RAID Disk File Access Without Functioning NAS Promise VTrak M310p: Step-by-Step Guide

⭐ NAS down? Access RAID disk files by connecting to a PC, ensuring RAID settings align, and using recovery software to restore the array.

RAID Disk File Access Without Functioning NAS Promise VTrak M310p: Step-by-Step Guide

Promise VTrak M310p 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 M310p.

RAID Disk File Access Without Functioning NAS Promise VTrak M310p: 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.

What are the common causes of data loss in NAS Promise VTrak M310p devices?

There are several common causes of data loss in NAS Promise VTrak M310p devices, including:

  1. Hardware failure: This can include issues with the hard drives, power supply, or other components of the device. If any hardware component fails, it can lead to data loss.
  2. Human error: Accidental deletion of files or formatting of drives can result in data loss. It is important to be cautious while managing and operating the device to avoid such mistakes.
  3. Software corruption: Problems with the operating system or firmware can cause data loss. This can occur due to bugs, compatibility issues, or improper updates.
  4. Virus or malware attacks: If the NAS device is infected with a virus or malware, it can corrupt or delete the data stored on it.
  5. Power surges or outages: Sudden power surges or outages can cause the NAS device to shut down improperly, leading to data loss or corruption.
  6. Natural disasters: Fire, floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters can physically damage the NAS device and result in data loss.
  7. Theft or physical damage: If the NAS device is stolen or physically damaged, the data stored on it may become inaccessible or lost.

To minimize the risk of data loss, it is recommended to regularly backup data, implement security measures like antivirus software, and ensure proper maintenance of the NAS device.

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

Although NAS VTrak M310p 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 M310p. 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 M310p 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 M310p 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 M310p, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Leonard Higgins
    Leonard Higgins 8.09.2023 21:38 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS Promise VTrak M310p device be performed if there are issues with the storage pool or configurations?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 8.09.2023 21:59 #

      Yes, data recovery from a NAS Promise VTrak M310p device can be performed even if there are issues with the storage pool or configurations. However, it is important to note that data recovery can be a complex and time-consuming process, and the success of the recovery depends on the specific issue and the extent of the damage.

      In cases where there are issues with the storage pool or configurations, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service or the technical support of Promise Technology, the manufacturer of the NAS device. They will have the expertise and tools necessary to diagnose and resolve the issues, and if needed, perform data recovery.

      It is important to cease any further attempts to fix the issue or recover data on your own, as improper actions can potentially worsen the situation and make data recovery more difficult or even impossible.

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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 advantages of using a NAS Promise VTrak M310p over traditional external hard drives for data storage?

    There are several key advantages of using a NAS Promise VTrak M310p over traditional external hard drives for data storage:

    1. Scalability: The NAS Promise VTrak M310p offers scalable storage capacity, allowing you to easily expand your storage as your needs grow. Traditional external hard drives have limited capacity and may require multiple devices to achieve the desired storage space.
    2. Redundancy and Data Protection: The VTrak M310p supports RAID configurations, which provide data redundancy and protection against drive failures. This ensures that your data remains accessible even if a drive fails. Traditional external hard drives typically do not offer such redundancy.
    3. Network Accessibility: The NAS Promise VTrak M310p is a network-attached storage device, meaning it can be accessed by multiple users over a network. This allows for easy file sharing and collaboration among team members. Traditional external hard drives are typically connected directly to a single computer and do not offer network accessibility.
    4. Centralized Management: With the VTrak M310p, you can centrally manage and control your storage environment. This includes features like user access control, data backup, and monitoring. Traditional external hard drives require manual management and lack centralized control.
    5. Performance: The VTrak M310p is designed for high-performance storage, offering faster data transfer speeds compared to traditional external hard drives. This is particularly beneficial for applications that require quick access to large amounts of data.
    6. Expandability: The VTrak M310p supports expansion via additional drive enclosures, allowing you to easily increase your storage capacity without replacing the entire system. Traditional external hard drives have limited expandability options.

