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

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-853 Pro
• 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 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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS Turbo Station TS-853 Pro 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.

   Go to view

   

   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-853 Pro. 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.

Go to view

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);

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-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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison