Best Practices Guide: Data Recovery from a Failed NAS Qsan XCubeSAN XS5326 RAID Array

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 recommended practices for protecting NAS Qsan XCubeSAN XS5326 devices against physical theft or unauthorized access that can lead to data loss?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for protecting NAS Qsan XCubeSAN XS5326 devices against physical theft or unauthorized access. Here are some of them:

1. Physical security: Ensure that the NAS device is physically secured in a locked room or cabinet to prevent unauthorized access or theft. Limit access to only authorized personnel.
2. Strong passwords: Set strong and unique passwords for all user accounts on the NAS device, including the administrator account. Avoid using default or easily guessable passwords.
3. Two-factor authentication (2FA): Enable two-factor authentication for accessing the NAS device. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification method, such as a code sent to a mobile device, in addition to the password.
4. Regular firmware updates: Keep the NAS device's firmware up to date with the latest security patches and updates. This helps to address any known vulnerabilities and ensures that the device is protected against potential exploits.
5. Network segregation: Separate the NAS device from the public network by placing it on a separate VLAN or subnet. This helps to isolate it from potential unauthorized access attempts.
6. Disable unnecessary services: Disable any unnecessary network services or protocols on the NAS device to minimize the attack surface. Only enable the services that are required for your specific use case.
7. Data encryption: Enable encryption for data stored on the NAS device. This ensures that even if the device is stolen, the data remains encrypted and inaccessible to unauthorized individuals.
8. Regular backups: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that important data stored on the NAS device is regularly backed up to a separate location. This helps to mitigate the impact of data loss in case of theft or other incidents.
9. Employee training: Educate employees about the importance of physical security and the risks associated with unauthorized access or theft. Train them on best practices for securing the NAS device and handling sensitive data.

By following these recommended practices, you can significantly enhance the security of your NAS Qsan XCubeSAN XS5326 devices and protect against physical theft or unauthorized access that may lead to data loss.

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

Although NAS XCubeSAN XS5326 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.

   Go to view

   

   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 XCubeSAN XS5326. 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.

Go to view

How to recover data from a Qsan

XCubeSAN XS5326 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;

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 XCubeSAN XS5326 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