Accessing RAID Disk Files Without Functioning NAS Uniview VX1816-NAS: Step-by-Step Guide

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Uniview VX1816-NAS
• 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 practices for off-site backup storage to prevent complete data loss in the event of a disaster?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for off-site backup storage to prevent complete data loss in the event of a disaster. Here are some of the key practices:

1. Regular and Automated Backups: Implement a regular backup schedule to ensure that your data is backed up frequently. Automating the backup process can help to eliminate the risk of human error and ensure consistency.
2. Multiple Off-Site Locations: Store backups in multiple off-site locations to minimize the risk of losing data due to a single location being affected by a disaster. This could include storing backups in different geographical regions or using cloud storage services that replicate data across multiple data centers.
3. Encryption and Security: Encrypt your backup data to ensure its confidentiality and integrity during transit and storage. This prevents unauthorized access and protects against data breaches.
4. Redundancy: Maintain redundant copies of your backups to provide an extra layer of protection. This can involve creating multiple copies of backups or using RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology to ensure data availability.
5. Regular Testing and Verification: Perform regular tests to ensure the integrity and recoverability of your backups. This involves verifying that backups are successfully completed, testing the restoration process, and periodically checking the integrity of backup files.
6. Versioning and Retention Policies: Implement versioning and retention policies to store multiple versions of backups over time. This allows you to recover data from different points in time and protects against data corruption or accidental deletion.
7. Documented Backup Procedures: Maintain clear and well-documented backup procedures that outline the steps to be followed for backup, restoration, and disaster recovery. This ensures consistency and helps in training staff members responsible for backup operations.
8. Monitoring and Alerting: Implement monitoring and alerting systems to notify you of any backup failures or anomalies. This allows for timely action to resolve issues and ensure the continuity of backup operations.
9. Regular Disaster Recovery Testing: Conduct periodic disaster recovery testing to simulate real-world scenarios and validate the effectiveness of your backup and recovery processes. This helps identify any weaknesses or gaps in your backup strategy.

By following these recommended practices, organizations can significantly enhance their ability to prevent complete data loss and ensure business continuity in the event of a disaster.

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

Although the NAS VX1816-NAS 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 VX1816-NAS. 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

VX1816-NAS has 16 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 VX1816-NAS 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