Best Practices for Data Recovery from a Failed NAS Promise VSky s410 RAID Configuration

Has your NAS Promise VSky s410 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 Data Recovery from a Failed NAS Promise VSky s410 RAID Configuration

Promise VSky s410 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 s410. 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 Data Recovery from a Failed NAS Promise VSky s410 RAID Configuration

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 device firmware rollback or downgrading impact data loss risks for NAS Promise VSky s410 devices?

Yes, device firmware rollback or downgrading can potentially impact data loss risks for NAS Promise VSky s410 devices. When you rollback or downgrade the firmware, you are essentially reverting to an older version of the software that may not have the same level of stability, bug fixes, or security patches as the latest firmware version.

This can introduce potential vulnerabilities or compatibility issues that could lead to data loss or corruption. It is always recommended to keep your firmware up to date to ensure the best performance, stability, and security for your NAS device.

If you are considering rolling back or downgrading the firmware, it is crucial to backup all your important data before proceeding. This way, if any issues arise during the process or after the downgrade, you can restore your data from the backup and minimize the risk of data loss.

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

Although the NAS VSky s410 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 s410. 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 s410 has 37 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 s410 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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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 s410, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Graham Midwinter
    Graham Midwinter 7.09.2023 13:40 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS Promise VSky s410 device be done if the device is showing signs of network congestion or bandwidth issues?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 7.09.2023 13:59 #

      Data recovery from a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Promise VSky s410 can still be possible even if the device is experiencing network congestion or bandwidth issues. However, the process might be slower or more challenging due to the limited network resources.

      Here are a few considerations:

      1. Network congestion: If the NAS device is connected to a congested network, it might result in slower data transfer speeds or intermittent connectivity. This can make the data recovery process time-consuming. You may need to be patient and allow the recovery software or tools to work through the network limitations.
      2. Bandwidth issues: Limited bandwidth can affect the speed at which data can be transferred from the NAS device to the recovery destination. It might be helpful to schedule the recovery process during off-peak hours when network usage is lower. Additionally, you can try prioritizing the data recovery traffic by adjusting quality of service (QoS) settings on your network router or switch.
      3. Local recovery options: If network congestion is a significant issue, you could consider connecting directly to the NAS device using a physical connection like Ethernet or USB. This can bypass the network congestion and allow for faster data recovery. However, this option might require technical expertise or assistance.
      4. Seek professional help: If you are unsure about performing data recovery yourself or if the network congestion persists, it is advisable to consult a professional data recovery service. They have specialized tools and expertise to handle complex recovery scenarios and can work around network limitations.

      Remember to avoid making any changes to the NAS device or its configuration before attempting data recovery, as it may further complicate the process.

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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

  • How does the NAS Promise VSky s410 contribute to creating a smart home system?

    The NAS Promise VSky s410 contributes to creating a smart home system through its storage and virtualization capabilities. Here's how it contributes:

    1. Centralized Storage: The VSky s410 provides a centralized storage solution for all smart home devices and applications. It offers a large storage capacity, allowing users to store and manage data from various devices such as security cameras, smart appliances, and sensors.
    2. Virtualization: The VSky s410 supports virtualization technology, enabling the creation of virtual machines (VMs) for running smart home applications. This allows users to consolidate multiple applications onto a single hardware platform, reducing costs and improving efficiency.
    3. Data Management: With its advanced data management features, the VSky s410 helps in organizing and analyzing the vast amount of data generated by smart home devices. It can handle data deduplication, compression, and backup, ensuring data integrity and availability.
    4. Scalability: The VSky s410 is designed to scale with the growing needs of a smart home system. It supports expansion units and can easily accommodate additional storage and computing resources as the number of connected devices and applications increase.
    5. Security: The VSky s410 incorporates robust security measures to protect the smart home system. It offers features like data encryption, access controls, and antivirus protection to safeguard sensitive information and prevent unauthorized access.
    6. Remote Access: The VSky s410 enables remote access to the smart home system, allowing users to monitor and control their devices from anywhere using a mobile app or web interface. This enhances convenience and flexibility for homeowners.

