Practical Steps for Accessing Files on a RAID Disk When NAS Promise VTrak 12110 is Offline

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Promise VTrak 12110
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

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.

Are there any specific precautions to take while migrating data between NAS Promise VTrak 12110 devices?

Yes, there are some precautions to take while migrating data between NAS Promise VTrak 12110 devices. Here are a few:

1. Backup Data: Before starting the migration process, it is highly recommended to backup all the data on the source NAS device. This ensures that even if something goes wrong during the migration, you still have a copy of your data.
2. Verify Compatibility: Ensure that the target NAS device is compatible with the source device. Check the specifications and requirements of both devices to ensure a smooth migration process.
3. Plan Downtime: Migrating data between NAS devices may require some downtime. Plan the migration during a time when the impact on users is minimal. Communicate the downtime to users in advance to avoid any inconvenience.
4. Test Migration: Perform a test migration with a small amount of data to ensure that the process works as expected. This helps identify any potential issues or complications before migrating the entire dataset.
5. Network Bandwidth: Consider the network bandwidth available for the migration process. If the network is slow or congested, it may significantly impact the migration time. Optimize the network or consider alternative methods like physical transfer of data if required.
6. Monitor the Migration: Keep a close eye on the migration process and monitor its progress. This allows you to identify any issues or errors early on and take corrective actions if necessary.
7. Verify Data Integrity: Once the migration is complete, verify the integrity of the data on the target NAS device. Perform data integrity checks and ensure that all files and folders have been successfully transferred.
8. Update Access Permissions: After the migration, review and update access permissions on the target NAS device as per your requirements. Ensure that users have the necessary access rights to the migrated data.

It is always recommended to consult the official documentation or seek assistance from the vendor for specific instructions and best practices related to migrating data between NAS Promise VTrak 12110 devices.

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

Although the NAS VTrak 12110 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.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Promise VTrak 12110. 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.

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How to recover data from a Promise

VTrak 12110 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;

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.

   

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.

   

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The Promise VTrak 12110 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