Best Practices for Data Recovery from NAS Promise SmartStor Zero 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.

How can a NAS Promise SmartStor Zero device's cache settings impact data loss risks?

The cache settings on a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device, such as the Promise SmartStor Zero, can impact data loss risks in the following ways:

1. Write-through vs. Write-back: NAS devices typically have a cache that temporarily stores data before writing it to the hard drives. Write-through cache immediately writes data to the drives, reducing the risk of data loss in case of power failure or system crash. On the other hand, write-back cache first writes data to the cache and then gradually flushes it to the drives, which can increase the risk of data loss if the cache is not properly synchronized with the drives.
2. Cache size: The size of the cache can affect the performance and data loss risks. A larger cache can improve read and write speeds, as it can hold more data temporarily. However, if the cache is not properly managed or protected, a larger cache can also increase the risk of data loss if there is a power outage or hardware failure.
3. Cache protection mechanisms: NAS devices may offer different cache protection mechanisms to minimize data loss risks. For example, some devices may have battery backup units (BBUs) that provide power to the cache during power outages, allowing it to flush the data to the drives safely. Other devices may use techniques like data mirroring or parity to protect the cache contents in case of hardware failures.
4. Proper configuration and maintenance: It is crucial to properly configure and maintain the cache settings on a NAS device to minimize data loss risks. This includes ensuring that the cache is regularly synchronized with the drives, enabling cache protection mechanisms, and regularly monitoring the health and performance of the cache.

Overall, the cache settings on a NAS device can impact data loss risks by determining how data is written and protected. It is important to understand and configure these settings appropriately to ensure the safety and integrity of the stored data.

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

Although NAS SmartStor Zero 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 Zero. 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 Zero 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 Zero 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