- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Rasilient Pixel Stor PS5012
- 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 Rasilient 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.
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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS Pixel Stor PS5012 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 Rasilient Pixel Stor PS5012. 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 Rasilient
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;
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 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.
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 |
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.