- 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 a NAS Thecus N4800Eco device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?
The power management settings of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device can have an impact on data availability and potential loss in the following ways:
- Sleep Mode: NAS devices often have a sleep mode feature that allows them to enter a low-power state when not in use. While this can save energy, it can also cause delays when accessing data. If the NAS takes too long to wake up from sleep mode, it can result in slower response times and reduced data availability.
- Drive Spin Down: Some NAS devices offer the option to spin down hard drives when they are idle for a certain period. While this saves power and reduces wear on the drives, it can cause a delay when accessing data as the drives need to spin up again. If the spin-up time is significant, it can impact data availability and user experience.
- Scheduled Power On/Off: NAS devices may have the ability to schedule automatic power on/off cycles. While this can save power during periods of inactivity, it can also lead to data unavailability if the NAS is turned off during critical times. If the NAS is not powered on when needed, users may not be able to access their data, resulting in potential loss.
- Power Interruptions: In regions with unstable power supply, sudden power outages or fluctuations can occur. If the NAS device does not have proper power management features like surge protection or battery backup, it can result in data loss or corruption. Power interruptions during read/write operations can lead to incomplete data transfers or file system errors.
To mitigate the impact of power management settings on data availability and potential loss, it is important to carefully configure and balance power-saving features with the requirements of data accessibility. Regular backups should also be maintained to minimize the risk of data loss in case of power-related issues.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS N4800Eco 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 N4800Eco. 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.
N4800Eco has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- RAID 5;
- RAID 6;
- RAID 10;
- 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 N4800Eco 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 |
If the storage disks of a Thecus N4800Eco NAS device have been accidentally overwritten or reformatted, it may still be possible to recover data from them. However, the success of the recovery process depends on several factors, such as the extent of the overwrite or reformat, the type of file system used, and the actions taken after the data loss occurred.
Here are a few steps you can take to attempt data recovery:
Remember, data recovery from overwritten or reformatted disks is not guaranteed, and the success rate depends on various factors. It is always recommended to regularly backup your important data to avoid such situations in the future.