Key Features of Recovering Data from NAS QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro in a Home Context

Has your NAS QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro suddenly lost its network drive and you’re unsure what to do next? Did the RAID array collapse, making your files inaccessible? Is the device throwing errors during startup? Perhaps you accidentally rebuilt the RAID array or several hard drives failed at the same time?

Key Features of Recovering Data from NAS QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro in a Home Context

QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro NAS Data Recovery in 2025

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from an VS-4008U-RP Pro. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

Key Features of Recovering Data from NAS QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro in a Home Context

RAID Recovery™ 2.8
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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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.

Can accidental deletion or user error cause data loss in NAS QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro devices?

Yes, accidental deletion or user error can cause data loss in NAS QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro devices, just like any other storage device. If a user accidentally deletes or overwrites important files, or if they incorrectly configure the NAS settings, it can lead to data loss. It is important to regularly backup data and take precautions to prevent accidental deletion or user errors.

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

Although the NAS VS-4008U-RP Pro 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.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro. 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.

Go to view
How to recover data from a QNAP

How to recover data from a QNAP

VS-4008U-RP Pro has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • 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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Choose a disk or save the image via FTP

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro 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

Product Operating system RAID controller support Supported file systems Virtual RAID controller support Data recovery from damaged RAID File preview
Hetman RAID Recovery Windows, Linux, MacOS Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS Yes Yes Yes
DiskInternals RAID Recovery Windows Yes, over 10 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
R-Studio Windows, Mac, Linux Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery Windows, Mac, Linux Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery Windows Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery Windows Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes

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Comments (3)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #
    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS VS-4008U-RP Pro, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Art Cleese
    Art Cleese 18.09.2023 00:57 #
    Is it necessary to have a backup of the NAS QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro data before attempting data recovery?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 18.09.2023 02:00 #

      Yes, it is highly recommended to have a backup of your data before attempting any data recovery process. Data recovery can be a complex and potentially risky procedure, and there is always a chance that the recovery process may cause further damage or result in data loss. Having a backup ensures that you have a copy of your data that can be restored if anything goes wrong during the recovery process.

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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is SSH and how does it work?

    SSH, which stands for Secure Shell, is a cryptographic network protocol used for secure remote login and secure file transfers over an unsecured network. It provides a secure channel between two computers, allowing data to be exchanged securely.

    Here's how SSH works:

    1. Connection establishment: The client initiates a connection request to the server over TCP/IP. The server listens for incoming connections on port 22 by default.
    2. Key exchange: The client and server perform a key exchange process to establish a secure connection. This involves negotiating encryption algorithms and generating session keys.
    3. User authentication: Once the secure connection is established, the client needs to authenticate itself to the server. This can be done using various methods such as password-based authentication, public key authentication, or certificate-based authentication.
    4. Secure communication: After successful authentication, the client and server can securely exchange data over the encrypted channel. This includes executing remote commands, transferring files, or even forwarding other network connections.
    5. Encryption and integrity: SSH uses encryption algorithms to protect the confidentiality of data during transmission. It also employs integrity checks to ensure that data has not been tampered with during the transfer.

    Overall, SSH provides a secure and encrypted way to access and manage remote systems, making it widely used for secure remote administration and secure file transfers.

  • How does the NAS QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro utilize SSH protocol for remote access and management?

    The NAS QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro utilizes the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol for remote access and management in the following ways:

    1. Secure Remote Access: SSH provides a secure encrypted connection between the remote user and the NAS device. It ensures that the communication between the user's computer and the NAS is protected from eavesdropping or unauthorized access.
    2. Command-Line Interface (CLI): SSH allows users to access the NAS device's command-line interface remotely. By establishing an SSH session, users can execute various commands on the NAS, manage files, configure settings, and perform administrative tasks.
    3. Secure File Transfer: SSH also enables secure file transfer between the remote user's computer and the NAS device. Users can securely upload, download, and transfer files to and from the NAS using SSH-based file transfer protocols like SCP (Secure Copy) or SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol).
    4. Tunneling: SSH supports tunneling, which allows users to securely access services running on the NAS device's network. By creating an SSH tunnel, users can access web interfaces, databases, or other services hosted on the NAS without exposing them directly to the internet.
    5. Authentication and Security: SSH ensures secure authentication by using cryptographic keys or passwords. It prevents unauthorized access to the NAS device by requiring the user to provide valid credentials before establishing an SSH connection.

    Overall, the NAS QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro leverages the SSH protocol to provide secure and encrypted remote access and management capabilities, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the communication between the user and the NAS device.

  • What are the benefits and security features of using SSH in the NAS QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro?

    Using SSH (Secure Shell) in the NAS QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro offers several benefits and security features. Here are some of them:

    Benefits:

    1. Secure remote access: SSH provides a secure encrypted connection between the client and the NAS, ensuring that data transmitted over the network is protected from eavesdropping and unauthorized access.
    2. Command-line access: SSH allows administrators to access the NAS using a command-line interface, enabling them to execute various administrative tasks efficiently and remotely.
    3. File transfer capabilities: SSH supports secure file transfer using protocols like SCP (Secure Copy) and SFTP (Secure FTP), allowing users to transfer files securely between the NAS and remote systems.
    4. Remote management: SSH enables administrators to manage and configure the NAS remotely, eliminating the need for physical access to the device.
    5. Customization and automation: SSH provides a platform for scripting and automation, allowing administrators to create custom scripts and automate repetitive tasks on the NAS.

    Security Features:

    1. Encryption: SSH uses strong encryption algorithms to secure the communication between the client and the NAS, ensuring that data remains confidential and protected from interception.
    2. Authentication: SSH supports various authentication methods, including password-based authentication, public key authentication, and two-factor authentication, providing multiple layers of security to verify the identity of the user.
    3. Access control: SSH allows administrators to define access control policies, restricting SSH access to specific IP addresses or user accounts, thereby preventing unauthorized access attempts.
    4. Security auditing: SSH provides logging and auditing capabilities, allowing administrators to monitor and track SSH activity, including successful and failed login attempts, helping in detecting and investigating any potential security breaches.
    5. Secure tunneling: SSH supports tunneling, enabling users to securely access other network services running on the NAS, such as web interfaces or databases, without exposing them directly to the internet.

    Overall, using SSH in the QNAP VS-4008U-RP Pro NAS ensures secure remote access, file transfer, and management capabilities while providing robust encryption, authentication, access control, and auditing features to protect the system from unauthorized access and potential security threats.