- 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?
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 Vess A2200 device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?
The power management settings on a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Promise Vess A2200 can impact data availability and potential loss in several ways:
- Power-saving modes: NAS devices often have power-saving modes that can spin down the hard drives or put them to sleep when not in use. While this can reduce power consumption, it can also lead to delays in accessing data. If a drive takes too long to spin up, it may cause a delay or even a failure in retrieving data, impacting data availability.
- Scheduled power-off: Some NAS devices allow users to schedule automatic power-off during specific periods of low usage, such as overnight or on weekends. While this can save power, it means that the data stored on the NAS will be inaccessible during those times, potentially impacting data availability.
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Power management settings can also include integration with an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). A UPS provides backup power in case of a power outage, allowing the NAS to continue running. If the power management settings are not properly configured to utilize the UPS, a sudden power loss can lead to data loss or corruption.
- RAID rebuilds: The Promise Vess A2200 supports various RAID configurations for data redundancy. In the event of a drive failure, the NAS will initiate a RAID rebuild process to restore data integrity. Power management settings that cause frequent power interruptions or shutdowns can interrupt or delay the rebuild process, increasing the risk of data loss.
- Data backup and synchronization: Power management settings can impact scheduled backups or synchronization processes. If the NAS powers off or enters a power-saving mode during scheduled backup or synchronization, it may result in incomplete or failed data transfers, potentially leading to data loss or inconsistencies.
It is crucial to configure the power management settings on a NAS device carefully, taking into consideration the balance between power savings and data availability. Regular backups, UPS integration, and proper configuration of power-saving features can help mitigate the risks of data loss and ensure data availability.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Vess A2200 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Promise Vess A2200. 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.
How to recover data from a Promise
Vess A2200 has 6 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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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 A2200 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 |
Yes, there are several troubleshooting methods that can be attempted for data recovery from NAS Promise Vess A2200 devices with limited functionality. Here are a few steps you can try:
Note: It's important to remember that attempting data recovery on your own can be risky, especially if you're not familiar with the process. If the data on the NAS device is critical and you're unsure about performing the recovery yourself, it's recommended to seek professional assistance from a data recovery service.