UFS Explorer Technician

UFS Explorer Technician

Version: 10.11.1
Last update: 11.11.2024
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Product overview Technical specifications System requirements Changes log
version 10.11.1

What's new in version 10.11.1:

  • Fixed critical issue with parallel access to disks (caused by an unexpected behaviour of device handle duplication API);
  • Fixed crash bug issue caused by decoding of some malformed MPEG4 video frames (for purposes of 'preview');
  • Added support of 'still frame preview' for more video formats.
version 10.10

What's new in version 10.10:

  • Added plugin for IBM Storwize (V-series) SAN:
    - Support of thin and thick volumes;
    - Support of RAID0, RAID1, RAID10, RAID5, RAID6 and Distributed RAID5/RAID6;
    - Support of RAID6 recovery with up to 2 missing drives for both RAID6 and Distributed RAID6;
  • Plugin for Infiniti SAN is released with licensing on Thales Sentinel USB token;
  • QNAP 'QuTS hero' QZFS support:
    - Added support of specific rotations of RAID TP on 11 disks;
    - fixed bug QZFS read after ZFS speed optimization in version 10.8;
  • Added one-button tool to connect/disconnect an opened storage as a 'local virtual disk' (mount to the OS);
  • When software is closed or iSCSI server is stopped, locally mounted iSCSI targets are now disconnected automatically;
  • HP SmartArray: added recognition and support of 0+1-style rotation;
  • Adaptec RAID metadata: added support of RAID60 with Adaptec RAID6 rotation;
  • DDF metadata:
    - Added support of RAID 10/'Far' rotation and RAID 00 rotation (as a subvariant of RAID0);
    - Also added support of RAID metadata timestamps;
  • Reworked RAID10/RAID1E support:
    - Added support of multiple data copies in rotation: from two and up to number of disks;
    - Added support of 'Far' and '0+1' rotations in addition to Near/Interleaved (or 'Offset'/'Near' in terms of mdadm);
  • Automatic RAID builder:
    - Reworked assembly algorithm to fix an issue that prevented automatic building of RAIDs with some metadata damage scenarios;
    - Added support of RAID metadata 'last updated' time (when available) for selection of more recent components to build the RAID;
    - Removed automatic adding of 'incompletely rebuilt' components (when it's possible to identify them);
  • MDADM RAID:
    - Added support of metadata timestamp and 'incomplete rebuild' flag (both metadata versions 0.9 and 1.x);
    - 'Reshape in progress' scenario is now also supported by combining already reshaped and pending areas;
    - Added proper support for 'Offset'/'Near'/'Far' RAID 10 rotations with multiple data copies;
  • Intel MSM: fixed issue with recognition of RAID10/1E configurations;
  • Update to procedure of automatic partition detection:
    - Implemented additional checks to distinguish between partially overwritten GPT and MBR formats;
    - Added more checks to quickly detect lost/deleted partitions, now including BitLocker (when possible);
  • Manual partition search tool: optimized speed and fixed issue skipping existing partitions for 'free space'-only scan;
  • Storage properties panel: added display of RAID metadata last modified timestamp (when available) to check for 'outdated' components;
  • Image viewer: fixed a bug with displaying JPEG with present, but empty EXIF.
version 10.9

What's new in version 10.9:

  • Microsoft Storage Spaces:
    - Added experimental support for 'fixup' of improperly unmounted volumes using the Transaction Log (via the 'RAID'->'Microsoft Storage Space volumes' tool);
    - Fixed issue parsing volume metadata (record version 10);
    - Fixed a bug with automatic updates to the 'dual parity' volumes when additional (missing) components are added;
  • Added support of the Synology RAID-F1 pattern (both algorithm and support in RAID builder);
  • In RAID builder:
    - Added support of pattern rotations for 'dedicated parity' patterns of RAID5/RAID6;
    - Added setting for rotating/dedicated Q-stripe for RAID6 and support of pattern indication for dedicated Q rotation type;
  • Fixed recognition of RAID50/60 configurations with DDF2 RAID metadata on some Adaptec RAID boards;
  • MDADM RAID metadata format:
    - Added automatic recognition of dedicated parity configurations ('parity first'/'parity last' rotations) for both RAID5 and RAID6;
    - Also added recognition and full support of RAID6 with RAID5-style rotation and dedicated parity (like 'left-symmetric-6', 'parity-first-6' etc. schemas);
  • Ext3/Ext4 scan:
    - Added support of journal checksum feature (for better deleted data recovery);
    - Enabled EXT4 B-tree search for attempted recovery of big deleted files;
  • Fixed bug with data access errors on 'transformed' (decrypted, byte-swapped etc.) in certain scenarios with transformation block size over one sector;
  • Fixed bug with creation of image files in VHDX format;
  • Linux software version in save/open dialogs now shows connected media from /media/USER_NAME subfolders;
  • ReFS3 file system scan:
    - Fixed bug with indexing procedure (incorrect location of indexed files);
    - Added support of 'hard-links' in ReFS scan result.
version 10.8

