
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Uniview VX1824-NAS
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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.
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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS VX1824-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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Uniview VX1824-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.
How to recover data from a Uniview
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;
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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.

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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 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.
RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | 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.