How to recover data from Promise VTrak M210i NAS

Is your network drive gone, and you are wondering what to do? Has a RAID system crashed, and your files are no longer accessible? Does your device display an error while booting? Have you accidentally rebuilt your RAID system? Are several hard disks out of order?

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Promise VTrak M210i 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 M210i.

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.

Can the use of redundant power supplies reduce the chances of data loss on NAS Promise VTrak M210i devices?

Yes, the use of redundant power supplies can reduce the chances of data loss on NAS Promise VTrak M210i devices. Redundant power supplies provide an additional layer of protection against power failures or issues with the primary power supply. In the event of a power supply failure, the redundant power supply automatically takes over, ensuring continuous power supply to the device and minimizing the risk of data loss or corruption.

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

Although NAS VTrak M210i 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.

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Promise VTrak M210i. 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.

VTrak M210i 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 M210i 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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We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (3) #

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #

    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS VTrak M210i, feel free to leave a comment!

  • Cody Jex-Blake 8.09.2023 18:49 #

    How long does the data recovery process from a NAS Promise VTrak M210i device usually take?

    • Hetman Software 8.09.2023 20:00 #

      The duration of the data recovery process from a NAS Promise VTrak M210i device can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the data, the complexity of the recovery, the condition of the device, and the specific techniques and tools used for recovery. In general, the process can take anywhere from a few hours to several days or even weeks. It is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service provider for a more accurate estimate based on your specific situation.

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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.

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 M210i facilitate centralized photo management?

The NAS Promise VTrak M210i facilitates centralized photo management by providing a secure and scalable storage solution for storing and organizing large volumes of photos.

Here's how it works:

  1. Storage Capacity: The VTrak M210i offers high storage capacity, allowing users to store a large number of photos in a centralized location. It supports multiple hard drives and can be expanded as per the requirements of the organization.
  2. Centralized Access: The NAS (Network Attached Storage) system allows multiple users to access the stored photos from anywhere within the network. This ensures that all photos are stored in a single location, making it easier for users to find and access them.
  3. File Organization: The VTrak M210i supports various file organization features, such as folder structures, metadata tagging, and search capabilities. Users can create folders and subfolders to categorize and group photos based on different criteria like date, event, or location. They can also add metadata tags to photos, making it easier to search and retrieve specific images.
  4. Data Protection: The VTrak M210i incorporates RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology, which provides data redundancy and protection against disk failures. This ensures that the photos are safe and accessible even if a hard drive fails.
  5. Backup and Sync: The NAS system allows for automated backup and synchronization of photos to other storage devices or cloud services. This ensures that the photos are protected against data loss and can be accessed from multiple locations.
  6. Remote Access: The VTrak M210i supports remote access, enabling users to access and manage their photos from outside the local network. This is particularly useful for photographers or organizations with multiple branches or remote teams.

Overall, the NAS Promise VTrak M210i simplifies the process of centralized photo management by providing a secure and scalable storage solution with features like centralized access, organization, data protection, backup, and remote access.

What are the key features and capabilities of the NAS Promise VTrak M210i that make it suitable for photo management?

The NAS Promise VTrak M210i has several key features and capabilities that make it suitable for photo management:

  1. High storage capacity: The VTrak M210i offers high storage capacity, allowing users to store a large number of photos. It supports up to 24 hard drives, providing ample space for photo libraries.
  2. High performance: The VTrak M210i is designed for high-performance storage, ensuring fast access and retrieval of photos. It supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10, which offer data protection and performance optimization.
  3. Scalability: The VTrak M210i is highly scalable, allowing users to easily expand their storage capacity as their photo collection grows. Additional hard drives can be added to the system, providing flexibility and future-proofing.
  4. Data protection: The VTrak M210i offers various data protection features to safeguard photos from loss or corruption. It supports RAID configurations that provide redundancy and fault tolerance, ensuring data integrity.
  5. Data management: The VTrak M210i provides advanced data management capabilities, including snapshot and replication features. Snapshots allow users to take point-in-time copies of their photo library, while replication enables data synchronization between multiple VTrak systems for offsite backup.
  6. Centralized access: The VTrak M210i acts as a centralized storage system, allowing multiple users to access and manage their photos from a single location. This facilitates collaboration and simplifies photo management for teams or organizations.
  7. Data sharing and collaboration: The VTrak M210i supports various file-sharing protocols, such as SMB, NFS, and FTP, enabling users to share their photos with others easily. It also offers user and group management features to control access and permissions.
  8. Integration with photo management software: The VTrak M210i is compatible with popular photo management software, such as Adobe Lightroom or Apple Photos. This allows users to seamlessly integrate their existing workflows and tools with the storage system.

Overall, the NAS Promise VTrak M210i offers high storage capacity, performance, scalability, data protection, and advanced management features that make it well-suited for efficient photo management.

How does the NAS Promise VTrak M210i ensure data security and backup for centralized photo management?

The NAS Promise VTrak M210i ensures data security and backup for centralized photo management through several features and technologies:

  1. RAID Protection: The VTrak M210i supports various RAID levels (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60) to provide data redundancy and protection against drive failures. This ensures that even if one or more drives fail, the data remains intact and accessible.
  2. Snapshot and Replication: The NAS system allows for the creation of point-in-time snapshots of data, which can be used for quick recovery in case of accidental deletion or data corruption. These snapshots can also be replicated to another storage system or off-site location for additional backup and disaster recovery.
  3. Data Encryption: The VTrak M210i supports encryption of data at rest, ensuring that the stored photos are protected from unauthorized access. This encryption can be done using industry-standard algorithms like AES (Advanced Encryption Standard).
  4. Access Control and User Management: The NAS system provides granular access control and user management features. Administrators can define user roles, permissions, and access rights to ensure that only authorized users can access and modify the photo data.
  5. Backup and Restore: The VTrak M210i supports various backup methods, including scheduled backups to external drives or cloud storage. It also allows for easy restoration of data from backups in case of data loss or corruption.
  6. High Availability: The NAS system can be configured in a high-availability (HA) setup, where multiple units are synchronized to provide seamless failover in case of hardware or network failures. This ensures continuous availability of the centralized photo management system.
  7. Data Integrity Checks: The VTrak M210i performs regular data integrity checks to detect and correct any silent data corruption issues. This ensures that the stored photos remain intact and uncorrupted over time.

Overall, the NAS Promise VTrak M210i combines various data protection, encryption, access control, and backup features to ensure the security and backup of centralized photo management data.