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

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Promise SmartStor NS4300N
• 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.

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

Although the NAS SmartStor NS4300N 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 NS4300N. 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 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;

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 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison