RAID Disk File Access Without Active NAS Uniview DE3160-V2S: Practical Steps

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Uniview DE3160-V2S
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID

Conventional hard drives store user data by writing it sequentially across the disk surface, which means an entire file is typically located on a single drive. In contrast, when data is written to a RAID array, each file is split into multiple fragments. These fragments are then distributed and written in sequence across all the drives in the array. Depending on the configuration, fragment sizes can range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so every file is physically stored across several disks at once.

This approach significantly increases read and write performance — after all, writing two halves of a 1 GB file to two drives simultaneously is much faster than writing the full 1 GB to a single disk. However, this same mechanism makes file recovery far more complex.

Different RAID levels use different methods to distribute and protect data. On top of that, manufacturers like Uniview often add their own proprietary structures and variations. As a result, data can be written to disks in many different formats, and each requires a specific approach during recovery.

Are there any recommended best practices for securely storing usernames and passwords on NAS Uniview DE3160-V2@S devices?

Yes, there are several recommended best practices for securely storing usernames and passwords on NAS Uniview DE3160-V2@S devices:

1. Use strong and unique passwords: Ensure that you use strong passwords that are difficult to guess. Avoid using common passwords or easily guessable information such as your name, birthdate, or sequential numbers. It is also important to use unique passwords for each device or account.
2. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Implementing MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide additional verification, such as a code sent to their mobile device, in addition to their username and password. This helps protect against unauthorized access even if the password is compromised.
3. Regularly update firmware: Keep the firmware of your NAS device up to date with the latest security patches and updates. Manufacturers often release firmware updates to address vulnerabilities and enhance security.
4. Restrict access: Only provide access to authorized individuals who need it. Create separate user accounts with limited privileges for different users or groups. Restrict administrative access to only those who require it and regularly review and revoke access for users who no longer need it.
5. Use secure protocols: Ensure that you are using secure protocols, such as HTTPS, for accessing and managing the NAS device. This encrypts the communication between your device and the NAS, preventing eavesdropping and unauthorized access.
6. Regularly backup data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that your data is protected in case of any unforeseen events, such as hardware failure or ransomware attacks. Store backups in a secure location separate from the NAS device.
7. Disable default accounts: Change the default usernames and passwords provided by the manufacturer. Default credentials are often well-known and can be easily exploited by attackers.
8. Monitor and log activity: Enable logging and monitoring features on the NAS device to track and detect any suspicious activity. Regularly review logs to identify any unauthorized access attempts or unusual behavior.
9. Educate users: Provide training and awareness programs to educate users about best practices for password security, phishing attacks, and other common security threats. Encourage users to report any suspicious activity or potential security incidents.

By implementing these best practices, you can enhance the security of your NAS Uniview DE3160-V2@S devices and protect your usernames and passwords from unauthorized access.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS DE3160-V2S can be accessed over the network, you still need to remove its hard disks and connect them directly to a Windows PC. Only then can the recovery software properly scan and analyze the drives. Follow these steps:

1. Power off the NAS and disconnect it from the power source.

   WARNING! Before removing any drives, carefully read the device manual. Improper actions may damage both the NAS enclosure and the hard disks in the RAID array.

2. Remove the hard disks one by one, gently sliding each drive out of its slot. Remember that hard disks are highly sensitive: any impact or drop can cause serious physical damage.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. Connect the drives to your computer. In this video, we explain which ports you can use to connect hard disks and what to do if your PC does not have enough free connectors.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Uniview DE3160-V2S. Each hard disk in the array contains technical metadata describing how files were written. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery analyzes this metadata, automatically reconstructs the damaged array, and provides access to its contents. After that, you can browse the recovered disk and save your files. The program can also restore files that were accidentally deleted from the network drive.

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How to recover data from a Uniview

DE3160-V2S 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;

How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images

This utility allows you to create a complete copy of a disk and work with the disk image instead of the physical drive. This approach helps protect your data from:

• Overwriting during the recovery process;
• Additional data loss caused by bad sectors;
• User errors.

To create a disk image, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. When the Image Creation Wizard opens, select whether you want to save the entire disk or only a specific region. Adjust the settings and click Next.

   

4. Choose the directory where the image will be saved. You may select any available disk connected to your PC or upload the image via FTP.

   

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The Uniview DE3160-V2S 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison