Retrieving Data From Servers (RAIDs)

What are Servers?

The server or the server computer is the one that has been designed specially to run certain applications. Thus, the operating system on a server is different from the one used in normal computers as well. The types of applications that are run on a server depend on the function it carries out and the amount of traffic it gets.

These applications are specially designed so that they can run without flaw even when the computer is unattended for long periods of time. The typical features of a server computer include high reliability, ability to function without power supply, higher primary memory and faster processing, more amount of RAM and storage capacity etc.

Some of the servers are also designed to perform specific functions. These are called as server appliances and include routers, gateways, switches etc.

In servers, components that can suffer mechanical damage usually have high amount of strength. These may include fans and hard disk drives. The server computers generally lack GUI (Graphical User Interface) i.e. a screen or a monitor. Thus, the processor does not have to process I/O commands and hence the speed of the processor does not matter to a great extent.

If the server happens to be large then rather than increasing the speed of one processor, multiple processors are used. These can aid in parallel execution of various operations. Usually, the servers operate in rooms that are continuously air conditioned in order to ensure that they do not heat up.

The operating systems of the servers are also different and are usually derived from UNIX operating system. The different types of servers depending on their functionality are application servers, email servers, proxy servers, game servers, fax servers etc.

What is RAID?

RAID stands for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. These are usually used in place of hard drives in case of server computers. The primary aim in case of RAID is to make data transfer faster and to store many copies of the same data so that it remains available even when one of the hard drive stops functioning.

When data is stored on RAID, the following are taken care of:

Mirroring: Copies of the data are stored on multiple disks.

Striping: The file that is to be stored is split into different parts and is stored on different disks.

Error Correction: Checking the available data and making sure that it is error free and if errors are found, possibly correcting them.

Usually, RAID hard disks are arranged in 5 levels each of which performs a different operation. Apart from this other configurations are also available and nesting of hard drives is also an option.

How can RAID Data Loss occur?

Data loss from RAID devices can occur due to the following reasons:

Although RAID devices are usually supported by UPS, power failure may occur in them some times. However, it would lead to data loss if some major transfer of data is taking place at that time.

RAID may suffer from physical damage resulting in failure of all hard drives and leading to a loss of data present on them.

Human error may result in loss of data from RAID.

Another cause for data loss is bad sectors. If data is written on such sectors then, the same cannot be read. This type of errors can be corrected by operating systems. While correcting such errors, it patches over the damaged area and it is no longer used for data storage.

Thus, when data is lost from RAID devices, access to the complete system will be denied or in some cases, a part of the data will become unavailable.

RAID Data Recovery

Recovery of data from RAID is possible in most of the cases. Even if the device has been damaged beyond repair, the data can be recovered from it bit-by-bit and then combined together in order to get the complete file back.

Logical errors that have lead to corruption of data can be corrected by making use of the software for the purpose. Such software is available on the internet however, to ensure that data is recovered it is preferable to hire a data recovery company that handles RAID devices.

In case of data loss, always remember to choose the data recovery company wisely as this to a large extent determines the whether the lost data will be recovered. All the Best!

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are concerned about data loss and would like more information on Data Recovery see http://www.fields-data-recovery.co.uk

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