- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-253A / TS-253B / TS-253D / TS-253E
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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.
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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS Turbo Station TS-253A / TS-253B / TS-253D / TS-253E 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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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-253A / TS-253B / TS-253D / TS-253E. 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.
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);
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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.
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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-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.
RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
