RAID 6 Data Recovery For Hard Drives and SSD
In a RAID 6 configuration, data is “striped” across multiple drives with dual parity information (RAID is an acronym for a “Redundant Array of Independent Disks”). Many server systems, Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems, and desktop systems that contain 4 or more drives will have RAID 6 as a primary or configurable option. This configuration will combine the capacity of each drive into one large storage volume (less the storage capacity of two drives). SSD devices are rapidly replacing hard drives in many RAID 6 configurations for both consumer and commercial environments. Hard drives still make up the vast majority of installed RAID 6 volumes. This is changing, however, as SSD devices close the advantage gap with hard drives by increasing data storage capabilities and lowering costs.
How Does It Work?
RAID 6 storage configurations allow data to be spread out (written as “striping with dual parity”) across multiple drives in a volume. Many RAID 6 arrays will contain just 4 drives, although more can be used as needed. The benefits of this configuration are data safety and performance. When a data file is stored across multiple drives as opposed to a single drive, access times are noticeably increased. This configuration is popular in both hardware and software based RAID volumes, and is usually selected when the primary concerns are speed and safety combined. Unlike other RAID configurations, if as many as two drives fail in a RAID 6 array there is “fault tolerance” (data redundancy using parity). The volume will continue to be accessible in a “degraded” mode (that is, no parity writing takes place) until the failed drives are replaced. Once they are replaced, the original information stored on the failed drives is rebuilt onto new drives using the information stored on the other drives in the array, thus restoring full data protection to the volume.
What Can Go Wrong?
RAID 6 provides protection against physical failure of up to two drives in the array. However, if three or more drives fail, all of the data contained in the volume will become immediately inaccessible. No rebuilds to new drive media are possible when three drives have failed. If this occurs in array configured for RAID 6, data recovery support will be necessary. In addition, controller problems that occur during normal operation (or during the rebuild process) can potentially corrupt volume structures. For example, if one or more heads in a single hard drive stop working, the drive may not come “ready” in the volume. IC components can be corrupted or fail entirely. These are just a few of the problems that can occur. With a RAID 6 data recovery scenario, it is important that all of the storage devices in the array are evaluated in an “as-failed” state.
When RAID 6 Arrays Fail
VANTEX is your source for professional data recovery for damaged or otherwise inaccessible RAID 6 arrays. We have the tools and procedures in place to quickly and safely recover your data, regardless of the cause. We have decades of recovery experience with file deletions, corruption, viruses and other logical problems within Windows, Linux, Mac, and other operating environments. If data loss is caused by physical or mechanical problems, our dedicated team of recovery specialists can also work to repair, replace or correct problems with heads, firmware, IC components, and other related issues with the affected drives.
Have Questions?
Give us a call to discuss your data loss, and discover how our RAID 6 data recovery services can help. You can also fill out our short Information Request Form. We will outline the possible options and the costs involved – all at no charge, and with absolutely no obligation.