- 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 Thecus 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 continuous data protection mechanisms help in minimizing potential data loss on NAS Thecus N2200 devices?
Continuous data protection mechanisms can help minimize potential data loss on NAS Thecus N2200 devices in the following ways:
- Real-time data replication: Continuous data protection continuously replicates data in real-time, ensuring that any changes made to the data are immediately replicated to another location or device. This ensures that even if the NAS device fails or data gets corrupted, the replicated data can be used to restore the system to a previous state, minimizing data loss.
- Incremental backups: Continuous data protection typically uses incremental backups, where only the changes made to the data since the last backup are saved. This reduces the backup time and storage requirements while ensuring that recent changes are protected. In case of data loss, only the changes made since the last backup need to be restored, minimizing the potential data loss.
- Point-in-time recovery: Continuous data protection allows for point-in-time recovery, which means that data can be restored to a specific moment in time. This is useful in scenarios where data gets corrupted or deleted, as it allows users to roll back to a previous state before the data loss occurred, minimizing the impact.
- Automatic data synchronization: Continuous data protection mechanisms automatically synchronize data between multiple NAS devices or locations. This ensures that even if one NAS device fails, the data is still available on another device, reducing the risk of data loss.
- Rapid data recovery: Continuous data protection enables quick data recovery as it eliminates the need for lengthy backup restore processes. Users can easily access and restore their data from the replicated copies, minimizing downtime and potential data loss.
Overall, continuous data protection mechanisms provide a proactive approach to data protection, ensuring that data is continuously backed up and readily available for recovery, thus minimizing potential data loss on NAS Thecus N2200 devices.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS N2200 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 Thecus N2200. 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 Thecus
N2200 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- EXT3;
- EXT4;
- XFS;
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 Thecus N2200 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 |
Data recovery from a NAS device with hardware failure can be challenging and may require professional assistance. In the case of a Thecus N2200 device, if it is showing signs of hardware failure, such as not powering on, making unusual noises, or experiencing disk errors, it is recommended to contact a data recovery service or a professional IT technician who specializes in NAS devices.
These professionals have the expertise and tools necessary to diagnose the hardware issue, repair or replace faulty components, and attempt data recovery from the device. However, it is important to note that data recovery success cannot be guaranteed in all cases, especially if the hardware failure is severe. It is always advisable to regularly backup important data to avoid potential loss in such situations.