The Importance of Data Recovery Despite RAID and Backups

Many believe that RAID setups and backups provide foolproof protection against data loss. However, the reality is that data recovery remains essential even in such scenarios. In this article, we debunk the myth that RAID and backups make data recovery irrelevant, exploring why it’s crucial to have robust data recovery strategies in place regardless of redundancy measures. Whether you’re a business owner or a tech enthusiast, understanding the importance of data recovery is vital for ensuring the resilience of your data. Learn why data recovery matters, even with RAID and backups!

The Importance of Data Recovery Despite RAID and Backups

Method 1. Fault Tolerant Systems

Many businesses relying on a working IT infrastructure are getting computers with an additional level of robustness. Sony, Toshiba, Hitachi, Samsung often advertise these as “fault tolerant”, meaning they are likely to continue working as a whole even if one or more of their components fail. With regards to information storage, fault-tolerant systems are commonly employing either distributed data storage or RAID arrays, or both, to ensure that even if one or several hard drives fail, the storage subsystem continues working and serving read and write requests. Unlike ‘normal’ PCs that are likely to fail as a whole in an event of even a small failure fault-tolerant systems will just go on and on even if some of their parts fail.

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🏆 How to Recover a Crashed RAID 5EE After Controller Failure or Multiple Disk Failure 🏆

🏆 How to Recover a Crashed RAID 5EE After Controller Failure or Multiple Disk Failure 🏆

So why do we need data recovery tools if the storage system is seemingly bullet-proof? The answer lies in the kind of fault-tolerance delivered by these systems. While the system will continue working even if one or more hard drives fail, the ‘fault tolerance’ will only protect against hardware failures, and will do nothing or very little to ensure logical integrity of the data.

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A software failure, file system crash, a virus attack, employee misconduct, malicious activities or plain user error will render all instances of user data equally unusable or inaccessible on all hard drives on a logical level, while everything may just work fine on a physical level. Logical errors are best mitigated with a proper data recovery tool such as Hetman Partition Recovery, a program that can recover files and folders from hard drives with damaged, corrupted or missing file systems.

Method 2. Redundant Storage and RAID Arrays

Organizations with limited budget as well as many home users will often limit the ‘fault tolerant’ bit of their computers to assembling a redundant storage subsystem. RAID arrays are part of the strategy used by computer builders to assemble a partially fault-tolerant system.

RAID arrays, if used per se, will only provide partial resistance to hardware failures. While one or more hard drive failures may be tolerated, a failed RAID controller will render the whole system unusable.

As is the case with true fault-tolerant systems, a RAID array will only deliver limited protection against a physical failure of one or more hard drives comprising the array. Even the best RAID will not protect against a file being accidentally deleted, or a virus wiping the Documents folder clear, or an application failure rendering the file system corrupted and the entire volume inaccessible. A recommendation to become familiar with a good data recovery tool (such as Hetman RAUD Recovery) stands even truer in the case of redundant RAID arrays.

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How to Recover RAID 6 Data After Three Disks Fail, the Controller Breaks Down, or the Array Rebuilt

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Method 3. Backup Plans

A concise backup plan will definitely lower the pressure of keeping your data safe. Implementing and meticulously following a backup policy allows restoring information even in a case of logical corruption. However, using a data recovery tool to undelete a file just erased from the Recycle Bin is plain simpler, faster and far easier than obtaining the same file from a backup. If you have a working backup policy in your organization, a simpler, easier undelete tool may come handy – such as Hetman Uneraser.

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🔥 How to Recover Files Deleted From Windows Recycle Bin or With Shift + Del in 2021 ⚕️

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Data Recovery Tools Comparison

Criterion Hetman Partition Recovery Hetman RAID Recovery Hetman Uneraser
Purpose Recovery of deleted files, partitions, data from damaged or formatted disks, and virtual machine disks. Data recovery from RAID arrays, servers, and NAS devices. Quick recovery of accidentally deleted files from any devices.
Supported File Systems FAT/exFAT, NTFS/ReFS, APFS/HFS+, Ext2/3/4, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS/UFS/ZFS. FAT/exFAT, NTFS/ReFS, APFS/HFS+, Ext2/3/4, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS/UFS/ZFS. FAT/exFAT, NTFS/ReFS, APFS/HFS+, Ext2/3/4/ReiserFS, XFS/UFS.
Supported Devices HDD, SSD, USB drives, memory cards, external drives, virtual machine disks. RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, JBOD, NAS, HDD, SSD. HDD, SSD, USB drives, memory cards.
RAID Support No. Yes, supports complex RAID configurations. No.
Deep Analysis Yes, for complex cases. Yes, for RAID data analysis and recovery of damaged arrays. No, only basic recovery.
Compatibility Windows, Linux, macOS. Windows, Linux, macOS. Windows, Linux, macOS.
Target Audience IT specialists, advanced users, companies. System administrators, data specialists, corporate users. General users, photographers, enthusiasts.
Oleg Afonin

Author: , Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

Vladimir Artiukh

Editor: , Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

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Questions and answers

  • Why does data recovery come in handy even if you have RAID and backups?

    Data recovery can come in handy even if you have RAID and backups because RAID and backups are not foolproof. RAID and backups can fail, leaving you with lost or corrupted data. Data recovery can help recover this data, even if the RAID and backups have failed. Additionally, data recovery can help recover data from a failed hard drive or other storage device that may not have been backed up.

