Quick Tips for NAS LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000316 / LAC9000519 / LAC9000354 / LAC9000317 / LAC9000495 / STGL12000400) Data Recovery Success

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000316 / LAC9000519 / LAC9000354 / LAC9000317 / LAC9000495 / STGL12000400)
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID

Conventional hard drives store user data by writing it sequentially across the disk surface, which means an entire file is typically located on a single drive. In contrast, when data is written to a RAID array, each file is split into multiple fragments. These fragments are then distributed and written in sequence across all the drives in the array. Depending on the configuration, fragment sizes can range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so every file is physically stored across several disks at once.

This approach significantly increases read and write performance — after all, writing two halves of a 1 GB file to two drives simultaneously is much faster than writing the full 1 GB to a single disk. However, this same mechanism makes file recovery far more complex.

Different RAID levels use different methods to distribute and protect data. On top of that, manufacturers like LaCie often add their own proprietary structures and variations. As a result, data can be written to disks in many different formats, and each requires a specific approach during recovery.

How can the number of concurrent users or clients accessing a NAS LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000316 / LAC9000519 / LAC9000354 / LAC9000317 / LAC9000495 / STGL12000400) device affect data loss risks?

The number of concurrent users or clients accessing a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 can affect data loss risks in several ways:

1. Performance and Bandwidth: When multiple users access the NAS simultaneously, it puts a strain on the device's performance and available bandwidth. If the NAS is not equipped to handle the increased workload, it may result in slower response times, increased latency, and potential data loss due to timeouts or incomplete file transfers.
2. Network Congestion: Concurrent access by multiple users can lead to network congestion, especially if the NAS is connected to a shared network. Increased network traffic can cause data packets to be dropped or lost, resulting in data loss or corruption.
3. File Conflicts and Overwrites: If multiple users attempt to modify the same file simultaneously, conflicts can arise. Without proper file locking mechanisms or version control, there is a risk of data loss due to overwrites or inconsistent modifications.
4. Security Risks: With more concurrent users accessing the NAS, the potential for security breaches increases. If proper access controls, authentication, and encryption measures are not in place, unauthorized users may gain access to sensitive data, leading to data loss or compromise.
5. Hardware Failure: Increased usage and concurrent access can put additional stress on the NAS hardware, potentially leading to higher chances of hardware failure. If the NAS device fails, it may result in data loss if there are no proper backup mechanisms in place.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to consider the NAS device's specifications and ensure it can handle the expected number of concurrent users. Implementing proper network infrastructure, such as using a dedicated network or VLAN for the NAS, can help reduce network congestion. Additionally, implementing access controls, file locking mechanisms, and regular backups can help minimize the risks associated with concurrent access and data loss.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS 2big Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000316 / LAC9000519 / LAC9000354 / LAC9000317 / LAC9000495 / STGL12000400) can be accessed over the network, you still need to remove its hard disks and connect them directly to a Windows PC. Only then can the recovery software properly scan and analyze the drives. Follow these steps:

1. Power off the NAS and disconnect it from the power source.

   WARNING! Before removing any drives, carefully read the device manual. Improper actions may damage both the NAS enclosure and the hard disks in the RAID array.

2. Remove the hard disks one by one, gently sliding each drive out of its slot. Remember that hard disks are highly sensitive: any impact or drop can cause serious physical damage.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. Connect the drives to your computer. In this video, we explain which ports you can use to connect hard disks and what to do if your PC does not have enough free connectors.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000316 / LAC9000519 / LAC9000354 / LAC9000317 / LAC9000495 / STGL12000400). Each hard disk in the array contains technical metadata describing how files were written. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery analyzes this metadata, automatically reconstructs the damaged array, and provides access to its contents. After that, you can browse the recovered disk and save your files. The program can also restore files that were accidentally deleted from the network drive.

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How to recover data from a LaCie

2big Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000316 / LAC9000519 / LAC9000354 / LAC9000317 / LAC9000495 / STGL12000400) has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
• NTFS / ReFS;
• APFS / HFS+;
• Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
• VMFS / HikvisionFS;

How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images

This utility allows you to create a complete copy of a disk and work with the disk image instead of the physical drive. This approach helps protect your data from:

• Overwriting during the recovery process;
• Additional data loss caused by bad sectors;
• User errors.

To create a disk image, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. When the Image Creation Wizard opens, select whether you want to save the entire disk or only a specific region. Adjust the settings and click Next.

   

4. Choose the directory where the image will be saved. You may select any available disk connected to your PC or upload the image via FTP.

   

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The LaCie 2big Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000316 / LAC9000519 / LAC9000354 / LAC9000317 / LAC9000495 / STGL12000400) network-attached storage keeps LaCie NAS OS operating system files on a separate RAID 1 (mirrored) array. Usually, all NAS systems create several volumes on every hard disk, and the first of them takes up to 2 Gb of space. This is where operating system files are stored. Other volumes are united into a RAID array where user’s data is written.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison