- 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.
How can a NAS Seagate Exos X 2U12 device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?
The power management settings of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Seagate Exos X 2U12 can impact data availability and potential loss in the following ways:
- Power Loss: If the power management settings are not properly configured, sudden power loss or unexpected power interruptions can occur. This can lead to data loss or corruption if write operations are interrupted during the power outage. Unsaved data in the cache may also be lost.
- Drive Spin Down: Some NAS devices have a power-saving feature that automatically spins down the hard drives when they are idle for a certain period. While this reduces power consumption, it can increase the time required to access data when the drives need to spin up again. If the drives take too long to spin up, it may impact data availability, especially in scenarios where quick access to data is crucial.
- Sleep Mode: NAS devices often have sleep mode options to save power during extended periods of inactivity. When the NAS is in sleep mode, it may take some time for it to wake up and become available again. This can cause delays or temporary unavailability of data until the NAS fully wakes up and resumes normal operation.
- RAID Rebuild Time: In a NAS with RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configuration, power management settings can impact the time required for RAID rebuilds. If a drive fails and needs to be replaced, the NAS needs to rebuild the data from the remaining drives onto the new drive. If power management settings are too aggressive, it might slow down the rebuild process, increasing the risk of data loss if another drive fails during the rebuild.
- Scheduled Backups: Power management settings may affect scheduled backup processes. If the NAS device is set to power off or enter sleep mode during the backup window, backups may be missed or delayed. This can result in potential data loss if backups are not performed regularly.
To mitigate these risks, it is important to configure the power management settings of a NAS device carefully. It is recommended to balance power-saving features with the need for data availability and ensure that critical data is regularly backed up to minimize the impact of potential data loss.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Exos X 2U12 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 Exos X 2U12. 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.
Exos X 2U12 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 Seagate Exos X 2U12 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, there are several troubleshooting methods you can try for data recovery from NAS Seagate Exos X 2U12 devices with limited functionality. Here are some steps you can follow:
Remember, attempting data recovery on your own may further damage the device or result in permanent data loss. It's always advisable to consult with professionals in case of critical data loss situations.