A mid-sized law firm in London experienced critical issues with their Dell PowerEdge server, which housed their case management system and important client files. The server was configured with a RAID 5 array and contained a VHDx (Virtual Hard Disk) file critical for running their virtual machines.
The server failed to boot, displaying an error indicating bad sectors on one of the drives in the RAID array. Additionally, attempts to mount the VHDx file on another system revealed corruption, rendering the virtual machines and their data inaccessible. The firm sought the expertise of Advanced Data Recovery, London’s leading data recovery company, to recover the vital files.
The Problem
The server’s issues included:
- RAID 5 Degradation:
- One drive in the RAID 5 array had bad sectors, causing the array to operate in degraded mode.
- Further attempts to read from the degraded array resulted in potential corruption of the RAID metadata.
- Corrupted VHDx File:
- The VHDx file contained multiple virtual machines critical to the firm’s operations. Corruption was detected in the file’s header and internal structure, making it unmountable.
- No Recent Backup:
- The affected VHDx file was the only storage of client files and virtual machine data, and no external backups existed.
The Data Recovery Process by Advanced Data Recovery
Step 1: Initial Assessment
The team performed a comprehensive evaluation:
- Disk Diagnostics:
- Each drive in the RAID array was analyzed. The drive with bad sectors was imaged to prevent further degradation.
- RAID Analysis:
- RAID parameters, including stripe size, parity rotation, and disk order, were extracted from the RAID controller and healthy drives.
- VHDx Analysis:
- The corrupted VHDx file was analyzed, revealing structural damage to its header and data blocks.
Step 2: RAID 5 Reconstruction
The RAID array was virtually rebuilt:
- Disk Imaging:
- All drives in the array were cloned to preserve the original data. Advanced tools were used to handle the bad sectors on the failing drive.
- Virtual RAID Reconstruction:
- Using the cloned images, the RAID 5 array was rebuilt virtually, restoring access to the array’s data. Missing parity data was reconstructed using proprietary RAID algorithms.
Step 3: VHDx Repair
Once the VHDx file was extracted from the rebuilt RAID array:
- Header Repair:
- The VHDx header was repaired manually to restore the file’s structure.
- Data Block Reconstruction:
- Internal data blocks were analyzed, and corrupted or missing blocks were rebuilt using advanced file recovery techniques.
- File System Recovery:
- The virtual disk’s NTFS file system was repaired to restore directory structures and metadata within the virtual machine.
Step 4: Data Validation and Delivery
- Integrity Testing:
- The repaired VHDx file was mounted successfully in a virtual environment, and all client files were verified for integrity.
- Secure Delivery:
- The recovered data was transferred to a new RAID array configured and set up for the client.
Challenges Faced
- Bad Sectors:
- Handling the drive with extensive bad sectors required advanced imaging techniques to extract as much data as possible.
- VHDx Corruption:
- The complex structure of the VHDx file required manual reconstruction of its header and data blocks.
- Time Sensitivity:
- The law firm needed the data urgently to meet client deadlines and continue operations.
Outcome
Advanced Data Recovery successfully:
- Recovered 99% of the data, including all critical files from the virtual machines.
- Delivered the repaired VHDx file and rebuilt RAID array within 72 hours, minimizing downtime for the firm.
- Provided recommendations for implementing a robust backup and RAID monitoring strategy.
Lessons Learned
- RAID Is Not a Backup:
- Always maintain external backups of critical data stored in RAID arrays.
- Monitor Disk Health:
- Use RAID monitoring tools to detect and replace failing drives before multiple failures occur.
- Seek Professional Help:
- DIY attempts to rebuild RAID arrays or repair VHDx files can worsen data corruption. Professional recovery ensures the best outcomes.
Why Choose Advanced Data Recovery (London)?
- RAID and Virtualization Experts:
- Decades of experience recovering data from RAID arrays and virtual disk files like VHDx.
- Advanced Tools:
- Proprietary tools for handling bad sectors, rebuilding RAID arrays, and repairing complex file types.
- Fast Turnaround:
- Emergency recovery services tailored to minimize downtime for businesses.
This case demonstrates Advanced Data Recovery’s expertise in resolving complex server and virtualization issues, ensuring clients regain access to critical data quickly and securely.