What is SSH and how does it work?

SSH, which stands for Secure Shell, is a cryptographic network protocol used for secure communication and remote administration over an unsecured network. It provides a secure channel for encrypted communication between two devices, typically a client and a server.Here's how SSH works:Connection Establishment: The client initiates a connection request to the server using the SSH protocol. The server listens on a specific port (usually port 22) for incoming SSH connections.Key Exchange: During the initial connection, the client and server perform a key exchange. This involves negotiating encryption algorithms, generating session keys, and verifying the server's authenticity.User Authentication: Once the key exchange is complete, the client needs to authenticate itself to the server. SSH supports various authentication methods like password-based authentication, public key authentication, and more.Secure Communication: After successful authentication, SSH sets up a secure encrypted channel between the client and server. All subsequent data transmitted over this channel is encrypted to protect it from eavesdropping or tampering.Remote Shell or Command Execution: With the secure connection established, the client can now remotely execute commands on the server or open a remote shell session. The server processes the commands and sends the output back to the client.SSH also supports other features like file transfer (SCP and SFTP), port forwarding, and tunneling, which allow secure access to services running on remote servers.Overall, SSH ensures secure communication and remote administration by encrypting data, verifying server authenticity, and providing strong user authentication mechanisms.

How does the NAS QNAP VS-5020 utilize SSH protocol for secure remote access?

The NAS QNAP VS-5020 utilizes the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol for secure remote access by allowing users to establish a secure encrypted connection to the NAS device over a network. Here's how it works:SSH Server: The NAS device acts as an SSH server, running an SSH daemon that listens for incoming SSH connections.Authentication: When a user wants to remotely access the NAS, they initiate an SSH connection using an SSH client. The SSH server on the NAS prompts the user for authentication credentials, typically a username and password.Encryption: Once the user's credentials are provided, the SSH server verifies them and establishes an encrypted session between the client and server. This encryption ensures that the data transmitted over the network cannot be intercepted or tampered with by unauthorized parties.Secure Shell: Once the SSH connection is established, the user gains access to a command-line interface (CLI) on the NAS device. The user can remotely execute commands, manage files, and perform various administrative tasks on the NAS.Secure File Transfer: SSH also enables secure file transfer between the client and the NAS. Users can securely transfer files to and from the NAS using the Secure Copy Protocol (SCP) or the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), both of which are supported by SSH.Tunneling: SSH also supports tunneling, allowing users to securely access other network services running on the NAS device or behind it. This feature enables secure access to services like web servers, databases, or other applications hosted on the NAS.Overall, by utilizing the SSH protocol, the NAS QNAP VS-5020 ensures that remote access to the device is secure, encrypted, and protected from unauthorized access or data interception.

What are the advantages and features of SSH in the context of NAS QNAP VS-5020?

The SSH (Secure Shell) protocol provides secure remote access and file transfer capabilities. In the context of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) like the QNAP VS-5020, SSH offers several advantages and features:Secure remote access: SSH allows you to securely access your NAS from a remote location over an encrypted connection. This ensures that your data and credentials are protected from unauthorized access.Encrypted file transfer: With SSH, you can securely transfer files between your local machine and the NAS. The encryption ensures that the data is protected during transit, reducing the risk of interception or tampering.Command-line interface: SSH provides a command-line interface (CLI) to interact with the NAS. This allows for advanced configuration, administration, and troubleshooting tasks that may not be available through a graphical user interface (GUI).Secure remote management: SSH enables secure remote management of the NAS. You can perform various administrative tasks, such as configuring network settings, managing users and permissions, and monitoring system resources, all from a remote location.Customization and automation: SSH allows you to automate tasks on the NAS by running scripts or commands remotely. This can help streamline repetitive tasks and improve efficiency.Compatibility and flexibility: SSH is a widely supported protocol and can be used with various operating systems and devices. It provides flexibility in accessing and managing the NAS from different platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.Two-factor authentication (2FA): Some NAS devices, including QNAP models, support two-factor authentication for SSH access. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second authentication factor, such as a time-based one-time password (TOTP) or a hardware token.It's important to note that enabling SSH on a NAS should be done with caution and proper security measures. Strong passwords, firewall rules, and regular updates should be implemented to ensure the security of your NAS and data.

How to recover data from NAS QNAP VS-5020 (RAID 5, 6, 0, 1, JBOD, etc)

Name: How to recover data from a QNAP
Uploaded: 2023-09-17T15:00:34+03:00
Description: How to recover data from a QNAP

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?

RAID Recovery™ 2.6

Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.

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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 common mistakes or oversights made by users that can lead to data loss on NAS QNAP VS-5020 devices?

While it is difficult to pinpoint specific mistakes or oversights that can lead to data loss on NAS QNAP VS-5020 devices, there are some common scenarios that users should be cautious about. Here are a few potential mistakes or oversights:

Lack of proper backup: Many users rely solely on their NAS device for data storage without implementing a backup strategy. If the NAS experiences hardware failure, accidental deletion, or data corruption, it can result in permanent data loss. It is crucial to have a backup system in place to mitigate such risks.
Insufficient RAID configuration: The QNAP VS-5020 supports various RAID configurations, such as RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and JBOD. Users may mistakenly set up an inappropriate RAID level or fail to configure redundancy adequately. In case of multiple drive failures or data corruption, improper RAID configuration can lead to data loss.
Neglecting firmware updates: Regularly updating the firmware of the NAS device is crucial for security patches, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Failure to update the firmware can leave the device vulnerable to potential threats or software issues that may result in data loss.
Inadequate network security: Users may overlook the importance of securing their network and NAS device. Weak passwords, open ports, or lack of firewall protection can make the device susceptible to unauthorized access or malware attacks, potentially resulting in data loss.
Accidental file deletion: Users may accidentally delete files or folders from their NAS device without realizing the consequences. If there is no backup or data recovery option in place, such accidental deletions can lead to permanent data loss.

To avoid these mistakes and oversights, it is recommended to regularly back up data, configure RAID properly, keep firmware up to date, implement strong network security measures, and be cautious while handling data on the NAS device.

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

Although NAS VS-5020 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:

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.
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.
Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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-5020. 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-5020 has 5 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);

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:

Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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.
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-5020 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