS SmartStor NS2300N 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 Promise SmartStor NS2300N. 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 Promise

SmartStor NS2300N has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• 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 SmartStor NS2300N 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