Professional Tips and Tricks for Recovering NAS Qsan XCubeSAN XS3226 Data from RAID Arrays

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Qsan XCubeSAN XS3226
• 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 recommended practices for off-site backup storage to prevent complete data loss in the event of a disaster?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for off-site backup storage to prevent complete data loss in the event of a disaster. Here are some of the key practices:

1. Choose a geographically distant location: Ensure that your off-site backup storage is located in a different geographical area than your primary data center. This helps to minimize the risk of both locations being affected by the same disaster.
2. Use secure and reliable facilities: Select a reputable off-site storage provider that offers secure facilities with appropriate measures like physical security, fire suppression systems, climate control, and backup power supply. Regular audits and certifications can also be considered.
3. Encrypt your data: Before sending your data to off-site storage, ensure that it is encrypted. This adds an extra layer of security and protects your data from unauthorized access.
4. Regularly test and verify backups: It is crucial to regularly test and verify the backups stored off-site to ensure their integrity and completeness. This includes performing periodic restoration tests to confirm that the backups can be successfully restored when needed.
5. Implement a robust backup strategy: Develop a comprehensive backup strategy that includes regular backups, incremental backups, and versioning. This ensures that you have multiple copies of your data stored at different points in time, reducing the risk of data loss.
6. Use multiple off-site storage locations: Consider using multiple off-site storage locations for additional redundancy. This further reduces the risk of data loss in case one location is compromised.
7. Automate backup processes: Automate the backup processes to ensure regular and consistent backups. This minimizes the chances of human error and ensures that backups are performed as scheduled.
8. Implement a disaster recovery plan: Develop a detailed disaster recovery plan that outlines the steps to be taken in the event of a disaster. This should include the process of recovering data from off-site backups and restoring operations.
9. Regularly review and update the backup strategy: Technology and business requirements change over time, so it is important to regularly review and update your backup strategy to ensure it remains effective and aligned with your organization's needs.

By following these recommended practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of complete data loss in the event of a disaster.

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

Although the NAS XCubeSAN XS3226 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 XCubeSAN XS3226. 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

XCubeSAN XS3226 has 26 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 XCubeSAN XS3226 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