How to Access Files on a RAID Disk When NAS Promise VTrak M310i is Inactive: Practical Steps

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

How to Access Files on a RAID Disk When NAS Promise VTrak M310i is Inactive: Practical Steps

Promise VTrak M310i 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 M310i.

How to Access Files on a RAID Disk When NAS Promise VTrak M310i is Inactive: 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.

How can continuous data protection mechanisms help in minimizing potential data loss on NAS Promise VTrak M310i devices?

Continuous data protection (CDP) mechanisms can help minimize potential data loss on NAS Promise VTrak M310i devices in several ways:

  1. Real-time data replication: CDP continuously captures and replicates data changes in real-time, ensuring that any modifications made to the data are immediately replicated to a secondary storage device. This helps to minimize the risk of data loss by providing a near-instantaneous backup of the data.
  2. Point-in-time recovery: CDP allows for point-in-time recovery, meaning that administrators can restore data to a specific point in time before a data loss event occurred. This feature is particularly useful in scenarios where data corruption or accidental deletion occurs, as it enables the recovery of data from a known good state.
  3. Granular recovery options: CDP provides granular recovery options, allowing administrators to recover individual files or folders rather than restoring the entire dataset. This granularity helps to minimize the impact of data loss by quickly recovering only the necessary data, reducing downtime and improving recovery time objectives (RTOs).
  4. Continuous backups: Unlike traditional backup methods that perform periodic backups at set intervals, CDP continuously backs up data as it changes. This ensures that even the most recent modifications are protected, minimizing the potential loss of data between backup intervals.
  5. Improved data resiliency: By providing continuous replication and point-in-time recovery capabilities, CDP enhances the overall data resiliency of NAS devices like Promise VTrak M310i. In the event of a hardware failure, data corruption, or other data loss events, CDP helps ensure that the most up-to-date copies of the data are readily available for recovery.
  6. Reduced recovery point objective (RPO): CDP mechanisms offer a significantly lower RPO compared to traditional backup methods. Since data changes are continuously captured and replicated, the RPO can be reduced to near-zero, minimizing the potential loss of data in case of a failure.

Overall, continuous data protection mechanisms provide a robust and reliable solution for minimizing potential data loss on NAS Promise VTrak M310i devices by offering real-time replication, point-in-time recovery, granular recovery options, continuous backups, improved data resiliency, and reduced RPO.

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

Although NAS VTrak M310i 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 M310i. 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 M310i has 12 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 M310i 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 M310i, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Duane Ledger
    Duane Ledger 8.09.2023 19:48 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS Promise VTrak M310i device be done if the device is showing signs of firmware or software bugs?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 8.09.2023 19:59 #

      Yes, data recovery from a NAS Promise VTrak M310i device can still be possible even if the device is showing signs of firmware or software bugs. However, it is important to note that the success of data recovery depends on the severity of the bugs and the specific circumstances.

      In such cases, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service that specializes in NAS devices. They have the expertise and specialized tools to diagnose and recover data from faulty NAS devices. They can also work with the manufacturer or utilize advanced techniques to bypass firmware or software bugs and retrieve the data.

      It is important to stop using the device immediately to prevent further damage or data loss. Trying to fix the bugs or recover data without proper knowledge and expertise may lead to permanent data loss.

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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 are the key features and capabilities of the NAS Promise VTrak M310i that make it suitable for use in a surveillance system?

    The NAS Promise VTrak M310i is a storage solution specifically designed for use in surveillance systems. It offers several key features and capabilities that make it suitable for this purpose:

    1. High storage capacity: The VTrak M310i can support up to 192 TB of raw storage capacity, providing ample space to store large amounts of surveillance footage.
    2. Scalability: It supports expansion up to 384 TB, allowing for future growth and the addition of more cameras or longer retention periods.
    3. High performance: The VTrak M310i is equipped with high-speed SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) drives, ensuring fast and reliable data access. It also supports RAID configurations for enhanced performance and data protection.
    4. Redundancy and data protection: It offers various RAID levels (including RAID 5, 6, and 10) to protect against drive failures and ensure data integrity. Hot-swappable drive trays allow for easy replacement of failed drives without system downtime.
    5. Advanced data management: The VTrak M310i supports features like thin provisioning, which allows for efficient storage allocation and utilization. It also offers snapshot and replication capabilities for data backup and disaster recovery purposes.
    6. Network connectivity: It supports multiple network protocols such as iSCSI and NFS, enabling easy integration into existing surveillance systems and compatibility with various video management software.
    7. High availability: The VTrak M310i is designed for 24/7 operation, with redundant power supplies and cooling fans to ensure uninterrupted operation even in demanding surveillance environments.
    8. Easy management: It includes a user-friendly management interface that allows for easy configuration, monitoring, and maintenance of the storage system. It also supports remote management for convenient access and control.

