RAID Array Recovery on NAS Thecus N4100PRO: Steps to Recover Your Data When It Breaks

Contents

• Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
• How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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.

Are there any specific network security measures to implement for safeguarding NAS Thecus N4100PRO devices against data loss?

Yes, there are several network security measures that can be implemented to safeguard NAS Thecus N4100PRO devices against data loss. Here are some important ones:

1. Secure Passwords: Ensure that strong and unique passwords are used for all user accounts, including the administrator account. Avoid using default or easily guessable passwords.
2. Firmware Updates: Regularly update the firmware of the NAS device to ensure that it has the latest security patches and bug fixes. Check the manufacturer's website for updates.
3. Firewall Configuration: Enable and configure a firewall on the NAS device to restrict unauthorized access to the network. Only allow necessary services and ports to be accessible from the internet.
4. User Access Control: Implement proper user access control by assigning appropriate permissions and access levels to different users. Restrict access to sensitive data and folders.
5. Network Segmentation: Segment your network and place the NAS device in a separate network segment, isolated from other sensitive systems. This helps to minimize the impact of a potential breach.
6. Encryption: Enable data encryption on the NAS device to protect the data stored on it. This ensures that even if the device is stolen or compromised, the data remains unreadable.
7. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Regularly backup the data stored on the NAS device to an off-site location or another NAS device. Implement a proper disaster recovery plan to ensure data can be restored in case of data loss or device failure.
8. Antivirus and Malware Protection: Install and regularly update antivirus and anti-malware software on the NAS device to detect and prevent any malicious software or files from infecting the device.
9. Disable Unused Services: Disable any unnecessary services or protocols on the NAS device to minimize potential attack vectors. Only enable the services that are required for your specific use case.
10. Regular Monitoring and Auditing: Monitor the NAS device for any suspicious activity or unauthorized access attempts. Enable logging and regularly review the logs for any security incidents.

It is important to note that these measures should be implemented in conjunction with other network security best practices to ensure comprehensive protection against data loss and unauthorized access.

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

Although NAS N4100PRO 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.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Thecus N4100PRO. 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.

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How to recover data from a Thecus

N4100PRO has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 10;
• 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 Tools – Save 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.

   

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.

   

Where are user’s files stored?

The Thecus N4100PRO 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