How to Recover Your NAS QNAP SS-EC2479U-SAS-RP RAID Array: Steps for When It Breaks

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP SS-EC2479U-SAS-RP
• 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 limitations or restrictions on file or folder names that can cause potential data loss on NAS QNAP SS-EC2479U-SAS-RP devices?

Yes, there are limitations and restrictions on file or folder names that can potentially cause data loss on QNAP NAS devices. Here are some important points to consider:

1. File System Limitations: QNAP NAS devices usually use the ext4 file system, which has limitations on the maximum length of file and folder names. If you exceed these limits, it can cause data loss or corruption. For example, the maximum filename length is typically 255 characters, and the maximum path length is 4096 characters.
2. Reserved Characters and Symbols: Certain characters or symbols are reserved and should not be used in file or folder names. These include slashes (/), backslashes (), colons (:), asterisks (*), question marks (?), quotes ("), angle brackets (< and >), and vertical bars (|). Using these reserved characters can lead to data loss or issues with accessing files.
3. Case Sensitivity: Depending on the NAS configuration, file and folder names may be case sensitive or case insensitive. It's important to ensure consistency in the case of names to avoid confusion and potential data loss.
4. Operating System Compatibility: QNAP NAS devices can be accessed from various operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.). However, certain operating systems have specific limitations on file or folder names. For example, Windows does not allow certain characters like <, >, :, ", /, , |, ?, and * in filenames.

To avoid potential data loss, it is recommended to follow these best practices:

• Keep file and folder names within the allowed maximum length.
• Avoid using reserved characters and symbols.
• Ensure consistency in the case of names.
• Be mindful of operating system limitations and compatibility.

Regularly backing up your data is also crucial to mitigate the risk of data loss on any storage device, including QNAP NAS devices.

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

Although the NAS SS-EC2479U-SAS-RP 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 SS-EC2479U-SAS-RP. 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

SS-EC2479U-SAS-RP has 24 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 SS-EC2479U-SAS-RP 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