  • What are some common reasons for data loss?
    • Accidental Deletion: Accidentally deleting files or folders is one of the most common causes of data loss.
    • Hard Drive Failure: Hard drive failure can occur due to physical damage, such as a dropped laptop, or due to a logical error, such as a corrupted hard drive.
    • Software Corruption: Malware, viruses, and other malicious software can corrupt data and cause data loss.
    • Human Error: Human error can lead to data loss, such as accidentally overwriting a file or entering incorrect commands.
    • Power Outages: Power outages can cause data loss if the computer does not have an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
    • Natural Disasters: Natural disasters, such as floods, fires, and earthquakes, can cause physical damage to computers and data storage devices, resulting in data loss.
  • Can data recovery be done from failed RAID systems?

    Yes, data recovery can be done from failed RAID systems. However, the success of the recovery depends on the type of RAID system and the degree of damage to the disks. In some cases, it may be possible to recover all of the data, while in other cases, some data may be lost. Professional data recovery services can help to determine the best course of action for a particular RAID system.

  • How does data recovery work?

    Data recovery is the process of restoring lost, deleted, corrupted, or inaccessible data from a storage device such as a hard drive, solid-state drive, flash drive, or optical media. It involves using specialized software to scan the storage device and recover the data from it. The software can also be used to repair any corrupt or damaged files. In some cases, physical repairs may be necessary in order to recover data from a severely damaged storage device.

  • What are some techniques used by data recovery experts?
    • File Carving: This is a process of searching through a hard drive for pieces of data that may have been deleted or lost. It works by looking for patterns in the data and then “carving” out those pieces of data.
    • Data Cloning: This is the process of making an exact copy of a hard drive or other storage device. It is used to create a duplicate of the device, so that the original can be worked on without fear of damaging it.
    • Data Imaging: This is the process of creating a virtual copy of a hard drive or other storage device. It is used to create a backup of the device, so that if anything happens to the original, the data can be recovered from the backup.
    • RAID Reconstruction: This is the process of rebuilding a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) system from its components. It is used to restore data from a failed RAID system.
    • Disk Repair: This is the process of repairing a damaged hard drive or other storage device. It is used to recover data from a damaged device.

Comments (12)

  • Amiran
    Amiran 19.07.2016 14:45 #
    In my opinion theneed of the RAID is obvious. We live in the era of information society, globalization. There is a us a huge amount of information around us and the big number of people, who are trying to spoil it or delete the data. It``s a problem, especially for large compniess. There is no computer which could have a high protection level to resist the virus and attacks. It`s needful to use extra protection system as RAID.
    Reply
  • Alistair Best
    Alistair Best 15.08.2012 01:19 #
    What are some key factors to consider when selecting a data recovery tool or software?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 15.08.2012 01:43 #
      • Cost: Consider the cost of the data recovery tool or software and make sure it fits within your budget.
      • Compatibility: Make sure the tool or software is compatible with the operating system and hardware you are using.
      • File Formats: Ensure that the data recovery tool or software supports the file formats you need to recover.
      • Recovery Capabilities: Check to see what type of data the tool or software can recover, such as deleted files, formatted drives, corrupted partitions, etc.
      • Ease of Use: Consider how easy the tool or software is to use and if there are any tutorials or support available if you need help.
      • Reviews: Read user reviews to see how others have found the tool or software and if they recommend it.
      Reply
  • Chuck Hobson
    Chuck Hobson 14.08.2012 23:25 #
    How can you choose a reliable data recovery service provider?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 14.08.2012 23:46 #
      • Check Reviews: Before you choose a data recovery service provider, read reviews from other customers to get an idea of the quality of service they provide.
      • Ask for Recommendations: Ask your friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations on reliable data recovery service providers.
      • Research the Company: Research the company’s history and track record to ensure they have a good reputation and a successful history of recovering data.
      • Compare Prices: Compare prices from different providers to ensure you are getting the best value for your money.
      • Ask Questions: Ask questions about the process, pricing, and turnaround time to ensure you are comfortable with the service provided.
      Reply
  • Swaine Herle
    Swaine Herle 14.08.2012 20:37 #
    What are some common misconceptions about data recovery?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 14.08.2012 20:56 #
      • Data recovery is expensive – While data recovery can be expensive, there are many software solutions that are affordable and can help recover data.
      • Data recovery is impossible – While some data loss scenarios may seem hopeless, there are many data recovery techniques that can be used to recover lost data.
      • Data recovery takes a long time – Depending on the severity of the data loss, data recovery can take anywhere from a few hours to several days.
      • Data recovery is only for professionals – While professional data recovery services may be necessary in some cases, there are many data recovery software solutions that can be used by anyone with basic computer knowledge.
      Reply
  • Lenny Bush
    Lenny Bush 14.08.2012 16:35 #
    How do you prevent data loss in the first place?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 14.08.2012 16:52 #
      • Backup your data regularly.
      • Use cloud storage services for backup.
      • Use antivirus and antimalware software to protect against malicious attacks.
      • Use encryption to protect sensitive data.
      • Regularly update software and firmware on all devices.
      • Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks.
      • Implement access control measures to restrict access to data.
      • Educate employees on data security best practices.
      Reply
  • Milo Cotes
    Milo Cotes 14.08.2012 13:36 #
    Is it possible to recover data from physically damaged hard drives?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 14.08.2012 14:06 #
      Yes, it is possible to recover data from physically damaged hard drives. There are companies that specialize in data recovery from damaged hard drives and can often recover data from drives that have been damaged due to physical damage, water damage, fire damage, or other causes.
      Reply
  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 23.01.2018 12:40 #
    Read why data recovery comes handy even if you do RAID and backups and recommend it to friends. If you do have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our technical support service - we will be happy to help you.
    Reply
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