Key Features of Recovering Data from NAS QNAP TVS-672XT at Home

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP TVS-672XT
• 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 specific factors to consider when choosing a NAS QNAP TVS-672XT device to minimize data loss risks?

Yes, there are several factors to consider when choosing a NAS QNAP TVS-672XT device to minimize data loss risks:

1. RAID Configuration: The TVS-672XT supports various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and JBOD. Choosing the appropriate RAID level based on your needs can provide data redundancy and protection against drive failures.
2. Backup Solutions: Look for a NAS device that offers robust backup solutions. QNAP provides features like QNAP Hybrid Backup Sync (HBS) that allows you to schedule backups to external drives, cloud storage, or remote NAS devices. Having multiple backup copies in different locations can minimize the risk of data loss.
3. Redundant Power Supply: Consider choosing a NAS with a redundant power supply option. This means the device will have two power supplies, and if one fails, the other will continue to power the NAS, reducing the risk of data loss due to power supply failure.
4. Hot-Swappable Drive Bays: Hot-swappable drive bays allow you to replace a failed drive without shutting down the NAS. This minimizes downtime and reduces the risk of data loss during drive replacement.
5. Data Scrubbing and S.M.A.R.T Monitoring: Look for a NAS device that supports data scrubbing and S.M.A.R.T (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) monitoring. Data scrubbing helps to identify and repair any data inconsistencies, while S.M.A.R.T monitoring can alert you to potential drive failures before they happen.
6. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Connecting your NAS to a UPS can protect against power outages and ensure the device remains operational during power fluctuations. This can prevent data loss due to sudden power loss or surges.
7. Network Redundancy: Consider using multiple network interfaces or link aggregation to provide network redundancy. This ensures that if one network connection fails, the NAS will still be accessible, reducing the risk of data loss due to network issues.
8. Regular Firmware Updates: Keep the NAS firmware up to date with the latest patches and updates provided by the manufacturer. This helps to address any security vulnerabilities and ensures the device operates optimally.

It is important to note that while these factors can help minimize data loss risks, they do not guarantee complete protection. Regular backups, data integrity checks, and other best practices should also be followed to ensure data safety.

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

Although the NAS TVS-672XT 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-672XT. 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-672XT has 6 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-672XT 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