NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-328 RAID Controller Failure: Causes, Consequences, and Recovery Methods

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-328
• 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 concurrent users or clients accessing a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-328 device affect data loss risks?

The number of concurrent users or clients accessing a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the QNAP Turbo Station TS-328 can affect data loss risks in the following ways:

1. Increased risk of data corruption: When multiple users access and modify files simultaneously, there is a higher chance of data corruption. If two or more users try to modify the same file at the same time, conflicts can occur, leading to data loss or inconsistent data.
2. Performance degradation: As the number of concurrent users increases, the NAS device's performance may degrade. Slow response times or delays in accessing files can lead to user frustration, which may result in accidental file deletions or improper handling of data.
3. Network congestion: Multiple users accessing the NAS device simultaneously can lead to network congestion. This congestion can affect the data transfer speed and increase the chances of data loss due to network errors or interruptions.
4. Increased vulnerability to security threats: With more users accessing the NAS device, the risk of security breaches and unauthorized access also increases. If proper security measures are not in place, malicious actors may gain access to sensitive data, leading to data loss or compromise.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to:

a. Implement user access controls: Set up user permissions and access rights to ensure that only authorized users can access specific files or folders. This helps minimize the chance of accidental deletions or unauthorized modifications.

b. Use RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology: Implement RAID configurations that provide data redundancy and fault tolerance. This helps protect against data loss in case of disk failures.

c. Regularly backup data: Implement a backup strategy to regularly back up the data on the NAS device. This ensures that even if data is lost or corrupted, a recent backup can be used to restore it.

d. Monitor and optimize performance: Keep an eye on the NAS device's performance and network utilization. If performance degradation is observed, consider upgrading hardware or optimizing network settings to ensure smooth operation.

e. Implement security measures: Use strong passwords, enable firewall settings, and keep the NAS device's firmware up to date to protect against security threats. Regularly audit and review access logs to identify any suspicious activities.

By considering these factors and implementing appropriate measures, the risks associated with data loss can be minimized even with a large number of concurrent users accessing a NAS device like the QNAP Turbo Station TS-328.

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

Although the NAS Turbo Station TS-328 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-328. 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-328 has 3 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 5;
• 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-328 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