What is DLNA and how does it work?

DLNA stands for Digital Living Network Alliance. It is a set of guidelines and standards that enable the sharing and streaming of multimedia content between different devices within a home network. DLNA allows devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers, televisions, and audio systems to communicate and share media files seamlessly.DLNA works by establishing a media network where devices can discover and connect to each other. The devices must be connected to the same local network, either through Wi-Fi or Ethernet. DLNA uses Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) protocols to automatically identify and establish connections between devices.Once connected, DLNA enables the sharing and streaming of various types of media content, such as photos, videos, and music. It allows a device to act as a media server, making its content available to other devices on the network. Other devices can then browse and access the shared media files, and depending on their capabilities, play them directly or initiate streaming to their own screens or speakers.DLNA supports various media formats and codecs, ensuring compatibility between different devices. It also provides features like remote control functionality, allowing users to control media playback on one device using another device.Overall, DLNA simplifies the process of sharing and streaming media content across multiple devices in a home network, providing a seamless multimedia experience.

How does the NAS Thecus N5200 utilize DLNA protocol for media streaming?

The Thecus N5200 is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device that supports the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) protocol for media streaming. Here's how it utilizes DLNA:DLNA Server: The N5200 acts as a DLNA server, which means it can store and organize media files such as videos, photos, and music. It indexes these files and makes them available for streaming to DLNA-certified devices on the same network.Media Sharing: With DLNA, the N5200 can share media content with other DLNA-certified devices like smart TVs, game consoles, smartphones, and tablets. These devices can discover and access the media files stored on the N5200, allowing users to stream content directly to their preferred device.Media Formats: The N5200 supports a wide range of media formats, including popular ones like MP4, MKV, AVI, MP3, and JPEG. This ensures compatibility with various DLNA-certified devices, allowing seamless streaming without the need for additional conversion or transcoding.Remote Access: DLNA also enables remote access to the media content stored on the N5200. Users can access their media files from outside their home network, provided they have a DLNA-compatible device and a stable internet connection. This allows for convenient streaming of media content while on the go.Control and Navigation: DLNA provides a standardized interface for browsing and controlling media playback on DLNA-certified devices. Users can use the remote control or interface of their device to navigate through the media library on the N5200, select files, and play them directly on their chosen device.Overall, the Thecus N5200 utilizes the DLNA protocol to create a seamless media streaming experience, allowing users to access and enjoy their media content on various DLNA-certified devices throughout their home network.

Can you explain the benefits and features of DLNA in relation to the Thecus N5200 NAS device?

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a set of standards that allows devices to connect and share media files over a local network. The Thecus N5200 NAS device supports DLNA, providing several benefits and features:Media streaming: DLNA enables the N5200 to stream media files, such as videos, photos, and music, to DLNA-certified devices like smart TVs, game consoles, and smartphones. This allows you to enjoy your media content on different devices without the need for manual file transfers.Easy setup: The N5200 NAS device simplifies the setup process for DLNA. It typically comes with pre-installed DLNA server software, eliminating the need for additional installations or configurations.Centralized media storage: With the N5200, you can store all your media files in one centralized location. This makes it easy to manage and access your media library from any DLNA-certified device connected to the same network.Multi-device support: DLNA on the N5200 supports multiple devices simultaneously. You can stream different media files to different DLNA devices without any conflicts.Transcoding support: The N5200 NAS device may offer transcoding capabilities, allowing it to convert media files into a compatible format for the target DLNA device. This ensures compatibility and smooth playback across various devices.Remote access: DLNA on the N5200 can provide remote access to your media library. You can access and stream your media files from outside your home network, as long as the NAS device is connected to the internet and properly configured.User-friendly interface: The N5200 NAS device typically provides a user-friendly interface for managing DLNA settings. You can easily configure access permissions, create playlists, and organize your media library through the NAS device's web-based interface.Overall, DLNA support on the Thecus N5200 NAS device enhances the media sharing and streaming capabilities, providing a seamless experience for accessing and enjoying your media files across various DLNA-certified devices.