What's new in version 10.8:

  • When indication of folders capacity is available (number and size of enclosed files), this information is now also saved to all reports;
  • 'Save processed data' function now also saves device WWN to the image;
  • In VHDX/AVHDX format: added support of embedded log (transaction journal) to support 'virtual' log replay in case of 'dirty' virtual disk detachment;
    - 'Dirty' VHDX files are now opened read-only with no possibility to write to them;
  • When scan result is restored to a different offset (from a disk/partition context menu) a confirmation warning message now appears;
  • In file system direct access mode: added a function to calculate and show capacities of subfolders (size and count of files inside);
  • Added support of NVMe SMART reporting in software version for Linux OS;
  • ZFS file system (direct access): modified file 'open' procedure to support delayed loading of metadata and speed-up opening of large files;
    - Significant optimization of opening QZFS file system;
  • ReFS file system: added support of 'resident' files for both 'Access' and 'Scan' (small files stored in metadata with file system format 3.14 or later);
  • FAT/FAT32 scan:
    - Removed some 'junk' objects that can appear during 'indexing' stage of scan;
    - Added support of older SONY camera style file deletion (indication with zero instead of E5h byte);
  • In embedded viewer: added support of PDF documents in 'version 2' format and fixed few PDF format-related issues;
  • In raw recovery:
    - Added detection of PDF in format version 2;
    - Fixed bug that caused some PDF files to be classified by mistake as Adobe Illustrator (AI) files;
    - Added search for 'real' file size of PDF and AI documents (when possible).
version 10.7.1

What's new in version 10.7.1:

  • Drobo support: fixed issue with reading RAID when total data size on the storage exceeds 16TB;
  • Added support of work with disk WWN IDs:
    - Software now reads and displays Device ID (WWN) of SATA drives on disk properties panel;
    - For SAS drives Device ID, Port ID and Target ID WWNs are displayed;
    - When disk is imaged to SDLSP format, WWNs are saved (preserved) and also can be displayed for such SDLSP files;
  • ReFS file system: updated both scan and direct access modules to support the latest ReFS 3.14.
version 10.7

What's new in version 10.7:

  • In password unwrap tool: added support of key unwrap from Synology key vault files;
  • Updated procedure of detection of Intel Cache Technology (Optane) for proper recognition of this technology in some scenarios;
  • Enabled write support for 'span' constructions and 'chunked' VMDK files;
  • Added VMDK format as a supported target format for the Disk Imager;
    - Virtual disk size limit for VMDK images is set to 128EB (instead of 8TB in VMware GUI);
  • Also added support of legacy VHD format as an output format for Disk Imager (for sources with capacity below 2040GB);
  • Added support of importing defect maps in RSM format;
  • In 'Save selection (advanced)' dialog added the possibility to fine-tune certain copying parameters to override temporary the global software settings;
    - Also added possibility to set up copying 'with the full path from the root';
  • Added 'Save with full path' tool to the context menu of individual files;
  • Symbolic links support:
    - Fixed a bug causing truncation of long symbolic links;
    - In object properties GUI: now symbolic link is displayed fully, with no truncation;
  • On XFS file system:
    - Added support of 'long date' feature for both 'access' and 'scan';
    - Fixed bug with 'dirty' short symbolic links;
    - Added support of long symbolic links in older (plain) format;
  • FAT32 scan: fixed bug with folder structure reconstruction when there are multiple deleted files and file system indexing is enabled.
version 10.6

What's new in version 10.6:

