Best Practices for NAS Promise VSky J3970 RAID Array Data Recovery

Has your NAS Promise VSky J3970 suddenly lost its network drive and you’re unsure what to do next? Did the RAID array collapse, making your files inaccessible? Is the device throwing errors during startup? Perhaps you accidentally rebuilt the RAID array or several hard drives failed at the same time?

Best Practices for NAS Promise VSky J3970 RAID Array Data Recovery
Data Recovery Tool

Promise VSky J3970 NAS Data Recovery in 2025

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from an VSky J3970. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

Best Practices for NAS Promise VSky J3970 RAID Array Data Recovery

RAID Recovery™ 2.8
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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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.

Can the use of specific backup and recovery strategies help reduce potential data loss risks on NAS Promise VSky J3970 devices?

Yes, the use of specific backup and recovery strategies can help reduce potential data loss risks on NAS Promise VSky J3970 devices. Here are some strategies that can be employed:

  1. Regular backups: Implement a regular backup schedule to ensure that critical data is backed up at frequent intervals. This can be done using built-in backup features provided by the NAS device or through third-party backup software.
  2. Off-site backups: Store backups in an off-site location, preferably in a different physical location than the NAS device. This protects against data loss due to disasters like fire, theft, or natural calamities.
  3. Redundancy and RAID: Configure the NAS device with RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) to provide data redundancy. This helps in protecting against data loss in case of disk failures. The specific RAID level chosen should depend on the desired balance between performance, capacity, and redundancy.
  4. Snapshot technology: Many NAS devices, including the Promise VSky J3970, offer snapshot technology. This allows you to take point-in-time snapshots of your data, enabling easy recovery in case of accidental deletion or corruption.
  5. Data replication: Implement data replication between multiple NAS devices or to cloud storage. This ensures that data is copied to another location in real-time or at scheduled intervals, providing additional protection against data loss.
  6. Regular firmware updates: Keep the NAS device's firmware up to date to ensure that any security vulnerabilities or bugs are patched, reducing the risk of data loss due to exploits or system failures.
  7. Monitoring and alerts: Configure the NAS device to send notifications or alerts in case of disk failures, system errors, or other critical events. This helps in proactive identification and resolution of issues before they lead to data loss.

It is important to note that while these strategies can significantly reduce the risk of data loss, they do not guarantee complete immunity. It is always recommended to have a comprehensive data protection plan in place, including multiple layers of backup and recovery mechanisms.

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

Although the NAS VSky J3970 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.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Promise VSky J3970. 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.

Go to view
How to recover data from a Promise

How to recover data from a Promise

VSky J3970 has 70 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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Image Creation Wizard

  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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Choose a disk or save the image via FTP

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The Promise VSky J3970 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

Product Operating system RAID controller support Supported file systems Virtual RAID controller support Data recovery from damaged RAID File preview
Hetman RAID Recovery Windows, Linux, MacOS Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS Yes Yes Yes
DiskInternals RAID Recovery Windows Yes, over 10 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
R-Studio Windows, Mac, Linux Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery Windows, Mac, Linux Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery Windows Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery Windows Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes

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Comments (3)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #
    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS VSky J3970, feel free to leave a comment!
    Reply
  • Bobby Dodgson
    Bobby Dodgson 7.09.2023 10:53 #
    Is it possible to recover data from a NAS Promise VSky J3970 device that has been affected by a hardware malfunction or component failure?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 7.09.2023 11:59 #

      Yes, it is possible to recover data from a NAS Promise VSky J3970 device that has been affected by a hardware malfunction or component failure. However, the success of data recovery depends on the extent of the damage and the expertise of the data recovery service provider.

      In such cases, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service that specializes in NAS devices. They have the necessary tools, expertise, and cleanroom facilities to diagnose the issue, repair or replace the faulty components, and recover the data from the affected device.

      It is important to note that attempting to recover data on your own or using inexperienced service providers may further damage the device and decrease the chances of successful data recovery.

      Reply
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Vladimir Artiukh

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.

Oleg Afonin

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.

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Questions and answers

  • What are the key features and settings of the NAS Promise VSky J3970?

    The NAS Promise VSky J3970 is a high-performance storage solution designed for enterprise-level data storage and management. Some of its key features and settings include:

