What is iSCSI and how does it work in the context of network storage?

iSCSI stands for Internet Small Computer System Interface. It is a protocol that allows the transmission of SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) commands over an IP network, typically Ethernet. In the context of network storage, iSCSI enables the use of IP networks to connect servers to storage devices, such as disk arrays or tape libraries. This allows for the creation of a storage area network (SAN), where multiple servers can access shared storage resources.When using iSCSI, the storage device acts as an iSCSI target, while the server or client accessing the storage acts as an iSCSI initiator. The initiator sends SCSI commands encapsulated in IP packets to the target, which then processes these commands and performs the requested storage operations.To establish a connection, the initiator and target negotiate parameters such as authentication, security, and data transfer settings. Once the connection is established, the initiator can perform various storage operations, including reading and writing data, creating or deleting volumes, and managing storage resources.iSCSI offers several advantages for network storage. It allows for the consolidation of storage resources, simplifying management and reducing costs. It leverages existing IP networks, eliminating the need for dedicated storage networks. iSCSI is also scalable, as multiple initiators can connect to multiple targets, providing flexibility and high-performance storage access.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using iSCSI for storage connectivity?

Advantages of using iSCSI for storage connectivity:Cost-effective: iSCSI uses existing Ethernet infrastructure, eliminating the need for expensive Fibre Channel (FC) equipment. This makes it a more cost-effective solution for storage connectivity.Scalability: iSCSI allows for easy scalability, as it can leverage existing Ethernet networks. Adding more storage devices or expanding storage capacity is relatively simple and cost-efficient.Flexibility: iSCSI can be used with various types of storage systems, including direct-attached storage (DAS), network-attached storage (NAS), and storage area network (SAN). This provides flexibility in choosing the most suitable storage solution for specific needs.Compatibility: iSCSI is compatible with standard Ethernet equipment, making it easier to integrate with existing IT infrastructure. It can run over existing LANs, WANs, or even the internet, enabling remote storage access.Performance: With advancements in network speed and technology, iSCSI can now deliver high-performance storage connectivity, comparable to Fibre Channel. It can provide low-latency and high-bandwidth connections, ensuring efficient data transfer.Disadvantages of using iSCSI for storage connectivity:Network dependency: iSCSI relies on the underlying network infrastructure, which can introduce latency and potential bottlenecks. Network congestion or failures can impact storage performance and availability.Network security: As iSCSI operates over standard Ethernet networks, it is susceptible to network security risks. Additional measures, such as encryption and authentication, need to be implemented to ensure data security.Performance variability: The performance of iSCSI can vary depending on the network conditions and the quality of the underlying Ethernet infrastructure. It may not be suitable for applications that require extremely low latency or consistently high performance.Complexity: Configuring and managing iSCSI networks can be more complex compared to traditional storage connectivity options. It requires expertise in networking and storage technologies, which may require additional training or resources.Limited distance: iSCSI has distance limitations due to the constraints of Ethernet networks. It is typically limited to a few kilometers, whereas Fibre Channel can support longer distances. This can be a disadvantage for organizations with geographically dispersed storage needs.

Does the NAS Promise Vess 1840i support iSCSI protocol, and if so, what are its capabilities and limitations in terms of iSCSI implementation?

Yes, the NAS Promise Vess 1840i does support the iSCSI protocol. Its capabilities and limitations in terms of iSCSI implementation are as follows:Capabilities:iSCSI Target: The Vess 1840i can act as an iSCSI target, allowing you to present storage volumes to other devices on the network as iSCSI targets.iSCSI Initiator: The Vess 1840i can also function as an iSCSI initiator, enabling it to connect to iSCSI targets on other devices or storage systems.Multiple iSCSI Targets: The Vess 1840i supports the creation of multiple iSCSI targets, allowing you to provide storage to multiple devices or servers simultaneously.High Performance: The Vess 1840i is designed to deliver high-performance iSCSI storage, offering fast data transfer rates and low latency.Limitations:Scalability: While the Vess 1840i supports multiple iSCSI targets, the overall scalability is limited by the capacity and performance of the system. If you require a large-scale iSCSI deployment, you may need to consider a more scalable storage solution.Network Bandwidth: The performance of iSCSI is dependent on the available network bandwidth. If the network infrastructure is not capable of providing sufficient bandwidth, it may impact the overall performance of the iSCSI implementation.Network Dependencies: iSCSI relies on the network infrastructure for connectivity. Any issues with the network, such as latency, packet loss, or network congestion, can affect the performance and reliability of iSCSI storage.Configuration Complexity: Setting up and configuring iSCSI can be more complex than traditional storage protocols. It may require advanced knowledge and expertise to properly configure and optimize the iSCSI implementation on the Vess 1840i.It is recommended to consult the product documentation or contact Promise Technology support for detailed information on the specific capabilities and limitations of the Vess 1840i in terms of iSCSI implementation.

