Accessing RAID Disk Files When NAS Promise VTrak E5320f is Inoperable: Practical Steps

If your ⭐ NAS is down, access RAID disk files by connecting them to a PC, configuring RAID settings, and using recovery software.

Accessing RAID Disk Files When NAS Promise VTrak E5320f is Inoperable: Practical Steps

Promise VTrak E5320f NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from VTrak E5320f.

Accessing RAID Disk Files When NAS Promise VTrak E5320f is Inoperable: Practical Steps

RAID Recovery™ 2.6
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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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 industry regulations or compliance requirements to consider when securing data on NAS Promise VTrak E5320f devices?

Yes, there are several industry regulations and compliance requirements to consider when securing data on NAS Promise VTrak E5320f devices. Some of the key regulations and requirements include:

  1. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): If you handle personal data of European Union (EU) citizens, you need to comply with GDPR. This regulation requires organizations to implement appropriate security measures to protect personal data, including data stored on NAS devices.
  2. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): If you are a healthcare provider or handle protected health information (PHI) in the United States, you need to comply with HIPAA. This regulation mandates the protection of PHI and requires the implementation of security controls to safeguard data stored on NAS devices.
  3. Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): If you handle credit card information, you need to comply with PCI DSS. This standard outlines security requirements for organizations that process, store, or transmit credit card data, including data stored on NAS devices.
  4. Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX): If you are a publicly traded company in the United States, you need to comply with SOX. This regulation requires the protection of financial data and mandates the implementation of security controls to secure data stored on NAS devices.
  5. Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA): If you are a government agency or contractor in the United States, you need to comply with FISMA. This regulation outlines security requirements for federal information systems, including NAS devices used to store sensitive government data.
  6. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001: This is a widely recognized information security standard that provides a framework for implementing an information security management system (ISMS). Compliance with ISO 27001 can help ensure the secure storage of data on NAS devices.

It is important to note that these regulations and requirements may have specific technical and operational controls that need to be implemented to secure data on NAS Promise VTrak E5320f devices. It is recommended to consult with legal and compliance experts to ensure full compliance with the applicable regulations.

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

Although NAS VTrak E5320f 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 VTrak E5320f. 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

VTrak E5320f has 24 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 VTrak E5320f 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

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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 VTrak E5320f, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Rex Gregg
    Rex Gregg 8.09.2023 14:46 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS Promise VTrak E5320f device be done if the device is not powering on?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 8.09.2023 16:00 #

      If the NAS Promise VTrak E5320f device is not powering on, data recovery may still be possible, but it would depend on the specific cause of the power failure. Here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue and potentially recover the data:

      1. Check the power connections: Ensure that the power cable is securely connected to both the device and the power outlet. Try using a different power cable or outlet to rule out any issues with the power source.
      2. Check the power supply unit (PSU): If the device has a separate power supply unit, make sure it is functioning correctly. Test the PSU by connecting it to a different device or using a replacement PSU if available.
      3. Reset the device: Some NAS devices have a reset button that can be used to restore the device to its default settings. Press and hold the reset button (if available) for a few seconds to see if it resolves the power issue.
      4. Contact technical support: If the above steps do not resolve the problem, it is recommended to contact Promise Technology's technical support for further assistance. They may be able to provide specific troubleshooting steps or suggest professional data recovery services.
      5. Professional data recovery: If the power failure is due to a hardware issue within the NAS device, professional data recovery services may be required. Data recovery specialists have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from faulty devices. Contact a reputable data recovery service provider to assess the situation and determine if data recovery is possible.

      Remember to always have regular backups of your important data to avoid potential data loss situations.

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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 is iSCSI and how does it differ from other storage protocols?

    iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) is a storage protocol that allows the transmission of SCSI commands over IP networks. It enables the use of IP networks to connect storage devices, such as disk arrays, tape libraries, and virtual tape libraries, to servers.