    1. Scalability: The VSky J3970 offers high scalability, allowing users to easily expand their storage capacity as their data storage needs grow. It supports up to 90 drives, providing a maximum raw capacity of 720TB.
    2. High Availability: The system is built with high availability features, including redundant power supplies, cooling fans, and network interfaces. It also supports RAID configurations for data protection and fault tolerance.
    3. Performance: The VSky J3970 is equipped with powerful hardware components, including Intel Xeon processors and DDR4 memory, to deliver high-performance data storage and processing capabilities.
    4. Virtualization Support: It is designed to support virtualization environments, allowing users to deploy virtual machines and virtualized applications directly on the NAS system. This helps to optimize resource utilization and simplify management.
    5. Data Protection: The system offers various data protection features, such as snapshots, replication, and backup capabilities. These features ensure data integrity, availability, and recovery in case of data loss or system failures.
    6. Management and Monitoring: The VSky J3970 provides a comprehensive management interface that allows users to easily configure and monitor the system. It offers advanced management features, including remote management, SNMP support, and alert notifications.
    7. Data Deduplication and Compression: The NAS system supports data deduplication and compression technologies, which help to optimize storage utilization and reduce storage costs by eliminating duplicate data and compressing data to save space.
    8. Multi-Protocol Support: It supports various network protocols, including NFS, SMB/CIFS, iSCSI, and FTP, allowing users to access and share data across different platforms and operating systems.
    9. Integration with Cloud Services: The VSky J3970 can be integrated with cloud storage services, such as Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure, and Alibaba Cloud, enabling users to seamlessly extend their storage resources to the cloud.
    10. Security: The system offers comprehensive security features, including access control, encryption, and antivirus protection, to safeguard data against unauthorized access and potential threats.

    Overall, the NAS Promise VSky J3970 provides a robust and feature-rich storage solution for enterprise-level data storage and management, offering high scalability, performance, data protection, and management capabilities.

  • How can the settings of the NAS Promise VSky J3970 be customized to optimize storage performance and security?

    To optimize storage performance and security on the NAS Promise VSky J3970, you can customize the settings using the following steps:

    1. RAID Configuration: Configure the RAID level based on your requirements. Different RAID levels offer varying levels of performance, data redundancy, and capacity. Choose the appropriate RAID level to optimize storage performance and data protection.
    2. Network Settings: Configure network settings such as IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS servers. Ensure that the network settings are correctly configured for seamless connectivity and security.
    3. Access Control: Set up user accounts and define access permissions to ensure secure access to the NAS. Assign appropriate read/write permissions to users or groups based on their roles and responsibilities. Enable authentication protocols like LDAP or Active Directory for centralized user management.
    4. Encryption: Enable encryption to protect data at rest. The NAS may support various encryption algorithms like AES. By encrypting the data, you add an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access to the stored information.
    5. Firewall and Network Security: Configure the built-in firewall to restrict access from unauthorized networks or IP addresses. Implement network security measures like VLANs, SSL/TLS encryption, and VPN for secure remote access.
    6. File System Optimization: Select the appropriate file system for your storage needs. The NAS may support file systems like EXT4, Btrfs, or ZFS. Consider the performance, scalability, and data protection features of each file system before choosing one.
    7. Cache Settings: If your NAS supports SSD caching, configure it to improve read/write performance. By utilizing SSDs as cache, frequently accessed data can be stored in the faster SSDs, resulting in improved overall performance.
    8. Monitoring and Alerts: Enable system monitoring and configure alerts to receive notifications about critical events like disk failures, high CPU usage, or abnormal network activity. This allows you to take immediate action and maintain optimal performance and security.
    9. Regular Firmware Updates: Keep the NAS firmware up to date to benefit from performance improvements, bug fixes, and security patches released by the manufacturer. Regularly check for firmware updates and apply them as necessary.
    10. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Implement a comprehensive backup strategy to ensure data integrity and availability. Schedule regular backups to an external device or cloud storage. Additionally, set up a disaster recovery plan to recover data in case of hardware failures or other unforeseen events.

    Remember to consult the NAS Promise VSky J3970 user manual or contact the manufacturer's support for specific instructions and recommendations regarding customization and optimization of your NAS.

  • Are there any specific network or user access settings that need to be configured for the NAS Promise VSky J3970 to ensure seamless integration with existing IT infrastructure?

    Yes, there are several network and user access settings that need to be configured for seamless integration of the NAS Promise VSky J3970 with existing IT infrastructure. Here are some key settings to consider:

    1. Network Configuration: Ensure that the NAS is assigned a static IP address that is compatible with your existing network. This IP address should be in the same subnet as other devices on the network.
    2. DNS Settings: Configure the DNS server settings on the NAS to match those used by your existing IT infrastructure. This will allow the NAS to resolve domain names and access network resources.
    3. Network Security: Enable appropriate network security measures, such as firewall settings, to protect the NAS and prevent unauthorized access. Configure any necessary port forwarding or VPN settings for remote access.
    4. User Access Control: Set up user accounts and access permissions on the NAS to control who can access and manage the stored data. This ensures that only authorized users can access the NAS and its resources.
    5. Active Directory Integration: If your IT infrastructure uses Active Directory for user authentication and management, configure the NAS to integrate with the existing Active Directory domain. This allows users to authenticate using their existing domain credentials.
    6. Storage Configuration: Configure the storage settings on the NAS, such as RAID levels, disk allocation, and file system format, to match your requirements and existing infrastructure.
    7. Backup and Replication: Set up backup and replication settings on the NAS to ensure data redundancy and disaster recovery. This may involve configuring scheduled backups, offsite replication, or cloud backup services.

    It is recommended to consult the product documentation or contact the manufacturer's support for detailed instructions on configuring these settings specific to the NAS Promise VSky J3970.
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