  • Virtual sector size transformation on images: added possibility to specify a custom source sector size;
  • Drives/bridges security: added ATA "security unlock" support (the password must be known, including padding and transformation);
  • Added support of password-based full-disk encryption on OpenBSD softraid;
  • Added support of OpenBSD softraid (RAID0, RAID1, RAID5, Span);
  • In disk imager: added a tool to re-image defect blocks (it resets the 'defect' status to the 'unread' status and allows to re-image the 'unread' zones);
  • Microsoft Storage Spaces:
    - Added basic support of multi-tier volumes with several rotation groups;
    - Fixed parsing issue of 'parent link' metadata entries (version 2);
  • Added a tool to open 'directory-bundled' images from a local file system:
    - Added support of macOS sparsebundle/backupbundle format;
    - Added support of Parallels HDD bundle virtual disks (with automatic support of snapshots);
  • In media manager: added recognition of local Parallels Desktop virtual machines and possibility to access their virtual disks (under macOS);
  • Disk images of Parallels Desktop software: added support of snapshots;
  • Fixed scan issue that caused incorrect file system sub-trees reconstruction on Linux/Unix file systems (EXT, XFS etc.).
version 10.5

What's new in version 10.5:

  • Added support latest version of QZFS (QNAP QuTS hero ZFS) file system;
  • Added ZFS pool builder GUI:
    - Added GUI to view/edit ZFS pool configuration, including Vdevs, RAID-Z level and members etc.;
    - Possibility to assign components manually (after metadata damage) and force placeholders on place of missing components;
    - Added 'New ZFS pool' function under 'RAID' menu to build a pool manually;
    - 'View/Edit RAID' function for ZFS pool RAIDs is replaced with this tool to view/re-configure automatically assembled pools;
  • Added support of Drobo short-form metadata of latest models;
  • In Drobo assistant tool: added possibility to specify data block metadata size (to support older models/firmware);
  • In disk imager:
    - Added option to track disk by serial number after its reconnection at different device path;
    - When resuming saving image to an existing SDLSP or VHDX file, software now verifies stored serial number to match with the source;
  • ZFS file system access:
    - Fixed an issue with 'missing' support of Big-Endian file system (SPARC);
    - Fixed an issue with path navigation when multiple datasets enclosed to each other;
  • In ZFS scan procedure: fixed an issue with detection of Big-Endian ZFS (SPARC);
  • In file size report: added possibility to switch between long (full) numbers and short form in KB/MB/GB/TB;
  • ExFAT scan: addeed support of 'padding' directory records;
  • NTFS:fixed issue with support of big files when DATA attribute is moved to ATTR_LIST but still has duplication of 'DATA tail' in main MFT record.
version 10.4

What's new in version 10.4:

  • In disk cleanup tool: added function of erasing 'Host Specific' ATA log pages;
  • Fixed bug with support of Dell Equallogic RAID6 metadata (Reed-Solomon code variant);
  • In plugins:
    - Added 'basic' support of VMFS file system (for single-volume datastores, below 16TB);
    - Added support of preview for disk image files and virtual disks on the opened file system;
    - Added support of other file systems, supported by UFS Explorer Technician (ZFS, JFS, VxFS, WAFL etc.);
  • Disk imager: added option to save 'Host Specific' ATA log pages to SDLSP or directly to SATA physical disk clones;
  • On-demand imaging:
    - When target image file supports writing of ATA log pages, they are cloned automatically on first use;
    - Added a tool for explicit imaging of ATA log pages to the target;
  • Reworked 'Drives/Bridges security' tool to support ATA log pages from images or 'on-demand imaging tasks';
  • Added double-click decryption of disks from WD MyBook with JMS561 bridge chip;
    - Also added automatic recognition of Span/Stripe multi-disk RAID configurations on decrypted storages;
  • LUKS decryption: extended allowed password length to 8K symbols, added support of null-symbols in keys/passwords;
  • Fixed crash bug with in the disk imager working in ATA-mode;
  • In SDLSP file format: added possibility to store 'Host Specific' ATA log pages;
  • Added indication of encryption on disks from WD MyBook (DUO) with JMS561 bridge;
  • Fixed issue with support of sparse files created with EXT2/3-style inodes on EXT file system;
  • UFS file system: fixed a couple of bugs with processing of directory scan (after 'sparse' deletion).
version 10.3

What's new in version 10.3:

