Data loss has become a significant concern for many users and enterprises. Multiple hard drives or RAID arrays are used to keep data and files safe. However, these drives are also prone to data loss. This is where hard disk drive recovery and RAID recovery play their part—to retrieve any critical data stored safely and securely.
There are many key differences between RAID recovery and hard drive recovery, which might confuse the readers. The discussion behind this topic is still going strong on various forums across the internet. However, for a new user, comparing the two types of data recovery can be quite overwhelming at the beginning.
To better understand what differentiates these two data storage devices from one another, let's read further.
RAID, or redundant array of independent disks, is a logical unit of two or more hard disks or solid-state drives working together as a single storage unit. RAID arrays are high-performance storage units that provide enhanced data security and scalable data storage solutions. A RAID array typically works on three different storage mechanisms—striping, mirroring, parity, or a combination of these.
Hard disk drives, on the other hand, are single storage units that are used in computers or external storage devices. They are mechanical storage devices that can be connected to a computer via a SATA cable or a USB cable.
Both these storage solutions are susceptible to data loss due to varied reasons like controller failure, faulty hardware, incompatible controller software, and more. While hard drive data recovery is a simple process, RAID recovery is a bit complex as it requires virtual reconstruction of the RAID array before you can recover data from it.
Here are some causes behind data loss in a Hard disk drive and RAID array:
Now the question arises: how does RAID recovery work, and how is it different from hard drive data recovery? To answer this, let's first look at the way data is stored on both.
How Is Data Stored on a RAID Array and a Hard Disk Drive?
The following methods are used to store data in a RAID array:
Ø Striping – Data is split into blocks, and these blocks are stored in various connected disks.
Ø Mirroring – Data on one drive is replicated and stored on other drives as mirror copies.
Ø Parity – This requires at least 3 drives, with 2 drives employing data striping and the third drive (parity) storing the data of the two drives.
On the other hand, a hard disk drive stores data on a magnetically coated metal or ceramic platter. This data is read using a head, which is mounted on moving mechanical arms. Unlike a RAID array, a single hard drive doesn't provide any data security unless there are no existing data backups of it on other hard drives.
Difference between RAID Recovery and Hard Disk Drive Recovery
As mentioned earlier, RAID recovery is a complex process that requires the reconstruction of a failed or corrupted RAID array. This involves hot-swapping drives to reconstruct data onto the new disk, using mirror copies or parity, or using professional RAID recovery software.
On the other hand, hard drive data recovery is a process of recovering data bit by bit from the sectors. Hard drive recovery usually involves data recovery software, which can easily recover data from bad sectors and volumes.
While data from a logically corrupt hard drive can be recovered using data recovery software, the same cannot be done for a physically damaged hard drive. For this, one has to get their damaged hard drive to data recovery experts who can manually recover data in their class 100 labs.
RAID Data Recovery Process vs Hard Drive Data Recovery Process
Now that we know the difference between RAID recovery and hard drive data recovery, let's understand their processes one by one.
RAID Data Recovery
In the event of RAID failure caused by a malfunctioning controller, drive failure, software issue, or something else, RAID recovery becomes very important. When a RAID array fails, the controller copies the data from the failed drive onto the secondary array drives. This ensures data security. The failed drive can be hot-swapped with a new drive, and the data can be restored to it.
However, when the whole RAID array fails, it becomes critical to recover the data from it by any means. This involves using a RAID recovery software, which employs virtual reconstruction of the RAID array using RAID parameters and patterns. Once a virtual image of the RAID array is rebuilt, the data recovery process begins by recovering data from each of its volumes.
Hard Drive Recovery
In case of a hard drive failure, the chances of data loss are high. Once a hard drive detects logical errors, it tries to remap the data from failing sectors to healthy sectors. Frequent occurrences of remapping could point towards potential hard drive failure. In such a case, users should stop using the drive and replace it as soon as possible to avoid any data losses. However, if the drive fails and the data becomes inaccessible, the data can be recovered using a Windows data recovery software. Such software can easily detect problematic hard drives and other storage devices and recover data from them.
Final Words
There is a significant difference between RAID recovery and hard drive recovery. RAID recovery employs sophisticated methods for restoring data from a failed RAID drive or array. Hard drive recovery, on the other hand, involves simple-to-use data recovery software to recover data. In this post, we shed some light on the distinction between these two methods. We hope our detailed post has helped you understand these two processes in a better way.
