- 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.
Are there any specific file system repair or recovery tools recommended for NAS Promise VSky c102 devices?
There are several file system repair and recovery tools that can be used for NAS Promise VSky c102 devices. Some of the recommended tools are:
- TestDisk: TestDisk is a powerful open-source data recovery tool that can recover lost partitions and repair damaged file systems.
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a user-friendly tool that can recover deleted, formatted, or lost data from various storage devices, including NAS systems.
- R-Studio: R-Studio is a comprehensive data recovery and undelete program that supports a wide range of file systems, including NTFS, FAT, exFAT, and HFS+.
- GetDataBack: GetDataBack is a data recovery tool that specializes in recovering data from NAS systems and other storage devices. It supports various file systems, including NTFS, FAT, exFAT, and EXT.
- UFS Explorer: UFS Explorer is a versatile data recovery tool that supports a wide range of file systems, including NTFS, FAT, exFAT, EXT, and HFS+. It can recover lost data from NAS systems and other storage devices.
It is important to note that before using any file system repair or recovery tool, it is recommended to consult the user manual or contact Promise Technology support for specific recommendations and instructions for your VSky c102 device.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS VSky c102 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 VSky c102. 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.
VSky c102 has 3 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- RAID 1E;
- 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 VSky c102 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, data recovery from a NAS Promise VSky c102 device can be performed even if there are issues with the storage pool or configurations. However, the success of the data recovery process will depend on the nature and extent of the issues.
In case of storage pool issues, such as corruption or failure, data recovery can be attempted by using specialized data recovery software or by seeking professional data recovery services. These methods can help in recovering data from the damaged storage pool or rebuilding the pool to access the data.
Similarly, if there are configuration issues, such as misconfigured settings or accidental deletion of configurations, data recovery can still be possible. In such cases, restoring the configurations from backups or seeking assistance from technical support can help in recovering the data.
It is important to note that data recovery from a NAS device can be a complex and time-consuming process. It is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service or the manufacturer's technical support for guidance and assistance in recovering data from a NAS Promise VSky c102 device with storage pool or configuration issues.