Need to recover RAID servers that have had their array go astray? There are two ways you can go with catastrophic RAID array repair: the right way, and the brutall, wrong way. The right way boasts quick results, smooth transition and as little downtime as possible. The wrong way features hard drive collapses, permanently lost mission critical data and panic. Which way would you prefer to recover your RAID?
Need to recover RAID servers that have had their array go astray? There are two ways you can go with catastrophic RAID array repair: the right way, and the brutall, wrong way. The right way boasts quick results, smooth transition and as little downtime as possible. The wrong way features hard drive collapses, permanently lost mission critical data and panic. Which way would you prefer to recover your RAID?
How KeyIs That Data?
If you’ve had a scenario where you need to recover a RAID array (which typically means more than a single hard drive in the array has failed), remember that the number one assessment you have to make is how important your data is. Are you using the performance benefits of a RAID 0 to quicken your Halo games? If there isn’t anything truly key to your life, consider re-constructing the array yourself from the ground-up. Professional repair of a RAID array may get expensive, as not all hard drive recovery shops can provide it. So if the data you may have lost isn’t that key, purchase some hard drives and get to work on your rebuild.
At the same time, are you talking about a RAID 5 accessed by 50 of your company’s staff multiple times per day? Is the data they use important to normal business operations? Have a failed RAID 10 running an entire department’s Exchange Server? If any of these scenarios are true, you should consider a professional data recovery service to recover your RAID array. As the old adage notes, time is indeed money, and wasting that precious time attempting to recover RAID arrays with hard drives that have mechanically failed is a very bad idea.
Mission-Critical Timing
When a key RAID server is down, every minute can seem like hours in terms of lost productivity. Finding a professional RAID data recovery service is very simple, but if speed counts, consider performing web searches on keywords like: 24 hour RAID recovery, or overnight RAID data recovery. The fact is, while many companies do offer what they call “expedited” services, there are a rare number of RAID repair shops that can provide emergency shipping services that ensure your recovered RAID array is repaired and returned within 24 hours. What’s more, this single-day service is often equal or less than the cost of multiple day “expedited” RAID recovery. Saving time and money in a RAID emergency is always a good idea.
A List Of Do Not’s For RAID Data Recovery
There are certain things IT administrators will try before calling a RAID repair service which may assist not only the repair, but may actually solve the problem. Here are just a few of them:
Changing RAID Disk Order – It sounds like a farce, but many IT administrators will swap out drives in a RAID array and replace them differently. This is a brutal idea for someone hoping to recover RAID systems. Leave them be, and contact a professional. Moving drives can mean forever lost data.
Missing Your Physical Checks – Talk about novice stuff, we know, but what about examining the hardware completely for correct connections, dust, and other minor problems. Obvious it is, yes, but minor problems like this can cause RAID failure. So previous to packing up your RAID array to ship to the repair company, look to see that everything is right. Don’t ship out a perfectly good RAID system!
Avoid CHKDSK – Everyone wants to go to the CHKDSK, Windows built-in disk checker, when it comes to data recovery. Here’s a tip: don’t do it! CHKDSK can corrupt not only the content of the RAID array, but the parity. This is NOT something you need when you have a dying mission-critical server.
Whatever your issue, if you’re using a pricey, professional platform, you will need professional solutions when an emergency arrives. When repairing RAID systems, don’t go cheap!
Considering attempting your RAID Recovery on your own? Take a break and discover http://www.raiddatarecovery.net/ for RAID data recovery hints. It will save you lots of hassle.