Avoiding Data Loss on NAS Thecus N2800 and Recovering Deleted Files: Detailed Strategy

Has your NAS Thecus N2800 suddenly lost its network drive and you’re unsure what to do next? Did the RAID array collapse, making your files inaccessible? Is the device throwing errors during startup? Perhaps you accidentally rebuilt the RAID array or several hard drives failed at the same time?

Avoiding Data Loss on NAS Thecus N2800 and Recovering Deleted Files: Detailed Strategy

Thecus N2800 NAS Data Recovery in 2025

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from an N2800. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

Avoiding Data Loss on NAS Thecus N2800 and Recovering Deleted Files: Detailed Strategy

RAID Recovery™ 2.8
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
Download

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.

Can the use of redundant power supplies reduce the chances of data loss on NAS Thecus N2800 devices?

Yes, the use of redundant power supplies can help reduce the chances of data loss on NAS Thecus N2800 devices. Redundant power supplies provide a backup power source in case one of the power supplies fails or experiences a power outage. This ensures continuous power supply to the NAS device, reducing the risk of data loss due to sudden power failures or interruptions.

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

Although the NAS N2800 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.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Thecus N2800. 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.

Go to view
How to recover data from a Thecus

How to recover data from a Thecus

N2800 has 2 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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Choose a disk or save the image via FTP

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The Thecus N2800 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

Feedback

We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (3)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #
    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS N2800, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Carl Tinsley
    Carl Tinsley 13.09.2023 23:57 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS Thecus N2800 device be performed if there are issues with the operating system or firmware?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 13.09.2023 23:59 #

      Yes, data recovery from a NAS Thecus N2800 device can be performed even if there are issues with the operating system or firmware. In such cases, the data recovery process typically involves connecting the hard drives from the NAS device to a different computer and using specialized data recovery software to access and recover the data. However, it is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service or contact Thecus support for specific guidance and assistance with the recovery process.

Post comment
User
Leave a reply(Carl Tinsley).Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

Share

Questions and answers

  • What are the security features available in the NAS Thecus N2800 for file access?

    The Thecus N2800 NAS offers several security features for file access. Some of the key security features include:

    1. User and group permissions: The NAS allows you to create multiple user accounts and groups, and assign specific permissions and access rights to each user or group for different files and folders.
    2. Access control lists (ACL): ACL allows you to define fine-grained permissions for individual users or groups, giving you more control over who can access and modify specific files and folders.
    3. HTTPS and SSL/TLS encryption: The NAS supports secure communication protocols like HTTPS and SSL/TLS encryption, ensuring that data transferred between the NAS and client devices is encrypted and secure.
    4. IP filtering and firewall: The NAS has built-in IP filtering and firewall capabilities, allowing you to restrict access to the NAS based on IP addresses or IP ranges. This helps prevent unauthorized access from external networks.
    5. Antivirus and anti-malware: Thecus N2800 NAS supports antivirus and anti-malware scanning, which can help detect and remove any malicious files that may be stored on the NAS.
    6. RAID data protection: The NAS supports various RAID configurations, such as RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and JBOD. RAID provides data redundancy and protection against disk failures, ensuring that your files are safe and accessible even in the event of a hardware failure.
    7. Secure FTP (SFTP) and FTP over SSL/TLS: The NAS supports secure FTP protocols like SFTP and FTP over SSL/TLS, allowing you to securely transfer files to and from the NAS over the internet.
    8. Network authentication: The NAS supports various network authentication protocols like LDAP, Active Directory, and NTLM, allowing you to integrate the NAS with existing user authentication systems and centralize user management.

    These are just some of the security features available in the Thecus N2800 NAS. The specific security features may vary depending on the firmware version and configuration of the NAS.

  • How does the NAS Thecus N2800 ensure secure file access for multiple users?

    The NAS Thecus N2800 ensures secure file access for multiple users through several mechanisms:

    1. User Authentication: It supports multiple user accounts and uses authentication protocols like LDAP, Active Directory, or local user accounts to verify the identity of users before granting access to files. This ensures that only authorized users can access the files.
    2. Access Control Lists (ACL): The N2800 allows administrators to set granular permissions for each user or group of users. This means that administrators can define who can read, write, or execute specific files or folders. ACLs provide a fine-grained control mechanism to restrict unauthorized access.
    3. Secure Transmission: The NAS supports various secure file transfer protocols such as FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS), SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol), and HTTPS (HTTP over SSL/TLS). These protocols encrypt the data during transmission, preventing eavesdropping or tampering with the files.
    4. Encryption: Thecus N2800 supports encryption at the file level using AES 256-bit encryption. This ensures that even if unauthorized users gain access to the physical storage, they cannot read the encrypted files without the decryption key.
    5. Network Security: The NAS has built-in firewall features that can block unauthorized access attempts from the network. It also supports VPN (Virtual Private Network) protocols, allowing secure remote access to files over the internet.
    6. Audit Trail: The N2800 can log and track user activities, providing an audit trail for administrators to monitor file access and detect any suspicious activities. This helps in identifying potential security breaches and taking appropriate actions.

    By combining these security measures, the NAS Thecus N2800 ensures secure file access for multiple users, protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access or tampering.

  • Can you explain the authentication and authorization mechanisms used by the NAS Thecus N2800 to protect file access?

    The Thecus N2800 NAS (Network Attached Storage) device uses various authentication and authorization mechanisms to protect file access. These mechanisms ensure that only authorized users can access the files stored on the NAS and control the level of access they have.

    1. User Authentication: The NAS requires users to authenticate themselves before accessing files. It supports multiple authentication methods, including local user accounts, Microsoft Active Directory integration, and LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) authentication. This ensures that only authenticated users can access the NAS.
    2. User Access Control: The NAS provides granular access control mechanisms to restrict file access based on user roles or permissions. It allows administrators to assign different access levels, such as read-only, read-write, or no access, to individual users or groups. This ensures that users can only access files they are authorized to access.
    3. Secure File Transfer Protocols: The NAS supports secure file transfer protocols like FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS) and SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol), which encrypt the data during transmission. This protects the files from unauthorized interception or tampering during transfer.
    4. Folder-Level Permissions: The NAS allows administrators to set permissions at the folder level, enabling fine-grained control over file access. This means that different folders or directories can have different access permissions, ensuring that sensitive files are only accessible to authorized users.
    5. Encryption: The Thecus N2800 NAS supports data encryption to protect files stored on the device. It offers features like AES 256-bit volume encryption, which encrypts the entire volume, making the data inaccessible without the encryption key. This provides an additional layer of security for the stored files.
    6. IP Access Control: The NAS allows administrators to define IP access control lists, which specify the IP addresses or ranges that are allowed or denied access to the NAS. This helps in restricting access to the NAS from specific networks or locations.
    7. Two-Factor Authentication: The NAS supports two-factor authentication (2FA) for enhanced security. This requires users to provide an additional verification factor, such as a one-time password generated by a mobile app or a physical token, along with their regular credentials.

    By combining these authentication and authorization mechanisms, the Thecus N2800 NAS ensures that only authorized users can access files stored on the device and provides various levels of access control to protect sensitive data.