NAS QNAP VS-2004L RAID Arrays: Differentiating and Recovering from Mechanical and Logical Failures

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.

How can storage tiering or caching strategies impact data availability and potential loss on NAS QNAP VS-2004L devices?

Storage tiering and caching strategies can greatly impact data availability and potential loss on NAS QNAP VS-2004L devices. Here's how:

1. Improved Data Availability: By implementing storage tiering and caching strategies, you can ensure that frequently accessed data is stored on faster storage tiers or cache, resulting in improved data availability. This means that users can access their data quickly and efficiently, enhancing productivity and reducing downtime.
2. Reduced Potential Data Loss: Storage tiering and caching can also help mitigate potential data loss. By utilizing multiple storage tiers, such as SSDs and HDDs, you can create redundant copies of data, reducing the risk of data loss in case of hardware failures. Additionally, caching can improve data resilience by temporarily storing frequently accessed data in high-speed cache, reducing the reliance on slower storage tiers and minimizing the risk of data loss.
3. Enhanced Performance: Storage tiering and caching strategies can significantly enhance the performance of NAS devices like QNAP VS-2004L. By prioritizing frequently accessed data on faster storage tiers or cache, you can reduce latency and improve read and write speeds. This ensures that users experience faster data access and transfer, resulting in better overall performance.
4. Efficient Resource Utilization: Storage tiering and caching can optimize resource utilization on NAS devices. By intelligently managing data placement across different storage tiers, you can make the most efficient use of available storage capacity. This prevents overutilization of expensive storage tiers and ensures that data is stored on the most appropriate storage medium, reducing costs and maximizing resource utilization.

However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of storage tiering and caching strategies depends on factors such as data access patterns, workload characteristics, and the specific configuration of the NAS device. It's recommended to carefully analyze your data requirements and consult the documentation or support resources provided by QNAP for guidance on implementing storage tiering and caching strategies effectively.

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

Although NAS VS-2004L 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 VS-2004L. 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

VS-2004L has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 1;

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 VS-2004L 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