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

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Promise VTrak M200f
• 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 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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS VTrak M200f 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 M200f. 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 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;

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 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison