An Overview of the Btrfs File System

Btrfs, also known as B-Tree File System, is primarily used in Linux systems. Before you learn how to perform Btrfs recovery, it's essential to know about this file system.

What is the Btrfs file system?

Btrfs, also known as the B-tree file system, is a file system built for Linux that uses Copy-on-Write (CoW) technology. To understand Btrfs, you first need to grasp how file systems that use Copy-on-Write work.

A Copy-on-Write (CoW) file system is designed to optimize storage and handling of files. It employs a technique that duplicates all data in parallel while the system is processing it. Thus, Btrfs, by employing CoW technology, offers excellent fault tolerance and makes disk repair and management straightforward.

Using the Btrfs File System

The Btrfs file system is mainly used in all server systems based on Linux. Server computers consist of NAS storage devices. Since Btrfs is mainly used for dealing with integrated device management, it is the best choice in cases where there are multiple integrated storage devices.

Features of the Btrfs file system: 1. Software RAID support: Btrfs supports various RAID configurations, such as RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10, providing data redundancy and performance improvements across different disks. 2. Volume management: Btrfs allows for the creation and management of volumes, enabling dynamic resizing for expanding storage capacity. 3. Mirroring and striping: Btrfs supports mirroring (copying) of files and subdirectories as well as striping to balance data protection and performance optimization. 4. Snapshots: Btrfs can create snapshots, preserving specific states of the file system. Snapshots are read-consistent and space-efficient, facilitating backup and rollback operations. 5. Error detection and repair: Btrfs includes built-in error detection and self-healing capabilities to automatically identify and correct data consistency issues. 6. Data compression: Files can be optionally compressed during writes to save storage space. 7. File-level cloning: File-level cloning is achieved through hard links, allowing quick creation of new files without duplicating all data. 8. Storage pools: Btrfs permits multiple disks to form a storage pool for easier management and expansion of storage resources. 9. Recursive checksums: Utilizing CRC32C checksums ensures data integrity and reliability, particularly in the face of hardware errors. 10. Transparent sparse file support: Efficiently handles large files by occupying only the actual used storage space. 11. POSIX semantics support: Btrfs is compatible with most standard UNIX file system interfaces, ensuring compatibility with other applications and tools. These features make Btrfs a modern, flexible, and reliable file system suitable for use in servers, data centers, and desktop environments.

Here is a list of features provided by the Btrfs file system:

    • High Scalability: One great thing about B-tree-based file systems is their ability to combine and compress data into smaller sets. As such, it's easy to expand your storage devices when using the Btrfs file system.
    • Reliability: Owing to its reliability in data storage, Btrfs is favored in Linux servers.
    • Copy-on-Write (CoW): Copy-on-Write (CoW) is a key feature built directly into the Btrfs file system.
    • RAID Support: RAID support provides massive storage capacity for your computer system. The good news is that the Btrfs file system has built-in support for RAID configurations.

If you use a Btrfs-based file system, you get some key features.

Reasons for Data Loss on Btrfs Drive

The first part helped you understand the Btrfs file system, which is mainly used in Linux-based server systems, especially in NAS or integrated storage devices. Since the Btrfs file system is considered reliable and modern, what could cause data loss from Btrfs disks?

Let's look at the main reasons for data loss on Btrfs drives:

    • Malware and viruses: One of the primary reasons for data loss on Btrfs drives. If your drive gets infected by malware or a virus, you might lose your data depending upon the severity of the virus.
    • Power surge and unexpected shutdowns: Incorrectly and frequently shutting down the Btrfs drive can lead to data loss.
    • Buggy applications: At times, you might install an application that behaves abnormally. In such cases, if the application is capable of performing write operations on its own, it may lead to data loss on your Btrfs drive.
    • Human errors: In some situations, people accidentally delete files without noticing. Many Btrfs drive users have reported such instances.

How to Recover Deleted Files from Btrfs File System on NAS

The last part explains the major reasons for data loss from Btrfs drives. However, regardless of the reason for data loss, you can use our methods to recover deleted files from a NAS with a Btrfs file system.