  • Added support of couple of 'alternative' key block formats for WD MyBook DUO (under 'Drives/bridges' security tool);
  • Added possibility to search for lost/damaged LVM configurations without physical volume configuration by defining a PV without known ID;
  • 'Filter file system' function now uses updated UI design with different classes of properties on different tabs;
  • In the 'Dynamic HTML report': fixed issue with 'Save CSV report' function and changed CSV separator to 'coma' symbol;
  • In the reporting function itself: added customization of separator for CSV reports (the default one is now 'coma');
    - Also fixed several UI and report format issues;
  • Reworked 'Save with filter' GUI: different filters separated to 'tabs', target path was made editable;
    - Also reworked 'folder exclusion' mask as a separate setting;
  • Added indication of ZFS pool component properties (vdev, RAID configuration, RAID-Z member, pool ID etc.);
  • New filter UI design is also applied to reporting function;
  • Access to NTFS volumes: Added support of Windows Overlay Filter (WOF) compression on files (both XPRESS and LZX);
  • NTFS file system scan:
    - Added search and processing of WOF-compressed files in scan result;
    - Removed duplicate symbolic links;
    - Corrected algorithm of directory structure recovery for 'lost' files;
  • ExFAT file system scan: added possibility to recover items from partially wiped folders;
  • In RAW recovery: added possibility to assemble SONY cam video streams with reverse header/data order.
version 10.2

What's new in version 10.2:

  • Experimental support of NetAPP WAFL file system (metadata version 2 to 4 - 32/64bit, traditional/flex);
  • Added support of imaging customization for sources with extended sector sizes (such as 520, 528 etc. bytes):
    - Added possibility to save whole image (without truncation/conversion) to another physical disk, plain image or SDLSP file;
    - Conversion is now made customizable to support 520->512, 4160->4096 etc. truncations with a custom data offset;
  • When enabled indication of slack space, 'inaccessible' areas are also displayed (made with ATA AMA/HPA/DCO or 32bit address truncation);
  • Virtual sector size transformation: added support of conversion of 4160- and 4608-byte blocks to 4096 bytes;
  • Plain (flat) disk images now have native support of extended sector sizes (defined via the 'Virtual sector size transformation' tool);
  • For QNAP NAS: added support of LUKS decryption using backup key files (via 'Media Manager' GUI);
  • 'Open device (advanced)' function now has setting for maximum IO block size (to support limitations of some adaptors);
  • In disk imager (ATA mode) - fixed issues with read errors caused by mis-aligned buffer;
  • SDLSP format now has native support of extended sector sizes (such as 520, 528, 4160 etc.);
  • Saving images from SDLSP and plain files with extended sector size enable automatic conversion to standard sector size;
  • In 'Media Manager': added support of TerraMaster NAS (shared folders, iSCSI, etc.);
  • XFS file system: added support of 'object type in directory entry' extended feature for XFS metadata version 2;
  • UFS file system: added support of sparse files;
  • Increased software stack size to support much larger depth of directories nesting;
  • In Explorer, introduced additional 'yellow' state for files found with 'raw recovery'.
version 10.1

What's new in version 10.1:

  • Added support of RAID0+1 configurations of HP SmartArray controllers (version 1 metadata);
  • Added support of RAID0 configurations on RAID components of different sizes (dynamic adjustment of rotation);
  • Added support of iSCSI file storages on ASUSTOR NAS (format of index+data, via Media Manager);
  • In LUKS decrypt: added support of 'Base64 decode' transform to accept 'rkey' binary passwords of Synology NAS;
  • Added support of WD MyCloud backup keys for storage decryption;
  • In file viewer: added 'quick preview' for disk images and virtual disks of common formats and with most used file systems;
  • In Media Manager:
    - Added support of ASUSTOR NAS devices (shares, snapshots, iSCSI target files, encrypted shared folders);
    - Added support of WD MyCloud NAS (OS 5: PRO, EX2 Ultra etc.) storages;
    - Added support of legacy WD MyCloud Home series storages;
    - For MyCloud Home storages, added proper indication of user name for 'auth' container folders;
    - Fixed bug with support of GPT on Synology NAS;
  • Reworked ReFS file system support module:
    - Replaced 'mapping of file segments' with 'IO virtualization' to support segmentation and double indirection (optional, ReFS 3.9 and later);
    - In 'access mode': added experimental support of ZSTD and LZ4 file compressions;
    - In both 'access mode' and 'scan result': added support of 'redirected' file metadata (this fixes displaying of some files as 'folders');
  • Removed imaging optimization for AVHDX/SDLSP files with enabled 'base' files (which are used as a 'delta').
version 10.0

What's new in version 10.0:

  • New software release.