- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS TerraMaster F5-422
- 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 TerraMaster 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.
How can regular software updates and patches enhance the security and stability of NAS TerraMaster F5-422 devices?
Regular software updates and patches can enhance the security and stability of NAS TerraMaster F5-422 devices in several ways:
- Security Vulnerability Fixes: Software updates and patches often include fixes for known security vulnerabilities. By regularly updating the device's software, you ensure that any identified security flaws are addressed, reducing the risk of exploitation by potential attackers.
- Bug Fixes and Stability Improvements: Updates and patches also address software bugs and stability issues. These fixes can improve the overall performance and reliability of the NAS device, reducing the chances of system crashes, data corruption, or other stability-related problems.
- Compatibility with New Technologies: As technology evolves, new features and technologies are introduced. Software updates ensure that your NAS device remains compatible with the latest advancements, preventing compatibility issues and potential security gaps that could arise from using outdated software.
- New Security Features: Software updates may introduce new security features or enhancements to existing ones. These additions can provide additional layers of protection against emerging threats, such as improved encryption algorithms, stronger access controls, or enhanced authentication mechanisms.
- Improved User Experience: Updates often come with user interface improvements and new functionalities that enhance the overall user experience. These updates can make it easier to manage and configure security settings, ensuring that users can take full advantage of the available security features.
- Compliance with Industry Standards: Regular updates help ensure that your NAS device remains compliant with industry standards and regulations. Compliance is crucial for maintaining data security and privacy, especially if your NAS device is used for storing sensitive or confidential information.
In summary, regular software updates and patches for NAS TerraMaster F5-422 devices provide essential security fixes, stability improvements, compatibility with new technologies, new security features, improved user experience, and compliance with industry standards.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS F5-422 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with TerraMaster F5-422. 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 TerraMaster
F5-422 has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- RAID 5;
- RAID 6;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- Ext2;
- Ext3;
- Ext4;
- Btrfs;
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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.
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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 TerraMaster F5-422 network-attached storage keeps OS Linux 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 |
Recovering data from a NAS TerraMaster F5-422 device that has undergone a factory reset or system restore can be challenging, but it may be possible depending on the specific circumstances. Here are a few factors to consider:
It's important to note that attempting data recovery yourself may further complicate the situation or even cause permanent data loss. Therefore, it is advisable to seek professional assistance to maximize the chances of successful data recovery.