- 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.
Are there any known issues or limitations when using NAS Thecus N2810PLUS devices with virtualization platforms such as VMware or Hyper-V?
There are a few known issues and limitations when using Thecus N2810PLUS devices with virtualization platforms like VMware or Hyper-V. Some of these include:
- Limited hardware resources: The Thecus N2810PLUS is a low-end NAS device, so it may not have enough processing power, memory, or storage capacity to handle demanding virtualization workloads.
- Lack of official support: Thecus does not officially support virtualization platforms like VMware or Hyper-V on the N2810PLUS. This means that you may not be able to get technical assistance or firmware updates specifically tailored for virtualization.
- Limited virtualization features: The N2810PLUS may not support advanced virtualization features like live migration, high availability, or fault tolerance. These features are typically available on enterprise-grade NAS devices.
- Performance limitations: Due to the limited hardware resources, the performance of virtual machines running on the N2810PLUS may be lower compared to dedicated virtualization servers. This can impact the overall performance and responsiveness of your virtualized environment.
- Compatibility issues: There may be compatibility issues between the N2810PLUS and certain virtualization platforms or specific versions of hypervisors. It is recommended to check the compatibility matrix provided by the virtualization platform vendor before attempting to run virtual machines on the N2810PLUS.
It's important to note that these limitations may vary depending on the specific use case and workload requirements. It is always recommended to thoroughly test and evaluate the performance and compatibility of the N2810PLUS with your virtualization platform before deploying it in a production environment.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS N2810PLUS 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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
-
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.
Go to view
Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Thecus N2810PLUS. 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.
N2810PLUS 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:
-
Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
-
Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
-
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.
-
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 N2810PLUS 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 |
It is possible to recover data from a physically damaged NAS device, but it depends on the extent of the damage. If the power surge has caused damage to the internal components of the NAS, it may be difficult to recover the data. However, if only the power supply or other easily replaceable components are damaged, it may be possible to recover the data by repairing or replacing those components.
In any case, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service that specializes in NAS devices. They will have the necessary expertise and tools to assess the damage and attempt data recovery if possible.