- 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.
How can regular system monitoring and alerting help in early detection and prevention of data loss events on NAS QNAP VS-8140 Pro+ devices?
Regular system monitoring and alerting can help in early detection and prevention of data loss events on NAS QNAP VS-8140 Pro+ devices by providing the following benefits:
- Proactive monitoring: Regular system monitoring allows administrators to monitor the health and performance of the NAS device. By monitoring key metrics such as CPU usage, memory utilization, disk health, and network traffic, administrators can identify any abnormal behavior or potential issues that may lead to data loss.
- Resource utilization monitoring: Monitoring resource utilization helps administrators identify any spikes or unusual patterns in CPU or memory usage. This can indicate potential issues such as malware infection or unauthorized access attempts, which can lead to data loss.
- Disk monitoring: Monitoring the health of the NAS disks is crucial in preventing data loss. Regular monitoring can help identify early signs of disk failure or degradation, such as bad sectors or increasing read/write errors. By detecting these issues early on, administrators can take necessary actions such as replacing the faulty disk or initiating data backup and restoration processes.
- RAID array monitoring: NAS devices often use RAID configurations for data redundancy and protection against disk failures. Monitoring the RAID array ensures its integrity and identifies any issues that may impact data availability. For example, monitoring can detect a failed disk in a RAID array and trigger automatic rebuild processes to prevent data loss.
- Network monitoring: Monitoring network traffic and access logs can help identify any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts. This can help administrators detect potential security breaches or data breaches, allowing them to take immediate actions to prevent data loss.
- Alerting mechanisms: Setting up alerting mechanisms, such as email notifications or SMS alerts, can notify administrators in real-time when any abnormal behavior or critical events occur. This allows them to respond promptly and take necessary actions to prevent data loss.
By implementing regular system monitoring and alerting, administrators can proactively detect and prevent data loss events on NAS QNAP VS-8140 Pro+ devices, ensuring the safety and availability of critical data.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS VS-8140 Pro+ 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-8140 Pro+. 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-8140 Pro+ has 8 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 50;
- RAID 60;
- 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:
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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-8140 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.
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 a NAS device, such as the QNAP VS-8140 Pro+, is showing signs of excessive noise or vibration, it may indicate a hardware issue. In such cases, it is recommended to address the hardware problem first before attempting any data recovery.
Excessive noise or vibration can be caused by various factors, such as a failing fan, loose components, or a failing hard drive. Continuing to use the device in this condition may lead to further damage and potentially permanent data loss.
To ensure the best chance of data recovery, it is advisable to contact a professional data recovery service or the manufacturer's support team for assistance. They will have the necessary expertise and tools to diagnose and resolve the hardware issue, and if required, attempt data recovery from the device.