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You are working normally and suddenly your files get corrupted due to some software issue. One way to restore data from a RAID array is to opt for an application like Stellar data recovery, which performs a complete search of the corrupted array. See how to do this right now.
What is a RAID array?
RAID is the acronym for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (redundant array of independent disks). It is a technology that allows you to store the same information in several storage units and distribute the data to improve the performance and security of the storage system.
The RAID scheme was developed to increase data redundancy and have multiple copies of the same data available. In the event of a device failure, data recovery generally é possible automatically, without loss of information. Professional users and companies use RAID technology to protect their files not only on the server, but also on the NAS and many workstations.
The term RAID rebuild refers to the process of restoring normal function to an array or series of storage drives combined into a single storage system to improve its speed, security, or overall capacity.
However, it is not uncommon for damage to the RAID array cause failures in the recovery process. RAID data recovery software helps prevent unforeseen events and eliminates the possibility of errors that lead to data loss.
A RAID array is a computing solution that allows data to be stored on multiple disks, but the operating system sees them as a single unit.
What to do if you have a problem with your RAID array?
If a problem occurs on the drive you are using, it is important to stop all ongoing activities. It is also important not to use the CHKDSK utility: using it may not correct errors on the drives. drives and even cause permanent data loss. Knowing the level (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, etc.) is essential to understanding fault tolerance and the next steps:
- RAID 1, 5, 6, 10: They have redundancy; they can tolerate failures of one or more disks, depending on the configuration.
- RAID 0: It has no redundancy; any failure could mean total loss.
Before starting data recovery, the user must disconnect the units that make up the RAID array and mark their order. After connecting it to a Windows PC, for example, by cable or through a box special with adapter, it's time to use a tool like the Stellar data recovery.
RAID Rebuild with Stellar Data Recovery
Unlike other software in this category, Stellar data recovery has a RAID data recovery software among its various options.
Step 01: On the main screen of the application, select the option All Data (all data) and click Next (Next). The application will display the list of drives connected to the system in use.
The most interesting thing is that the Stellar data recovery recognizes RAID configurations and displays the box RAID Recovery at the bottom of the same window. When you click on Scan, the application will prompt the user to select the level they have set, for example, RAID 0, RAID 5, or RAID 6.
Step 02: You can use the arrow buttons on the program interface to rebuild the correct order of the drives that make up the RAID array. The various volumes must appear in the correct order in the field Move disks up/down in the correct order (Move disks up/down in the correct order).
Step 03: No field Select RAID parameters (Select RAID parameters), enter or select the required information to rebuild the matrix.
These parameters depend on the specific RAID level used in your system: The field Select disks to search for lost volumes in RAID (Selecting disks to scan for lost volumes in RAID) leaves the task of searching for the boot sector protocols for Stellar data recovery.
The great advantage of Stellar data recovery is that the application is able to recognize the correct parameters: In case of difficulties, it is easy to select I don't know… (I don’t know) in the two drop-down menus and click on Recover RAID (Recover RAID) to perform data recovery.
RAID Parameters for Configuration Instructions
Parameters like "strip/block size"and "parity order/rotation” are crucial and influence how data is organized and reconstructed within the array. These parameters are specific to the RAID levels they use Striping e parity, such as RAID 5 and RAID 6:
Stripe Size (block size)
This parameter defines the size of the data units or blocks into which the data is divided before being distributed to the drives in the RAID array. For example, if the size of the strip is set to 64KB, the data will be divided into blocks of 64KB each and then distributed to the drives.
This size is also used when new data is written to the array. If, for example, a RAID 5 array has a stripe size of 64 KB and a total of 4 drives, all 256 KB of data (64 KB x 4) will be divided into smaller blocks and distributed to the drives.
What is parity in RAID systems?
Parity is a fundamental concept in RAID systems used to protect data and for reconstruction in the event of a drive failure in the array. The parity value is a error checking based on data stored in other units of the array. Its main purpose is to allow the system to recognize and correct errors in the data.
Parity order
Specifically for RAID level 6, it defines the order in which parity information is distributed to the available drives. For RAID 6, there are two pieces of parity information for each data group, and the parity order determines which drive contains the parity. This affects the failure safety of the array if one or two drives fail.
Parity rotation
In the context of RAID 6, the parity rotation is a mechanism that cyclically exchanges parity information between drives. This distributes the load of parity calculations across all drives and reduces the risk of simultaneous failure of parity drives.
Virtual RAID Array Scan
As a final step, the Stellar data recovery automatically creates a virtual RAID array which can only be accessed in read-only mode, which in turn contains all the recovered information. To start data recovery, it is easy to start scanning its contents.
After analyzing the virtual RAID, the Stellar displays the list of all recoverable files and folders and provides the possibility to access the content view. So, without leaving the application interface, you can check which documents, photos, videos and audio files are included and then choose whether to save them.
By default, the utility first runs a quick scan. If the files you are looking for are not found, it is recommended to start a deep scan immediately.
Available RAID modes
The main purpose of a RAID array is to provide data redundancy ou improve system performance while it can also be a tool for restoring files in Windows. There are different levels or modes of RAID that offer different benefits:
- RAID 0 (Striping): creates a single large data storage unit using multiple hard drives. Provides a significant performance improvement in terms of read and write speed, but without data redundancy. If one hard drive fails, all data is lost. Striping divides the data into smaller blocks, called “stripes“, and distributes these blocks to the different drives in the RAID array.
- RAID 1 (mirroring): At this level, data is stored simultaneously on two identical hard drives. It provides complete redundancy: if one drive fails, the data will still be accessible through the other. The effective capacity of the system is exactly half of the total capacity available when the capacities of the two drives are added together.
- RAID 5 (striping with parity): RAID 5 uses Striping to improve performance and also contains parity data distributed across the hard drives. This provides partial redundancy, meaning that if one hard drive fails, the data can be recovered using the parity information. This level provides a good balance between performance and reliability.
- RAID 6 (Double Parity): Similar to RAID 5, this level offers greater redundancy with two parity drives. This means it can tolerate the simultaneous failure of two hard drives without data loss.
- RAID 10 (striping and mirroring): This level combines the techniques of striping and mirroring. Data is split and written to two hard drives, which provides redundancy and high performance. It requires the use of at least four drives.
- RAID 50 and RAID 60: these are even more advanced levels than the previous ones, combining Striping and RAID 5 or RAID 6 parity across multiple groups of hard drives. They offer the best balance between performance and redundancy.
Try Stellar Data Recovery
when installing o Stellar data recovery for free, you can check what data the app can recover and then decide whether it is worth opting for the subscription. Stellar provides a free deep scan of a drive and reports the files and folders that can be recovered.
Just go to the app's official website and install the free version on your Windows computer. O Stellar Data Recovery Technician There is no limit to the number of files recovered and recovery attempts. The software has been used by millions of users and has a quality seal from technology sites such as TechRadar, Forbes e CNET, as well as being 100% safe to use.
After purchasing a license, you will receive an email with instructions on how to use the file recovery program. The license is valid for only one Windows computer, but Stellar offers discounts for multiple computers, with licenses for up to 200 computers.
To recover data from drives MacOS (APFS, HFS, HFS+ file systems), drives Linux (Ext4 and Ext3 file systems), virtual machines (VMDK, VDI, VHD and VHDX files) or Synology drives (BTRFS file system), you need to purchase a premium version called “Stellar Data Recovery Toolkit“, which has the same features as the “Technician” described in this post, in addition to the features mentioned above.
What do you think of the option to restore data from a RAID array? Let us know in the comments Comment!
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reviewed by Gabriel Princessval in 24 / 01 / 2025
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