How to recover data from Promise Vess 1840i NAS

Name: How to recover data from a Promise
Uploaded: 2023-09-07T21:01:15+03:00
Description: How to recover data from a Promise

Is your network drive gone, and you are wondering what to do? Has a RAID system crashed, and your files are no longer accessible? Does your device display an error while booting? Have you accidentally rebuilt your RAID system? Are several hard disks out of order?

How to recover data from NAS Promise Vess 1840i

Data Recovery Tool

Promise Vess 1840i NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from Vess 1840i.

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?

RAID Recovery™ 2.6

Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.

Download

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.

Can data be lost during the process of upgrading or updating the NAS Promise Vess 1840i device's firmware?

Yes, there is a possibility of data loss during the process of upgrading or updating the firmware of a NAS device like the Promise Vess 1840i. While firmware updates are typically designed to be non-destructive and preserve data, there can be unforeseen issues or errors that may result in data loss. It is always recommended to have a backup of your data before performing any firmware updates or upgrades to minimize the risk of data loss.

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

Although NAS Vess 1840i 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:

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.
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.
Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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 Vess 1840i. 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

Vess 1840i has 16 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;

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:

Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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.
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 Vess 1840i 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

Product	Operating system	License type	RAID controller support	Supported file systems	Virtual RAID controller support	Data recovery from damaged RAID	File preview
Hetman RAID Recovery	Windows	Paid	Yes, over 100 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	Yes	Yes	Yes
DiskInternals RAID Recovery	Windows	Paid	Yes, over 100 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	No	Yes	Yes
R-Studio	Windows, Mac, Linux	Paid	Yes, over 200 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	Yes	Yes	Yes
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery	Windows, Mac, Linux	Paid	Yes, over 1,000 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	Yes	Yes	Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery	Windows	Paid	Yes, over 20 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	No	Yes	Yes
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery	Windows	Free	Yes, over 100 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	Yes	Yes	Yes

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We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (3)

Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #

If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS Vess 1840i, feel free to leave a comment!

Reply
Merlin Hutchinson 7.09.2023 19:45 #

How long does the data recovery process from a NAS Promise Vess 1840i device usually take?

Reply
- Hetman Software 7.09.2023 21:00 #
  
  The data recovery process from a NAS Promise Vess 1840i device can vary in duration depending on several factors. The time it takes to recover data can be influenced by the size of the storage capacity, the number of files, the complexity of the data loss situation, and the condition of the device itself.
  In general, data recovery from a NAS device can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. It is important to note that data recovery is a complex and delicate process that requires expertise and specialized tools. It may involve repairing any hardware issues, rebuilding RAID arrays, and extracting data from damaged or corrupted drives.
  The best approach is to consult with a professional data recovery service provider who can evaluate the specific situation and provide an estimated timeline for the recovery process.
  
  Reply

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Updated:
7.09.2023 21:01

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Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

Questions and answers

What is iSCSI and how does it work in the context of network storage?

