- 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 Rasilient also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.
What are the risks of data loss due to firmware or software malfunctions in NAS Rasilient Pixel Stor PS5012 devices?
The risks of data loss due to firmware or software malfunctions in NAS Rasilient Pixel Stor PS5012 devices can include:
- Data corruption: Firmware or software malfunctions can lead to data corruption, making the stored data inaccessible or unusable.
- Data deletion: Malfunctions can cause accidental deletion of data, resulting in permanent loss if proper backups are not in place.
- System crashes: Firmware or software issues can cause the NAS device to crash, potentially leading to data loss if the system is not properly recovered.
- Incomplete backups: If the malfunction affects the backup process, backups may not be completed successfully, leaving the data vulnerable to loss.
- Disk failures: Firmware or software malfunctions can put excessive stress on the hard drives, leading to increased chances of disk failures and subsequent data loss.
- Inability to access data: Malfunctions can result in the NAS device becoming inaccessible, preventing users from accessing their stored data until the issue is resolved.
- Security vulnerabilities: Firmware or software malfunctions can create security vulnerabilities, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data breaches, which could result in data loss.
It is important to regularly update firmware and software, maintain proper backups, and monitor the health of the NAS device to mitigate these risks and minimize the chances of data loss.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Pixel Stor PS5012 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 Rasilient Pixel Stor PS5012. 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.
Pixel Stor PS5012 has 12 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- RAID 5;
- RAID 6;
- 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;
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 Rasilient Pixel Stor PS5012 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 |
Rasilient Pixel Stor PS5012 devices use standard encryption methods such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) to protect data. AES is a widely accepted and secure encryption algorithm. While encryption can make data recovery more difficult, it does not necessarily prevent data recovery entirely.
If the encryption keys are properly managed and secured, data recovery may be challenging without the correct keys or passwords. However, if the encryption keys are compromised or lost, it may become extremely difficult or even impossible to recover the encrypted data.
It is important to note that the specific implementation and management of encryption on Rasilient Pixel Stor PS5012 devices may vary. It is recommended to consult the device's documentation or contact Rasilient's support for precise information regarding encryption and its potential impact on data recovery.