Understanding NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-431XeU / TS-431XU / TS-431XU-RP RAID Controller Failure: Causes and Data Recovery

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 specific precautions to take while migrating data between NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-431XeU / TS-431XU / TS-431XU-RP devices?

Yes, there are a few precautions to consider while migrating data between QNAP Turbo Station TS-431XeU / TS-431XU / TS-431XU-RP devices. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

1. Backup your data: Before starting the migration process, it is crucial to create a backup of all your important data. This will ensure that your data remains safe in case of any unforeseen issues or data loss during the migration process.
2. Check compatibility: Ensure that the destination NAS (the one you are migrating the data to) is compatible with the source NAS (the one you are migrating the data from). Check the QNAP website or consult the user manual to verify compatibility.
3. Update firmware: Make sure that both the source and destination NAS devices are running the latest firmware versions. Updating the firmware helps to ensure compatibility and stability during the migration process.
4. Network stability: Ensure that your network connection is stable and reliable. Any interruptions or network issues during data migration can lead to data corruption or loss.
5. Plan for downtime: Data migration may require some downtime, especially if you are transferring a large amount of data. Plan accordingly and inform users who may be affected by the temporary unavailability of the NAS.
6. Verify data integrity: After the migration process is complete, it is essential to verify the integrity of the migrated data. Check if all files and folders are intact and accessible on the destination NAS. Compare checksums or perform file/folder comparisons to ensure data accuracy.
7. Test access and functionality: Once the migration is complete, test access to the migrated data and ensure that all services and applications are functioning as expected. This will help identify any issues that may have occurred during the migration process.

By following these precautions, you can minimize the risk of data loss or corruption during the migration process and ensure a smooth transition to the new NAS device.

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

Although NAS Turbo Station TS-431XeU / TS-431XU / TS-431XU-RP 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-431XeU / TS-431XU / TS-431XU-RP. 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-431XeU / TS-431XU / TS-431XU-RP has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 10;
• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• ZFS;
• 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-431XeU / TS-431XU / TS-431XU-RP network-attached storage keeps QTS (QuTS hero) 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