Data Recovery Best Practices for NAS Promise VSky s200 RAID Array Failures

Recovering data from a failed ⭐ NAS RAID array? Use these best practices for RAID level understanding, data redundancy, and selecting effective recovery software.

Data Recovery Best Practices for NAS Promise VSky s200 RAID Array Failures

Promise VSky s200 NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from VSky s200.

Data Recovery Best Practices for NAS Promise VSky s200 RAID Array Failures

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 encryption safeguard data stored on NAS Promise VSky s200 devices?

Yes, encryption can safeguard data stored on NAS Promise VSky s200 devices. NAS devices often provide built-in encryption features that allow you to encrypt the data stored on the device. This encryption ensures that even if the physical device is stolen or accessed by unauthorized individuals, the data remains secure and unreadable without the encryption key. It is recommended to enable encryption on NAS devices to enhance the security of your stored data.

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

Although NAS VSky s200 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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

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

  4. 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.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Promise VSky s200. 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.

Go to view
How to recover data from a Promise

How to recover data from a Promise

VSky s200 has 12 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:

  1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

  2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu ToolsSave Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

  3. 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.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  4. 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.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: hoose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP

Where are user’s files stored?

The Promise VSky s200 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

Feedback

We will be happy to answer your questions!

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 s200, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Lawrence Sherry
    Lawrence Sherry 7.09.2023 11:53 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS Promise VSky s200 device be done if the device is showing signs of overheating or cooling fan failure?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 7.09.2023 13:00 #

      It is possible to recover data from a NAS Promise VSky s200 device even if it is showing signs of overheating or cooling fan failure. However, it is important to address the overheating issue or cooling fan failure first to prevent further damage to the device and data loss.

      Here are a few steps you can take:

      1. Power off the device: If you notice signs of overheating or cooling fan failure, it is crucial to power off the device immediately to prevent any further damage.
      2. Address the cooling fan failure: If the cooling fan has failed, you can try replacing it with a compatible fan. Consult the device's manual or contact the manufacturer for guidance on how to replace the fan.
      3. Improve ventilation: Ensure that the device is placed in a well-ventilated area with proper airflow. Make sure there are no obstructions blocking the vents or fans.
      4. Professional assistance: If you are not comfortable or experienced in dealing with hardware issues, it is recommended to seek professional assistance. Contact the manufacturer's support or a data recovery specialist who can help diagnose and resolve the overheating or cooling fan failure issue.

      Once the overheating or cooling fan failure issue is resolved, you can attempt data recovery from the NAS device. However, if the device has suffered significant damage or the data is not accessible, it may be necessary to consult a professional data recovery service.

Post comment
User
Leave a reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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.

Share

Questions and answers

  • What are the basic features of the Promise VSky s200 NAS system?

    The Promise VSky s200 NAS system has several basic features, including:

    1. High Performance: The VSky s200 is designed to deliver high performance storage and computing capabilities, making it suitable for demanding workloads.
    2. Scalability: It offers flexible scalability options to accommodate growing storage needs. It supports expansion enclosures, allowing users to add additional drives as required.
    3. Data Protection: The system provides data protection features such as RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations to ensure data integrity and availability.
    4. High Availability: It supports high availability configurations, allowing for continuous operation even in the event of hardware failures.
    5. Advanced Data Services: The VSky s200 offers advanced data services like deduplication, compression, and thin provisioning to optimize storage efficiency and reduce costs.
    6. Virtualization Support: It is designed to support virtualization environments, enabling seamless integration with popular hypervisors like VMware, Hyper-V, and KVM.
    7. Management and Monitoring: The system comes with comprehensive management and monitoring tools, allowing administrators to easily configure, monitor, and manage the storage infrastructure.
    8. Data Protection and Recovery: It includes backup and disaster recovery features to protect data against accidental deletion, corruption, or other unforeseen events.
    9. Security: The VSky s200 provides various security features like access controls, encryption, and secure remote access to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of stored data.
    10. Connectivity Options: It supports various connectivity options, including Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and InfiniBand, to accommodate different network infrastructures.
    11. Energy Efficiency: The system is designed with energy-efficient components and power management features to reduce power consumption and operating costs.
    12. Cloud Integration: It offers seamless integration with popular cloud platforms, enabling easy data migration and hybrid cloud deployments.

