Accessing RAID Disk Files Without Operational NAS Promise VTrak M500p: Practical Steps

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Promise VTrak M500p
• 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.

How can a NAS Promise VTrak M500p device's cache settings impact data loss risks?

The cache settings of a NAS Promise VTrak M500p device can impact data loss risks in the following ways:

1. Write-back vs. Write-through cache mode: The device may offer the option to configure its cache in either write-back or write-through mode. In write-back mode, data is initially written to the cache and then asynchronously written to the disk. This can improve performance but increases the risk of data loss in case of a power outage or system failure before the data is written to the disk. In write-through mode, data is immediately written to the disk, reducing the risk of data loss but potentially impacting performance.
2. Cache size: The size of the cache in the device can also impact data loss risks. A larger cache can improve performance by allowing more data to be temporarily stored in memory before being written to the disk. However, if the cache is not properly protected, a power failure or system crash can result in data loss if the data in the cache has not been written to the disk.
3. Cache protection mechanisms: The device may offer various cache protection mechanisms to reduce the risk of data loss. For example, it may have a battery backup unit (BBU) that can provide power to the cache in case of a power outage, allowing data to be safely written to the disk. It may also have features like cache mirroring or RAID protection to ensure redundancy and data integrity in case of a cache failure.
4. Proper configuration and monitoring: It is crucial to properly configure and monitor the cache settings of the device to minimize data loss risks. This includes ensuring that the cache is adequately protected, regularly checking the status of the cache, and implementing appropriate backup and disaster recovery strategies to mitigate the impact of any potential data loss.

In summary, the cache settings of a NAS Promise VTrak M500p device can significantly impact data loss risks. It is vital to carefully consider the write-back/write-through mode, cache size, cache protection mechanisms, and proper configuration and monitoring to ensure data integrity and minimize the chances of data loss.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS VTrak M500p 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 M500p. 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 M500p has 15 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 M500p 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