- 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.
How can regular performance monitoring and optimization help in preventing data loss on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-432XU / TS-432XU-RP devices?
Regular performance monitoring and optimization can help in preventing data loss on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-432XU / TS-432XU-RP devices in the following ways:
- Early detection of hardware failures: Regular monitoring of system performance metrics like CPU usage, memory usage, and disk health can help identify any potential hardware failures or issues before they cause data loss. For example, if a hard drive starts showing signs of impending failure, such as high error rates or excessive bad sectors, it can be replaced proactively to prevent data loss.
- RAID monitoring and maintenance: QNAP Turbo Station devices support various RAID configurations for data redundancy and protection. Regular monitoring of RAID status and performance can help identify any issues with the RAID array, such as degraded or failed disks, and take appropriate actions like rebuilding the array or replacing faulty disks to prevent data loss.
- Backup monitoring: QNAP NAS devices provide built-in backup solutions like QNAP Hybrid Backup Sync, which allows users to schedule and automate backups to external storage or cloud services. Regular monitoring of backup jobs ensures that backups are running successfully and that data is being properly backed up, reducing the risk of data loss in case of device failure or accidental deletion.
- Performance optimization: Monitoring system performance metrics can help identify any performance bottlenecks or issues that could potentially lead to data loss. For example, if the NAS device is experiencing high CPU or memory usage, it may impact the overall system performance and increase the risk of data loss. Optimizing system resources, such as closing unnecessary applications or services, can help maintain optimal performance and reduce the chances of data loss.
- Firmware and software updates: Regularly updating the firmware and software on the NAS device is essential for keeping it secure and up to date with the latest bug fixes and performance improvements. These updates often include patches for known vulnerabilities that could be exploited to cause data loss. Monitoring for firmware and software updates and applying them in a timely manner can help prevent data loss due to security breaches or software-related issues.
In summary, regular performance monitoring and optimization of NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-432XU / TS-432XU-RP devices can help in early detection of hardware failures, monitoring and maintaining RAID configurations, ensuring successful backups, optimizing system performance, and staying up to date with firmware and software updates, all of which contribute to preventing data loss.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Turbo Station TS-432XU / TS-432XU-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:
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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-432XU / TS-432XU-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.
Turbo Station TS-432XU / TS-432XU-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:
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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-432XU / TS-432XU-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
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 |