RAID Array Recovery on NAS Thecus N5200: Recovery Steps for When It Breaks

Name: How to recover data from a Thecus
Uploaded: 2025-10-16T08:53:56+03:00
Description: How to recover data from a Thecus

Has your NAS Thecus N5200 suddenly lost its network drive and you’re unsure what to do next? Did the RAID array collapse, making your files inaccessible? Is the device throwing errors during startup? Perhaps you accidentally rebuilt the RAID array or several hard drives failed at the same time?

RAID Array Recovery on NAS Thecus N5200: Recovery Steps for When It Breaks

Data Recovery Tool

Thecus N5200 NAS Data Recovery in 2025

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from an N5200. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

Contents

Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
Key Information About the NAS Thecus N5200
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

RAID Recovery™ 2.8

Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.

Download

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.

What are the risks of data loss due to firmware or software malfunctions in NAS Thecus N5200 devices?

The risks of data loss due to firmware or software malfunctions in NAS Thecus N5200 devices include:

Data corruption: Firmware or software malfunctions can cause data corruption, leading to the loss of files or the inability to access them. This can be due to errors in the firmware code or bugs in the software.
System instability: Malfunctions can result in system instability, causing the NAS device to crash or become unresponsive. In such cases, data may become inaccessible or prone to corruption.
Incomplete backups: If the firmware or software malfunctions during a backup process, it may result in incomplete or corrupted backups. This can lead to data loss if the original files are damaged or lost.
Disk failure: Firmware or software issues can put excessive stress on the hard drives, potentially leading to premature disk failure. If a disk fails, it can result in data loss if there is no redundancy or backup in place.
Inability to recover data: In some cases, firmware or software malfunctions can make it difficult or impossible to recover data from the NAS device. This can occur if the malfunction affects the file system or the ability to access the data stored on the drives.
Security vulnerabilities: Malfunctions in the firmware or software can expose the NAS device to security vulnerabilities, making it susceptible to unauthorized access or data breaches. This can result in data loss or compromise of sensitive information.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to regularly update the firmware and software of the NAS device to the latest versions provided by Thecus. Additionally, implementing a robust backup strategy, including offsite backups and redundancy, can help protect against data loss in case of firmware or software malfunctions.

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

Although the NAS N5200 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:

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.
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.
Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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.

Go to view

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 N5200. 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.

Go to view

How to recover data from a Thecus

N5200 has 5 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:

Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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.
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 N5200 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

Product	Operating system	RAID controller support	Supported file systems	Virtual RAID controller support	Data recovery from damaged RAID	File preview
Hetman RAID Recovery	Windows, Linux, MacOS	Yes, over 100 controllers	FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS	Yes	Yes	Yes
DiskInternals RAID Recovery	Windows	Yes, over 10 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	No	Yes	Yes
R-Studio	Windows, Mac, Linux	Yes, over 20 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	Yes	Yes	Yes
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery	Windows, Mac, Linux	Yes, over 100 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	Yes	Yes	Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery	Windows	Yes, over 20 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	No	Yes	Yes
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery	Windows	Yes, over 100 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	Yes	Yes	Yes

Feedback

We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (3)

Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #

If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS N5200, feel free to leave a comment!

Reply
Delbert Kyte 14.09.2023 20:43 #

Is it possible to recover data from a NAS Thecus N5200 device that has been affected by a ransomware attack?

Reply
- Hetman Software 14.09.2023 21:59 #
  Recovering data from a NAS device that has been affected by a ransomware attack is a complex process and there is no guarantee of success. However, there are a few steps you can take to attempt data recovery:
  Disconnect the affected NAS device from the network immediately to prevent the ransomware from spreading further.
  Contact a professional data recovery service that specializes in ransomware attacks or NAS recovery. They may have experience dealing with similar cases and can provide guidance on the best course of action.
  If you have a backup of your data, restore it to a new, clean NAS device. This is the safest and most reliable way to recover your data.
  If you don't have a backup, consult with the data recovery service to explore possible recovery options. They may be able to decrypt the encrypted files or use specialized techniques to recover the data.
  In some cases, law enforcement agencies or cybersecurity experts may have developed decryption tools for specific ransomware strains. Check with these organizations to see if any tools are available for the ransomware that affected your NAS device.
  Remember, prevention is always better than recovery. Regularly backing up your data and implementing strong security measures can help protect against ransomware attacks.
  Reply

Leave a reply(Delbert Kyte).Cancel reply

Updated:
16.10.2025 8:53

Evaluations:
4
/
Rating:

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.

