Distinguishing Mechanical and Logical Failures in NAS QNAP TVS-463 RAID Arrays

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP TVS-463
• 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 compatibility issues or limitations when connecting NAS QNAP TVS-463 devices to different operating systems or platforms?

When connecting QNAP TVS-463 NAS devices to different operating systems or platforms, there can be compatibility issues or limitations. Here are some factors to consider:

1. File System Compatibility: QNAP NAS devices typically use the QTS operating system, which supports various file systems like NTFS, FAT32, HFS+, and exFAT. While most operating systems can read these file systems, write access may be limited. For example, macOS can read NTFS but cannot write to it natively.
2. Network Protocol Support: QNAP NAS devices support various network protocols like SMB/CIFS, AFP, NFS, and FTP. Different operating systems may have varying levels of support for these protocols. For example, Windows, macOS, and Linux generally support SMB/CIFS, but there may be differences in performance or feature support.
3. Software Compatibility: QNAP provides software utilities like Qfinder Pro, Qsync, and Qfile, which are designed to work with specific operating systems. While these utilities are usually available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, the features and functionality may differ across platforms.
4. Third-Party Application Availability: QNAP NAS devices support a wide range of third-party applications through their App Center. However, the availability and compatibility of these applications can vary depending on the operating system. Some applications may be exclusive to certain platforms or have limited functionality on specific operating systems.
5. Hardware Requirements: The hardware requirements of the connected operating systems or platforms should also be considered. For example, if you plan to connect the NAS to a computer running an older operating system, there may be limitations in terms of supported network speeds, hardware compatibility, or software updates.

In summary, while QNAP NAS devices generally offer broad compatibility with different operating systems and platforms, there can be limitations or compatibility issues depending on the specific combination of hardware, software, and protocols being used. It is recommended to review the documentation and support resources provided by QNAP for detailed information on compatibility with specific operating systems.

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

Although the NAS TVS-463 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 TVS-463. 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

TVS-463 has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• 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:

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 TVS-463 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