Accessing Files on a RAID Disk Without NAS Promise VTrak M200f: Step-by-Step Guide

Contents

• Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
• How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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 preventive measures to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS Promise VTrak M200f devices?

Yes, there are several preventive measures that can be taken to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS Promise VTrak M200f devices. Here are some of them:

1. Regular backups: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that your data is securely backed up on a separate storage medium. This can help in case of accidental deletion, hardware failure, or any other data loss event.
2. RAID configuration: Configure the VTrak M200f device in a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configuration. RAID provides redundancy and can help protect against data loss in the event of a drive failure. Choose a RAID level that suits your requirements and provides the desired level of data protection.
3. Hot spare drives: Consider configuring hot spare drives in your RAID setup. Hot spares are standby drives that automatically replace a failed drive, reducing the downtime and minimizing the risk of data loss.
4. Regular firmware updates: Keep the firmware of your VTrak M200f device up to date. Firmware updates often include bug fixes, performance improvements, and security enhancements, which can help prevent potential data loss issues.
5. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Connect your VTrak M200f device to a UPS to protect it from power outages and fluctuations. Sudden power loss can cause data corruption or loss, and a UPS can provide temporary power during such events, allowing a safe shutdown.
6. Physical security: Ensure that the VTrak M200f device is located in a secure environment to prevent unauthorized access or theft. Physical security measures like locked server rooms or cabinets can help protect against data loss risks.
7. User access controls: Implement proper user access controls to limit access to the VTrak M200f device. Only authorized users should have access to sensitive data, reducing the risk of accidental deletion or unauthorized modifications.
8. Monitoring and alerts: Set up monitoring and alert systems to be notified of any potential issues or failures with the VTrak M200f device. This can help you take immediate action to prevent data loss or mitigate risks.

It is important to note that while these preventive measures can minimize the risk of data loss, they cannot guarantee complete protection. It is always recommended to have a comprehensive data protection strategy in place, including off-site backups and disaster recovery plans, to ensure the highest level of data security.

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

Although NAS VTrak M200f 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.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Promise VTrak M200f. 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.

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How to recover data from a Promise

VTrak M200f has 8 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 Tools – Save 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.

   

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.

   

Where are user’s files stored?

The Promise VTrak M200f 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