Practical Steps for Accessing Files on a RAID Disk Without a Functional NAS Uniview DE3160-V2

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 Uniview 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 recommended steps to take after detecting or suspecting data loss on a NAS Uniview DE3160-V2 device?

If you suspect or detect data loss on a NAS Uniview DE3160-V2 device, here are some recommended steps to take:

1. Verify the Issue: Double-check if the data loss is indeed occurring. Ensure that the files or data you are looking for are not misplaced or accidentally deleted.
2. Isolate the Device: If you suspect data loss, it is crucial to isolate the NAS device from the network to prevent any further damage or data corruption. Disconnect it from the network and power it down to avoid any overwriting of data.
3. Contact Technical Support: Reach out to the technical support team of Uniview or the vendor from whom you purchased the device. They can provide guidance specific to your device and help troubleshoot the issue.
4. Perform Basic Troubleshooting: Before attempting any data recovery, try basic troubleshooting steps recommended by the manufacturer or technical support. This may include checking the connections, updating firmware, or running diagnostic tests.
5. Data Recovery Options: If basic troubleshooting does not resolve the issue, you may need to consider data recovery options. Depending on the severity of the data loss, you can try the following:

a. Use Backup: If you have a recent backup of your data, restore it to the NAS device. This will recover the lost data and minimize downtime.

b. Professional Data Recovery Services: If you do not have a backup or the data loss is severe, consider contacting professional data recovery services. They specialize in recovering data from various storage devices, including NAS systems. Be prepared for potential costs associated with these services.

c. Software-based Recovery: There are data recovery software available that can help recover lost or deleted files from NAS devices. Research and choose a reputable software that supports the Uniview DE3160-V2 device and follow the instructions provided.

1. Prevent Future Data Loss: Once the data is recovered or the issue is resolved, take steps to prevent future data loss. This includes implementing regular backups, ensuring proper security measures, and monitoring the NAS device for any potential issues.

Remember, it is always recommended to consult with technical support or seek professional assistance when dealing with data loss issues to avoid further complications or permanent data loss.

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

Although NAS DE3160-V2 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 Uniview DE3160-V2. 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 Uniview

DE3160-V2 has 60 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

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

NAS supports:

• exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
• NTFS / ReFS;
• APFS / HFS+;
• Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
• VMFS / HikvisionFS;

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 Uniview DE3160-V2 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