NAS QNAP TAS-168 RAID Arrays: Mechanical vs Logical Failures and Recovery Strategies

Contents

• Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
• How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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.

Are there any known issues or limitations when using NAS QNAP TAS-168 devices with virtualization platforms such as VMware or Hyper-V?

Yes, there are some known issues and limitations when using NAS QNAP TAS-168 devices with virtualization platforms such as VMware or Hyper-V. Here are a few:

1. Limited CPU and RAM: The QNAP TAS-168 is equipped with a dual-core ARM processor and only 2GB of RAM, which may limit its performance when running virtual machines (VMs) on virtualization platforms that require more resources.
2. Limited VM Support: The TAS-168 may not support all the features and capabilities of advanced virtualization platforms like VMware or Hyper-V. For example, it may not support features like live migration, high availability, or advanced networking options.
3. Limited Storage Performance: The storage performance of the TAS-168 may not be as high as dedicated storage solutions designed for virtualization platforms. This can result in slower VM performance and longer load times.
4. Limited Scalability: The TAS-168 has a limited number of drive bays and limited expansion options, which may restrict the number of VMs that can be hosted on the device. This can be a limitation for businesses that require a larger number of VMs to run their applications.
5. Compatibility Issues: There may be compatibility issues between the TAS-168 and certain virtualization platforms. It is important to check the compatibility list provided by the NAS manufacturer to ensure that the device is certified to work with the specific virtualization platform.

It is recommended to thoroughly review the specifications and limitations of the QNAP TAS-168 and consult with QNAP support or the virtualization platform vendor to ensure compatibility and optimal performance when using this device for virtualization purposes.

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

Although NAS TAS-168 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.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with QNAP TAS-168. 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

TAS-168 has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• Q-RAID 1;

NAS supports:

• 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 Tools – Save 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.

   

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.

   

Where are user’s files stored?

The QNAP TAS-168 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