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.

Questions and answers

What is DLNA and how does it work?

DLNA stands for Digital Living Network Alliance. It is a set of guidelines and standards that enable the sharing and streaming of multimedia content between different devices within a home network. DLNA allows devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers, televisions, and audio systems to communicate and share media files seamlessly.
DLNA works by establishing a media network where devices can discover and connect to each other. The devices must be connected to the same local network, either through Wi-Fi or Ethernet. DLNA uses Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) protocols to automatically identify and establish connections between devices.
Once connected, DLNA enables the sharing and streaming of various types of media content, such as photos, videos, and music. It allows a device to act as a media server, making its content available to other devices on the network. Other devices can then browse and access the shared media files, and depending on their capabilities, play them directly or initiate streaming to their own screens or speakers.
DLNA supports various media formats and codecs, ensuring compatibility between different devices. It also provides features like remote control functionality, allowing users to control media playback on one device using another device.
Overall, DLNA simplifies the process of sharing and streaming media content across multiple devices in a home network, providing a seamless multimedia experience.
How does the NAS Thecus N5200 utilize DLNA protocol for media streaming?
The Thecus N5200 is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device that supports the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) protocol for media streaming. Here's how it utilizes DLNA:
1. DLNA Server: The N5200 acts as a DLNA server, which means it can store and organize media files such as videos, photos, and music. It indexes these files and makes them available for streaming to DLNA-certified devices on the same network.
2. Media Sharing: With DLNA, the N5200 can share media content with other DLNA-certified devices like smart TVs, game consoles, smartphones, and tablets. These devices can discover and access the media files stored on the N5200, allowing users to stream content directly to their preferred device.
3. Media Formats: The N5200 supports a wide range of media formats, including popular ones like MP4, MKV, AVI, MP3, and JPEG. This ensures compatibility with various DLNA-certified devices, allowing seamless streaming without the need for additional conversion or transcoding.
4. Remote Access: DLNA also enables remote access to the media content stored on the N5200. Users can access their media files from outside their home network, provided they have a DLNA-compatible device and a stable internet connection. This allows for convenient streaming of media content while on the go.
5. Control and Navigation: DLNA provides a standardized interface for browsing and controlling media playback on DLNA-certified devices. Users can use the remote control or interface of their device to navigate through the media library on the N5200, select files, and play them directly on their chosen device.
Overall, the Thecus N5200 utilizes the DLNA protocol to create a seamless media streaming experience, allowing users to access and enjoy their media content on various DLNA-certified devices throughout their home network.
Can you explain the benefits and features of DLNA in relation to the Thecus N5200 NAS device?
DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a set of standards that allows devices to connect and share media files over a local network. The Thecus N5200 NAS device supports DLNA, providing several benefits and features:
1. Media streaming: DLNA enables the N5200 to stream media files, such as videos, photos, and music, to DLNA-certified devices like smart TVs, game consoles, and smartphones. This allows you to enjoy your media content on different devices without the need for manual file transfers.
2. Easy setup: The N5200 NAS device simplifies the setup process for DLNA. It typically comes with pre-installed DLNA server software, eliminating the need for additional installations or configurations.
3. Centralized media storage: With the N5200, you can store all your media files in one centralized location. This makes it easy to manage and access your media library from any DLNA-certified device connected to the same network.
4. Multi-device support: DLNA on the N5200 supports multiple devices simultaneously. You can stream different media files to different DLNA devices without any conflicts.
5. Transcoding support: The N5200 NAS device may offer transcoding capabilities, allowing it to convert media files into a compatible format for the target DLNA device. This ensures compatibility and smooth playback across various devices.
6. Remote access: DLNA on the N5200 can provide remote access to your media library. You can access and stream your media files from outside your home network, as long as the NAS device is connected to the internet and properly configured.
7. User-friendly interface: The N5200 NAS device typically provides a user-friendly interface for managing DLNA settings. You can easily configure access permissions, create playlists, and organize your media library through the NAS device's web-based interface.
Overall, DLNA support on the Thecus N5200 NAS device enhances the media sharing and streaming capabilities, providing a seamless experience for accessing and enjoying your media files across various DLNA-certified devices.