RAID Controller Failure on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-451D2 / TS-451DeU: What Happens and How to Recover Data

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-451D2 / TS-451DeU
• 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.

Are there any known issues or limitations when using NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-451D2 / TS-451DeU devices with virtualization platforms such as VMware or Hyper-V?

There are a few known issues and limitations when using NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-451D2 / TS-451DeU devices with virtualization platforms such as VMware or Hyper-V. Some of these include:

1. Limited hardware resources: The TS-451D2 / TS-451DeU devices have limited hardware resources, including CPU, RAM, and storage capacity. This can limit the number and performance of virtual machines that can be hosted on the NAS.
2. Lack of hardware virtualization support: The TS-451D2 / TS-451DeU devices do not have built-in hardware virtualization support, such as Intel VT-x or AMD-V. This can impact the performance and compatibility of virtual machines running on the NAS.
3. Limited network bandwidth: The NAS devices typically have limited network bandwidth compared to dedicated virtualization servers. This can affect the performance of virtual machines, especially if they require high network throughput.
4. Lack of advanced virtualization features: The TS-451D2 / TS-451DeU devices may lack advanced virtualization features found in dedicated virtualization servers, such as live migration, high availability, or advanced management capabilities.
5. Compatibility issues: There may be compatibility issues between the NAS firmware and the virtualization platform, especially when using the latest versions of VMware or Hyper-V. It is important to check for firmware updates and compatibility lists provided by QNAP.
6. Limited scalability: The TS-451D2 / TS-451DeU devices have limited scalability compared to dedicated virtualization servers. If you require a large number of virtual machines or need to scale up your virtualization environment, a dedicated server may be a better choice.

It is recommended to review the specifications, compatibility lists, and user forums for the specific NAS model and virtualization platform you plan to use to ensure compatibility and address any known issues.

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

Although the NAS Turbo Station TS-451D2 / TS-451DeU 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-451D2 / TS-451DeU. 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-451D2 / TS-451DeU 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);

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-451D2 / TS-451DeU 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison