How to Recover Data After Formatting a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-870 / TS-870 Pro RAID Array

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-870 / TS-870 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 common mistakes or oversights made by users that can lead to data loss on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-870 / TS-870 Pro devices?

Yes, there are several common mistakes or oversights made by users that can lead to data loss on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-870 / TS-870 Pro devices. Some of these include:

1. Lack of regular backups: Many users fail to regularly back up their data, leaving them vulnerable to data loss in case of hardware failure, accidental deletion, or other unforeseen events.
2. Not using RAID or redundant storage: QNAP Turbo Station devices support various RAID configurations that provide data redundancy and protection against drive failures. However, some users may not set up RAID or redundant storage, making their data more susceptible to loss.
3. Insufficient security measures: Weak or nonexistent security measures can lead to unauthorized access and potential data loss. Users should ensure they have strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and keep their firmware up to date to prevent security breaches.
4. Ignoring firmware updates: QNAP regularly releases firmware updates that include bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements. Failing to update the firmware can leave the device vulnerable to known issues that could lead to data loss.
5. Mishandling or improper shutdowns: Improperly shutting down the NAS device or mishandling it while it is in operation can result in data corruption or loss. Users should follow proper shutdown procedures and handle the device with care to minimize the risk of data loss.
6. Not monitoring drive health: QNAP Turbo Station devices provide tools for monitoring drive health, such as SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology). Neglecting to monitor drive health can lead to drive failures and subsequent data loss.
7. Overloading the device: Overloading the NAS with excessive data or running resource-intensive applications can strain the device and potentially lead to data loss. Users should ensure they have adequate storage capacity and avoid overwhelming the system with excessive demands.

To minimize the risk of data loss, it is crucial for users to follow best practices such as regular backups, implementing RAID or redundant storage, maintaining strong security measures, staying updated with firmware releases, handling the device properly, monitoring drive health, and avoiding overloading the system.

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

Although the NAS Turbo Station TS-870 / TS-870 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.

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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-870 / TS-870 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.

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How to recover data from a QNAP

Turbo Station TS-870 / TS-870 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-870 / TS-870 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