Is the storage pool off-line? Are there dead controllers? Has a LUN gone missing? Or is the datastore corrupt? We have successfully recovered all brands of SANs (Dell EMC, HPE, NetApp etc., Fibre Channel and iSCSI) and then imaged all the disks to rebuild the entire storage pool, its LUNs and the host file system independently of the controllers; therefore, any failed hardware will never result in loss of an available volume.
If your SAN has put a pool off-line, lost a controller or has stalled with a rebuild, stop; do not allow it to rebuild, re-initialise or re-sync. The rebuild process writes across each of the disks and may ‘bury’ the very data we are trying to recover. Additionally, recreating a pool or LUN may erase the mapping information required to locate the original LUN. Turn off the array, identify which disk was in what shelf and slot position, and contact us. The initial recovery attempt is always the best chance for success.
We recover data from these SAN failures the most often: pool failure, controller failure, LUN failure and host file system failure.
All SAN vendors are supported, including Dell EMC, HPE, NetApp and IBM etc., across all SAN protocols (Fibre Channel and iSCSI), RAID levels and storage pools (from a small iSCSI box up to large Fibre Channel arrays). The platform determines how to restore the data; it does not determine if there will be successful recovery.
Dell EMC (VNX, Unity, PowerStore, Compellent), HPE (3PAR, Nimble, MSA), NetApp (FAS, AFF, E-Series), IBM Storwize and FlashSystem, Hitachi VSP and Pure Storage · Fibre Channel and iSCSI · RAID 5, 6, 10 and pools · VMFS, NTFS, ReFS and clustered volumes · single-shelf arrays and multi-shelf arrays.
SAN recovery builds back up your volumes, never actually writing data to those disks. We take an image of every disk in the affected pool. Then we build back up the SAN’s own array and mapping. Finally, we build back up the volume and file system on top of it (VMFS, NTFS or a database) independently of the controller.
Send us the details about the array: brand and model, RAID configuration (layout), number of disks and why it failed. Based on this information we will assess it and prepare a written quotation. Please identify which shelf and slot each disk is located at when possible.
We then take a read-only image of each disk in the failing pool using specialised equipment. This way, the recovery process takes place with our read-only images of your original disks. The original disks are never altered.
When one or more disks fail mechanically or electronically, we will repair those disks enough to get them to an imageable state: head swapping, board building etc. Any drive-level repairs will require a deposit of 50% of the quoted price.
From these read-only images, we build back the RAID group(s) or storage pool and also the thin provisioning mapping and LUN configurations that were present in the SAN, independently of the controllers.
After we have rebuilt the file system on the LUN (VMFS, NTFS or ReFS) based on those read-only images, we can pull out your VMs, databases, files etc. and pull the best version of your data available.
Finally, we test that the restored volumes, VMs and databases actually open and have no missing parts prior to returning anything to you.
We will provide your data back on newly purchased storage that matches the original volume sizes so they can be returned to production immediately.
All SAN arrays (whether those are Dell EMC, HPE, NetApp or another brand) are recovered using an image copy process to restore all disks within each array pool; as well as restoring the LUNs associated with this pool and then the file system of the hosts attached to these LUNs without reliance upon the SAN controller(s), therefore failed hardware cannot cause any of your volumes to be lost.
Tell us what happened and we’ll get back to you, usually within a working day.
We’ll be in touch shortly. If it’s urgent, call 0191 406 1051.
Clear pricing for recovery of SAN arrays: the cost is based on how many arrays need to be recovered and there is no charge for a free diagnostic and written quote prior to starting any work.
A few examples of SAN recoveries completed include recovering data from “offline” pool states, controller failures resulting in no access to LUNs and datastore corruption. Specific information regarding the customers has been removed from each example. Each was verified.
Two disks in the pool had failed. We captured images of all twenty-four; we rebuilt the pool and restored access to all LUNs.
The control units failed; however, the disks remained intact. We then rebuilt the pool off the hardware and restored the volume from the disks.
Not much had been written over the blocks on each disk. We rebuilt the aggregate and recovered the deleted LUN and its associated data.
The VMFS was corrupted and therefore could no longer be used by virtual machines. We rebuilt the LUN containing the corrupted VMFS; we repaired VMFS and recovered the virtual machines.
