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How to Recover Data from Your All-Flash Array Drive

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An all-flash array is part of a solid state storage disk system that contains multiple flash memory, rather than spinning hard disk drives. All-flash array technology has been around for a while, but its only in recent years that it’s become a truly reliable option on an enterprise level and is able to fully-justify its higher price.

But, as with all types of digital and computer-related storage and disk use, the data recovery side of all-flash array is something of a mystery to all but the fully initiated.

Data center rack with hard drives

Rack mounted storage server hard drives

Don’t Attempt DIY Data Recovery,

Of course, as data recovery experts it’s not really in our interest to recommend DIY recovery when you lose data or your computer fails. But, as you’ve seen from some of our other posts, we do discuss it and state that it can be done, with a combination of luck and skill.

When it comes to an all-flash array system, we don’t think that good luck will be enough to result in a successful DIY data recovery attempt. That’s because the way in which all-flash arrays work, make it difficult for all but the experts to delve into them.

Any use of a data recovery program must be done on a separate drive to ensure nothing on the all-flash array is over-written. All-flash array is much quicker at transferring data than spinning disks and is becoming a much more hard-wearing option for IT managers and businesses. However, it also requires a more knowledgeable and delicate touch to retrieve lost data from it.

Data Loss or Drive Failure Less Likely

But, while data recovery of all-flash array is more difficult, the system itself is more hard wearing and reliable, therefore making the potential of data loss or failure, less likely. That’s partly thanks to the lower heat produced by the solid, non-spinning disk system. Less power is also required to run all-flash array systems, which is another benefit for the larger companies who use them.

While they might be more expensive to buy initially, they are more cost-effective to run and, use and save more data on. Indeed, the fact they are becoming the first choice for TIER-1, critical data storage tells you a lot about how reliable they are.

Don’t Forget to Back-up That Data

As you can see, we could wax lyrical all day long about how great all-flash array systems are. However, if you want to avoid a scenario where you’re searching for an all-flash array expert to recover some vital data, we have a solution for you – regular back-up method!

We know, you’ve heard it and read it, a thousand times before. But, if your data is important, you need to treat it as such and keep it securely stored in multiple locations. This will protect you from:

  1. Storage failures.
  2. Malware and ransomware.
  3. Criminal attacks.
  4. Power failures.

Once you select the right back-up systems and begin the regular job of performing those back-ups, you’ll be in the position where data loss isn’t a problem and you won’t need the services of your local, expert data recovery specialists.

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What’s the Best Method for Backing Up?

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As data recovery experts, we know the best way to keep your files safe and easy to retrieve – regular backups! We also know that backing up your computer sounds a little like gobbledegook to some, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

We’re going to share our knowledge of the best ways to back up your data, be it from your laptop, PC, tablet or smartphone.

Data Backup is saving your data to a separate server or device, to ensure you can always retrieve it no matter what happens to your computer. There are multiple ways to do this, most of which are simple to do, keep on top of and cost-effective, too.

The importance of regular data backup cannot be overstated – that goes for big multinational corporations, down to single users at home. Regular and reliable data back up ensures:

• You never lose your data.
• Your data is safe even if you’ve been hit by ransomware or other malware.
• If your computer breaks, you can access your important files from a different one, where ever you are.
• You should never need the services of data recovery specialists!

Different Back-up Methods
There are three main back-up methods that work well and are easy to perform.

External Hard Drive
The first of the three is to buy an external hard drive and regularly connect it to your devices to save any new files and data you’ve created and want to keep safe. Thanks to intense competition, it’s possible to buy good quality and reliable hard drives for a reasonable price. And, once you done your initial back up, you should only need to connect the hard drive to your computer with a USB cable and hit start to repeat the process.
The main potential problem with this method is your data is irretrievable if the hard drive is lost, stolen or badly damaged.

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Internet Backup
Many storage companies offer online internet storage and regular backups to ensure all the data you need is safe and available to you. This method means your data is always available when you’re online and easy for you to retrieve. Provided you opt for a well-managed company, your data will be safe from loss, theft and damage.
But, you will likely have to pay a monthly fee or a special offer, annual charge.

Cloud Storage
While not strictly backup, it’s as near to it as most people want it to be and keeps your data safe and retrievable. The best-known cloud storage companies – iCloud, Dropbox and Googledrive – to name but a few, tend to offer some storage to subscribers for free. That storage is typically only a few gigabytes and you’ll need to pay for more space. While your data won’t reside online, but on a server in an un-specified country, it’s still simple to save your data – it’s often done automatically – and also, easy to get back. The main con here is paying for large amounts of server space.

The Best Backup Method is any two, or even all of the above! There is typically some cost associated with all the best data storage and backup, particularly when you’re looking at larger amounts of space. When you’re paying for backup and data storage space, be sure you’re using a company you trust and are getting good value for money.
Opt for the methods you’re most comfortable with in terms of performing the backup, accessing the files in your moment of need and on a cost level too.

Data Recovery

Data Recovery Services For Any Media, Any Operating System, Anytime

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As Seen In ‘Austrade – Australian Trade Commission’

Products and Services

A worldwide leader in data recovery services for clients experiencing data loss due to hardware failure, natural disaster or software corruption.

