NAS QNAP TVS-951X Data Recovery in Home Conditions: Features to Look For

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP TVS-951X
• 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 system logs or event notifications to monitor for early detection of data loss on NAS QNAP TVS-951X devices?

Yes, there are specific system logs and event notifications that you can monitor for early detection of data loss on QNAP TVS-951X NAS devices. Here are a few key logs and notifications to keep an eye on:

1. System Logs: QNAP NAS devices maintain system logs that record various events and activities. Monitor the system logs for any error messages related to storage, file system, or disk issues. Look for warnings or errors that indicate potential data loss or corruption.
2. SMART Logs: SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) logs provide detailed information about the health and status of hard drives. QNAP NAS devices support SMART monitoring, and you can check the SMART logs regularly for any signs of impending hard drive failure or data loss.
3. RAID Health Notifications: If you have configured your QNAP NAS with RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks), monitor the RAID health notifications. QNAP NAS devices typically send email alerts or push notifications when there are issues with the RAID array, such as disk failures or degraded performance.
4. Storage Pool Notifications: QNAP NAS devices use storage pools to manage storage resources. Monitor the storage pool notifications for any warnings or errors related to storage pool integrity, capacity, or performance. These notifications can help you identify potential data loss situations.
5. Backup Job Notifications: If you have configured backup jobs on your QNAP NAS, monitor the backup job notifications. These notifications will inform you if any backup jobs have failed or encountered errors while backing up your data. Failed backups can indicate potential data loss if not addressed promptly.

It's essential to regularly review these logs and notifications to proactively detect any potential data loss situations on your QNAP TVS-951X NAS device. Additionally, consider implementing a comprehensive backup strategy to safeguard your data in case of any unforeseen data loss events.

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

Although the NAS TVS-951X 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-951X. 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-951X has 9 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:

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-951X 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