Best Practices for Recovering NAS Sharp N5810PRO (IX-N5810P) Data from RAID Arrays

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Sharp N5810PRO (IX-N5810P)
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

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 Sharp 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.

How can a NAS Sharp N5810PRO (IX-N5810P) device's caching policy impact data loss risks?

The caching policy of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Sharp N5810PRO can impact data loss risks in a few ways:

1. Write Caching: NAS devices often use write caching to improve performance by temporarily storing data in memory before writing it to the storage drives. While this can enhance speed, it also introduces a risk of data loss if a power outage or system failure occurs before the data is written to the drives. If the caching policy prioritizes performance over data integrity, there is a higher risk of losing data in such scenarios.
2. Read Caching: NAS devices may also employ read caching to accelerate data retrieval by storing frequently accessed data in memory. However, if the caching policy is not carefully managed, there is a possibility that outdated or inconsistent data might be served from the cache instead of the actual storage drives. This can lead to data loss or data corruption if the cached data is not synchronized with the latest version on the drives.
3. Cache Failure: The caching mechanism itself can introduce risks if the cache hardware or software malfunctions. If the NAS device heavily relies on caching and the cache fails, it may result in data loss or inaccessibility of data until the cache is repaired or replaced.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to consider the following:

• Choose a NAS device that offers configurable caching policies, allowing you to prioritize data integrity over performance if necessary.
• Ensure the NAS device has a reliable power backup solution, such as a battery backup or uninterruptible power supply (UPS), to minimize the risk of data loss during power outages or system failures.
• Regularly monitor the health and functionality of the caching system to identify any potential issues before they lead to data loss.
• Implement data backup strategies, such as regular backups to an offsite location or cloud storage, to provide an additional layer of protection against data loss.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS N5810PRO (IX-N5810P) 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Sharp N5810PRO (IX-N5810P). 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.

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How to recover data from a Sharp

N5810PRO (IX-N5810P) has 5 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• APFS / HFS+;
• Ext2 / Ext3 / Ext4;

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:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 Sharp N5810PRO (IX-N5810P) 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