NAS QNAP HS-251 RAID Arrays: Mechanical and Logical Failures Recovery Guide

Understand the symptoms and causes of mechanical and logical failures in ⭐ NAS RAID arrays for efficient recovery.

NAS QNAP HS-251 RAID Arrays: Mechanical and Logical Failures Recovery Guide

QNAP HS-251 NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from HS-251.

NAS QNAP HS-251 RAID Arrays: Mechanical and Logical Failures Recovery Guide

RAID Recovery™ 2.6
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?

Conventional hard disks keep user’s data by writing it to their surface in a consecutive way, and this is how an entire file is stored on a single hard disk. However, when data is written to a RAID system, a file is divided into several parts. Then these parts are written consecutively to all hard disks within such array. The size of such parts may range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so each file is stored on several hard disks at the same time.

Such approach helps to speed up read and write operations, and it is evident that saving two parts of a file having the size of 1 GB to two hard disks simultaneously is much faster than saving the same 1 GB of data to one hard disk. However, this peculiarity makes file recovery more complicated.

Various RAID levels store information in different ways. Additionally, manufacturers like QNAP also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.

How can the number of concurrent users or clients accessing a NAS QNAP HS-251 device affect data loss risks?

The number of concurrent users or clients accessing a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like QNAP HS-251 can potentially affect data loss risks in the following ways:

  1. Increased risk of accidental deletion: With more users accessing the NAS device simultaneously, the chances of accidental file deletion or modification may increase. A user might unintentionally delete or overwrite important data, leading to data loss.
  2. Higher probability of file conflicts: When multiple users are simultaneously modifying the same file, conflicts can arise. If proper file versioning and conflict resolution mechanisms are not in place, it may result in data loss or corruption.
  3. Performance impact: A large number of concurrent users accessing the NAS device can put a strain on its resources, such as CPU, memory, and network bandwidth. This increased load may lead to degraded performance, which can increase the likelihood of data loss due to timeouts, network errors, or system crashes.
  4. Security vulnerabilities: More concurrent users mean a larger attack surface and increased potential for security breaches. If the NAS device is not properly secured or user access controls are not adequately implemented, unauthorized access or malicious activities by one user can compromise the data of other users, leading to data loss or theft.
  5. Backup and recovery challenges: Managing backups and ensuring data recovery becomes more complex with an increased number of concurrent users. Coordinating and scheduling regular backups, verifying their integrity, and restoring data accurately can be more challenging when multiple users are actively using the NAS device.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to implement proper access controls, user permissions, and file versioning mechanisms. Regular backups should be performed and tested to ensure data can be restored in case of any data loss event. Additionally, educating users about best practices for data management and security can help minimize the risks associated with concurrent access.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS HS-251 can be accessed over the network, you still need to take the hard disks out of the storage device and connect them to a Windows computer. Only in this case will the software be able to scan them properly. Here is what you should do:

  1. Turn off the storage and disconnect it from the power supply.

    WARNING! Before you start taking hard disks out of your NAS device, read the manual carefully. Incorrect actions may damage your network-attached storage and/or the hard disks within the RAID system.

  2. Take the hard disks out of the NAS one by one, carefully removing them from their slots. Remember that the disks are extremely vulnerable: hitting or dropping them may result in serious physical damage.

  3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

  4. Remove the hard disks and connect them to the computer. In this video, we have explored what ports are used to connect hard disks, and what to do if there are not enough ports or connectors.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with QNAP HS-251. The hard disks that make up the RAID contain technical information about the algorithm used to save files. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery reads this information and puts the damaged array together. Then you can open the disk and save your files. Also, you can recover the files accidentally deleted from the network drive.

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How to recover data from a QNAP

How to recover data from a QNAP

HS-251 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • RAID 1;

NAS supports:

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

Safe recovery from disk images

This utility lets you save an entire copy of the disk to file and then work with this image instead of the actual disk. Such feature helps to protect data on the disk from:

  • Overwriting during the recovery process;
  • Loss resulting from bad sectors;
  • User mistakes.

To create an image, do the following:

  1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

  2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu ToolsSave Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

  3. When the image creation wizard starts, you can choose to save the entire disk or select only a part of it. Specify the parameters and click Next.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  4. At this stage, you need to choose a directory where to save the image. Choose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: hoose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP

Where are user’s files stored?

