Avoiding Data Loss on NAS Thecus N12910 and Recovering Deleted Files: In-Depth Guide

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Thecus N12910
• 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 regular performance monitoring and optimization help in preventing data loss on NAS Thecus N12910 devices?

Regular performance monitoring and optimization can help in preventing data loss on NAS Thecus N12910 devices in the following ways:

1. Identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks: Regular monitoring helps to identify any performance issues or bottlenecks that can potentially lead to data loss. By optimizing the performance of the NAS device, you can ensure that it operates efficiently and does not become overloaded or overwhelmed, reducing the risk of data loss.
2. Monitoring storage capacity: Regularly monitoring the storage capacity of the NAS device helps to ensure that it does not reach its maximum limit. When the storage capacity is near its limit, there is a higher risk of data loss due to insufficient space for new data. By optimizing the storage capacity and managing data effectively, you can prevent data loss.
3. Monitoring disk health: Regularly monitoring the health of the disks in the NAS device helps to identify any potential issues or failures. By detecting and replacing failing disks in a timely manner, you can prevent data loss caused by disk failures.
4. Implementing RAID and backup strategies: Regular performance monitoring can help ensure that RAID configurations are functioning properly. RAID provides redundancy and data protection by distributing data across multiple disks. Monitoring the RAID performance and integrity helps to prevent data loss in case of disk failures. Additionally, regular monitoring can ensure that backup strategies are working effectively, providing an additional layer of protection against data loss.
5. Monitoring network connectivity: Regularly monitoring the network connectivity of the NAS device helps to identify any issues or interruptions in the network connection. Network connectivity problems can lead to data loss if the NAS device becomes inaccessible or if data transfers are interrupted. By monitoring and optimizing the network connectivity, you can prevent data loss caused by network issues.

Overall, regular performance monitoring and optimization of NAS Thecus N12910 devices help to ensure the smooth operation of the device, identify potential issues, and take proactive measures to prevent data loss.

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

Although the NAS N12910 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 N12910. 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

N12910 has 12 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• RAID 10;
• 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 N12910 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