- 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.
Can the use of deduplication or compression technologies impact data loss risks on NAS Seagate Exos X 5U84 devices?
The use of deduplication or compression technologies can potentially impact data loss risks on NAS Seagate Exos X 5U84 devices in both positive and negative ways.
Deduplication technology eliminates redundant data by storing only unique instances of data blocks. This can help reduce the storage footprint and improve efficiency. However, if there is a failure in the deduplication process or the deduplication index, it could result in data loss or corruption. Therefore, it is important to have proper backup and redundancy measures in place to mitigate such risks.
Compression technology reduces the size of data by encoding it in a more efficient manner. While compression can save storage space, it also introduces a risk of data loss if the compression algorithm or implementation is faulty. If the compressed data becomes corrupted or the decompression process fails, it may result in data loss.
To mitigate data loss risks, it is crucial to implement appropriate backup strategies, regularly test data restoration processes, and ensure redundancy in storage systems. Additionally, it is recommended to carefully evaluate and test deduplication or compression technologies before implementing them on NAS devices, ensuring they are reliable and properly configured.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Exos X 5U84 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 5U84. 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.
How to recover data from a Seagate
Exos X 5U84 has 84 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 5U84 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 |
The specific data structures used in NAS Seagate Exos X 5U84 devices are not publicly available. However, in general, data recovery from NAS devices can be affected by various factors such as RAID configurations, file systems, and encryption.
RAID configurations: NAS devices often use RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) for data redundancy and performance improvement. The specific RAID configuration used in the Seagate Exos X 5U84 can impact data recovery. For example, if the RAID array fails or if multiple drives in the array fail simultaneously, it can complicate the recovery process.
File systems: NAS devices typically use file systems such as ext4, NTFS, or ZFS. The choice of file system can affect data recovery because different file systems have different data structures and recovery methods.
Encryption: Some NAS devices offer encryption features to protect data. If data is encrypted on the Seagate Exos X 5U84 device and the encryption key is lost or inaccessible, data recovery becomes more challenging.
In any case, data recovery from NAS devices can be complex and may require specialized knowledge and tools. It is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service if you encounter data loss on a NAS device.