Data Recovery Best Practices for NAS Promise UltraTrak100 TX8 RAID Arrays

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Promise UltraTrak100 TX8
• 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 the use of specific file-sharing protocols impact data loss risks on NAS Promise UltraTrak100 TX8 devices?

The use of specific file-sharing protocols can impact data loss risks on NAS Promise UltraTrak100 TX8 devices in several ways:

1. Security vulnerabilities: Some file-sharing protocols may have inherent security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers or malicious actors. If unauthorized access is gained through these vulnerabilities, it can lead to data loss or unauthorized modification of data on the NAS device.
2. Encryption and authentication: Different file-sharing protocols provide varying levels of encryption and authentication mechanisms. Weak encryption or lack of proper authentication can increase the risk of data loss if an attacker intercepts or modifies the data during transmission.
3. Compatibility and interoperability: Certain file-sharing protocols may have compatibility issues with the NAS device or other network components. Incompatibilities can lead to data corruption, loss, or inaccessibility if files are not properly transferred or stored on the NAS device.
4. User error and accidental deletion: Some file-sharing protocols may not have adequate safeguards against user error or accidental deletion of files. If a user mistakenly deletes or overwrites important data on the NAS device through the file-sharing protocol, it can result in permanent data loss.
5. Performance and reliability: Different file-sharing protocols have varying performance and reliability characteristics. Some protocols may be more prone to network interruptions, packet loss, or other issues that can result in data loss or corruption during file transfers.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to:

• Choose file-sharing protocols that have robust security features, such as encryption, authentication, and access controls.
• Regularly update the firmware and software of the NAS device to address any known security vulnerabilities.
• Implement proper access controls and user permissions to prevent unauthorized access or accidental deletion of files.
• Regularly backup data stored on the NAS device to an off-site location or a separate storage device to mitigate the impact of data loss.
• Monitor network traffic and log files for any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts.
• Educate users about best practices for file sharing and data management to minimize the risk of user errors or accidental deletions.

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

Although the NAS UltraTrak100 TX8 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 UltraTrak100 TX8. 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

UltraTrak100 TX8 has 8 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 1E;
• RAID 3;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 30;
• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• 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 UltraTrak100 TX8 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