Essential Best Practices for Data Recovery from a NAS Qsan XCubeNAS XN7008R RAID Array Failure

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 Qsan 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 specific factors to consider when choosing a NAS Qsan XCubeNAS XN7008R device to minimize data loss risks?

Yes, there are several factors to consider when choosing a Qsan XCubeNAS XN7008R device to minimize data loss risks:

1. Redundancy: Look for a NAS device that offers RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology. RAID provides data redundancy by distributing data across multiple drives, ensuring that if one drive fails, the data can be rebuilt from the remaining drives.
2. Backup options: Consider the backup options provided by the NAS device. Look for features like scheduled backups, remote replication, or cloud backup integration. Having multiple backup copies of your data can minimize the risk of data loss.
3. Scalability: Choose a NAS device that allows for easy expansion and scalability. This ensures that you can add more storage capacity as your data grows without compromising data integrity.
4. Data protection features: Look for features like snapshotting, which allows you to take point-in-time copies of your data. This can be helpful in recovering data in case of accidental deletion or corruption.
5. Power protection: Consider a NAS device that offers power protection features like uninterruptible power supply (UPS) support. Power outages or surges can lead to data loss or corruption, and having a UPS can help prevent such issues.
6. Data encryption: If data security is a concern, choose a NAS device that supports data encryption. This ensures that your data is protected even if the physical drives are stolen or compromised.
7. Data integrity checks: Look for NAS devices that offer data integrity checks like checksum or data scrubbing. These features can help detect and correct data errors or corruption.
8. Reliable hardware: Choose a NAS device from a reputable manufacturer known for reliability and quality. Read reviews and consider the warranty and support options provided.

By considering these factors, you can minimize the risks of data loss and ensure the safety and integrity of your data on the Qsan XCubeNAS XN7008R device.

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

Although NAS XCubeNAS XN7008R 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 Qsan XCubeNAS XN7008R. 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 Qsan

XCubeNAS XN7008R has 8 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
• NTFS / ReFS;
• APFS / HFS+;
• Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
• VMFS / HikvisionFS;

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 Qsan XCubeNAS XN7008R network-attached storage keeps SANOS 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