The disk rebuild had partially overwritten the existing pool. We captured images of every disk; we rebuilt the exact layout from these images and we recovered the original LUNs.
Data was lost due to unflushed write cache. The system was rebuilt to the point of last known good condition and then the data was recovered.
When you send the unit in for its free diagnostic, let us know what happened with the unit. An engineer will review the unit and confirm your quote in writing prior to starting on your recovery.
Before you post or drop off your device, please get a quote from us by phone or with the form. Once we receive your device, our recovery process can start. Safely pack your device, include your name and contact information within the packaging and ship it to us. After performing your free diagnostic, we’ll send you a written confirmation of the exact price of our services prior to starting any work.
If you decide to post it, we would advise using a trackable and insured postal service. Or if you prefer to drop it off, we are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm, and you don’t need an appointment. Just pack the unit as described in step one before dropping it off.
Would you like a little more background information prior to sending it? Fill in the form to provide more details about your problem; an engineer will evaluate it and reply with a customised quote.
We’ll be in touch shortly. If it’s urgent, call 0191 406 1051.
The top questions we receive on how to recover a SAN.
Yes generally. A RAID group or pool will go offline once you have lost more than the number of disks that are supported by the RAID group. However in many cases, the data has been left on the disks. We copy each disk, then we restore your volumes and RAID groups from these copies. Do not allow the array to rebuild or re-initialise the pool first.
Very rarely. When a storage processor or controller dies, you lose access to the data; however, that does not mean the actual data is lost. Data exists on disk(s). We can read pool configuration off the disk(s), make an exact copy of each disk and rebuild LUNs without needing original hardware functioning.
Yes, usually, as long as you act quickly. If a person deletes, unmaps or reformats a LUN, all block locations are normally preserved until overwritten. We can rebuild the pool and recreate your LUN to restore contents; do not continue using your storage system and call us.
We do. SAN LUNs are often used to store VMFS datastores on VMware servers as well as Hyper-V volume and database data. When we rebuild the LUN, we restore the VMFS or NTFS filesystem and then recover the VMDKs (virtual machine), virtual machines and their associated data and check they open prior to returning them.
The price for SAN recovery is based on each array, starting at £1,250 (plus VAT); the cost will depend upon the amount of disks in the array, the RAID configuration that has been set up and how much time and effort are required to complete the recovery. Each job starts with a free diagnostic prior to writing a formal quote. In most cases you only pay if we recover your data, which means you know what you will pay prior to commencing any work.
In most cases, yes. For drive-level repair jobs we ask for a 50% deposit prior to starting work on your project and charge you the balance when we successfully recover your data. If we cannot recover it, then you don’t pay the remainder of our fee.
All makes: Dell EMC, HPE, NetApp, IBM, Hitachi, Pure Storage, Fujitsu, Lenovo etc. Fibre Channel and iSCSI. Every type of RAID configuration. The platform determines the method, not whether recovery of data is possible.
Rarely; typically just the disk(s) that were in the failed pool or RAID group including failed disk(s), each marked with its shelf and slot. In SAN recovery, we reassemble the entire pool from all disk members (failed or not), so we generally require all disk members; however, the chassis or controllers will usually not be required.
Usually yes. Most common causes of SAN failures include rebuild failure or migration failure that has damaged the pool, which writes data to all disks as it goes, so we stop it, create an un-writable copy of each disk and recreate the original pool and LUNs from those images.
SAN recovery usually takes 5 to 7 working days, which depends on how many disks there are in total, what RAID layout is being used and if any disks need to be repaired at the drive level before imaging. Our free diagnostic is usually completed within 48 hours and business critical jobs can often be bumped up the queue.
You may drop your disks at our Newcastle location Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm or send by post with full insurance. All disks from the affected pool should be sent along with their respective shelf and slot numbers clearly labelled. Also please pack the disks so as to prevent any damage during transit. Please include your contact information such as name, company, address, phone number and email so that we may book it in and write a formal quote prior to doing any actual work.
We will provide you with a free diagnostic, pricing quotes based upon what array needs to be repaired, and in most cases you only pay if we recover your data. Every SAN is recovered off the controllers. Start recovering your SAN today.