- 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 Seagate 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 Seagate Black Armor STCT8000200 devices against data loss?
Yes, there are several network security measures that can be implemented to safeguard NAS Seagate Black Armor STCT8000200 devices against data loss. Here are some recommendations:
- Secure Network Configuration: Ensure that the NAS device is connected to a secure network and isolated from the public internet. Use a strong password for the device's administration interface and disable any unnecessary services or ports.
- Regular Firmware Updates: Keep the NAS device's firmware up to date to protect against known vulnerabilities. Check Seagate's website or the device's management interface for firmware updates and apply them as soon as they are available.
- User Access Control: Implement strong user access controls by creating separate user accounts with unique usernames and strong passwords. Assign appropriate access rights and permissions to each user, limiting access to sensitive data.
- Enable Data Encryption: Utilize the NAS device's built-in encryption features to encrypt sensitive data stored on the device. This will protect the data in case of unauthorized access or theft.
- Backup and Disaster Recovery: Regularly backup the data stored on the NAS device to an external storage device or cloud storage. This will ensure that even if data is lost or compromised on the NAS device, it can be restored from a backup.
- Network Segmentation: Consider segmenting the network to create separate subnets for different types of devices. This can help contain any potential security breaches and limit the impact on the NAS device and its data.
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDPS): Implement an IDPS to monitor network traffic and detect any suspicious activity or attempts to access the NAS device. This can help prevent unauthorized access and data loss.
- Physical Security: Ensure that the NAS device is physically secured in a locked room or cabinet to prevent unauthorized physical access. Additionally, consider implementing security cameras or alarms to deter theft or tampering.
Remember that these measures should be part of a comprehensive network security strategy and should be regularly reviewed and updated as new threats emerge.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Black Armor STCT8000200 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 Seagate Black Armor STCT8000200. 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.
Black Armor STCT8000200 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- 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 Seagate Black Armor STCT8000200 network-attached storage keeps Seagate NAS OS 4 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 |
Data recovery from a NAS Seagate Black Armor STCT8000200 device can be challenging if the device is experiencing firmware or software bugs. In such cases, it is recommended to contact Seagate's customer support or a professional data recovery service for assistance.
These experts will have specialized tools and knowledge to diagnose and resolve firmware or software issues, and they may be able to recover the data from the affected device. It is important to avoid attempting any DIY fixes or firmware updates without proper guidance, as this can potentially cause further damage and make data recovery more difficult.