Recognizing and Recovering from Mechanical and Logical Failures in NAS QNAP VS-S2204 Pro+ RAID Arrays

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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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 guidelines for configuring security settings on NAS QNAP VS-S2204 Pro+ devices to prevent unauthorized access and potential data loss?

Yes, there are several guidelines for configuring security settings on QNAP VS-S2204 Pro+ devices to prevent unauthorized access and potential data loss. Here are some best practices:

1. Change the default administrator password: Upon initial setup, change the default password for the administrator account to a strong and unique password. Avoid using common or easily guessable passwords.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): QNAP supports 2FA, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, such as a code from a mobile app, when logging in. Enable 2FA to enhance security.
3. Regularly update firmware: Keep the firmware of your QNAP device up to date by regularly checking for updates. Firmware updates often include security patches and bug fixes that can address vulnerabilities.
4. Use strong user passwords: Create strong passwords for all user accounts on the NAS device. Use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using dictionary words or easily guessable information.
5. Limit access privileges: Grant access privileges only to necessary users and limit access to specific folders or shares. Restrict access to sensitive data and use access control lists (ACLs) to manage permissions effectively.
6. Enable network access restrictions: Utilize the built-in firewall and network access restrictions to control which IP addresses or networks can access the NAS device. Whitelist trusted IP addresses and block suspicious or unauthorized IP addresses.
7. Regularly backup data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that your data is protected. Consider using external storage or cloud backup services to store critical data off-site.
8. Disable unnecessary services: Disable any unnecessary services or features that are not being used. This reduces the attack surface and minimizes potential vulnerabilities.
9. Enable network encryption: Use encryption protocols like SSL/TLS to secure network connections to the NAS device. This prevents eavesdropping and unauthorized interception of data.
10. Monitor and log activities: Enable logging and monitoring features on the NAS device to track any suspicious activities. Regularly review logs to identify potential security incidents or unauthorized access attempts.

It's important to note that these guidelines are not exhaustive, and it's always recommended to refer to the official documentation provided by QNAP for detailed instructions and the latest security recommendations specific to your device model.

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

Although NAS VS-S2204 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. 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-S2204 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.

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How to recover data from a QNAP

VS-S2204 Pro+ 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:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. 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.

   

4. 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-S2204 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