How to Recover Files from RAID Sets - 2020 Guide

Many businesses, and even individual tech enthusiasts, use RAID configurations to provide fast and reliable data storage. However, as reliable as they are, RAID arrays can break. In this article we will take a look at how to recover files from RAID sets.

The RAID array was invented in the late 1980s. RAID – short for Redundant Array of Independent Disks – was conceived as a way to use many cheap hard disks connected to each other to replace one large and expensive hard disk.

These days, hard drives are much cheaper than in 1989, but RAID configurations are still popular. Dedicated servers, for example, often run on RAID arrays.

RAID sets provide significant benefits over single dedicated hard disks. The exact pros and cons of using RAID depend on the type of the RAID configuration.

There are many different RAID configurations, which are identified by numbers running from 0 to 10. The most common RAID levels are RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10. RAID 6 has also increased in popularity.

The main differences between each RAID level are in the arrangement of each individual hard disk in the configuration. In general, though, all RAID configurations have the following benefits over using a single hard disk:

• Resilience – RAID sets have higher fault tolerance than single disks. They create backups of the files and folders stored on them and as such resist data loss better.
• Reliability – Depending on the configuration, a RAID set might remain functional without data loss even with two failed hard drives. The 0 RAID level is an exception, as a single failed disk is enough bring the whole RAID 0 array down.
• Speed – With several hard drives reading and writing data in unison, RAID arrays provide increased processing speed when compared to a lone hard disk.

However, different RAID levels focus on specific advantages for specialized purposes. As such, it would be easy to fill an entire book with an explanation about their separate benefits.

But even with their reliability, RAID arrays can fail. An individual hard disk in the array could go haywire, or a simple human error in operation can break a RAID configuration.

Since they store large amounts of data and files, a failed disk in a RAID configuration can result in massive data loss. Luckily, it is perfectly possible to recover data from RAID arrays by following three steps:

1. Prepare for RAID recovery.
2. Choose and install data recovery software.
3. Recover your RAID set.

Let’s now take a closer look of what each of these steps includes.

Step 1 – Prepare for RAID Recovery

If your RAID array experiences failure, stop using it immediately. Continued use of failing RAID sets can pose extreme risks to your data, files, and folders. This is the most essential step to ensuring that you can recover RAID arrays.

Next, you must determine what your RAID configuration is, if you don’t already know it. A RAID 6 disk array will operate differently from, for example, a RAID 1, and your configuration will affect your choice of RAID recovery software and further action steps.

Finally, before moving to step 2, determine how many disks have failed and how. A hard disk can fail in many different ways, all of which will have an impact on what is needed to recover your data.

Step 2 – Choose and install Data Recovery Software

After completing step one, you will have to download and install a RAID recovery software suite. There are many options available, so you will probably need to do some research to find one is compatible with your hard disk.

There are free RAID recovery software suites available, such as ReclaiME. Many commercial data recovery programs also provide a free trial version. However, they often keep full RAID recovery features locked behind a paywall.

Once you have made your pick, download the RAID recovery software’s installation package and run it.

Step 3 – Recover Your RAID Set

After completing the previous steps, it’s time to use your new software to recover RAID data. However, as each RAID recovery software and RAID level has different functionality, it would be impossible to give perfectly detailed instructions to save your data and files.

That being said, any RAID recovery program worth its salt will provide you with detailed user instructions of what you need to do pull the files from your failed hard disk and retrieve files from different RAID types.

In general, a mechanically failed disk will require you to create a disk image to access them and recover data. Disks with logical failures, on the other hand, can usually be accessed directly.

If all goes well, you will be able to celebrate a successful RAID data recovery!

But, of course, everything does not always go well. In many cases, it’s simply not possible to recover RAID arrays with DIY methods.

Especially when one or more disks have failed mechanically, their data may be beyond the reach of home-use data recovery software. If you’re using one of the more uncommon RAID configurations, it could also be that there is no suitable raid recovery program available.

Or, perhaps, you simply don’t want to risk your precious hard disks and try to recover data on your own. Without at least intermediate technical knowledge, recovering data from RAID arrays can be intimidating. Additionally, failed home RAID recovery methods can even damage the already failed hard disk further.

If you can’t or don’t know how to recover data from a broken RAID set, it’s best to turn to a professional data recovery company.

TTR Data Recovery offers a full suite of RAID Data recovery services covering every failure type. From controller errors to server and excessive disk failures, TTR has the tools needed to ensure your data is not lost.

To be sure of exactly what needs to be done, TTR offers a 100% free diagnostics service for all RAID failure cases. If your RAID array has met the unfortunate fate of being beyond recovery – or if you simply change your mind – your hard disks will be shipped back to you for free.

A failed disk in a RAID configuration is often an emergency for any business, and therefore TTR offers same-day diagnostics and recovery. To ensure that all data was retrieved, you will also be able to review the list of recovered files before payment.

If you need help with your RAID set, get in touch today. You can use the information from this guide to make sure TTR takes the appropriate steps to recover your data and get your RAID configuration up and running again!