- 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.
Are there any specific network security measures to implement for safeguarding NAS Rasilient Pixel Stor PS7012 devices against data loss?
Yes, there are several network security measures that can be implemented to safeguard NAS Rasilient Pixel Stor PS7012 devices against data loss. Here are some of the key measures:
- Access Control: Implement strong access controls to limit and control who can access the NAS device. Use strong passwords, enforce multi-factor authentication, and regularly review and update user access privileges.
- Firewall: Configure a firewall to protect the NAS device from unauthorized access. Ensure that only necessary ports and protocols are open and that the firewall rules are regularly reviewed and updated.
- Encryption: Enable encryption for data stored on the NAS device. This will ensure that even if the data is compromised, it cannot be easily accessed or read without the encryption key.
- Regular Patching and Updates: Keep the NAS device's firmware and software up to date by regularly applying patches and updates. This will help protect against known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS): Implement an IDPS to monitor the network traffic and detect any suspicious or malicious activities. This can help identify and prevent potential attacks on the NAS device.
- Backup and Disaster Recovery: Regularly backup the data stored on the NAS device and implement a robust disaster recovery plan. This will ensure that even if data loss occurs, it can be quickly restored from backups.
- Network Segmentation: Segment the network to isolate the NAS device from other systems and restrict access to only authorized users or systems. This can help contain any potential attacks and limit the impact of a breach.
- Monitoring and Logging: Enable logging and monitoring on the NAS device to track and record any unusual activities or events. Regularly review the logs to identify any potential security incidents or breaches.
- User Education and Awareness: Educate users about best practices for network security, such as avoiding suspicious links or attachments, using strong passwords, and regularly updating their devices. This can help prevent social engineering attacks and improve overall security.
Implementing these network security measures will significantly enhance the protection of NAS Rasilient Pixel Stor PS7012 devices against data loss and unauthorized access.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Pixel Stor PS7012 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 PS7012. 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 PS7012 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 PS7012 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, it is possible to recover data from a NAS Rasilient Pixel Stor PS7012 device that has been affected by file system corruption or partition error. However, the success of data recovery depends on the extent of the damage and the actions taken after the corruption occurred.
Here are some steps you can take to attempt data recovery:
Remember, data recovery is not always guaranteed, especially if the corruption or error is severe. It is essential to take preventive measures like regular backups to avoid data loss in the future.