- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Raidon InTANK iR2024S
- 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 network issues impact the data stored on NAS Raidon InTANK iR2024S devices?
Network issues can impact the data stored on NAS Raidon InTANK iR2024S devices in several ways:
- Slow data transfer: Network issues such as high latency, packet loss, or network congestion can result in slow data transfer speeds between the NAS device and the connected devices. This can lead to longer backup or file transfer times, affecting productivity and efficiency.
- Data corruption: Network issues like unstable connections or intermittent disconnections can cause data corruption during file transfers. If the data is not transferred properly or gets interrupted midway, it can result in incomplete or corrupted files on the NAS device.
- Inaccessibility: Network issues can make the NAS device inaccessible to connected devices. If the network connection is lost or unstable, users may not be able to access the data stored on the NAS, leading to downtime and disruption in workflow.
- Data loss: In extreme cases, network issues can cause data loss on the NAS device. If there are frequent network interruptions or failures, it can result in the loss of important data that was being written or transferred to the NAS.
- Security risks: Network issues can also expose the NAS device to security risks. If there are vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure or if the network is compromised, unauthorized access or attacks on the NAS device can lead to data breaches or loss.
To mitigate these impacts, it is important to ensure a stable and reliable network infrastructure, regularly backup data from the NAS device to an offsite location, implement security measures like firewalls and access controls, and monitor the network for any potential issues or anomalies.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS InTANK iR2024S 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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
-
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.
Go to view
Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Raidon InTANK iR2024S. 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 iR2024S 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:
-
Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
-
In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
-
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.
-
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 iR2024S 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 |
The NAS Raidon InTANK iR2024S devices use a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configuration for data storage. RAID technology combines multiple physical hard drives into a single logical unit to provide improved performance, fault tolerance, and data redundancy.
The specific RAID level used in the InTANK iR2024S is not explicitly mentioned in the available information. However, it is likely that it supports various RAID levels such as RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, or RAID 10.
The choice of RAID level can affect data recovery in the following ways:
In general, RAID configurations with higher levels of redundancy (such as RAID 1, RAID 6, or RAID 10) offer better data recovery options in case of drive failures. However, it is always recommended to have regular backups to mitigate the risk of data loss.