iSCSI stands for Internet Small Computer System Interface. It is a protocol that allows the transmission of SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) commands over an IP network, typically Ethernet.
In the context of network storage, iSCSI enables the use of IP networks to connect servers to storage devices, such as disk arrays or tape libraries. This allows for the creation of a storage area network (SAN), where multiple servers can access shared storage resources.
When using iSCSI, the storage device acts as an iSCSI target, while the server or client accessing the storage acts as an iSCSI initiator. The initiator sends SCSI commands encapsulated in IP packets to the target, which then processes these commands and performs the requested storage operations.
To establish a connection, the initiator and target negotiate parameters such as authentication, security, and data transfer settings. Once the connection is established, the initiator can perform various storage operations, including reading and writing data, creating or deleting volumes, and managing storage resources.
iSCSI offers several advantages for network storage. It allows for the consolidation of storage resources, simplifying management and reducing costs. It leverages existing IP networks, eliminating the need for dedicated storage networks. iSCSI is also scalable, as multiple initiators can connect to multiple targets, providing flexibility and high-performance storage access.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using iSCSI for storage connectivity?
Advantages of using iSCSI for storage connectivity:
1. Cost-effective: iSCSI uses existing Ethernet infrastructure, eliminating the need for expensive Fibre Channel (FC) equipment. This makes it a more cost-effective solution for storage connectivity.
2. Scalability: iSCSI allows for easy scalability, as it can leverage existing Ethernet networks. Adding more storage devices or expanding storage capacity is relatively simple and cost-efficient.
3. Flexibility: iSCSI can be used with various types of storage systems, including direct-attached storage (DAS), network-attached storage (NAS), and storage area network (SAN). This provides flexibility in choosing the most suitable storage solution for specific needs.
4. Compatibility: iSCSI is compatible with standard Ethernet equipment, making it easier to integrate with existing IT infrastructure. It can run over existing LANs, WANs, or even the internet, enabling remote storage access.
5. Performance: With advancements in network speed and technology, iSCSI can now deliver high-performance storage connectivity, comparable to Fibre Channel. It can provide low-latency and high-bandwidth connections, ensuring efficient data transfer.
Disadvantages of using iSCSI for storage connectivity:
1. Network dependency: iSCSI relies on the underlying network infrastructure, which can introduce latency and potential bottlenecks. Network congestion or failures can impact storage performance and availability.
2. Network security: As iSCSI operates over standard Ethernet networks, it is susceptible to network security risks. Additional measures, such as encryption and authentication, need to be implemented to ensure data security.
3. Performance variability: The performance of iSCSI can vary depending on the network conditions and the quality of the underlying Ethernet infrastructure. It may not be suitable for applications that require extremely low latency or consistently high performance.
4. Complexity: Configuring and managing iSCSI networks can be more complex compared to traditional storage connectivity options. It requires expertise in networking and storage technologies, which may require additional training or resources.
5. Limited distance: iSCSI has distance limitations due to the constraints of Ethernet networks. It is typically limited to a few kilometers, whereas Fibre Channel can support longer distances. This can be a disadvantage for organizations with geographically dispersed storage needs.
Does the NAS Promise Vess 1840i support iSCSI protocol, and if so, what are its capabilities and limitations in terms of iSCSI implementation?
Yes, the NAS Promise Vess 1840i does support the iSCSI protocol. Its capabilities and limitations in terms of iSCSI implementation are as follows:
Capabilities:
1. iSCSI Target: The Vess 1840i can act as an iSCSI target, allowing you to present storage volumes to other devices on the network as iSCSI targets.
2. iSCSI Initiator: The Vess 1840i can also function as an iSCSI initiator, enabling it to connect to iSCSI targets on other devices or storage systems.
3. Multiple iSCSI Targets: The Vess 1840i supports the creation of multiple iSCSI targets, allowing you to provide storage to multiple devices or servers simultaneously.
4. High Performance: The Vess 1840i is designed to deliver high-performance iSCSI storage, offering fast data transfer rates and low latency.
Limitations:
1. Scalability: While the Vess 1840i supports multiple iSCSI targets, the overall scalability is limited by the capacity and performance of the system. If you require a large-scale iSCSI deployment, you may need to consider a more scalable storage solution.
2. Network Bandwidth: The performance of iSCSI is dependent on the available network bandwidth. If the network infrastructure is not capable of providing sufficient bandwidth, it may impact the overall performance of the iSCSI implementation.
3. Network Dependencies: iSCSI relies on the network infrastructure for connectivity. Any issues with the network, such as latency, packet loss, or network congestion, can affect the performance and reliability of iSCSI storage.
4. Configuration Complexity: Setting up and configuring iSCSI can be more complex than traditional storage protocols. It may require advanced knowledge and expertise to properly configure and optimize the iSCSI implementation on the Vess 1840i.
It is recommended to consult the product documentation or contact Promise Technology support for detailed information on the specific capabilities and limitations of the Vess 1840i in terms of iSCSI implementation.