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

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Qsan XCubeNAS XN8012S
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID

Conventional hard drives store user data by writing it sequentially across the disk surface, which means an entire file is typically located on a single drive. In contrast, when data is written to a RAID array, each file is split into multiple fragments. These fragments are then distributed and written in sequence across all the drives in the array. Depending on the configuration, fragment sizes can range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so every file is physically stored across several disks at once.

This approach significantly increases read and write performance — after all, writing two halves of a 1 GB file to two drives simultaneously is much faster than writing the full 1 GB to a single disk. However, this same mechanism makes file recovery far more complex.

Different RAID levels use different methods to distribute and protect data. On top of that, manufacturers like Qsan often add their own proprietary structures and variations. As a result, data can be written to disks in many different formats, and each requires a specific approach during recovery.

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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS XCubeNAS XN8012S can be accessed over the network, you still need to remove its hard disks and connect them directly to a Windows PC. Only then can the recovery software properly scan and analyze the drives. Follow these steps:

1. Power off the NAS and disconnect it from the power source.

   WARNING! Before removing any drives, carefully read the device manual. Improper actions may damage both the NAS enclosure and the hard disks in the RAID array.

2. Remove the hard disks one by one, gently sliding each drive out of its slot. Remember that hard disks are highly sensitive: any impact or drop can cause serious physical damage.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. Connect the drives to your computer. In this video, we explain which ports you can use to connect hard disks and what to do if your PC does not have enough free connectors.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Qsan XCubeNAS XN8012S. Each hard disk in the array contains technical metadata describing how files were written. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery analyzes this metadata, automatically reconstructs the damaged array, and provides access to its contents. After that, you can browse the recovered disk and save your files. The program can also restore files that were 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;

How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images

This utility allows you to create a complete copy of a disk and work with the disk image instead of the physical drive. This approach helps protect your data from:

• Overwriting during the recovery process;
• Additional data loss caused by bad sectors;
• User errors.

To create a disk image, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. When the Image Creation Wizard opens, select whether you want to save the entire disk or only a specific region. Adjust the settings and click Next.

   

4. Choose the directory where the image will be saved. You may select any available disk connected to your PC or upload the image via FTP.

   

Where Are the User’s Files Actually 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison