RAID Array Recovery on NAS Thecus N3200XXX: Recovery Tips for When It Breaks

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Thecus N3200XXX
• 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 the NAS Thecus N3200XXX device's CPU or processing power affect data transfer and potential loss?

The CPU or processing power of the NAS Thecus N3200XXX device can have an impact on data transfer and potential data loss in several ways:

1. Data Transfer Speed: The CPU is responsible for handling the data transfer between the NAS device and connected devices. A more powerful CPU can process data faster, resulting in higher data transfer speeds. A slower CPU may struggle to handle multiple concurrent data transfers, leading to slower transfer speeds and longer wait times.
2. Network Traffic Management: The CPU also manages network traffic, including data packets coming in and going out of the NAS device. A powerful CPU can efficiently handle network traffic and prioritize data transfers, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted data transfer. A weak CPU may struggle to manage network traffic, leading to packet loss, delays, or even dropped connections.
3. Data Integrity and RAID Rebuild: The CPU plays a crucial role in ensuring data integrity and RAID rebuild processes. In case of a disk failure in a RAID setup, the CPU is responsible for reconstructing the data from the remaining disks. A powerful CPU can handle this process quickly and efficiently, minimizing the risk of data loss. A weaker CPU may take longer to rebuild the RAID array, increasing the vulnerability to data loss during the rebuild process.
4. Data Encryption and Compression: Some NAS devices support data encryption and compression to enhance data security and save storage space. These operations require significant processing power. A powerful CPU can handle encryption and compression tasks efficiently, minimizing the impact on data transfer speed. In contrast, a weaker CPU may struggle to perform these operations, resulting in slower data transfer speeds and potential data loss if the device is unable to keep up with the workload.

It is important to consider the CPU specifications and capabilities of a NAS device when evaluating its performance and potential impact on data transfer and data loss.

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

Although the NAS N3200XXX 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 N3200XXX. 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

N3200XXX has 3 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• 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 N3200XXX 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