Recovering Data After Formatting a RAID Array on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-853 Pro: Recovery Techniques

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 factors to consider when choosing a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-853 Pro device to minimize data loss risks?

When choosing a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-853 Pro device to minimize data loss risks, there are several specific factors to consider:

1. Redundant Storage: Look for a NAS device that supports RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations. RAID provides data redundancy by distributing data across multiple hard drives, reducing the risk of data loss in case of drive failure.
2. Hot-Swappable Drive Bays: Opt for a NAS device with hot-swappable drive bays. This allows you to replace a failed drive without powering down the system, minimizing downtime and reducing the risk of data loss.
3. Backup Solutions: Consider the backup options provided by the NAS device. Look for features like scheduled backups, remote replication, and cloud backup integration. Having multiple backup copies of your data helps safeguard against data loss.
4. Power Supply and Surge Protection: Ensure that the NAS device has a reliable power supply and surge protection mechanisms. Power outages and surges can lead to data corruption or loss, so it's important to have adequate protection in place.
5. Data Encryption: If you deal with sensitive data, choose a NAS device that supports data encryption. Encryption adds an extra layer of security to your data, protecting it from unauthorized access or theft.
6. Regular Firmware Updates: Check if the NAS device receives regular firmware updates from the manufacturer. Firmware updates often include security patches and bug fixes, ensuring the device remains secure and stable.
7. Scalability: Consider your future storage needs and choose a NAS device that allows for easy expansion. This could include options like additional drive bays or expansion units, ensuring your storage capacity can grow as your data requirements increase.
8. Data Integrity Checks: Look for NAS devices that offer data integrity checks, such as checksums or data scrubbing. These features help detect and correct errors or inconsistencies in stored data, reducing the risk of data loss or corruption.
9. User Access Controls: Ensure the NAS device provides robust user access controls and permissions. This helps prevent accidental deletions or unauthorized modifications, minimizing the risk of data loss due to human error or unauthorized access.
10. Disaster Recovery Planning: Have a disaster recovery plan in place that includes regular backups, off-site storage, and a strategy for recovering data in case of a catastrophic event like fire or theft.

By considering these factors, you can choose a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-853 Pro device that minimizes data loss risks and provides a reliable and secure storage solution.

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

Although NAS Turbo Station TS-853 Pro 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-853 Pro. 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-853 Pro has 8 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 10;
• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• ZFS;
• EXT4;
• EXT3;
• exFAT;
• 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-853 Pro 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