Extracting Data from a RAID Disk When NAS TerraMaster T9-423 is Not Launching: Step-by-Step Guide

Contents

• 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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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 TerraMaster 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 TerraMaster T9-423 device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?

The power management settings of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the TerraMaster T9-423 can impact data availability and potential loss in the following ways:

1. Sleep Mode: NAS devices often have a sleep mode that automatically powers down the hard drives after a certain period of inactivity. While this can save power, it can also lead to delays when accessing data as the drives need to spin up again. If a user tries to access data during this spin-up time, it can result in slower performance and reduced availability.
2. Power Loss: If the NAS device experiences a sudden power loss or is improperly shut down, it can result in data loss or corruption. This is especially true if there are any pending write operations that haven't been completed. Power management settings that control how the NAS device handles power loss, such as ensuring proper shutdown procedures or using battery backup solutions, can help mitigate the risk of data loss.
3. Scheduled Power On/Off: Some NAS devices allow users to schedule automatic power on/off times. While this can be convenient for saving power during off-peak hours, it can also impact data availability if users need access to the NAS during the scheduled off time. It's important to consider the operational needs of the NAS and schedule power on/off times accordingly to minimize any potential data unavailability.
4. RAID Rebuild: If the NAS device is configured with a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) setup and a drive fails, the power management settings can affect how quickly the RAID array rebuilds itself. Delaying or limiting the resources dedicated to the rebuild process can increase the time it takes to restore data redundancy, leaving the system vulnerable to potential data loss if another drive fails during this period.
5. Network Connectivity: Power management settings can also impact network connectivity, especially if the NAS device enters sleep mode or powers down during periods of inactivity. This can result in temporary unavailability of data until the NAS wakes up or powers on again, causing potential disruptions in accessing files or services.

To minimize the impact of power management settings on data availability and potential loss, it's essential to strike a balance between power-saving measures and ensuring quick and reliable access to data. Regular backups, proper shutdown procedures, appropriate RAID configurations, and understanding the operational needs of the NAS can help mitigate any risks associated with power management settings.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS T9-423 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with TerraMaster T9-423. 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.

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How to recover data from a TerraMaster

T9-423 has 9 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• Ext2;
• Ext3;
• Ext4;
• Btrfs;

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:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 TerraMaster T9-423 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