    Overall, the NAS Promise VTrak M310i offers high storage capacity, scalability, performance, data protection, advanced data management features, network connectivity, high availability, and easy management, making it a suitable choice for use in surveillance systems.

  • How does the NAS Promise VTrak M310i ensure data security and reliability for surveillance footage storage?

    The NAS Promise VTrak M310i ensures data security and reliability for surveillance footage storage through several features and mechanisms:

    1. Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID): The VTrak M310i supports various RAID configurations, such as RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10. RAID provides data redundancy and protection against drive failures by distributing data across multiple drives.
    2. Hot-Swappable Drives: The system allows for hot-swapping of drives, which means that if a drive fails, it can be replaced without shutting down the system or interrupting the data storage process. This ensures continuous operation and minimizes downtime.
    3. Data Scrubbing and Error Correction: The VTrak M310i performs regular data scrubbing, which involves checking and correcting any errors in stored data. This process helps to maintain data integrity and reliability over time.
    4. Snapshot and Replication: The system supports snapshot and replication capabilities, allowing for the creation of point-in-time copies of data and replication to remote locations. This ensures data availability and protection against data loss or corruption.
    5. Data Encryption: The VTrak M310i supports data encryption, which ensures that the stored surveillance footage is protected from unauthorized access. Encryption algorithms are used to encode the data, making it unreadable without the appropriate decryption key.
    6. Access Control and Authentication: The system provides access control mechanisms to restrict unauthorized access to the stored data. User authentication methods, such as username/password or integration with existing authentication systems, ensure that only authorized personnel can access the surveillance footage.
    7. Redundant Power Supplies and Cooling: The VTrak M310i is equipped with redundant power supplies and cooling mechanisms to ensure continuous operation and prevent hardware failures due to power or thermal issues.
    8. Monitoring and Alerting: The system includes monitoring and alerting features that notify administrators about any potential issues or failures. This allows for proactive maintenance and timely resolution of problems, ensuring data reliability.

    Overall, the NAS Promise VTrak M310i incorporates various data protection, redundancy, and security features to ensure the reliability and security of surveillance footage storage.

  • Can you provide examples of successful implementations of the NAS Promise VTrak M310i in surveillance systems, and the benefits achieved in terms of storage capacity, performance, and cost-efficiency?

    While I cannot provide specific examples of successful implementations of the NAS Promise VTrak M310i in surveillance systems, I can explain the potential benefits that can be achieved in terms of storage capacity, performance, and cost-efficiency.

    1. Storage Capacity: The Promise VTrak M310i is a network-attached storage (NAS) solution that supports up to 16 hard drives, allowing for significant storage capacity. With the use of high-capacity drives, surveillance systems can store large amounts of video footage for extended periods without worrying about running out of space.
    2. Performance: The VTrak M310i is designed to deliver high-performance storage for demanding applications. It supports various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, which provide different levels of performance and data protection. By configuring the NAS with appropriate RAID levels, surveillance systems can achieve optimal performance for video recording and retrieval.
    3. Cost-efficiency: The VTrak M310i offers cost-efficiency through its scalability and flexibility. As surveillance systems grow and require additional storage capacity, the NAS can be easily expanded by adding more hard drives. This scalability allows organizations to start with a smaller storage capacity and gradually increase it as needed, reducing upfront costs. Additionally, the use of RAID technology ensures data redundancy and protection, minimizing the risk of data loss and potential costs associated with data recovery.

    Overall, the NAS Promise VTrak M310i can provide surveillance systems with ample storage capacity, high-performance storage, and cost-efficiency through its scalability and data protection features.

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