- 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.
Are there any precautions to take while replacing or upgrading hard drives in NAS QNAP VS-S2212 Pro+ devices?
Yes, there are several precautions to take while replacing or upgrading hard drives in NAS QNAP VS-S2212 Pro+ devices:
- Backup your data: Before replacing or upgrading the hard drives, it is crucial to back up all your data to ensure that you don't lose any important files.
- Shut down the NAS properly: Make sure to shut down the NAS properly before replacing or upgrading the hard drives. This will prevent any data corruption or damage to the system.
- Use compatible hard drives: Ensure that the new hard drives you are installing are compatible with the QNAP VS-S2212 Pro+ device. Check the QNAP website or user manual for the list of supported drives.
- Follow the correct drive installation procedure: Carefully follow the drive installation procedure provided by QNAP. This may involve removing the old drives, installing the new ones, and configuring them correctly.
- Handle the hard drives with care: When handling the hard drives, avoid dropping them or exposing them to static electricity. Use proper anti-static precautions and handle the drives gently to prevent any physical damage.
- Configure RAID settings: If you are using RAID configuration, make sure to configure the new drives correctly to maintain the desired RAID level. This may involve rebuilding the RAID array or configuring RAID settings through the NAS interface.
- Monitor the drive health: After replacing or upgrading the hard drives, regularly monitor their health using the QNAP NAS management interface. This will help you detect any potential issues or failures early on.
- Seek professional help if needed: If you are unsure about the process or encounter any difficulties, it is recommended to seek professional help or contact QNAP support for assistance.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS VS-S2212 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-S2212 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-S2212 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:
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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-S2212 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 |
Recovering data from a physically damaged device is always challenging and the success rate depends on the extent of the damage. In the case of a power surge damaging a NAS device like QNAP VS-S2212 Pro+, there is a possibility of data recovery, but it is not guaranteed.
Here are some steps you can take to potentially recover the data:
Keep in mind that data recovery from physically damaged devices can be expensive and time-consuming. There is no guarantee that all data will be recovered, especially if the damage is severe. It is always recommended to have a backup of your important data to avoid such situations.