- 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 recommended best practices for securely storing usernames and passwords on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-253A / TS-253B / TS-253D / TS-253E devices?
Yes, there are several best practices for securely storing usernames and passwords on QNAP Turbo Station TS-253A / TS-253B / TS-253D / TS-253E devices:
- Enable strong password policies: Set a minimum password length, require a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using common or easily guessable passwords.
- Use two-factor authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA on your QNAP device to add an extra layer of security. This will require users to provide a second form of verification, such as a code generated by a mobile app, in addition to their username and password.
- Regularly update firmware: Keep your NAS device's firmware up to date to ensure you have the latest security patches and fixes.
- Limit access privileges: Grant access privileges only to necessary users and restrict access to sensitive data. Regularly review and update user permissions to ensure they align with current requirements.
- Disable default accounts: Disable any default accounts that are not needed, as they can be easy targets for attackers.
- Enable account lockout policies: Implement account lockout policies to prevent brute force attacks. For example, after a certain number of unsuccessful login attempts, temporarily lock the account or introduce a time delay before further login attempts are allowed.
- Use secure protocols: When accessing your QNAP device remotely, use secure protocols such as HTTPS or VPN to encrypt the communication between the device and the client.
- Regularly backup data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure you have a copy of your data in case of any security incidents or hardware failures.
- Educate users: Train users on the importance of strong passwords, avoiding phishing attempts, and other best practices for maintaining security.
- Enable security features: QNAP devices offer various security features such as IP blocking, network access protection, and antivirus scanning. Enable and configure these features to enhance the security of your device.
Remember, security is a continuous process, so it's important to regularly review and update your security practices to stay protected.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Turbo Station TS-253A / TS-253B / TS-253D / TS-253E 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-253A / TS-253B / TS-253D / TS-253E. 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-253A / TS-253B / TS-253D / TS-253E 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);
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-253A / TS-253B / TS-253D / TS-253E 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.
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 |
