What to Do When Your NAS QNAP EJ1600 v2 RAID Array Fails: Recovery Techniques for When It Breaks

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP EJ1600 v2
• 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 QNAP 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.

Are there any known issues or limitations when using NAS QNAP EJ1600 v2 devices with virtualization platforms such as VMware or Hyper-V?

There are some known issues and limitations when using QNAP EJ1600 v2 devices with virtualization platforms like VMware or Hyper-V. Here are a few:

1. Limited compatibility: The QNAP EJ1600 v2 is primarily designed for NAS storage and may not have full compatibility with all virtualization platforms. It is recommended to check the compatibility list provided by QNAP or consult with their support team for specific platform compatibility.
2. Performance limitations: The performance of the QNAP EJ1600 v2 may be limited when used as storage for virtualization platforms. This is because the device uses a hardware RAID controller, which may not provide the same level of performance as dedicated storage appliances designed for virtualization.
3. Lack of advanced features: The QNAP EJ1600 v2 may lack some advanced features that are commonly found in dedicated storage appliances for virtualization. This includes features like thin provisioning, deduplication, and compression, which can help optimize storage usage and improve performance in virtualized environments.
4. Limited scalability: The scalability of the QNAP EJ1600 v2 may be limited compared to dedicated storage appliances for virtualization. The device supports up to 16 hard drives, which may not be sufficient for larger virtualized environments with high storage demands.
5. Lack of integration: The QNAP EJ1600 v2 may lack deep integration with virtualization platforms like VMware or Hyper-V. This can result in a less seamless experience when managing storage resources and provisioning virtual machines.

It is important to thoroughly evaluate your requirements and consult with QNAP or their authorized resellers to ensure that the QNAP EJ1600 v2 meets your specific needs when used with virtualization platforms.

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

Although the NAS EJ1600 v2 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 QNAP EJ1600 v2. 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 QNAP

EJ1600 v2 has 16 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 10;
• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• ZFS;
• EXT4;
• EXT3;
• exFAT;
• FAT32 (External Disk Only);
• NTFS (External Disk Only);
• HFS+ (External Disk Read Only);

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 QNAP EJ1600 v2 network-attached storage keeps QTS (QuTS hero) 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