- 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?
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 compatibility issues or limitations when connecting NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-2477XU-RP devices to different operating systems or platforms?
When connecting a QNAP Turbo Station TS-2477XU-RP NAS device to different operating systems or platforms, there can be some compatibility issues or limitations. Here are a few things to consider:
- File System Compatibility: The QNAP Turbo Station supports various file systems like NTFS, FAT32, HFS+, and exFAT. However, some file systems may have limitations or may not be fully supported on certain operating systems or platforms. For example, NTFS can be read-only on macOS without additional software.
- Network Protocols: The QNAP Turbo Station supports multiple network protocols such as SMB/CIFS, AFP, NFS, and FTP. While these protocols are widely supported, some older operating systems or platforms may have limited support for certain protocols. It's essential to ensure that the operating system or platform you are using supports the network protocol you intend to use.
- Software Compatibility: QNAP provides various software applications and utilities to enhance the functionality of their NAS devices. These applications may have specific system requirements and may not be available for all operating systems or platforms. It's important to check the compatibility of the desired software with your operating system or platform.
- Firmware Updates: QNAP regularly releases firmware updates for their NAS devices, which can introduce new features, bug fixes, and compatibility improvements. It's recommended to keep the NAS firmware up to date to ensure better compatibility with different operating systems or platforms.
- Third-Party Applications: Some third-party applications or services may have limitations or compatibility issues when accessing files stored on a QNAP Turbo Station NAS. It's advisable to check the compatibility of these applications with the NAS device and the operating system or platform you are using.
In summary, while the QNAP Turbo Station TS-2477XU-RP NAS device generally offers broad compatibility, it's important to consider the specific operating system, network protocols, software, and third-party applications you plan to use to ensure smooth and seamless integration.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Turbo Station TS-2477XU-RP 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with QNAP Turbo Station TS-2477XU-RP. 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.
How to recover data from a QNAP
Turbo Station TS-2477XU-RP has 24 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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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-2477XU-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.
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 |
Yes, there are several software solutions available for data recovery from NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-2477XU-RP devices with S.M.A.R.T. errors. Some popular options include:
It's important to note that data recovery from NAS devices with S.M.A.R.T. errors can be a complex process, and it's recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service if the data is critical and valuable.