Just converted client over to Readynas NV+ from an old 2bay NAS from another manufacturer. The old NAS failed along with one of the drives. We were able to recover data from the remaining drive by installing on a LinuX machine and setting it up to read an old XFS format used by the manufacturer. IF we have the same problem here, how would we recover. Situation is more complex as we'll be using 4 drives with x-raid. IF we lose the NAS and one of the drives, what do I do with the remaining drives to recover the data. I'm worried that installing them into any NAS will cause them to be wiped out. Do we:1) Install them into another Readynas NV+? 2) What if ReadyNAS NV+ are no longer available? Do we install in a Netgear successor? Will it recover or will it wipe? 3) Do we install in Linux or other system with a Raid 5 setup? What tools/procedures should we use?(NETGEAR! - This might be a good software offering in future netgear NAs offerings - automatic recover assuming only 1 drive has failed in a Raid setup)

If you label the drives (since the slot they are in matters), you can shift them to another NV+ chassis, and everything will be fine.If you buy a new NAS, the best thing is to get new drives, and migrate data over the network. This is the way I moved data from an NV+ and Duo to the x86 based Pro.I haven't attempted to recover data directly from the disks, though some others in this forum have. Netgear will also do data recovery for a fee (per the FAQ).I've made my older ReadyNAS units backups for the faster pro, and have scheduled backup jobs that run nightly. One option for you would be to get a second NV+ and do the same. Raid increases availability, but in my view you still need a backup/recovery strategy.

If you were unable to obtain an NV+, you could always mount the remaining drives in a linux based computer and follow this how-to:http://home.bott.ca/webserver/?p=306

Surely part of the plan should include backing up the data and not just relying on the NAS. You then also have the backup of the data to assist with your recovery.

BMach wrote:Surely part of the plan should include backing up the data and not just relying on the NAS. You then also have the backup of the data to assist with your recovery.Absolutely. RAID devices such as the ReadyNAS protect against a single disk failure (or possibly 2, if using X-RAID2 with DR or RAID6), but do little to protect against fire, flood, theft, accidental or intentional deletions, or a multitude of other bad-luck scenarios. Make your own luck --- back up your NAS and read this:http://www.readynas.com/?p=3153

Thanks all. Yes, I agree that a backup strategy is a recommendation - and something that I always implement for commercial accounts. However, homeowners and very small businesses are not likely to a) buy a backup device or b) implement the backup on a regular basis.So, I'm still asking, in case of major failure, how do to the following. Let's try two scenarios:A) Frame fails but drives are good. Can they be placed in 1) a newer version of REadynas device to be automatically recovered or2) attached to Linux or similar system for immediate accessB) Frame and a single drive fails1) In a newer version of ReadyNASor2) another device?

Planning for major recovery | NETGEAR Communities

13 Replies

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StephenB
Guru - Experienced User
Oct 13, 2011
If you label the drives (since the slot they are in matters), you can shift them to another NV+ chassis, and everything will be fine.

If you buy a new NAS, the best thing is to get new drives, and migrate data over the network. This is the way I moved data from an NV+ and Duo to the x86 based Pro.

I haven't attempted to recover data directly from the disks, though some others in this forum have. Netgear will also do data recovery for a fee (per the FAQ).

I've made my older ReadyNAS units backups for the faster pro, and have scheduled backup jobs that run nightly. One option for you would be to get a second NV+ and do the same. Raid increases availability, but in my view you still need a backup/recovery strategy.
dbott67
Guide
Oct 13, 2011
If you were unable to obtain an NV+, you could always mount the remaining drives in a linux based computer and follow this how-to:

http://home.bott.ca/webserver/?p=306
BMach
Aspirant
Oct 13, 2011
Surely part of the plan should include backing up the data and not just relying on the NAS. You then also have the backup of the data to assist with your recovery.
dbott67
Guide
Oct 13, 2011
BMach wrote:
Surely part of the plan should include backing up the data and not just relying on the NAS. You then also have the backup of the data to assist with your recovery.

Absolutely. RAID devices such as the ReadyNAS protect against a single disk failure (or possibly 2, if using X-RAID2 with DR or RAID6), but do little to protect against fire, flood, theft, accidental or intentional deletions, or a multitude of other bad-luck scenarios. Make your own luck --- back up your NAS and read this:

http://www.readynas.com/?p=3153
sefiro
Aspirant
Oct 13, 2011
Thanks all. Yes, I agree that a backup strategy is a recommendation - and something that I always implement for commercial accounts.

However, homeowners and very small businesses are not likely to a) buy a backup device or b) implement the backup on a regular basis.

So, I'm still asking, in case of major failure, how do to the following. Let's try two scenarios:

A) Frame fails but drives are good. Can they be placed in
1) a newer version of REadynas device to be automatically recovered
or
2) attached to Linux or similar system for immediate access

B) Frame and a single drive fails
1) In a newer version of ReadyNAS
or
2) another device?
TeknoJnky
Hero
Oct 13, 2011
a1: you can use any 4 bay SPARC readynas device, but NOT any of the newer x86 based devices (ultra/pro/etc)
a2: already answered above with a link by dbott.

b1: same as a1
b2: same as a1
mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Oct 13, 2011
A1. Can only install in another NAS on the same platform. The Duo and NV+ are the newest Sparc ReadyNAS available. Considering the limitations of the Sparc platform vs x86, I highly doubt there'll be any new Sparc ReadyNAS models released

B1. Similar to A1 except that you should note that you can only migrate a redundant NAS to another NAS. It is unlikely that a drive and the NAS chassis would fail at the same time.

A2 and B2: Recovery using a Linux device be possible.

NetGear should still offer a data recovery service for Sparc ReadyNAS for quite a while yet, so that is an option worth considering.

In any case if your clients don't backup you should recommend they do and encourage them to do so. When you consider that data recovery can be quite expensive you can consider implementing backups as insurance for your data.
TeknoJnky
Hero
Oct 13, 2011
mdgm wrote:
B1. Similar to A1 except that you should note that you can only migrate a redundant NAS to another NAS. It is unlikely that a drive and the NAS chassis would fail at the same time.

I don't think that is true at all.

since the os/config are on the disks, it does not matter as long as the 3 remaining disks are intact and bootable, they should boot any compatible device.
mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Oct 13, 2011
I'm just going off what NetGear said here: http://www.readynas.com/kb/faq/boot/how_do_i_migrate_disks_over_from_an_existing_readynas_to_another

It does/did make a difference. If for some reason you did need to try to migrate a non-redundant array I would clone the disks and seek help from NetGear tech support.

Btw I meant migrating redundant array from one NAS to another NAS.
BMach
Aspirant
Oct 13, 2011
Sefiro said
However, homeowners and very small businesses are not likely to a) buy a backup device or b) implement the backup on a regular basis.

One of the nice things about the ReadyNas range is that backups can be implemented quite simply and regularly. In round figures a NV+ can have a maximum capacity of 3 GB with a redundant array. A 3TB disc in a USB enclosure could be used to back up the NV+ easily and on a regular basis (Admittedly, this is without versioning). Once the backup is configured, all the user has to do is leave the USB enclosure plugged into the NAS.

Also note of course this does little to protect against the evils of fire/flood/theft/electrical spike/viruses/accidental deletion etc but if any of the above happen, there is little chance of rebuilidng the array anyway. If you are worried about fire/flood there are enclosures from ioSafe to consider.