- 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.
Are there any recommended practices for protecting NAS QNAP TVS-972XU-RP devices against physical theft or unauthorized access that can lead to data loss?
Yes, there are several recommended practices to protect QNAP TVS-972XU-RP devices against physical theft or unauthorized access:
- Secure physical location: Place the NAS device in a secure and locked room or cabinet to prevent unauthorized physical access.
- Strong passwords: Set strong and unique passwords for all user accounts, including the administrator account. Avoid using default or easily guessable passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for all user accounts to add an extra layer of security. This ensures that even if someone obtains the password, they would still need the second factor (e.g., a mobile app or SMS code) to access the device.
- Regular firmware updates: Keep the NAS firmware up to date with the latest security patches and bug fixes. QNAP regularly releases firmware updates that address vulnerabilities and enhance security.
- Disable unnecessary services: Disable any unnecessary services or features on the NAS device to reduce the attack surface. Only enable the services that are required for your specific needs.
- Network segregation: Place the NAS device on a separate network or VLAN to isolate it from other devices. This helps prevent unauthorized access to the NAS through compromised devices on the network.
- Firewall and network security: Configure a firewall to restrict access to the NAS, allowing only necessary ports and protocols. Additionally, consider implementing network security measures like intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) or network access control (NAC) solutions.
- Data encryption: Enable encryption for sensitive data stored on the NAS. QNAP provides options for encrypting shared folders or using full-disk encryption to protect data at rest.
- Regular backups: Implement a robust backup strategy to ensure data can be restored in case of theft or data loss. Regularly backup data to an offsite location or cloud storage to minimize the impact of physical theft.
- Physical security measures: Use physical security measures like surveillance cameras, alarms, and access control systems to protect the physical environment where the NAS is located.
By following these recommended practices, you can significantly enhance the security of your QNAP TVS-972XU-RP device and protect it against physical theft or unauthorized access.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS TVS-972XU-RP 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-972XU-RP. 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-972XU-RP 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);
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-972XU-RP 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, it is highly recommended to have a backup of the data on your QNAP TVS-972XU-RP NAS before attempting any data recovery. This is because the data recovery process itself can be complex and there is always a risk of further data loss or damage to the existing data. Having a backup ensures that you have a copy of your important data that can be easily restored in case anything goes wrong during the recovery process.