Best Practices for Recovering Data from a NAS Promise SmartStor NS4300N with RAID Array Failures

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.

Are there any specific factors to consider when choosing a NAS Promise SmartStor NS4300N device to minimize data loss risks?

Yes, there are several factors to consider when choosing a NAS device like the Promise SmartStor NS4300N to minimize data loss risks. Here are some key factors:

1. RAID Configuration: The SmartStor NS4300N supports various RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, 5+ Hot Spare) that provide different levels of data redundancy and protection. Choosing an appropriate RAID level based on your needs can help minimize the risk of data loss in case of drive failures.
2. Backup Solutions: Having a reliable backup solution is crucial for data protection. The NS4300N supports various backup options like scheduled backups to external devices, remote replication, and cloud backup. Implementing regular backups will help minimize the risk of permanent data loss.
3. Power Protection: Power outages and surges can lead to data corruption or loss. Consider using a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to protect the NAS device from sudden power failures and ensure the system has enough time to shut down gracefully during extended power outages.
4. Redundant Power Supplies: The NS4300N offers an optional redundant power supply unit (RPSU) that provides additional power redundancy. This can help minimize the risk of data loss due to a power supply failure.
5. Data Integrity Checks: The SmartStor NS4300N supports data integrity checks like SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) and disk scrubbing. Enabling these features regularly can help identify and prevent data loss caused by disk errors or failures.
6. Firmware Updates: Keeping the NAS firmware up to date is essential for security patches and bug fixes. Regularly checking for firmware updates and applying them can help minimize the risk of data loss due to software vulnerabilities.
7. Network Security: Implementing appropriate network security measures like strong passwords, firewall settings, and enabling encryption protocols (e.g., SSL/TLS) can help protect the NAS device from unauthorized access and potential data loss.
8. User Access Control: Configuring proper user access control and permissions on the NAS device ensures that only authorized users have access to sensitive data. This can help prevent accidental or intentional data loss.
9. Monitoring and Alerts: Set up monitoring and alert systems to notify you about any potential issues like disk failures, high temperatures, or network connectivity problems. Timely alerts can help you take necessary actions to prevent data loss.
10. Regular Maintenance: Perform regular maintenance tasks like disk checks, firmware updates, and data consistency checks to ensure the NAS device is functioning optimally and minimize the risk of data loss.

Remember that while these factors can help minimize data loss risks, no system is completely immune to failures. It is always recommended to have multiple layers of data protection, including off-site backups, to ensure maximum data security.

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

Although NAS SmartStor NS4300N 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 NS4300N. 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 NS4300N 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 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 NS4300N 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