What to Do When Your NAS Thecus N1200 RAID Array Breaks: Steps for Recovery

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Thecus N1200
• 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 Thecus 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 user authentication methods impact data loss risks for NAS Thecus N1200 devices?

User authentication methods can have a significant impact on data loss risks for NAS Thecus N1200 devices. Here are a few ways in which authentication methods can affect data loss risks:

1. Weak Passwords: If users choose weak or easily guessable passwords, it increases the risk of unauthorized access to the NAS device. Attackers can gain access to sensitive data and potentially cause data loss or damage.
2. Default Credentials: If users do not change the default login credentials provided by the manufacturer, it becomes easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access. Default credentials are often well-known, making it easier for attackers to exploit them.
3. Lack of Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide additional verification, such as a fingerprint or a one-time password. Without MFA, a compromised password can lead to unauthorized access and potential data loss.
4. Lack of Account Lockout Policies: Without account lockout policies, an attacker can repeatedly attempt to guess passwords without any consequences. This increases the risk of successful brute-force attacks and unauthorized access to the NAS device.
5. Inadequate User Access Controls: If users have excessive or unnecessary privileges, it increases the risk of accidental or intentional data loss. Users should only have the minimum required permissions to perform their tasks, reducing the potential impact of any compromised accounts.
6. Lack of Audit Logs and Monitoring: Without proper logging and monitoring in place, it becomes difficult to detect and investigate unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities. Timely detection of such events is crucial to mitigating data loss risks.

To minimize data loss risks, it is recommended to enforce strong password policies, change default credentials, enable multi-factor authentication, implement account lockout policies, regularly review user access controls, and ensure proper audit logs and monitoring are in place.

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

Although the NAS N1200 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 Thecus N1200. 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 Thecus

N1200 has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• EXT3;
• EXT4;
• XFS;

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 Thecus N1200 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