Steps to Recover Your NAS Thecus N4100 RAID Array: What to Do After a Break

If your ⭐ NAS RAID array breaks, follow these steps to recover your data and get your system back up and running.

Steps to Recover Your NAS Thecus N4100 RAID Array: What to Do After a Break

Thecus N4100 NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from N4100.

Steps to Recover Your NAS Thecus N4100 RAID Array: What to Do After a Break

RAID Recovery™ 2.6
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?

Conventional hard disks keep user’s data by writing it to their surface in a consecutive way, and this is how an entire file is stored on a single hard disk. However, when data is written to a RAID system, a file is divided into several parts. Then these parts are written consecutively to all hard disks within such array. The size of such parts may range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so each file is stored on several hard disks at the same time.

Such approach helps to speed up read and write operations, and it is evident that saving two parts of a file having the size of 1 GB to two hard disks simultaneously is much faster than saving the same 1 GB of data to one hard disk. However, this peculiarity makes file recovery more complicated.

Various RAID levels store information in different ways. Additionally, manufacturers like Thecus also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.

How can regular performance monitoring and optimization help in preventing data loss on NAS Thecus N4100 devices?

Regular performance monitoring and optimization can help in preventing data loss on NAS Thecus N4100 devices in several ways:

  1. Early detection of potential issues: Performance monitoring allows you to keep an eye on the health and performance of your NAS device. By regularly monitoring metrics such as CPU usage, memory utilization, disk I/O, and network traffic, you can identify any anomalies or signs of potential problems. This early detection can help you take preventive measures before they escalate into data loss situations.
  2. Identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks: Performance monitoring helps you identify any bottlenecks or performance issues that may be affecting the overall performance of your NAS device. By analyzing the performance metrics, you can pinpoint the root causes of slow performance, such as network congestion, disk overload, or insufficient memory. Resolving these bottlenecks can prevent data loss that may occur due to system instability or unresponsive behavior.
  3. Capacity planning and resource allocation: Regular performance monitoring allows you to track the utilization of storage capacity, CPU, memory, and other resources on your NAS device. By analyzing historical trends and usage patterns, you can estimate future resource requirements and plan for capacity upgrades or resource allocations accordingly. This proactive approach ensures that your NAS device doesn't run out of storage space or resources, minimizing the risk of data loss due to inadequate capacity.
  4. RAID health monitoring: Thecus N4100 devices support various RAID configurations for data redundancy and protection. Regular performance monitoring can include monitoring the health and status of RAID arrays. By monitoring RAID status, you can identify any degraded or failed disks, rebuild RAID arrays, and replace faulty disks promptly. This proactive approach helps prevent data loss by ensuring the integrity and availability of your data through RAID redundancy.
  5. Backup monitoring and verification: Performance monitoring can also include monitoring the status and effectiveness of your backup processes. Regularly monitoring backup jobs, verifying backup integrity, and ensuring successful completion of backups are essential steps in preventing data loss. By monitoring backup performance, you can identify any backup failures or inconsistencies, allowing you to take corrective actions and ensure the availability of reliable backups.

Overall, regular performance monitoring and optimization of your NAS Thecus N4100 device help you maintain its stability, reliability, and performance, reducing the risk of data loss and ensuring the safety of your valuable data.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS N4100 can be accessed over the network, you still need to take the hard disks out of the storage device and connect them to a Windows computer. Only in this case will the software be able to scan them properly. Here is what you should do:

  1. Turn off the storage and disconnect it from the power supply.

    WARNING! Before you start taking hard disks out of your NAS device, read the manual carefully. Incorrect actions may damage your network-attached storage and/or the hard disks within the RAID system.

  2. Take the hard disks out of the NAS one by one, carefully removing them from their slots. Remember that the disks are extremely vulnerable: hitting or dropping them may result in serious physical damage.

  3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

  4. Remove the hard disks and connect them to the computer. In this video, we have explored what ports are used to connect hard disks, and what to do if there are not enough ports or connectors.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Thecus N4100. The hard disks that make up the RAID contain technical information about the algorithm used to save files. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery reads this information and puts the damaged array together. Then you can open the disk and save your files. Also, you can recover the files accidentally deleted from the network drive.

Go to view
How to recover data from a Thecus

How to recover data from a Thecus

N4100 has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • RAID 0;
  • RAID 1;
  • RAID 5;
  • JBOD;

NAS supports:

  • EXT3;
  • EXT4;
  • XFS;

Safe recovery from disk images

This utility lets you save an entire copy of the disk to file and then work with this image instead of the actual disk. Such feature helps to protect data on the disk from:

  • Overwriting during the recovery process;
  • Loss resulting from bad sectors;
  • User mistakes.

To create an image, do the following:

  1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

  2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu ToolsSave Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

  3. When the image creation wizard starts, you can choose to save the entire disk or select only a part of it. Specify the parameters and click Next.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  4. At this stage, you need to choose a directory where to save the image. Choose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: hoose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP

Where are user’s files stored?

