RAID Controller Failure on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-253 Pro / TS-253Be: Data Recovery Steps and Consequences

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-253 Pro / TS-253Be
• 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.

How can the number of drives in a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-253 Pro / TS-253Be device's RAID array impact data recovery and potential loss?

The number of drives in a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-253 Pro / TS-253Be device's RAID array can impact data recovery and potential loss in the following ways:

1. Data redundancy: RAID arrays are designed to provide data redundancy by distributing data across multiple drives. The more drives you have in the array, the higher the level of redundancy and protection against data loss. For example, a RAID 1 array with two drives mirrors data between them, offering a higher level of redundancy than a single drive. If one drive fails, the other drive can still provide access to the data.
2. Fault tolerance: The number of drives in a RAID array affects its fault tolerance. Different RAID levels offer varying degrees of fault tolerance, and the number of drives can impact this. For example, RAID 5 requires a minimum of three drives, where one drive can fail without losing data. Adding more drives can increase the fault tolerance further. If multiple drives fail in a RAID array without sufficient fault tolerance, data loss can occur.
3. Rebuilding time: When a drive fails in a RAID array, the remaining drives need to rebuild the data onto a replacement drive. The number of drives impacts the time required for this rebuilding process. With more drives, the rebuild time can be longer, increasing the vulnerability to data loss during the rebuild process. If another drive fails during this time, it can lead to permanent data loss.
4. Performance impact: The number of drives in a RAID array can also affect the performance of the NAS device. Different RAID levels distribute data and workload differently across the drives, impacting read and write speeds. Adding more drives can increase the overall performance of the array, but it also introduces more complexity and potential points of failure.

In summary, having more drives in a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-253 Pro / TS-253Be device's RAID array generally provides better data redundancy, fault tolerance, and performance. However, it also increases the complexity and potential risks of data loss during drive failures or rebuild processes. It is essential to choose the appropriate RAID level and regularly backup data to mitigate the potential risks.

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

Although the NAS Turbo Station TS-253 Pro / TS-253Be 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 Turbo Station TS-253 Pro / TS-253Be. 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

Turbo Station TS-253 Pro / TS-253Be has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• EXT4;
• EXT3;
• 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 Turbo Station TS-253 Pro / TS-253Be network-attached storage keeps QTS 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