- Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
- How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
Conventional hard disks keep user’s data by writing it to their surface in a consecutive way, and this is how an entire file is stored on a single hard disk. However, when data is written to a RAID system, a file is divided into several parts. Then these parts are written consecutively to all hard disks within such array. The size of such parts may range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so each file is stored on several hard disks at the same time.
Such approach helps to speed up read and write operations, and it is evident that saving two parts of a file having the size of 1 GB to two hard disks simultaneously is much faster than saving the same 1 GB of data to one hard disk. However, this peculiarity makes file recovery more complicated.
Various RAID levels store information in different ways. Additionally, manufacturers like QNAP also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.
How can data fragmentation impact data availability and potential loss on NAS QNAP TVS-673e devices?
Data fragmentation on NAS QNAP TVS-673e devices can impact data availability and potentially lead to data loss in the following ways:
- Reduced Performance: Fragmentation occurs when files are split into multiple fragments and scattered across different locations on the storage device. This can lead to slower read and write speeds, affecting the overall performance of the NAS device. As fragmentation increases, the device may take longer to retrieve data, resulting in decreased availability.
- Increased Fragmentation Over Time: As files are constantly modified, deleted, and new files are added, fragmentation can increase over time. This can lead to a higher degree of data fragmentation, making it harder for the NAS device to locate and retrieve the required data. This can result in potential data loss if the fragmented data cannot be accessed or recovered.
- Higher Risk of Data Corruption: Fragmented data is more susceptible to corruption. If a fragment of a file becomes corrupted or lost, it can render the entire file inaccessible or unusable. This can lead to data loss and impact data availability on the NAS device.
- Difficulty in Data Recovery: In case of data loss or system failure, fragmented data can make the recovery process more challenging. The scattered fragments may need to be located and pieced together, which can be time-consuming and may require specialized data recovery tools or services.
- Limited Storage Capacity: Fragmentation can also impact the available storage capacity on the NAS device. As files are fragmented, they occupy more physical space on the storage media, reducing the overall usable capacity. This can lead to early exhaustion of storage space and limit the availability of additional data storage.
To mitigate the impact of data fragmentation on NAS QNAP TVS-673e devices, regular defragmentation or optimization of the storage is recommended. This process reorganizes the fragmented data, improving data availability, performance, and reducing the risk of data loss. Additionally, implementing proper backup strategies and ensuring data redundancy can help protect against potential data loss.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS TVS-673e can be accessed over the network, you still need to take the hard disks out of the storage device and connect them to a Windows computer. Only in this case will the software be able to scan them properly. Here is what you should do:
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Turn off the storage and disconnect it from the power supply.
WARNING! Before you start taking hard disks out of your NAS device, read the manual carefully. Incorrect actions may damage your network-attached storage and/or the hard disks within the RAID system.
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Take the hard disks out of the NAS one by one, carefully removing them from their slots. Remember that the disks are extremely vulnerable: hitting or dropping them may result in serious physical damage.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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Remove the hard disks and connect them to the computer. In this video, we have explored what ports are used to connect hard disks, and what to do if there are not enough ports or connectors.
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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with QNAP TVS-673e. The hard disks that make up the RAID contain technical information about the algorithm used to save files. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery reads this information and puts the damaged array together. Then you can open the disk and save your files. Also, you can recover the files accidentally deleted from the network drive.
TVS-673e 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);
Safe recovery from disk images
This utility lets you save an entire copy of the disk to file and then work with this image instead of the actual disk. Such feature helps to protect data on the disk from:
- Overwriting during the recovery process;
- Loss resulting from bad sectors;
- User mistakes.
To create an image, do the following:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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When the image creation wizard starts, you can choose to save the entire disk or select only a part of it. Specify the parameters and click Next.
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At this stage, you need to choose a directory where to save the image. Choose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP.
Where are user’s files stored?
The QNAP TVS-673e 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.
Comparison of software for RAID recovery
Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes, the order of disks in a NAS QNAP TVS-673e is important for a RAID array. The RAID configuration relies on the specific order of the disks to function correctly. If the disks are not placed in the correct order, the RAID array may not be recognized or may not function properly. It is crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions or guidelines when setting up the disks in a RAID array for the QNAP TVS-673e.