    The main difference between iSCSI and other storage protocols lies in the way they transport data. Here are a few comparisons:

    1. Fibre Channel (FC): FC is a dedicated storage networking protocol that uses fiber optic cables for high-speed data transfer. It requires specialized hardware and switches, making it more expensive and complex to implement compared to iSCSI. On the other hand, iSCSI uses existing Ethernet infrastructure, making it more cost-effective and easier to manage.
    2. Network-Attached Storage (NAS): NAS is a file-level storage protocol that allows file sharing over a network. It is suitable for general-purpose file serving and does not provide block-level access like iSCSI. iSCSI, on the other hand, provides block-level access, allowing servers to access storage devices as if they were directly attached.
    3. Direct-Attached Storage (DAS): DAS is a storage configuration where storage devices are directly connected to servers. It is a simple and low-latency solution but lacks flexibility and scalability. iSCSI, being a network-based storage protocol, allows for centralized storage management, easier scalability, and the ability to share storage resources among multiple servers.
    4. Internet Fibre Channel Protocol (iFCP): iFCP is a protocol that encapsulates Fibre Channel frames into IP packets, similar to iSCSI. However, iFCP requires specialized gateways to convert between IP and Fibre Channel, while iSCSI operates natively over IP networks.

    In summary, iSCSI is a cost-effective, flexible, and scalable storage protocol that leverages existing IP networks for block-level storage access. It differs from other protocols like Fibre Channel, NAS, and DAS in terms of infrastructure requirements, access methods, and scalability.

  • How does iSCSI work in a network storage environment?

    iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) is a protocol that allows SCSI commands to be transmitted over a network, enabling remote access to storage devices. In a network storage environment, iSCSI works as follows:

    1. Initiator: The device or computer that initiates the iSCSI connection is called the initiator. It could be a server, workstation, or any device that requires access to the storage.
    2. Target: The storage device or system that provides the storage resources and responds to the iSCSI commands is called the target. It could be a physical storage array, a virtual storage system, or even a software-based storage solution.
    3. Network: The initiator and target communicate over a TCP/IP network, typically using Ethernet as the underlying transport. The network can be a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN).
    4. iSCSI Session: To establish a connection, the initiator sends an iSCSI login request to the target. If the target accepts the request, an iSCSI session is established between the initiator and target. This session represents a logical connection over which SCSI commands and data can be exchanged.
    5. SCSI Commands: Once the session is established, the initiator can send SCSI commands to the target. These commands include read, write, inquiry, and various other storage-related operations. The iSCSI protocol encapsulates these SCSI commands into TCP/IP packets for transmission over the network.
    6. Data Transfer: When the target receives a SCSI command, it processes the request and performs the necessary storage operations. The target then sends the response, along with any requested data, back to the initiator over the iSCSI session. The data transfer occurs over the TCP/IP network, ensuring reliable and ordered delivery.
    7. Storage Access: The initiator treats the remote storage accessed via iSCSI as if it were directly attached to the local system. It can mount the storage, format it, create file systems, and use it for various applications or services, just like any other locally attached storage device.

    Overall, iSCSI provides a cost-effective and flexible way to extend storage resources over a network, enabling centralized storage management and remote access to storage devices.

  • Does the NAS Promise VTrak E5320f support iSCSI protocol, and if so, what are the benefits and limitations of using iSCSI with this NAS system?

    Yes, the NAS Promise VTrak E5320f does support the iSCSI protocol.

    Benefits of using iSCSI with this NAS system:

    1. Flexibility: iSCSI allows for the creation of virtual disks that can be accessed over a network, providing flexibility in storage allocation and management.
    2. Cost-effective: iSCSI utilizes existing Ethernet infrastructure, eliminating the need for dedicated Fibre Channel networks. This can result in cost savings compared to traditional SAN solutions.
    3. Scalability: iSCSI supports the use of multiple initiators and targets, allowing for easy expansion of storage capacity as needed.
    4. Compatibility: iSCSI is compatible with various operating systems and can be used with both physical and virtual servers, making it a versatile storage solution.

    Limitations of using iSCSI with this NAS system:

    1. Performance: While iSCSI can offer good performance, it may not match the high-speed capabilities of dedicated Fibre Channel networks in certain scenarios.
    2. Network Dependency: Since iSCSI relies on Ethernet infrastructure, the performance and stability of the storage system can be affected by network congestion or failures.
    3. Security: Although iSCSI supports authentication and encryption, it may not provide the same level of security as dedicated storage protocols like Fibre Channel.

    It is important to consider these factors when deciding whether to use iSCSI with the NAS Promise VTrak E5320f, based on your specific storage requirements and infrastructure capabilities.

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