RAID Controller Failure on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-351: Causes and Consequences of Data Loss

Contents

• 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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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 known limitations or issues related to specific NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-351 device models that can lead to data loss?

While the QNAP Turbo Station TS-351 is generally a reliable device, there have been a few reported limitations and issues that could potentially lead to data loss. Here are some known limitations to be aware of:

1. RAID Rebuild Failure: In some cases, during a RAID rebuild process, the TS-351 may encounter issues that result in data loss. This can happen if there are multiple drive failures or if there are problems with the RAID configuration.
2. Firmware or Software Bugs: Like any electronic device, the TS-351 may have firmware or software bugs that could potentially cause data loss. It is always recommended to keep the firmware up to date to minimize the risk of encountering such issues.
3. Hardware Failures: While not specific to the TS-351 model, any hardware component within the device, such as hard drives, power supply units, or the motherboard, can fail and result in data loss. Regular backups and monitoring of hardware health are essential to mitigate this risk.
4. User Error: Data loss can also occur due to user error, such as accidental deletion, formatting the wrong drive, or improper configuration of the NAS. It is crucial to have proper user training and follow best practices to avoid such incidents.

To minimize the risk of data loss, it is recommended to follow these preventive measures:

• Regularly backup your data to an external location or cloud storage.
• Enable RAID redundancy and regularly monitor the health of your drives.
• Keep the firmware and software up to date.
• Follow best practices for NAS usage and configuration.
• Implement a disaster recovery plan.

If you encounter any issues with your QNAP Turbo Station TS-351, it is advisable to contact QNAP support for assistance.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS Turbo Station TS-351 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with QNAP Turbo Station TS-351. 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.

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How to recover data from a QNAP

Turbo Station TS-351 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);

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:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. 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.

   

4. 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-351 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