How to Avoid Data Loss on NAS Thecus N2810PLUS and Recover Deleted Files Smoothly

Has your NAS Thecus N2810PLUS 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?

How to Avoid Data Loss on NAS Thecus N2810PLUS and Recover Deleted Files Smoothly

Thecus N2810PLUS 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 N2810PLUS. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

How to Avoid Data Loss on NAS Thecus N2810PLUS and Recover Deleted Files Smoothly

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

Are there any known issues or limitations when using NAS Thecus N2810PLUS devices with virtualization platforms such as VMware or Hyper-V?

There are a few known issues and limitations when using Thecus N2810PLUS devices with virtualization platforms like VMware or Hyper-V. Some of these include:

  1. Limited hardware resources: The Thecus N2810PLUS is a low-end NAS device, so it may not have enough processing power, memory, or storage capacity to handle demanding virtualization workloads.
  2. Lack of official support: Thecus does not officially support virtualization platforms like VMware or Hyper-V on the N2810PLUS. This means that you may not be able to get technical assistance or firmware updates specifically tailored for virtualization.
  3. Limited virtualization features: The N2810PLUS may not support advanced virtualization features like live migration, high availability, or fault tolerance. These features are typically available on enterprise-grade NAS devices.
  4. Performance limitations: Due to the limited hardware resources, the performance of virtual machines running on the N2810PLUS may be lower compared to dedicated virtualization servers. This can impact the overall performance and responsiveness of your virtualized environment.
  5. Compatibility issues: There may be compatibility issues between the N2810PLUS and certain virtualization platforms or specific versions of hypervisors. It is recommended to check the compatibility matrix provided by the virtualization platform vendor before attempting to run virtual machines on the N2810PLUS.

It's important to note that these limitations may vary depending on the specific use case and workload requirements. It is always recommended to thoroughly test and evaluate the performance and compatibility of the N2810PLUS with your virtualization platform before deploying it in a production environment.

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

Although the NAS N2810PLUS 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 N2810PLUS. 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

N2810PLUS 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 N2810PLUS 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

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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 N2810PLUS, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Gerard Sargood
    Gerard Sargood 13.09.2023 05:53 #
    Is it possible to recover data from a NAS Thecus N2810PLUS device that has been physically damaged due to a power surge?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 13.09.2023 06:59 #

      It is possible to recover data from a physically damaged NAS device, but it depends on the extent of the damage. If the power surge has caused damage to the internal components of the NAS, it may be difficult to recover the data. However, if only the power supply or other easily replaceable components are damaged, it may be possible to recover the data by repairing or replacing those components.

      In any case, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service that specializes in NAS devices. They will have the necessary expertise and tools to assess the damage and attempt data recovery if possible.

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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.

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Questions and answers

  • What are the different file access levels available on Thecus N2810PLUS NAS?

    The Thecus N2810PLUS NAS offers the following file access levels:

    1. Administrator: The highest level of access with full control over all settings and files on the NAS.
    2. User: Allows users to access their own files and folders, as well as any shared folders they have been given access to by the administrator.
    3. Group: Users can be assigned to specific groups, and group access levels can be set for shared folders. This allows for easier management of multiple users with similar access requirements.
    4. Public: Shared folders with public access allow anyone on the network to access the files and folders within them.
    5. Guest: A guest account can be enabled, which allows visitors or temporary users to access specific shared folders without requiring a user account.
    6. FTP: The NAS supports FTP (File Transfer Protocol) access, allowing users to access their files remotely using an FTP client.
    7. WebDAV: WebDAV (Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning) allows users to access and edit files stored on the NAS using a web browser or WebDAV client.

    These access levels can be customized and configured by the administrator to meet the specific needs and security requirements of the NAS users.

  • How can I configure and manage file access levels on Thecus N2810PLUS NAS?

    To configure and manage file access levels on Thecus N2810PLUS NAS, you can follow these steps:

    1. Access the NAS web interface by entering the IP address of the NAS into a web browser.
    2. Login to the web interface using your admin credentials.
    3. Once logged in, navigate to the "Access Rights Management" section.
    4. In the "Access Rights Management" section, you will find options to manage user accounts, user groups, and shared folders.
    5. To create a user account, click on "User Account" and then click on "Create" to add a new user. Enter the required details such as username and password.
    6. After creating the user account, you can assign access rights to the user by selecting the shared folders they should have access to and specifying the level of access (read-only, read-write, etc.).
    7. To create a user group, click on "User Group" and then click on "Create" to add a new group. Enter the required details such as group name.
    8. After creating the user group, you can add users to the group by selecting the group and clicking on "Add" to assign users.
    9. To manage shared folders, click on "Shared Folder" and then select the folder you want to configure access levels for.
    10. In the shared folder settings, you can specify access rights for individual users or user groups. You can set permissions such as read-only, read-write, or no access.
    11. Save the changes and the file access levels will be configured and managed according to the settings you have specified.

    Note: The exact steps may vary slightly depending on the firmware version of your Thecus NAS. It is recommended to refer to the user manual or documentation provided by Thecus for detailed instructions specific to your NAS model.

  • What are the security implications and best practices for setting file access levels on Thecus N2810PLUS NAS?

    When setting file access levels on Thecus N2810PLUS NAS, there are several security implications and best practices to consider:

    1. User Authentication: Ensure that strong and unique passwords are set for all user accounts accessing the NAS. Implement two-factor authentication if available.
    2. User Permissions: Grant appropriate file access permissions to users based on their roles and responsibilities. Use the principle of least privilege, giving users only the necessary access rights to perform their tasks.
    3. Group Permissions: Create groups with similar access requirements and assign permissions to the groups instead of individual users. This simplifies management and reduces the risk of misconfigurations.
    4. Regular User Reviews: Periodically review and audit user accounts and their access levels. Remove unnecessary accounts and adjust permissions as needed.
    5. Secure File Sharing: Utilize secure file sharing protocols such as HTTPS or SFTP to encrypt data transmission between the NAS and client devices. Avoid using insecure protocols like FTP.
    6. Firewall and Network Segmentation: Configure appropriate firewall rules to restrict access to the NAS from unauthorized networks or IP addresses. Consider placing the NAS on a separate network segment to isolate it from other devices.
    7. Regular Firmware Updates: Keep the NAS firmware up to date to ensure that security patches and fixes are applied promptly.
    8. Data Encryption: Enable data encryption on the NAS to protect sensitive information stored on the drives. This ensures that even if the physical drives are stolen, the data remains inaccessible without the encryption key.
    9. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Implement regular backups of the NAS data to an offsite location or cloud storage. This protects against data loss due to hardware failures, theft, or other unforeseen events.
    10. Physical Security: Place the NAS in a secure location to prevent unauthorized physical access. Consider using lockable cabinets or rooms with restricted access.
    11. Logging and Monitoring: Enable logging and monitoring features on the NAS to track user activities, detect suspicious behavior, and identify potential security incidents.
    12. Educate Users: Provide training and awareness programs to educate users about best practices for accessing and managing files on the NAS. This includes avoiding suspicious links, practicing good password hygiene, and being cautious while granting file access to others.

    By following these security implications and best practices, you can enhance the security of your Thecus N2810PLUS NAS and protect your data from unauthorized access or breaches.