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

Contents

• 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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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

Although NAS SmartStor NS2300N 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.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Promise SmartStor NS2300N. 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.

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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;

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 Tools – Save 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.

   

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.

   

Where are user’s files 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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery