- 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 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.
How can a NAS Uniview VX1824-NAS device's network throughput or bandwidth capacity affect data transfer and potential loss?
The network throughput or bandwidth capacity of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Uniview VX1824-NAS can significantly impact data transfer and potential loss in the following ways:
- Data Transfer Speed: The network throughput capacity determines the maximum speed at which data can be transferred between the NAS device and other network-connected devices. A higher throughput allows for faster data transfers, reducing the time required to access or transfer files. Conversely, a lower throughput can result in slower data transfers, leading to delays and increased latency.
- Concurrent Connections: The NAS device's network throughput capacity also affects the number of concurrent connections it can handle efficiently. If the device has limited throughput, it may struggle to handle multiple simultaneous connections, resulting in slower data transfer speeds or even connection drops. This can impact productivity and user experience, especially in scenarios with heavy network traffic or multiple users accessing the NAS simultaneously.
- Potential Data Loss: Inadequate network throughput can increase the likelihood of data loss during data transfers. Insufficient bandwidth may cause packet loss or corruption, leading to incomplete or corrupted files. If the network is congested or the NAS device's throughput is exceeded, data packets may be dropped or arrive out of order, resulting in data integrity issues and potential loss.
- Backup and Recovery: Network throughput capacity affects the speed and efficiency of backup and recovery processes. Insufficient bandwidth can slow down backup operations, extending the time required to complete backups or increasing the frequency of backup failures. Similarly, slower data transfer speeds can impact the recovery process, delaying the restoration of critical data during system failures or data loss incidents.
To mitigate these potential issues, it is essential to ensure that the NAS device's network throughput capacity aligns with the network's requirements and expected data transfer demands. Regular monitoring and optimization of network resources, including bandwidth allocation and network traffic management, can help maintain optimal data transfer speeds and minimize potential data loss.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS VX1824-NAS 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 Uniview VX1824-NAS. 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.
VX1824-NAS has 24 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:
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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 Uniview VX1824-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.
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 |
Recovering data from a NAS device that has been affected by a natural disaster such as flooding or earthquake is challenging, but not impossible. The success of data recovery depends on the extent of the damage caused by the disaster. Here are a few factors to consider:
In any case, it is crucial to disconnect the affected NAS device from power and not attempt to power it on or recover data without professional guidance. Contacting the manufacturer or a reputable data recovery service provider would be the best course of action for assessing the situation and exploring recovery options.