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

To access RAID disk files when the ⭐ NAS is down, connect to a PC, configure RAID settings, and use recovery software for data recovery.

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

Promise VTrak M200f 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 M200f.

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

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 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.

    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 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.

Go to view
How to recover data from a Promise

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 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 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

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 M200f, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Theo Henwood
    Theo Henwood 8.09.2023 08:44 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS Promise VTrak M200f device be done if the device is not accessible or not recognized by the network?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 8.09.2023 09:00 #

      If the NAS Promise VTrak M200f device is not accessible or not recognized by the network, it may be challenging to perform data recovery directly from the device. However, there are a few steps you can try to recover your data:

      1. Check the physical connections: Ensure that all cables connecting the NAS device to the network and power source are properly connected. Sometimes, loose connections can prevent the device from being recognized.
      2. Power cycle the device: Turn off the NAS device, unplug it from the power source, wait for a few minutes, and then plug it back in. Power cycling can often resolve minor connectivity issues.
      3. Check network settings: Ensure that the NAS device is configured with the correct network settings, including IP address, subnet mask, and gateway. You may need to consult the device's manual or contact technical support for assistance.
      4. Try accessing the device from a different computer: If the NAS device is not recognized on one computer, try connecting it to a different computer on the same network. This can help determine if the issue is specific to one computer or if it's a broader network problem.
      5. Reset the NAS device: If none of the above steps work, you may need to reset the NAS device to its factory settings. Be aware that this will erase all data on the device, so only proceed with this step if you have a backup or are willing to lose the data.

      If none of these steps work, it's recommended to contact the manufacturer's technical support or consult a professional data recovery service. They may have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from inaccessible or unrecognized NAS devices.

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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 VTrak M200f perform when used as a storage solution for video game data, in terms of read/write speeds and overall performance?

    The NAS Promise VTrak M200f is a storage solution designed for high-performance applications, including video game data storage. It is equipped with high-speed Fibre Channel connectivity and is capable of delivering impressive read/write speeds and overall performance.

    In terms of read/write speeds, the VTrak M200f can achieve up to 4,000 MB/s sequential read and 2,500 MB/s sequential write speeds. These speeds are ideal for handling large video game files, ensuring quick access to game data and reducing loading times.

    The overall performance of the VTrak M200f is excellent, thanks to its robust hardware and advanced features. It utilizes a dual-controller architecture with redundant components, ensuring high availability and minimizing downtime. It also supports RAID configurations, allowing for data protection and increased performance.

    Additionally, the VTrak M200f has advanced caching mechanisms, such as read and write caching, which further enhance its performance. The system can intelligently cache frequently accessed data, reducing latency and improving response times.

    Overall, the NAS Promise VTrak M200f is a reliable and high-performance storage solution for video game data. Its impressive read/write speeds, combined with its advanced features and redundancy, make it suitable for demanding gaming applications.

  • What are the key features and capabilities of the NAS Promise VTrak M200f that make it suitable for storing video game data, such as RAID configurations, scalability, and data protection?

    The NAS Promise VTrak M200f is a high-performance storage solution designed for storing video game data. It offers several key features and capabilities that make it suitable for this purpose:

    1. RAID Configurations: The VTrak M200f supports various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. These RAID levels provide different levels of performance, reliability, and data protection, allowing users to choose the most suitable configuration for their specific requirements.
    2. Scalability: The VTrak M200f is highly scalable, allowing users to easily expand their storage capacity as their needs grow. It supports up to 24 drive bays, enabling the addition of more drives to increase the total storage capacity. The system also supports dynamic volume expansion, allowing users to expand existing volumes without any disruption to their operations.
    3. Data Protection: The VTrak M200f offers advanced data protection features to ensure the safety and integrity of video game data. It supports multiple redundant components, such as dual controllers, power supplies, and fans, to minimize the risk of system failures. Additionally, it supports features like hot-swappable drives and automatic drive rebuild, which help in maintaining data availability even in case of drive failures.
    4. High Performance: Video games often require fast access to data for smooth gameplay. The VTrak M200f is equipped with high-performance components like multi-core processors, high-speed cache, and support for high-bandwidth connectivity options like Fibre Channel and Ethernet. This ensures fast data transfer rates and low latency, resulting in optimal performance for video game storage.
    5. Data Management and Protection: The VTrak M200f includes advanced data management and protection features. It supports features like snapshotting, which allows users to take point-in-time copies of their data for backup or recovery purposes. It also supports thin provisioning, which helps in efficient utilization of storage capacity by allocating space on-demand rather than pre-allocating it.

    Overall, the NAS Promise VTrak M200f provides a robust and scalable storage solution with various RAID configurations, advanced data protection features, high performance, and flexible scalability. These features make it well-suited for storing video game data, ensuring data availability, reliability, and optimal performance for gaming applications.

  • Can the NAS Promise VTrak M200f handle the storage requirements of modern video games, including large file sizes, frequent updates, and high-speed data transfer, without experiencing performance issues or data loss?

    The NAS Promise VTrak M200f is a storage system designed for enterprise environments and provides high-performance storage capabilities. It can handle the storage requirements of modern video games, including large file sizes and frequent updates.

    The VTrak M200f supports high-speed data transfer with its Fibre Channel connectivity, which can provide fast and reliable data access for gaming applications. It also offers RAID protection, which helps prevent data loss in case of drive failures.

    However, it is important to note that the performance and storage requirements of modern video games can vary significantly. Some games may have extremely large file sizes and require high-speed data transfer rates, which can put a strain on any storage system.

    To ensure optimal performance and prevent potential data loss, it is recommended to consider factors such as the number of drives, RAID configuration, and overall capacity planning when setting up the VTrak M200f for gaming storage. Additionally, regularly monitoring the system's performance and implementing proper backup and redundancy measures can help mitigate the risk of data loss.

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