- 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 specific system logs or event notifications to monitor for early detection of data loss on NAS QNAP VS-2008L devices?
Yes, there are specific system logs and event notifications that you can monitor for early detection of data loss on QNAP VS-2008L NAS devices. Here are some important logs and notifications to pay attention to:
- System Event Logs: Monitor the system event logs for any error messages or warnings related to storage, disk failures, or file system issues. These logs can provide valuable information about potential data loss events.
- Disk SMART Logs: QNAP NAS devices support SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) which monitors the health of hard drives. By monitoring the SMART logs, you can detect any signs of impending disk failures or issues that may lead to data loss.
- RAID Health Notifications: If you have configured your QNAP NAS with RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks), monitor the RAID health notifications. These notifications can alert you to any problems with the RAID array, such as degraded or failed disks, which can result in data loss.
- Backup Job Notifications: If you have set up backup jobs on your QNAP NAS, monitor the backup job notifications. These notifications can inform you if any backups have failed or encountered errors, indicating potential data loss issues.
- File System Check Results: Regularly perform file system checks on your QNAP NAS and monitor the results. If any file system errors or inconsistencies are detected, it could indicate a risk of data loss.
- Network Connectivity Notifications: Monitor network connectivity notifications to ensure that your QNAP NAS is properly connected to the network. Network connectivity issues can disrupt data access and potentially lead to data loss.
By regularly monitoring these logs and notifications, you can proactively detect and address any potential data loss events on your QNAP VS-2008L NAS device. Additionally, it is recommended to have a comprehensive backup strategy in place to mitigate the risk of data loss.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS VS-2008L 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 VS-2008L. 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.
How to recover data from a QNAP
VS-2008L 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:
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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 VS-2008L 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 |
If the storage disks of a NAS QNAP VS-2008L device have been physically disconnected or damaged, it can still be possible to recover the data depending on the extent of the damage. Here are a few possibilities:
It's important to note that in any data recovery scenario, it is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service or contact QNAP support for specific guidance tailored to your situation. They can provide you with the best advice based on the specific details of your case.