    Overall, the NAS Promise VTrak M310p provides a more robust and scalable solution for data storage compared to traditional external hard drives. It offers enhanced data protection, network accessibility, centralized management, and better performance, making it suitable for businesses and organizations with growing storage needs.

  • How does the NAS Promise VTrak M310p enhance data security and reliability compared to regular external hard drives?

    The NAS Promise VTrak M310p enhances data security and reliability compared to regular external hard drives through several features:

    1. Redundancy: The VTrak M310p supports RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations, which allows for data redundancy. RAID levels like RAID 1 or RAID 5 ensure that data is mirrored or distributed across multiple drives, respectively. This redundancy protects against drive failures and ensures data availability even if one or more drives fail.
    2. Hot-swappable drives: The VTrak M310p allows for hot-swapping of drives, meaning that failed drives can be replaced without shutting down the system. This feature minimizes downtime and ensures continuous access to data.
    3. Data protection mechanisms: The VTrak M310p offers various data protection mechanisms such as error checking and correction (ECC), which detects and corrects data errors during transmission or storage. Additionally, it supports features like S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) that proactively monitors drive health and predicts failures, enabling timely replacements.
    4. Data encryption: The VTrak M310p often includes built-in encryption capabilities, allowing data to be encrypted at rest on the drives. This ensures that even if the drives are stolen or accessed without authorization, the data remains secure and unreadable.
    5. Centralized management: The VTrak M310p is typically managed through a centralized interface, providing administrators with better control and monitoring capabilities. This centralized management allows for efficient configuration, monitoring, and maintenance of the storage system, enhancing overall data security and reliability.
    6. Scalability: The VTrak M310p is designed to be scalable, allowing for easy expansion of storage capacity as per the organization's requirements. This scalability ensures that data can be stored and accessed reliably without worrying about running out of storage space.

    Overall, the NAS Promise VTrak M310p offers advanced features and technologies that enhance data security and reliability compared to regular external hard drives. It provides redundancy, data protection mechanisms, encryption, centralized management, and scalability, making it a more robust and reliable storage solution for businesses and organizations.

  • In what ways does the NAS Promise VTrak M310p provide better scalability and flexibility for data storage needs than regular external hard drives?

    The NAS Promise VTrak M310p provides better scalability and flexibility for data storage needs compared to regular external hard drives in several ways:

    1. Storage Capacity: The VTrak M310p is a network-attached storage (NAS) solution that supports multiple hard drives, allowing for higher storage capacities compared to regular external hard drives. It can accommodate a larger number of drives and provide storage expansion options, enabling businesses to scale their storage capacity as needed.
    2. RAID Support: The VTrak M310p supports various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10. RAID technology enhances data protection and performance by distributing data across multiple drives. Regular external hard drives typically do not offer RAID support, making them more susceptible to data loss in case of drive failure.
    3. Redundancy and Data Protection: The VTrak M310p offers redundant power supplies, cooling fans, and hot-swappable drive bays. These features ensure high availability and minimize downtime in case of hardware failures. Regular external hard drives do not typically provide these redundancy features, making them more vulnerable to failures and data loss.
    4. Network Connectivity: The VTrak M310p is designed to be connected directly to the network, providing shared storage accessible to multiple users or devices simultaneously. This network connectivity allows for centralized data management, collaboration, and file sharing, which is not possible with regular external hard drives that are usually connected to a single computer.
    5. Advanced Management Features: The VTrak M310p comes with advanced management features such as RAID management, storage virtualization, and remote management capabilities. These features provide greater control, monitoring, and configuration options for the storage system, enhancing flexibility and ease of use compared to regular external hard drives.
    6. Scalability and Expansion: The VTrak M310p allows for easy scalability and expansion by adding additional drive enclosures or expanding the existing storage pool. This flexibility enables businesses to accommodate growing data storage needs without replacing the entire storage system. Regular external hard drives have limited capacity and cannot be easily expanded, requiring the purchase of additional drives.

    Overall, the NAS Promise VTrak M310p offers superior scalability and flexibility for data storage needs compared to regular external hard drives, making it a more suitable choice for businesses and organizations with growing storage requirements.

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