Our Company message

Our engineers have devised the most -cost-effective and efficient procedure to get your data back quickly no matter what the cause of failure. Any media, any OS, any time. “When a catastrophic failure hits a company’s data, the costs begin mounting immediately. We understand that hours do count and now with our presence in Australia we can apply our specialized data recovery skills within a short time period anywhere across the country.”

CBL’s Brisbane facility can be reached by calling 1800 473 268.

About CBL Data Recovery Technologies Inc.

Founded in 1993, CBL Data Recovery Technologies Inc. is a leading international provider of computer data recovery services for clients experiencing data loss. CBL employs experts from varying disciplines coupled with proprietary techniques to retrieve data quickly and effectively from a wide array of affected media for customers ranging from large enterprises to home users.

CBL offers data recovery services worldwide through its network of labs, offices and authorized partners, located in 10 countries on six continents including Brisbane, Australia; San Diego, California and Armonk, NY, USA; Toronto, Canada; Newcastle, United Kingdom; Kaiserslautern, Germany; Beijing, China; Barbados, West Indies; Ponta Grossa, Brazil; Tokyo, Japan; and Singapore.

Recovery

Data Backup – You never know what you’ve got

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Backing Up Your Data –

A hard drive crash is devastating for anyone who loses their files, and disastrous for any business that doesn’t have a back up plan

Imagine your computers hard drive has suddenly failed.

To put yourself in this situation may seem ludicrous, but imagine losing the ability to access any of your personal files, articles you have written, images from holidays, family archives, home accounts, bills, emails, personal information.

Try it! Turn off your computer and try and remember everything that you have stored on that spinning disc. Now imagine you cannot get it back, it’s gone forever. Now you’re getting the gist of the importance of backups.

There are so many options out there, it’s easy. External hard drives, cloud back up, USB sticks or even the simple writable CD. They’re all effective, and cost efficient too.

If you’re in business here’s a data loss-prevention exercise that any organization can run at little or no cost. Simply ask for some critical data to be restored from backup. If the test is successful, great. But the chances are very good that there will be issues. In fact, there are long-time IT consultants who have often asked but never seen data successfully restored from backup.

Organizations underestimate the length and fragility of the backup chain. First off, the data has to exist in a form that can be backed up. The backup hardware and software must be functioning correctly, and the media must actually capture the information. Somebody must cause the backup to be performed and the backed-up data must be, ideally, properly documented and moved to an off-site location. Finally, the data must be restored in a timely manner, so everybody can get back to work.

The list of things that can go wrong in that chain of events is almost endless. Ironically, the biggest enemy of regular, properly executed backups is the reliability and efficiency of today’s IT systems. That dependability means that restoring data from backup is rarely necessary. Unfortunately, systems that are seldom used tend to degradate over time and that is where the danger lies.

So, if nobody takes excuses from you, you can’t accept excuses from anybody else. If you have the responsibility for keeping systems up, running and productive, plain, old-fashioned fire drills are the only answer.

Remember the last time you lost a set of keys, your mobile phone fell out of your jacket, or your credit card was left at the local store. I know how panic stricken I was, and the sad thing is, the majority of us never back up our computers and yet its so easy.

Don’t just think about it, do it.

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The back-up clash: cloud vs external hard drive

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With the days of having a locked filing cabinet to store all your important data now long gone, your modern-day options are the cloud and external hard drives. But, how can you know which is the right choice? Both have pros and cons and both involve some cost and risk.
We’ve broken down some key details of both to help you decide which is the right option for you.

Security

From a security point of view, an external hard drive is hard to beat. It’s in your possession, in a safe place of your choosing and only yourself and those you allow, have access to it. A technology thief with a specific interest in hard drives aside, it’s safe in your hands.
If you store your data on the cloud, you’re handing your data over to a complete stranger, who may not be able to keep your data safe regardless of the measures they have put in place. Yes, online security and technology is improving all the time. But, the people who want that data are also consistently upping their game, making it a tough, ongoing battle.
We say: the external hard drive is the winner on security, for the moment at least.

Data portability and accessibility

This is a tough one.
A personal external hard drive is small and easily portable. It can also be connected and used regardless of whether or not there is an internet connection. But, if you don’t have the right cable or wireless operating system, then its contents are inaccessible.
The cloud, meanwhile, is available anywhere in the world where you can get online. You can access most cloud-based content from any device, provided you can remember your username and password, that is!
We say: the cloud wins on portability and accessibility, although it’s a close call.

Cost

When it comes to cost, you have to look at the different levels of data storage you require.
The price of personal external hard drives is lower than ever at the moment, which makes them financially inviting for storage between 50 gigabytes and up to 5-6 terabytes.
When it comes to the cloud, you can get free storage for up to 50 gigabytes from companies such as google, dropbox, SkyDrive and iCloud. You could use a few different ones and get a reasonable amount of online storage for free, or you can start paying for more storage from a single provider. It’s not a lot more than a hard drive, but, if you don’t spread your cloud storage around, it will be more expensive until you get to the really big numbers, terabytes. At that point it will be cheaper and more practical to opt for cloud storage.
We say: external hard drive wins for regular storage levels.

The winner is…

Based on our brief look at these three key details, it looks like the external hard drive is the winner! It’s a close call though and not always the right choice for everyone.
Another option, if you’re still not convinced, is to hedge you bets and use both. If you make use of the free cloud storage to double back up your most prized data files, then it’s a win, win. And, you can decide for yourself which works best for you.