Method 1: Recover Lost NAS Data on Windows PC without Removing the Hard Drive

If you lose data on a NAS device using the Btrfs system, the best approach is to use a NAS Data Recovery Software. This tool is highly recommended because it doesn't require you to disconnect or remove the NAS hard drives. The tool, being a renowned brand, offers a NAS Data Recovery software that can help you restore deleted or lost files. It is capable of performing recovery operations regardless of whether your NAS device uses Btrfs or EXT4 file systems.

Why Choose Tools NAS Data Recovery?

    • No need to uninstall the NAS drive for data recovery, unlike conventional methods.
    • Supports effortless Btrfs file system recovery on various devices, such as Synology, QNAP, WD, Buffalo, and more.
    • User-friendly with a simple process to complete data recovery in just a few steps.
    • Highly reliable, ensuring data recovery from your NAS Btrfs drive regardless of the reason for data loss.

Steps to perform NAS Btrfs recovery using the Data Recovery Wizard tool:

Step 1: Select the NAS server and start the recovery

Download and install the tools Data Recovery Wizard on your 64-bit Windows 11/10 computer. After launching the software, choose "NAS Recovery." All NAS servers will be listed automatically. Select the NAS device you want to recover and click "Scan."

Choose a NAS server and start the recovery

Step 2: Enable SSH on the NAS server.

Go to “Control Panel > Terminal and SNMP,” and check “Enable SSH service.” Note the port that will be used for remote access. Launch the Tools Data Recovery Wizard and click “Next.”

Enabling SSH Service on the NAS Server

Step 3: Connect to the NAS server remotely.

This program will automatically detect your IP address and port. You just need to enter your username and password. If the IP address or port is incorrect, you can correct it manually. Then click “Connect Now”.

Connect to the NAS server remotely

Step 4: Recover Lost/Deleted NAS Data

Then, the tool will connect to your NAS and start scanning the NAS device. After the scan, you will see all the deleted, lost, or existing files on the NAS server.

You can use the “Filter” option or click on “Search for files or folders” to locate missing files on the hard drive. Select the NAS files that were lost from the server and click “Recover” to save them to another location.

Click the "Restore" button to recover the deleted NAS files.

Recover Lost/Deleted NAS Data

Method 2: Recover Lost NAS Data by Removing the Disks and Rebuilding RAID

Method 1: Use the tools Data Recovery Wizard software. If you don't use this software, there are other options, but all of the other data recovery software will require you to unmount the NAS drive and rebuild the RAID, which can be a hassle. Let's look at the steps to recover lost NAS data the traditional way.

Step 1: Acquire the number of NAS enclosures you need.

You will need to check what type of RAID you have, and then determine how many NAS enclosures you will require based on that.

Step two: Remove all RAID disks from the NAS.

After removing the RAID disks, connect them to a working computer to rebuild the RAID. Make sure to label the disks correctly when connecting them.

Step 3: Start the RAID rebuild.

You can use any NAS RAID recovery software for this step.

Step 4. Proceed with NAS Data Recovery.

The software you choose will run and do a deep scan of your NAS Btrfs drive. Upon completion of the scan, you should be able to recover your lost data. If you're unsure how to rebuild a RAID drive, seek assistance from the professional Data Recovery Service.

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Consult with a TOOLS Data Recovery expert for one-on-one manual recovery assistance. After a free diagnosis, we can offer the following services:

  • Repair damaged RAID structures, unbootable Windows operating systems, and corrupted virtual disk files
  • Recover/repair lost partitions and repartitioned drives
  • Reformat hard drives and fix RAW hard drives (Bitlocker encrypted drives)
  • Restore disks turned into GPT protected partitions

Conclusion

Btrfs is a new, reliable file system that's suitable for use on NAS (network-attached storage) or server computers, especially those running Linux. Unfortunately, your Btrfs disks can lose data due to various reasons. Thankfully, you can recover this data.

One way is to go about it the old-fashioned way, which would require you to remove the Btrfs hard drives from the NAS, label them, and connect them to a functioning computer to recover the data. However, the most recommended method is to use the tools Data Recovery Wizard software. This tool does not require you to remove the NAS hard drives; instead, it allows you to recover your data with just a few simple clicks.