How to recover data from QNAP TVS-882 NAS

Contents

• 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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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.

Are there any recommended best practices for securely storing usernames and passwords on NAS QNAP TVS-882 devices?

Yes, there are several recommended best practices for securely storing usernames and passwords on NAS QNAP TVS-882 devices. Here are some of them:

1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): QNAP devices support 2FA, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, usually through a mobile app or SMS. Enable 2FA to protect your login credentials.
2. Use Strong and Unique Passwords: Ensure that you use strong passwords that are difficult to guess. Avoid using common or easily guessable passwords. Additionally, use a unique password for your QNAP device and avoid reusing it for other accounts.
3. Regularly Update Firmware: Keep your QNAP device's firmware up to date. Manufacturers release firmware updates to address security vulnerabilities and improve overall system security. Regularly check for updates and apply them promptly.
4. Limit Access and Use User Groups: Create separate user accounts for each person who needs access to the NAS device. Assign appropriate access rights and permissions based on their roles. Utilize user groups to simplify the management of access rights.
5. Enable Network Access Protection: QNAP devices provide network access protection features like IP blocking, which can help prevent unauthorized access attempts. Configure and enable these features to add an extra layer of security.
6. Regularly Backup Data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that your data is protected in case of any security breaches or hardware failures. Use QNAP's built-in backup features or third-party backup solutions to create backups regularly.
7. Secure Remote Access: If you need remote access to your QNAP device, use secure protocols such as HTTPS or VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt the connection and protect your login credentials from interception.
8. Disable Unused Services: Disable any unnecessary services or features that you don't use on your QNAP device. Reducing the attack surface by disabling unused services can help minimize the risk of unauthorized access.
9. Regularly Monitor and Audit: Monitor your QNAP device's logs and enable auditing features to detect any suspicious activities. Regularly review the logs and audit reports to identify potential security issues or unauthorized access attempts.
10. Educate Users: Educate all users who have access to the QNAP device about best practices for password security, phishing attacks, and other common security threats. Promote a culture of security awareness and encourage users to report any suspicious activities.

Remember, implementing these best practices can significantly enhance the security of your QNAP TVS-882 device, but it's important to stay vigilant and keep up with the latest security recommendations from QNAP.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS TVS-882 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with QNAP TVS-882. 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.

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How to recover data from a QNAP

TVS-882 has 8 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);

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:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. 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.

   

4. 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-882 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