Is RAID Recovery Necessary?

If you have lost data on your computer, laptop, mobile device, or other storage system, you will need the services of a data recovery NYC expert to bring back your files, images, video, and other information. There are at least two types of data recovery, standard and RAID. You may have heard about RAID recovery and the benefits that it provides. However, does your device require the services of a RAID data recovery expert and software?

What is RAID? 

Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) is data storage that pulls together different disk drives into a single unit. The purpose of RAID is to provide backups for data and improve the overall performance of the device itself. In a RAID system, the data stored is distributed in several different drives and the level of services provided will be indicated by a number at the end of RAID. 

For example, levels above RAID0 provide protection against potential failures of the drives along with the ability to retrieve information that otherwise might be lost when sector errors occur. The higher the RAID level, the more abilities it has in terms of availability, reliability, capacity, and overall performance of the device. 

When RAID Recovery is Needed

The most obvious case for RAID recovery is when there is an actual RAID failure in your device. For example, if you see a RAID controller card that has been visibly damaged and you do not have any replacement on hand, then RAID recovery is a necessity. However, there are other cases when this form of recovery is needed to retrieve data. 

Reporting Hard Drive Failure: If the RAID controller does not bring the array online and reports a hard drive failure in a RAID5 system for example, then you will need this form of recovery to get your information back. 

When Standard Recovery Does Not Work: Since the RAID recovery system requires removing the drives from the controlling device, it should only be performed if a standard recovery attempt was not successful. This is usually for cases when the reason for being unable to recover the information is not clear. 

When Standard Data Recovery Works

Of course, not all situations require a RAID recovery to get back the data that you want, but identifying which ones will be important so that you get the right services. 

No RAID: If there is no RAID, then no RAID recovery is needed. 

RAID1 Failure: It may seem that a failure of a RAID1 system would require RAID recovery, but the truth is that this is a simple system that only holds or mirrors identical copies of the data being stored. So, you will not need RAID recovery for issues with RAID1 systems. 

Unknown Situation: When it doubt, it is best to start with standard data recovery first. A data recovery expert will often start with standard recovery procedures before going with RAID data recovery if the problem is not fully identified. 

Proper RAID data recovery NYC residents and businesses use to get back valuable information is not always necessary, but is often performed when other methods of data recover do not work.