The Thecus N4100 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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery

Product Operating system License type RAID controller support Supported file systems Virtual RAID controller support Data recovery from damaged RAID File preview
Hetman RAID Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
DiskInternals RAID Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
R-Studio Windows, Mac, Linux Paid Yes, over 200 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery Windows, Mac, Linux Paid Yes, over 1,000 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery Windows Free 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 N4100, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Basil Harewood
    Basil Harewood 14.09.2023 20:51 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS Thecus N4100 device be done in cases of RAID system failures?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 14.09.2023 21:00 #

      Yes, data recovery from a NAS Thecus N4100 device can be done in cases of RAID system failures. However, it is important to note that the complexity and success of the data recovery process may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the RAID failure and the condition of the drives.

      In cases of RAID system failures, it is recommended to seek the assistance of professional data recovery services with experience in handling NAS devices and RAID configurations. They have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from failed RAID systems, including Thecus N4100 devices.

      It is crucial to avoid any further attempts at DIY data recovery or rebuilding the RAID system, as it can potentially worsen the situation and lead to permanent data loss. Professional data recovery services can assess the situation, diagnose the cause of the RAID failure, and employ appropriate techniques to recover the data from the NAS device.

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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 is iSCSI and how does it work?

    iSCSI stands for Internet Small Computer System Interface. It is a protocol that allows SCSI commands to be sent over an IP network, enabling the transmission of block-level data between a host (initiator) and a storage device (target) over a network.

    Here's how iSCSI works:

    1. Initiator: The initiator is the client or host that initiates the iSCSI connection. It could be a server, computer, or any device that needs to access storage over the network.
    2. Target: The target is the storage device that provides the storage resources to the initiator. It could be a disk array, NAS (Network Attached Storage), or any other storage system.
    3. Connection establishment: The initiator sends an iSCSI login request to the target over the IP network. This request contains the initiator's identification and authentication credentials.
    4. Authentication: The target authenticates the initiator based on the provided credentials. This ensures that only authorized initiators can access the storage.
    5. Session establishment: Once the authentication is successful, a session is established between the initiator and target. This session allows the exchange of SCSI commands and data.
    6. SCSI commands: The initiator sends SCSI commands to the target, such as read, write, or inquiry commands. These commands are encapsulated within iSCSI packets and transmitted over the IP network.
    7. Data transfer: The target processes the received SCSI commands and performs the requested operations on the storage. It then sends the requested data back to the initiator over the network.
    8. Data integrity and error handling: iSCSI ensures data integrity by using TCP/IP for reliable delivery. It includes error detection and correction mechanisms to ensure data integrity during transmission.
    9. Session termination: When the initiator no longer needs the storage resources, it sends a logout request to terminate the session with the target.

    Overall, iSCSI provides a way to utilize existing IP networks for storage access, allowing for flexible and cost-effective storage solutions. It enables remote storage access, storage consolidation, and simplifies storage management.

  • What are the benefits of using iSCSI in a network storage environment?

    Some benefits of using iSCSI in a network storage environment include:

    1. Cost-effective: iSCSI allows organizations to leverage existing Ethernet infrastructure, eliminating the need for expensive Fibre Channel (FC) switches and cables. This makes iSCSI a more cost-effective solution for network storage.
    2. Flexibility: iSCSI is a protocol that can be used over existing IP networks, enabling organizations to use their existing network infrastructure for storage purposes. It provides flexibility in terms of scalability and the ability to integrate with different storage devices.
    3. Performance: iSCSI offers high-performance storage over Ethernet networks, providing comparable speeds to Fibre Channel. With advancements in Ethernet technology, such as 10GbE and faster network speeds, iSCSI performance continues to improve.
    4. Centralized management: iSCSI allows for centralized management of storage resources. Administrators can easily allocate and manage storage resources, create virtual disks, and perform other storage-related tasks from a central console.
    5. Data protection: iSCSI supports various data protection mechanisms, including RAID (redundant array of independent disks) and snapshot capabilities. These features help to ensure data integrity and provide options for data recovery in case of failures.
    6. Compatibility: iSCSI is compatible with a wide range of operating systems and storage devices. This makes it easier to integrate and deploy in heterogeneous environments.
    7. Remote access: iSCSI enables remote access to storage resources over IP networks. This allows for easy and efficient data replication, backup, and disaster recovery across geographically dispersed locations.
    8. Virtualization support: iSCSI is widely used in virtualized environments as it provides the ability to share storage resources across multiple virtual machines (VMs). This helps in optimizing storage utilization and simplifying VM management.

    Overall, iSCSI offers a cost-effective, flexible, and high-performance solution for network storage, making it a popular choice for many organizations.

  • Does the NAS Thecus N4100 support the iSCSI protocol and what are its capabilities in terms of iSCSI storage?

    Yes, the NAS Thecus N4100 does support the iSCSI protocol. It has the capability to function as an iSCSI target, allowing you to create virtual disks and present them to other devices on the network as if they were local storage.

    With iSCSI, the Thecus N4100 can provide block-level storage to servers or other devices, allowing them to access the storage over the network using the iSCSI protocol. This enables features like centralized storage, virtualization, and data backup.

    The specific capabilities of iSCSI storage on the Thecus N4100 may vary depending on the firmware version and configuration. However, it generally supports features such as thin provisioning, CHAP authentication, and multiple iSCSI targets. It also allows you to create snapshots of iSCSI LUNs for data protection and supports features like MPIO (Multipath Input/Output) for increased reliability and performance.

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