- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Raidon InTANK iR2022S
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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 Raidon 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 Raidon InTANK iR2022S device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?
The power management settings of a NAS Raidon InTANK iR2022S device can impact data availability and potential loss in the following ways:
- Power Failure: If the power management settings are not configured properly, the device may shut down unexpectedly during a power outage. This can lead to data loss or corruption if any ongoing read/write operations are interrupted.
- Disk Spindown: Power management settings may include an option to spin down the hard drives after a certain period of inactivity. While this can save power, it can also cause delays when accessing data as the drives need to spin up again. If the spindown time is set too aggressively, it may impact the responsiveness of the NAS and result in slower access to data.
- Scheduled Power Off/On: Some NAS devices offer the ability to schedule automatic power off or power on at specific times. If the power off schedule conflicts with critical data access requirements, it can lead to data unavailability during those periods. Similarly, if the power-on schedule is not properly configured, it may result in delays in accessing data when needed.
- Battery Backup: Power management settings may also include options for configuring battery backup systems. If the battery backup is not properly configured or maintained, it may fail to provide sufficient power during an outage, leading to data loss or corruption.
To mitigate these risks, it is important to properly configure the power management settings of the NAS device, considering factors such as the importance of data availability, the frequency of power outages, and the performance requirements of the system. Regular backups should also be performed to ensure data can be recovered in case of any unexpected power-related issues.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS InTANK iR2022S 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Raidon InTANK iR2022S. 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.
How to recover data from a Raidon
InTANK iR2022S has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- APFS / HFS+;
- Ext2 / Ext3 / Ext4;
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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.
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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 Raidon InTANK iR2022S 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
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
It is possible to recover data from a NAS device that has been affected by a power surge or electrical malfunction, but the success of the recovery depends on the extent of the damage.
In such cases, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service that specializes in NAS devices. They have the necessary expertise and tools to assess the damage and attempt to recover the data.
It is important to note that attempting to recover the data yourself or using inexperienced recovery methods may further damage the device and make data recovery more difficult or even impossible.