    Overall, the NAS Promise VSky s410 contributes to creating a smart home system by providing reliable storage, virtualization capabilities, data management, scalability, security, and remote access, all of which are essential components for an efficient and interconnected smart home ecosystem.

  • What are the key features and capabilities of the NAS Promise VSky s410 that make it suitable for smart home applications?

    The NAS Promise VSky s410 has several key features and capabilities that make it suitable for smart home applications:

    1. Scalability: The VSky s410 is a scalable storage solution, allowing for easy expansion as the smart home network grows. It supports up to four nodes, each with up to 12 hard drives, providing ample storage capacity for various smart home devices and applications.
    2. High Availability: The VSky s410 is designed with high availability in mind, ensuring minimal downtime and uninterrupted operation for smart home applications. It supports redundant components, such as power supplies and network connections, to prevent single points of failure.
    3. Virtualization: The VSky s410 utilizes virtualization technology, allowing for the creation of virtual machines (VMs) to run different smart home applications. This enables efficient resource allocation and consolidation, optimizing the utilization of hardware resources.
    4. Data Protection: The VSky s410 offers advanced data protection features, such as RAID configurations and snapshot capabilities. RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) protects against data loss by distributing data across multiple drives, while snapshots allow for point-in-time recovery of data in case of accidental deletion or corruption.
    5. Centralized Management: The VSky s410 provides centralized management through its intuitive web-based interface. This allows smart home users to easily monitor and control their storage infrastructure, including setting up user access permissions, managing storage pools, and monitoring system performance.
    6. Data Security: The VSky s410 supports various security features to ensure data privacy and protection. It offers data encryption capabilities, both at rest and in transit, safeguarding sensitive smart home data from unauthorized access.
    7. Integration with Smart Home Ecosystem: The VSky s410 can seamlessly integrate with other smart home devices and systems, thanks to its compatibility with popular protocols and standards, such as SMB, NFS, and iSCSI. This enables easy sharing and access of data across different smart home applications and devices.

    Overall, the NAS Promise VSky s410's scalability, high availability, virtualization capabilities, data protection, centralized management, data security, and integration with smart home ecosystems make it a suitable storage solution for smart home applications.

  • How does the NAS Promise VSky s410 ensure data security and privacy in a smart home environment?

    The NAS Promise VSky s410 ensures data security and privacy in a smart home environment through various measures:

    1. Encryption: The NAS (Network-Attached Storage) device supports encryption protocols such as AES 256-bit, ensuring that data stored on the device is encrypted and protected from unauthorized access.
    2. User Access Control: The VSky s410 allows for user access control, enabling the homeowner to define and manage user privileges. This ensures that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive data and settings within the smart home environment.
    3. Secure Remote Access: The device provides secure remote access capabilities, allowing homeowners to access their smart home data and settings from outside the home network. This remote access is protected through secure protocols like SSL/TLS, ensuring data privacy during transmission.
    4. Firewall and Intrusion Detection/Prevention: The VSky s410 is equipped with a built-in firewall that monitors and filters network traffic, preventing unauthorized access and potential attacks. Additionally, it incorporates intrusion detection and prevention mechanisms to identify and mitigate any security threats.
    5. Data Backup and Recovery: The NAS device offers data backup and recovery features, allowing homeowners to regularly back up their smart home data. This ensures that even in the event of data loss or system failure, data can be restored, maintaining privacy and preventing loss of critical information.
    6. Firmware Updates: Regular firmware updates are provided by the manufacturer to address any security vulnerabilities and ensure that the device is protected against emerging threats.
    7. Compliance with Privacy Regulations: The NAS Promise VSky s410 complies with privacy regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other relevant data protection laws, ensuring that data privacy rights of the homeowners are respected.

    Overall, the NAS Promise VSky s410 implements a combination of encryption, access control, secure remote access, firewall, intrusion detection/prevention, data backup, and compliance measures to ensure data security and privacy in a smart home environment.