- Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
- How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
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 Raidon also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.
Are there any compatibility issues or limitations when connecting NAS Raidon Mobile Rack iR2771-S3 devices to different operating systems or platforms?
The compatibility of NAS Raidon Mobile Rack iR2771-S3 devices with different operating systems or platforms depends on the file system and protocols supported by the device.
The iR2771-S3 is a hardware enclosure that can house multiple hard drives and connect to a computer or network via various interfaces such as USB, eSATA, or FireWire. It does not have its own operating system but relies on the computer's operating system to access and manage the data stored on the drives.
When connecting the iR2771-S3 to different operating systems or platforms, you should consider the following factors:
- File System Compatibility: The file system used on the hard drives inside the iR2771-S3 must be compatible with the operating system or platform you are connecting it to. Common file systems include NTFS (Windows), HFS+ (macOS), and ext4 (Linux). Some operating systems may have limited or no support for certain file systems, so you need to ensure compatibility.
- Protocol Support: The iR2771-S3 supports various protocols for data transfer, including USB, eSATA, and FireWire. The compatibility of these protocols with different operating systems or platforms may vary. For example, USB is universally supported, while FireWire is more commonly found on older Mac systems. Ensure that the protocol you intend to use is supported by the operating system or platform.
- Network Compatibility: If you plan to connect the iR2771-S3 to a network for NAS functionality, you need to consider the network protocols supported by the device and the operating system or platform. Common network protocols for NAS devices include SMB/CIFS (Windows), AFP (macOS), and NFS (Linux). Ensure that the device and operating system support the same network protocols for seamless file sharing.
- Software and Drivers: Some operating systems may require specific software or drivers to recognize and interact with the iR2771-S3. Ensure that the necessary software or drivers are available and compatible with the operating system or platform you are using.
By considering these factors, you can ensure better compatibility and minimize any limitations when connecting NAS Raidon Mobile Rack iR2771-S3 devices to different operating systems or platforms.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Mobile Rack iR2771-S3 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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.
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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Raidon Mobile Rack iR2771-S3. 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.
How to recover data from a Raidon
Mobile Rack iR2771-S3 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- APFS / HFS+;
- Ext2 / Ext3 / Ext4;
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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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.
Where are user’s files stored?
The Raidon Mobile Rack iR2771-S3 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 |
Yes, data recovery from a NAS Raidon Mobile Rack iR2771-S3 device can still be done even if the network interface is not functioning. The network interface is only used to access the NAS device over the network, but the data is stored on the hard drives inside the device.
To recover the data, you would need to remove the hard drives from the NAS device and connect them to a computer directly. This can be done by using a SATA-to-USB adapter or by installing the drives in a different NAS or computer.
Once the drives are connected to a computer, you can use data recovery software or services to scan and recover the data from the drives. It's important to note that data recovery can be a complex and delicate process, so it's recommended to seek professional help if you're not familiar with the process.