The QNAP HS-251 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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery

Product Operating system License type RAID controller support Supported file systems Virtual RAID controller support Data recovery from damaged RAID File preview
Hetman RAID Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
DiskInternals RAID Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
R-Studio Windows, Mac, Linux Paid Yes, over 200 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery Windows, Mac, Linux Paid Yes, over 1,000 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery Windows Free Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes

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Comments (3)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #
    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS HS-251, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Kelvin Godfrey
    Kelvin Godfrey 18.09.2023 19:57 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS QNAP HS-251 device be done if the network interface is not functioning?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 18.09.2023 20:59 #

      Yes, data recovery from a NAS QNAP HS-251 device can still be possible even if the network interface is not functioning. The NAS device typically connects to the network via an Ethernet cable, but if the network interface is not working, you can still recover the data by directly connecting the NAS device to a computer using a USB cable or by removing the hard drives from the NAS and connecting them to a computer directly.

      Once connected, you can use data recovery software to scan the hard drives and recover the data. It is recommended to consult a professional data recovery service or a technician experienced with NAS devices to ensure a safe and successful data recovery process.

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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are the necessary steps to connect the QNAP HS-251 NAS to the router?

    To connect the QNAP HS-251 NAS to the router, you can follow these necessary steps:

    1. Power on the QNAP HS-251 NAS by plugging it into a power source.
    2. Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to the LAN port on the back of the NAS.
    3. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to an available LAN port on your router.
    4. Ensure that your router is powered on and connected to the internet.
    5. Wait for a few minutes to allow the NAS to boot up and establish a network connection.
    6. On your computer or mobile device, open a web browser.
    7. Enter the IP address of the QNAP NAS into the address bar of the web browser. The default IP address is often "192.168.1.100" or "192.168.1.101". You can find the specific IP address in the user manual or by checking your router's connected devices list.
    8. Press Enter to access the QNAP NAS administration page.
    9. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the NAS, including creating a username and password for the administrator account.
    10. Once the setup is complete, you can access the NAS through the provided IP address or by using the QNAP Finder utility software.

    Note: It's recommended to consult the user manual of your specific QNAP HS-251 NAS model for detailed instructions and any specific requirements.

  • Are there any specific network settings or configurations required to establish a connection between the QNAP HS-251 NAS and the router?

    To establish a connection between the QNAP HS-251 NAS and the router, you may need to configure the network settings on both devices. Here are the general steps to follow:

    1. Connect the NAS to the router using an Ethernet cable.
    2. Power on the NAS and wait for it to boot up.
    3. Access the NAS administration interface by typing its IP address into a web browser. The default IP address is usually "192.168.1.100" or "find.qnap.com".
    4. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the NAS, including configuring the network settings. You may need to specify a static IP address or enable DHCP if your router supports it.
    5. Save the settings and restart the NAS if required.
    6. On the router, make sure that the NAS is allowed to connect to the network. Check the router's firewall settings or any access control lists to ensure the NAS is not blocked.
    7. If necessary, configure port forwarding on the router to allow remote access to the NAS from outside the local network. This step is optional and depends on your specific requirements.

    It's important to consult the user manual or documentation provided by QNAP for detailed instructions on setting up the HS-251 NAS with your specific router model.

  • Can you provide detailed instructions on how to configure the QNAP HS-251 NAS to connect wirelessly to the router?

    To configure the QNAP HS-251 NAS to connect wirelessly to the router, please follow these steps:

    1. Connect the NAS to the router via an Ethernet cable. This is necessary for the initial setup and configuration.
    2. Power on the NAS and wait for it to fully boot up.
    3. Open a web browser on a computer connected to the same network as the NAS.
    4. Enter the IP address of the NAS in the browser's address bar. The default IP address is usually "192.168.1.100". Press Enter to access the NAS's web interface.
    5. Log in to the NAS using the administrator credentials. The default username is "admin", and the default password is "admin" as well. If you have changed the credentials, use the updated login information.
    6. Once logged in, go to "Control Panel" and select "Network & File Services".
    7. In the "Network & File Services" section, click on the "Network" tab.
    8. Under the "Network" tab, select the "TCP/IP" tab.
    9. In the "TCP/IP" tab, locate the "IPv4 Address" section. Here, you will find the current IP address assigned to the NAS.
    10. Note down the current IP address, as you will need it to access the NAS wirelessly after the configuration.
    11. Now, go back to the "Network & File Services" section and click on the "Wireless" tab.
    12. In the "Wireless" tab, enable the wireless function by checking the box next to "Enable Wireless".
    13. Select your wireless network from the list of available networks in the "Wireless Network" dropdown menu.
    14. Enter the wireless network password in the "Wireless Password" field.
    15. Click on the "Apply" button to save the changes.
    16. Wait for the NAS to connect to the wireless network. This may take a few moments.
    17. Once the NAS is connected wirelessly, disconnect the Ethernet cable from the NAS and the router.
    18. On your computer, open a web browser and enter the IP address you noted down earlier for the NAS.
    19. Press Enter to access the NAS's web interface wirelessly.
    20. Log in using the administrator credentials.

    Congratulations! You have successfully configured the QNAP HS-251 NAS to connect wirelessly to the router.

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