How to Prevent Data Loss on NAS Thecus N4510U PRO and Recover Deleted Files: Tips and Tricks

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Thecus N4510U PRO
• 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 a NAS Thecus N4510U PRO device's network throughput or bandwidth capacity affect data transfer and potential loss?

The network throughput or bandwidth capacity of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like Thecus N4510U PRO can have a significant impact on data transfer and potential loss. Here's how:

1. Data Transfer Speed: Network throughput determines the speed at which data can be transferred between the NAS device and other network-connected devices. A higher network throughput allows for faster data transfer, reducing the time required to upload or download files. Conversely, a lower throughput will result in slower data transfer speeds, which can be a bottleneck for data-intensive tasks.
2. Concurrent Users: The network throughput capacity also determines the number of concurrent users that can access and transfer data to/from the NAS device simultaneously. A higher throughput allows for more users to access the NAS without experiencing significant slowdowns or performance issues. If the throughput is limited, multiple users accessing and transferring data concurrently may experience reduced speeds and potential data loss due to timeouts or connection drops.
3. Streaming and Multimedia: NAS devices are often used for streaming multimedia content, such as videos or music, to various devices on the network. Higher network throughput enables smoother streaming experiences, reducing buffering times and ensuring uninterrupted playback. Insufficient throughput can cause buffering issues, leading to data loss in the form of interrupted or degraded media streams.
4. Backup and Synchronization: NAS devices are commonly used for data backup and synchronization across multiple devices. A higher network throughput allows for faster backup and synchronization processes, minimizing the time required to transfer data between devices. Inadequate throughput can result in delays or incomplete backups, potentially leading to data loss if backups are not properly performed.
5. RAID Rebuild and Data Recovery: NAS devices often employ RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations for data redundancy and protection against drive failures. In case of a drive failure, the NAS device needs to rebuild the RAID array by redistributing data across the remaining drives. A higher network throughput can significantly reduce the time required for RAID rebuilds and data recovery. Insufficient throughput can prolong the rebuild process, increasing the risk of data loss if another drive fails during the rebuild.

In summary, the network throughput or bandwidth capacity of a NAS device like Thecus N4510U PRO directly impacts the speed of data transfer, the number of concurrent users it can handle, streaming performance, backup and synchronization efficiency, and RAID rebuild times. Insufficient throughput can lead to slower data transfer speeds, buffering issues, incomplete backups, and prolonged recovery processes, increasing the risk of potential data loss.

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

Although the NAS N4510U PRO 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 N4510U PRO. 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

N4510U PRO 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;

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 N4510U PRO 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