Data Recovery · LanCologne

How can a company recover data from a failed Fibre Channel SAN storage system?

In a Fibre Channel SAN, the data is stored on RAID groups or storage pools within the storage system; the Servern is then provided with LUNs on which VMFS, NTFS or other file systems are located. If the storage system fails, these layers must be replicated without the original controller.

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Technical background

The causes include controller faults, multiple disk failures, failed Update firmware updates or loss of configuration data. Manufacturers use their own metadata formats and, in some cases, distributed layouts (e.g. dynamic pools), meaning that the reconstruction process varies considerably depending on the system.

What you should – and shouldn’t – do now

  • No reconfiguration or initialisation of the RAID groups.
  • Back up the storage system’s configuration exports, support files and logs, if they are still accessible.
  • Record the shelf and slot positions.
  • Include manufacturer support for non-destructive diagnostics only.

Here’s how we do it

  • Raw images of all the plates involved.
  • Analysis of the manufacturer’s metadata: disc order, stripe size, parity distribution.
  • Virtual reconstruction of a RAID group or pool and extraction of the LUNs.
  • Mounting the file systems (e.g. VMFS) and exporting the required data or VMs.

Borders

  • Proprietary pool layouts can require considerably more analysis work if no documentation is available.
  • Thin provisioning, deduplication or array-level encryption can limit the time taken for reconstruction.

Possible results

Recovered LUN contents or VMs, and documentation of the reconstructed structure.

How we carry out data recovery

Every data storage device is first diagnosed in our own laboratory in Cologne; the diagnosis is free of charge. You will then receive a written quote and can decide whether to accept it. If you decline, you can collect the data storage device from the laboratory by appointment – there are no postage costs involved – or we will post it back to you; in which case postage and packaging costs may apply. Data is recovered from copies, not from the original – using professional data recovery hardware such as the PC-3000. If a drive needs to be opened, this is carried out on a HEPA H14-filtered clean bench. We do not offer a guarantee of success prior to diagnosis, as this is simply not possible in a professional context. Your storage device and your data will remain confidential and will not be passed on to third parties.

1Enquiries and submission by post or in person at the laboratory by prior appointment
2Free diagnosis of the cause of the damage
3Written quotation – we will only proceed once you have approved it; if you decline, you may collect the item from the laboratory or we will return it to you (postage and packaging costs may apply)
4Recovery, data verification and confidential handover

Request a diagnosis   Find out more about the process, costs and confidentiality →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need the complete storage system?+
Usually the discs and, where available, configuration data. The enclosure itself is not usually required.
What about deduplication?+
If it is active at array level, the deduplication metadata must also be reconstructed; this increases the effort involved and the risk of gaps.
Can virtual machines be transferred directly?+
Yes, following reconstruction, VMDK or VHDX files can be exported, provided the file system allows this.

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