Professional Tips for Recovering Data from a Failed NAS Qsan XCubeNAS XN8012S RAID Setup

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 XN8012S device to minimize data loss risks?

Yes, there are several factors to consider when choosing a NAS device like the Qsan XCubeNAS XN8012S to minimize data loss risks. Here are some key factors:

1. Redundant Storage: Look for a NAS device that supports RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology. RAID configurations like RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 6 provide redundancy by storing data across multiple drives. This helps protect against data loss in case of drive failures.
2. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Ensure that the NAS device has built-in backup and disaster recovery features. Look for features like snapshotting, replication, and cloud backup integration. These features can help you create multiple copies of your data and recover it in case of accidental deletion, hardware failure, or natural disasters.
3. Scalability: Consider the scalability options of the NAS device. It should support adding additional drives or expanding storage capacity as your data storage needs grow. This ensures that you can easily accommodate increasing data volumes without compromising data integrity.
4. Data Integrity and Protection: Look for features like data scrubbing, data encryption, and data integrity checks. Data scrubbing helps to identify and correct any errors in stored data, while data encryption ensures that your data is secure from unauthorized access. Data integrity checks verify the integrity of data during read and write operations.
5. Power Protection: Ensure that the NAS device has a reliable power supply and protection against power outages. Features like uninterruptible power supply (UPS) support and power failure detection can help prevent data loss due to sudden power failures.
6. Network Connectivity: Consider the network connectivity options of the NAS device. It should support high-speed Ethernet connections like Gigabit Ethernet or 10 Gigabit Ethernet to ensure fast and reliable data transfer. Additionally, features like link aggregation and failover support can provide network redundancy and minimize downtime.
7. User-Friendly Interface: Choose a NAS device with an intuitive and user-friendly interface. This makes it easier to configure and manage the device, reducing the chances of making configuration errors that could lead to data loss.
8. Regular Updates and Support: Check the manufacturer's track record for firmware updates and ongoing support. Regular updates ensure that your NAS device remains secure and up-to-date with the latest features and bug fixes. Good manufacturer support is also crucial in case you encounter any issues or need assistance.

By considering these factors, you can minimize the risks of data loss when choosing a NAS device like the Qsan XCubeNAS XN8012S. It's also recommended to regularly back up your data and follow best practices for data storage and management.

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

Although NAS XCubeNAS XN8012S 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 XN8012S. 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 XN8012S has 12 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 XN8012S 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