- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Raidon InTANK iR8822
- 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 the NAS Raidon InTANK iR8822 device's CPU or processing power affect data transfer and potential loss?
The CPU or processing power of the NAS Raidon InTANK iR8822 device can affect data transfer and potential loss in the following ways:
- Data Transfer Speed: The CPU's processing power plays a significant role in determining the data transfer speed of the device. A more powerful CPU can handle data more efficiently, resulting in faster transfer rates. Conversely, a slower CPU may struggle to process data quickly, leading to slower transfer speeds.
- RAID Rebuilding: In a RAID configuration, if a hard drive fails, the CPU is responsible for rebuilding the data on the replacement drive. A faster CPU can complete this rebuilding process more swiftly, reducing the time during which the RAID is vulnerable to potential data loss.
- Data Integrity Checks: The CPU performs various checks and calculations to ensure data integrity during transfer and storage. These checks include error detection and correction algorithms. A more powerful CPU can perform these checks more effectively, reducing the chances of data corruption or loss during transfer.
- Concurrent Access: If multiple users or devices are accessing the NAS simultaneously, the CPU's processing power determines how efficiently it can handle concurrent requests. A more powerful CPU can handle multiple access requests without performance degradation, minimizing the risk of data loss or transfer interruptions.
- Network Protocols and Encryption: The CPU is responsible for handling network protocols and encryption/decryption tasks. If the CPU is underpowered, it may struggle to handle the processing requirements of complex encryption algorithms, leading to slower transfer speeds or potential data loss.
It's important to note that while the CPU's processing power is a crucial factor, other components like the network interface, storage drives, and memory also contribute to overall data transfer performance and potential loss prevention.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS InTANK iR8822 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 iR8822. 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 iR8822 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 iR8822 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. They have the expertise and specialized equipment to recover data from damaged storage devices. They will assess the extent of the damage and determine if the data can be recovered.
It is important to avoid attempting any DIY data recovery methods as they can potentially cause further damage to the device and make the data recovery process more difficult or even impossible.