Recovering Data After Formatting a RAID Array on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U: Tips

Data recovery after formatting a ⭐ NAS RAID array is possible with the right approach.

Recovering Data After Formatting a RAID Array on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U: Tips

QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from Turbo Station TS-863U.

Recovering Data After Formatting a RAID Array on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U: Tips

RAID Recovery™ 2.6
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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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.

Can the use of specific data recovery software or services impact the success rate of data retrieval from NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U devices?

Yes, the use of specific data recovery software or services can impact the success rate of data retrieval from NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U devices. The success rate depends on various factors such as the quality and effectiveness of the software or service being used, the type and severity of the data loss situation, and the condition of the NAS device itself.

Using reliable and reputable data recovery software or services specifically designed for NAS devices, such as those that support QNAP Turbo Station models, can increase the chances of successful data retrieval. These software or services are often equipped with advanced algorithms and techniques to handle NAS-specific file systems and storage configurations.

However, it is important to note that not all data loss scenarios can be recovered successfully. Factors like physical damage to the storage media, overwritten data, or severe corruption may limit the success rate regardless of the software or service used. In such cases, professional data recovery services may be necessary, as they have specialized equipment and expertise to handle complex data loss situations.

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

Although NAS Turbo Station TS-863U 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.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U. 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.

Go to view
How to recover data from a QNAP

How to recover data from a QNAP

Turbo Station TS-863U 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 ToolsSave 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.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  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.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: hoose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP

Where are user’s files stored?

The QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U 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

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  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #
    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS Turbo Station TS-863U, feel free to leave a comment!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are the key features and advantages of using the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U as a central storage solution for businesses or organizations?

    The QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U offers several key features and advantages that make it an ideal central storage solution for businesses or organizations:

    1. High storage capacity: The TS-863U supports up to 8 hard drives, providing ample storage space for large amounts of data. It can be expanded further by connecting additional storage units.
    2. High-performance hardware: It is equipped with a powerful quad-core AMD processor and up to 16GB of RAM, ensuring fast and efficient data processing and access.
    3. Scalability: The TS-863U supports QNAP's Virtual JBOD technology, which allows users to utilize unused space from other QNAP NAS units to expand storage capacity without disrupting existing data.
    4. Data protection and security: It offers various RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, and JBOD) to protect against data loss. Additionally, it supports AES 256-bit encryption for secure data transmission and storage.
    5. Versatile connectivity options: The TS-863U provides multiple connectivity options, including four Gigabit Ethernet ports, two USB 3.0 ports, and two USB 2.0 ports. This allows for easy integration into existing network infrastructures.
    6. Advanced data management features: It offers a range of data management features, such as snapshot protection, which allows for quick and easy data recovery in the event of accidental deletion or file corruption.
    7. Virtualization support: The TS-863U supports various virtualization technologies, including VMware, Citrix, and Microsoft Hyper-V, allowing businesses to consolidate their IT infrastructure and reduce costs.
    8. Centralized file sharing and collaboration: It supports various file-sharing protocols (SMB/CIFS, FTP, and more) and offers advanced collaboration features, such as shared folders, file versioning, and remote access, facilitating efficient teamwork and document management.
    9. Backup and disaster recovery: The TS-863U provides comprehensive backup solutions, including QNAP's NetBak Replicator for Windows and Time Machine for Mac. It also supports remote replication to another QNAP NAS or external storage device for off-site backup.
    10. App ecosystem: QNAP's App Center offers a wide range of applications that can be installed on the TS-863U, expanding its functionality and meeting various business needs.

    Overall, the QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U combines high storage capacity, performance, data protection, and a range of advanced features, making it an efficient and reliable central storage solution for businesses or organizations.

  • How does the QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U ensure data security and protection, especially when used as a central storage system?

    The QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U incorporates several features to ensure data security and protection when used as a central storage system. Here are some key aspects:

    1. RAID Configuration: The TS-863U supports various RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and JBOD) to provide data redundancy and protection against drive failures. By distributing data across multiple drives, it ensures that even if one drive fails, the data remains accessible.
    2. Snapshot Technology: QNAP's snapshot technology allows the TS-863U to take snapshots of the file system at a specific point in time. These snapshots can be used to quickly recover data in case of accidental deletion, malware attacks, or other data corruption issues.
    3. AES 256-bit Encryption: The Turbo Station supports AES 256-bit encryption, which ensures that data stored on the device is securely encrypted and can only be accessed with the correct encryption key. This protects sensitive data from unauthorized access, even if the physical drives are stolen.
    4. Access Control and User Management: The TS-863U provides comprehensive access control and user management features. Administrators can create multiple user accounts with different levels of access permissions, ensuring that only authorized users can access specific files and folders.
    5. IP Access Control: The Turbo Station allows administrators to define IP access control lists, specifying which IP addresses or IP ranges are allowed or denied access to the system. This helps protect against unauthorized access attempts from specific IP addresses.
    6. Antivirus Protection: QNAP's antivirus solution can be installed on the TS-863U to scan files and folders for malware and viruses. This helps prevent the storage system from becoming a source of infected files and ensures the safety of the data stored on it.
    7. Network Security: The Turbo Station supports various network security protocols, including SSL/TLS encryption for secure data transmission, IP blocking to prevent brute-force attacks, and network access protection against unauthorized access attempts.
    8. Backup and Disaster Recovery: The TS-863U offers multiple backup options, including local backup to external drives, remote replication to another QNAP NAS or FTP server, and cloud backup to popular cloud storage providers. These backup options help protect against data loss and provide disaster recovery capabilities.

    Overall, the QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U incorporates a range of features and technologies to ensure data security and protection when used as a central storage system.

  • Can you provide some examples of how businesses or organizations can benefit from using the QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U as their central storage solution, in terms of data management, collaboration, and accessibility?

    Certainly! Here are some examples of how businesses or organizations can benefit from using the QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U as their central storage solution:

    Data Management:

    • Centralized Storage: The TS-863U provides a large storage capacity, allowing businesses to store all their data in one place. This makes it easier to manage and organize files, reducing the chance of data loss or duplication.
    • RAID Support: The TS-863U supports various RAID configurations, ensuring data redundancy and protection against disk failure.
    • Backup and Recovery: Businesses can schedule automatic backups of critical data to the TS-863U, ensuring that important information is always protected. In case of data loss, the NAS offers recovery options to restore data quickly.

    Collaboration:

    • File Sharing: The TS-863U enables seamless file sharing among team members, whether they are in the same office or working remotely. It supports multiple file sharing protocols and provides access controls to ensure data security.
    • Versioning and Collaboration Tools: With the NAS's versioning feature, businesses can keep track of file changes and revert to previous versions if needed. Collaboration tools like Qsync allow real-time file synchronization across devices, enabling efficient teamwork.

    Accessibility:

    • Remote Access: The TS-863U allows businesses to access their data from anywhere using various methods like web browsers, mobile apps, or VPN connections. This ensures employees can work remotely without any limitations.
    • Mobile Apps: QNAP provides mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to access, manage, and share files on the go.
    • Cloud Integration: The NAS supports cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive, enabling businesses to integrate their existing cloud accounts for seamless data management.

    Overall, the QNAP Turbo Station TS-863U offers businesses a reliable, scalable, and feature-rich central storage solution that enhances data management, collaboration, and accessibility.

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