Steps to Recover Your NAS Thecus N4200 RAID Array: What to Do After 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.

How can regular vulnerability assessments and security audits help identify and mitigate potential data loss risks for NAS Thecus N4200 devices?

Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits can help identify and mitigate potential data loss risks for NAS Thecus N4200 devices in the following ways:

1. Identify vulnerabilities: Vulnerability assessments scan the NAS device for known vulnerabilities in the firmware, operating system, or installed applications. This helps identify any weaknesses that can be exploited by attackers and lead to data loss.
2. Patch and update management: Security audits ensure that the NAS device is up to date with the latest firmware, operating system, and application patches. Regularly applying patches and updates helps mitigate known vulnerabilities and strengthens the device's security posture.
3. Configuration review: Security audits can review the NAS device's configuration settings to ensure that they are aligned with security best practices. This includes checking access controls, user permissions, password policies, and network settings. Proper configuration reduces the risk of unauthorized access and data loss.
4. Access controls and authentication: Vulnerability assessments can evaluate the NAS device's access controls and authentication mechanisms. This includes checking if strong passwords are enforced, two-factor authentication is enabled, and unnecessary user accounts are removed. Strong access controls reduce the risk of unauthorized access and data loss.
5. Data backup and disaster recovery: Security audits can assess the NAS device's data backup and disaster recovery processes. This includes checking if regular backups are performed, backups are stored offsite, and recovery procedures are tested. Proper backup and recovery mechanisms help mitigate the risk of data loss in case of a security incident.
6. Network security: Vulnerability assessments can evaluate the network security of the NAS device. This includes checking if firewalls are properly configured, intrusion detection systems are in place, and network traffic is monitored for any suspicious activities. Strengthening network security helps protect the NAS device and mitigate potential data loss risks.
7. Employee training and awareness: Security audits can assess the level of employee training and awareness regarding data security. This includes checking if employees are educated on best practices, such as avoiding phishing emails, using strong passwords, and reporting suspicious activities. Well-trained employees are less likely to engage in actions that could lead to data loss.

By regularly conducting vulnerability assessments and security audits, organizations can proactively identify and address potential data loss risks for NAS Thecus N4200 devices. This helps ensure the integrity and security of the stored data.

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

Although NAS N4200 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 N4200. 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

N4200 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 N4200 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