Features of NAS QNAP VS-4016U-RP Pro Data Recovery in Home Conditions

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP VS-4016U-RP Pro
• 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 recommended practices for protecting NAS QNAP VS-4016U-RP Pro devices against physical theft or unauthorized access that can lead to data loss?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for protecting NAS QNAP VS-4016U-RP Pro devices against physical theft or unauthorized access. Here are a few:

1. Physical Security: Place the NAS device in a secure location, such as a locked server room or cabinet, to prevent unauthorized physical access.
2. User Authentication: Implement strong and unique passwords for all user accounts on the NAS device. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) if supported to add an extra layer of security.
3. Network Segmentation: Separate the NAS device from the rest of the network using VLANs or separate subnets. This helps to limit access to the device and prevent unauthorized access from other network devices.
4. Firewall and Intrusion Detection: Enable the built-in firewall on the NAS device and configure it to allow only necessary network traffic. Consider using an intrusion detection system (IDS) to monitor for any suspicious activity.
5. Firmware Updates: Regularly update the firmware of the NAS device to ensure that any security vulnerabilities are patched.
6. Encryption: Enable disk encryption on the NAS device to protect the data stored on the drives. This ensures that even if the physical drives are stolen, the data remains encrypted and inaccessible.
7. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that critical data is backed up and can be restored in case of theft or data loss. Store backups off-site or in the cloud for added protection.
8. Disable Unused Services: Disable any unnecessary services or features on the NAS device to reduce the attack surface and potential vulnerabilities.
9. Monitoring and Logging: Enable system logs and monitor them regularly for any suspicious activities. This can help detect unauthorized access attempts or potential security breaches.
10. User Education: Educate users about best practices for data security, such as not sharing passwords, avoiding suspicious links or attachments, and being cautious about granting access to the NAS device.

By implementing these practices, you can significantly enhance the security of your NAS device and protect against physical theft or unauthorized access that can lead to data loss.

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

Although the NAS VS-4016U-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.

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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 VS-4016U-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.

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How to recover data from a QNAP

VS-4016U-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.

   

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 VS-4016U-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