
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Qsan XCubeSAN XS5312
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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 precautions to take while migrating data between NAS Qsan XCubeSAN XS5312 devices?
Yes, there are several precautions to take while migrating data between NAS Qsan XCubeSAN XS5312 devices. Here are some important ones:
- Backup: Before starting the migration process, it is crucial to create a backup of all the data on the source NAS device. This ensures that even if something goes wrong during the migration, you will have a copy of the data to restore from.
- Verify compatibility: Ensure that the target NAS device (the one you are migrating data to) is compatible with the source NAS device. Check for any hardware or software requirements or limitations that may affect the migration process.
- Network stability: Make sure that the network connection between the source and target NAS devices is stable and reliable. Any interruptions or network failures during the migration can lead to data corruption or loss.
- Plan for downtime: Depending on the amount of data being migrated, there may be some downtime during the process. Plan accordingly and inform users about the potential downtime in advance to minimize any inconvenience.
- Test migration process: It is advisable to perform a test migration with a small subset of data before migrating the entire dataset. This helps identify any potential issues or challenges that may arise during the actual migration.
- Monitor the migration process: Keep a close eye on the migration process to ensure it is progressing smoothly. Monitor the transfer speed, any error messages, or any other anomalies that may occur during the migration.
- Verify data integrity: Once the migration is complete, verify the integrity of the migrated data by comparing it with the original data on the source NAS device. Perform thorough checks to ensure that all files and folders have been successfully migrated.
By following these precautions, you can minimize the risk of data loss or corruption during the migration process between NAS Qsan XCubeSAN XS5312 devices.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS XCubeSAN XS5312 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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
-
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.
Go to view
Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Qsan XCubeSAN XS5312. 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.
How to recover data from a Qsan
XCubeSAN XS5312 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:
-
Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
-
In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
-
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.

-
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 XS5312 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
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |


Data recovery from a NAS Qsan XCubeSAN XS5312 device can be challenging if the storage disks have been accidentally overwritten or reformatted. However, it is not entirely impossible to recover data in such scenarios. Here are a few things to consider:
Remember that data recovery success cannot be guaranteed in all cases, particularly if the data has been overwritten or reformatted. It is always recommended to regularly backup important data to minimize the risk of permanent data loss.