NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-1263XU RAID Arrays: Understanding Mechanical and Logical Failures

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.

How can user authentication methods impact data loss risks for NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-1263XU devices?

User authentication methods can have a significant impact on data loss risks for NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-1263XU devices. Here are some ways in which different authentication methods can affect data loss risks:

1. Weak or default passwords: If users set weak passwords or use default passwords, it becomes easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access to the device. This can lead to data loss or compromise as attackers can delete or steal sensitive data.
2. Lack of two-factor authentication (2FA): Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide an additional verification factor, such as a code generated on a mobile device. Enabling 2FA reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if passwords are compromised.
3. Failure to enforce password complexity: If the authentication system does not enforce strong password complexity requirements, users may choose weak or easily guessable passwords. This makes it easier for attackers to crack passwords and gain unauthorized access to the NAS device.
4. Inadequate user access controls: The authentication system should allow administrators to define granular user access controls. If access controls are not properly configured, users may have unnecessary privileges or access to sensitive data, increasing the risk of data loss if their accounts are compromised.
5. Lack of account lockout policies: Without account lockout policies, attackers can launch brute-force attacks to guess user passwords. Implementing account lockout policies can help prevent such attacks and reduce the risk of unauthorized access and data loss.
6. Failure to regularly update firmware and security patches: Outdated firmware and unpatched security vulnerabilities can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access. Regularly updating the firmware and applying security patches is crucial to mitigate data loss risks.
7. Insufficient user training and awareness: Even with strong authentication methods in place, human error can still lead to data loss. Users should be educated about best practices for securing their accounts, such as avoiding phishing emails and using strong passwords.

By implementing strong authentication methods, enforcing password complexity, enabling 2FA, configuring proper access controls, and keeping the device up to date, the risk of data loss can be significantly reduced for NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-1263XU devices.

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

Although NAS Turbo Station TS-1263XU 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 Turbo Station TS-1263XU. 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

Turbo Station TS-1263XU has 12 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• 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);

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 Turbo Station TS-1263XU 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