- 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 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 the NAS TerraMaster U12-322-9100 device's CPU or processing power affect data transfer and potential loss?
The NAS TerraMaster U12-322-9100 device's CPU or processing power can affect data transfer and potential loss in the following ways:
- Data transfer speed: The CPU's processing power determines how quickly the device can process and transfer data. A more powerful CPU can handle data transfer tasks more efficiently, resulting in faster transfer speeds. Conversely, a slower CPU may bottleneck the data transfer process, leading to slower speeds.
- Data integrity: During data transfer, the CPU is responsible for tasks like data encryption, compression, and error correction. A powerful CPU can perform these tasks effectively, ensuring data integrity during the transfer process. In contrast, a weaker CPU may struggle to handle these tasks, increasing the chances of data corruption or loss.
- Network performance: The CPU's processing power also affects the device's ability to handle network traffic and manage multiple simultaneous connections. A powerful CPU can efficiently handle network requests, resulting in smoother data transfer and reduced potential for loss. A weaker CPU may struggle to manage network traffic, leading to slower transfer speeds and increased chances of data loss.
- RAID performance: The NAS TerraMaster U12-322-9100 device supports various RAID configurations for data redundancy and protection. The CPU's processing power plays a crucial role in RAID performance, including tasks like data parity calculations and RAID rebuilds. A more powerful CPU can handle these tasks quickly and efficiently, reducing the time and potential for data loss during RAID operations.
In summary, the CPU or processing power of the NAS TerraMaster U12-322-9100 device directly impacts data transfer speed, data integrity, network performance, and RAID operations. A more powerful CPU enhances these aspects, reducing the potential for data loss during transfers.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS U12-322-9100 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 TerraMaster U12-322-9100. 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.
U12-322-9100 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:
- 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:
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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 TerraMaster U12-322-9100 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, data recovery from a NAS TerraMaster U12-322-9100 device can be performed even if there are issues with the storage pool or configurations. However, the success of the recovery process may vary depending on the nature and severity of the issues.
If there are issues with the storage pool, such as corruption or failure, it may be possible to recover the data by repairing the pool or rebuilding it. This process typically involves troubleshooting the specific problem and using appropriate tools or software provided by TerraMaster or third-party data recovery specialists.
Similarly, if there are configuration issues, such as accidental deletion or misconfiguration of settings, it may be possible to recover the data by restoring the correct configurations or using backup copies of the configurations.
In both cases, it is recommended to contact TerraMaster support or consult with professional data recovery services for assistance. They can provide guidance and help you determine the best course of action to recover your data.