NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP RAID Array Format Recovery: Steps to Recover Lost Data

Has your NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP suddenly lost its network drive and you’re unsure what to do next? Did the RAID array collapse, making your files inaccessible? Is the device throwing errors during startup? Perhaps you accidentally rebuilt the RAID array or several hard drives failed at the same time?

NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP RAID Array Format Recovery: Steps to Recover Lost Data

QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP NAS Data Recovery in 2025

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from an Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP RAID Array Format Recovery: Steps to Recover Lost Data

RAID Recovery™ 2.8
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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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.

Can implementing user quotas or permissions help prevent accidental data loss on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP devices?

Yes, implementing user quotas or permissions can help prevent accidental data loss on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP devices.

User quotas allow administrators to set limits on the amount of storage space that each user can consume on the NAS device. This helps prevent a single user from accidentally filling up the entire storage capacity and causing data loss.

Permissions, on the other hand, control the level of access that each user has to the files and folders stored on the NAS device. By assigning appropriate permissions, administrators can ensure that users only have access to the files they need, reducing the risk of accidental deletion or modification of critical data.

By combining user quotas and permissions, administrators can create a secure environment where users have limited storage space and restricted access to prevent accidental data loss.

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

Although the NAS Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP 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

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP. 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

How to recover data from a QNAP

Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP 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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Choose a disk or save the image via FTP

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP 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

Product Operating system RAID controller support Supported file systems Virtual RAID controller support Data recovery from damaged RAID File preview
Hetman RAID Recovery Windows, Linux, MacOS Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS Yes Yes Yes
DiskInternals RAID Recovery Windows Yes, over 10 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
R-Studio Windows, Mac, Linux Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery Windows, Mac, Linux Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery Windows Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery Windows 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-EC879U-RP, 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 different file access security features available on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP NAS device?

    The QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP NAS device offers several file access security features, including:

    1. User and group permissions: You can create user accounts and groups with specific access rights to folders and files. This allows you to control who can read, write, or execute files.
    2. Windows ACL support: The NAS device supports Windows Access Control List (ACL) permissions, allowing you to set more granular permissions for individual users and groups.
    3. Shared folder encryption: You can encrypt shared folders on the NAS device using the AES 256-bit encryption algorithm. This ensures that the data stored in those folders is secure and can only be accessed by authorized users.
    4. IP access control: You can restrict access to the NAS device based on IP addresses or IP ranges. This allows you to specify which devices or networks can connect to the NAS.
    5. HTTPS and SSL/TLS encryption: The NAS device supports secure connections using HTTPS and SSL/TLS protocols. This ensures that data transmitted between the NAS and connected devices is encrypted and protected from eavesdropping.
    6. Two-factor authentication: You can enable two-factor authentication for user accounts, adding an extra layer of security. Users will need to provide a verification code in addition to their password to log in to the NAS.
    7. Antivirus and malware protection: The NAS device comes with built-in antivirus and malware scanning capabilities. It can scan files for viruses and malware to prevent them from being stored or spread through the NAS.
    8. Network access protection: The NAS device supports various network access protection mechanisms, such as firewall settings, network isolation, and VPN (Virtual Private Network) support. These features help secure the NAS device from unauthorized access and protect data during transmission.

    These file access security features provide a comprehensive set of tools to protect your data and control access to files and folders on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP NAS device.

  • How can the QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP ensure secure file access for multiple users or groups?

    The QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP offers several features to ensure secure file access for multiple users or groups:

    1. User and Group Management: The Turbo Station allows administrators to create and manage user accounts and groups. Each user can be assigned specific access permissions and privileges, such as read-only or read-write access to specific folders or files.
    2. Access Control Lists (ACLs): ACLs allow administrators to define granular access control settings for individual users or groups. This enables fine-grained control over who can access, modify, or delete specific files or folders.
    3. Shared Folder Permissions: Administrators can set permissions for shared folders, controlling which users or groups have access to them. Permissions can be set to allow or deny access, and different levels of access can be granted, such as full control, read-only, or read-write access.
    4. HTTPS and SSL/TLS Encryption: The Turbo Station supports secure HTTPS connections, ensuring that all data transmitted between the server and clients is encrypted. SSL/TLS certificates can be installed to establish secure connections and prevent unauthorized access.
    5. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): The Turbo Station supports 2FA, adding an extra layer of security to user logins. Users are required to provide a second authentication factor, such as a unique code generated by a mobile app, in addition to their password.
    6. IP Access Control: Administrators can restrict access to the Turbo Station based on IP addresses or IP ranges. This allows them to limit access to specific networks or devices, enhancing security by preventing unauthorized access attempts.
    7. Antivirus and Malware Protection: The Turbo Station includes built-in antivirus and malware scanning capabilities. Administrators can schedule regular scans of files and folders to detect and remove any malicious software that may have been uploaded.

    By utilizing these features, the QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP ensures secure file access for multiple users or groups, protecting sensitive data and preventing unauthorized access.

  • Can you explain the role of access control lists (ACLs) in enhancing file access security on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP NAS?

    Access Control Lists (ACLs) play a crucial role in enhancing file access security on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP NAS. Here's how they work:

    1. Granular Permission Control: ACLs allow administrators to define fine-grained permissions for individual users or groups. This means you can specify who can read, write, execute, or delete files and folders on the NAS.
    2. Multiple Levels of Access: ACLs provide multiple levels of access control, including basic permissions (read, write, execute) as well as advanced permissions such as ownership, inheritance, and special permissions like setting file attributes.
    3. User and Group Management: ACLs allow administrators to create and manage user accounts and groups, making it easier to assign permissions to multiple users at once. This simplifies the process of granting or revoking access to files and folders.
    4. Inheritance: ACLs support inheritance, which means that permissions set on a parent folder can be automatically inherited by its subfolders and files. This ensures consistent access control throughout the NAS and reduces the administrative effort required to manage permissions.
    5. Access Restrictions: ACLs enable administrators to set access restrictions based on various criteria such as IP addresses, time of day, or specific applications. This adds an extra layer of security by limiting access to sensitive files and folders.
    6. Audit Trails: ACLs often include auditing capabilities, allowing administrators to track and monitor file access activities. This helps in identifying any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities.

    Overall, ACLs on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-EC879U-RP NAS provide a robust and flexible mechanism for controlling file access and enhancing security. By defining precise permissions, managing users and groups, and implementing access restrictions, administrators can ensure that only authorized individuals can access and modify files on the NAS.