    These are some of the basic features of the Promise VSky s200 NAS system, but it may also include additional features depending on the specific model and configuration.

  • How does the Promise VSky s200 differ from other basic NAS systems in terms of features?

    The Promise VSky s200 differs from other basic NAS systems in terms of features in several ways:

    1. Scale-out Architecture: The VSky s200 is built on a scale-out architecture, which means it can be easily expanded and scaled as per the needs of the organization. It allows for seamless integration of additional storage nodes, thereby providing flexibility and scalability.
    2. Virtualization Support: The VSky s200 is designed to support virtualization environments, making it an ideal choice for businesses that heavily rely on virtual machines. It offers features like VMware vSphere integration, VAAI support, and VASA certification, ensuring optimal performance in virtualized environments.
    3. Advanced Data Protection: This NAS system provides advanced data protection features like RAID 6 and RAID 60, which offer increased fault tolerance and data redundancy. It also supports snapshot-based data protection, allowing for quick and efficient data recovery in case of accidental deletion or corruption.
    4. High Availability: The VSky s200 offers high availability features to ensure uninterrupted access to data. It supports active-active controller configurations, redundant power supplies, and hot-swappable components, minimizing downtime and maximizing system reliability.
    5. Data Deduplication and Compression: This NAS system includes data deduplication and compression capabilities, which help optimize storage utilization and reduce storage costs. By eliminating duplicate data and compressing files, it can significantly reduce the overall storage footprint.
    6. Centralized Management: The VSky s200 provides a centralized management interface that simplifies the administration and monitoring of the NAS system. It offers a user-friendly web-based GUI, allowing administrators to easily configure and manage various aspects of the system.

    Overall, the Promise VSky s200 offers advanced features like scale-out architecture, virtualization support, advanced data protection, high availability, data deduplication, and centralized management, making it a more powerful and versatile solution compared to basic NAS systems.

  • Can you explain the key advantages and benefits of using the Promise VSky s200 NAS system in comparison to other similar products?

    The Promise VSky s200 NAS system offers several key advantages and benefits compared to other similar products:

    1. Scalability: The VSky s200 NAS system is highly scalable, allowing users to easily expand storage capacity as their needs grow. It supports up to 256 drives, enabling organizations to start small and gradually increase storage capacity without significant disruption.
    2. High Performance: This NAS system is designed for high-performance computing environments. It utilizes advanced hardware and software technologies to deliver exceptional performance, ensuring fast data access and transfer speeds. It supports both SSD and HDD drives, further enhancing its performance capabilities.
    3. Flexibility: The VSky s200 NAS system provides flexibility in terms of storage protocols. It supports multiple storage protocols such as NFS, SMB, and iSCSI, allowing seamless integration into existing IT infrastructures. This flexibility ensures compatibility with various operating systems and applications.
    4. Data Protection: With built-in data protection features, the VSky s200 NAS system ensures the safety and integrity of stored data. It offers RAID protection, allowing for data redundancy and protection against drive failures. Additionally, it supports snapshot and replication capabilities, enabling efficient data backup and disaster recovery.
    5. Easy Management: The NAS system comes with an intuitive and user-friendly management interface. It simplifies the administration and configuration tasks, making it easier for IT administrators to manage and monitor the system. The VSkyCentral management software provides a centralized view of multiple VSky systems, further simplifying management.
    6. Cost-Effective: The VSky s200 NAS system offers a cost-effective storage solution. Its scalability allows organizations to start with the required storage capacity and expand as needed, avoiding unnecessary upfront costs. The system's high performance and efficiency also contribute to cost savings by optimizing resource utilization.
    7. Integration with Cloud: The VSky s200 NAS system seamlessly integrates with cloud storage services. It supports cloud gateways and connectors, enabling organizations to easily extend their storage infrastructure to the cloud. This integration provides additional backup and archiving options, as well as enhanced data mobility.

    In summary, the Promise VSky s200 NAS system stands out with its scalability, high performance, flexibility, data protection features, ease of management, cost-effectiveness, and cloud integration capabilities. These advantages make it a reliable and efficient choice for organizations seeking a robust and scalable NAS solution.

Hello! This is AI-based Hetman Software virtual assistant, and it will answer any of your questions right away.
Start Chat