NetApp Data & Disaster Recovery Services

The SAN and NAS devices available from NetApp are high-quality and very popular because they offer an incredible capacity for data storage (1100 terabytes of storage are available on the NetApp FAS6000 series) and because of their reputation for durability. NetApp devices come in a variety of configurations including pre-configured servers with built-in alerts and error notification.

Complete data loss is very rare, because of the precautions that are built into NetApp devices. However, when hard drive failures or configuration issues prevent the servers from behaving normally, when files suddenly disappear, or when data is being incorrectly read, data recovery services are sometimes necessary.

Our recovery rates are very high on the hundreds of NetApp devices we have worked on in part because of the many professional features designed to prevent user errors and the high levels of redundancy.

NAS Data Recovery Procedures On NetApp Servers

Using a secure Internet connections, many of the servers made by NetApp can be remotely recovered. Both our data recovery engineers and our clients prefer remote recovery when possible.

Our engineers are able to resolve some hard drive failures and configuration issues as well as fix many types of corruption by connecting to the server at a bit level through the Internet. Keep in mind that at the end of the data recovery process, failed devices will need to be replaced. In most cases, the entire process takes less than a day and after the recovery procedures are completed, the NetApp NAS devices will only have to be remounted. Using remote recovery, full functionality can typically be restored to the SAN or NAS device.

However, servers may need to be removed to the lab for recovery in rare cases. Each situation is assessed by our engineers to make sure that only when it is absolutely critical are devices sent in for in-lab procedures because in all server recovery cases, downtime is a major issue. In order to limit expenses, we will discuss all available options. In some cases, onsite NetApp recovery is necessary.

When this is necessary, the RAID, SAN, or NAS drives are shipped to one of our labs. There the original server operating environment is simulated using advnaced virtualization techniques that are combined with standard data recovery techniques.

To ensure that a non-destructive process is in place, all hard drives have clones created. For extreme situations, 24/7 recovery work is available, although all in-lab server cases are expedited. Every step is taken to ensure that processing is efficient and all data is handled securely. There is a very high rate of success when the recovery work is performed in-lab.

Error Messages From NetApp

On NetApp devices, there are a variety of error messages that indicate that data loss has occurred. Depending upon your operating environment, the exact messages displayed will differ.

When a media on a NetApp NAS cannot be located, the error message “The system cannot find the device specified” is a Windows message. However, this message may be displayed for reasons other than data loss. If this error message pops up when a particular program or program is in use, then it is best to contact support at NetApp.

When the controller is unable to boot normally or is otherwise not functioning properly, the “Failure of controller” message may appear. This is not the same as “Failback of controller,” which indicates that even though there was a failure of the controller, it either fell back onto another controller or was restored to older settings. In this case, even though maintenance may be required, the device should be properly functioning.

On any server, there can be simultaneous failure of multiple hard drives. It is a possible scenario, even though it is exceptionally rare. The NetApp device must remain powered off if this scenario occurs. You should get further instructions from a data recovery engineer before proceeding.

Ask to speak with a NAS specialist at 0800 999 3282 to diagnose a specific NetApp error message.

NetApp Data Recovery Preparation

You can compromise data integrity if you don’t contact a data recovery engineer and attempt to rebuild or initialize a NetApp server. Gather as much information as possible about the failure. In addition, have information ready about the server including any error messages logged prior to the data loss, the file system, the operating system, the capacities and number of drives, and the configuration.

You will help us to keep costs low and speed the turnaround time when you provide us with as much information as possible. Ask to speak with a NetApp RAID engineer directly when you have the information. Call us at 0800 999 3282.

We recover data from all Proware devices such as:

• FAS8000 Series
• FAS2500 Series
• FAS6000 Series
• FAS3100 Series
• FAS2000 Series
• Data ONTAP GX Systems
• NearStore on FAS
• NetApp VTL
• V6000 Series
• V3100 Series
• Information Server – IS1200
• E5500 and All SAN Devices Including Flash-Based Systems