- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS QNAP TVS-1582TU
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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 recommended practices for protecting NAS QNAP TVS-1582TU devices against physical theft or unauthorized access that can lead to data loss?
Yes, there are several recommended practices to protect your QNAP TVS-1582TU NAS device against physical theft or unauthorized access. Here are some steps you can take:
- Physical Security:
- Keep the NAS device in a secure and locked location, preferably a locked server room or cabinet.
- Use security cameras or alarms to monitor the area where the NAS is kept.
- Restrict physical access to only authorized personnel.
- Strong Passwords:
- Set strong and unique passwords for all user accounts on the NAS, including the admin account.
- Avoid using default or easily guessable passwords.
- Enable account lockout policies to prevent brute-force attacks.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
- Enable 2FA on the NAS device to provide an additional layer of security.
- This ensures that even if someone manages to obtain the password, they would still need the second factor (e.g., a mobile app or SMS code) to access the NAS.
- Firmware and Software Updates:
- Regularly update the firmware and software on the NAS device to ensure you have the latest security patches and bug fixes.
- Enable automatic updates if available.
- Network Segmentation:
- Consider placing the NAS in a separate network segment or VLAN to isolate it from other devices on your network.
- This helps prevent unauthorized access to the NAS from compromised devices.
- Firewall and Network Security:
- Enable the built-in firewall on the NAS device to restrict access to only necessary services and ports.
- Configure network security measures like IP whitelisting or blacklisting to control access.
- Data Encryption:
- Enable encryption for sensitive data stored on the NAS.
- QNAP devices often support encryption at the folder or volume level.
- Regular Backups:
- Implement a robust backup strategy to ensure that your data is regularly backed up to an off-site location or another NAS.
- This helps mitigate the risk of data loss in case of theft or unauthorized access.
- User Access Control:
- Grant access rights and privileges only to authorized users.
- Regularly review and update user permissions to ensure they align with the principle of least privilege.
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention:
- Enable intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) if supported by your NAS device.
- These systems can monitor and alert you about any suspicious activities or attempts to access the NAS.
Remember, security is a continuous process, and it's important to stay updated with the latest security practices and recommendations from QNAP.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS TVS-1582TU 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with QNAP TVS-1582TU. 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.
How to recover data from a QNAP
TVS-1582TU has 15 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 50;
- RAID 60;
- RAID 6;
- RAID 5;
- 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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.
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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 TVS-1582TU 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 |
Yes, data recovery from a QNAP TVS-1582TU device can still be performed even if there are issues with the network router or switch. The NAS device itself stores the data on the hard drives, and the network infrastructure issues should not affect the data stored on the drives.
In such cases, you can directly connect to the NAS device using a computer or laptop, bypassing the router or switch. This can be done by connecting the computer to the NAS device using an Ethernet cable or accessing it through the direct USB connection if available.
Once connected, you can access the data on the NAS device and perform data recovery procedures if necessary.