RAID Array Recovery on NAS Thecus N8800: What to Do When It Breaks Down

When your ⭐ NAS RAID array breaks, follow these essential steps to recover your data and restore system performance.

RAID Array Recovery on NAS Thecus N8800: What to Do When It Breaks Down

Thecus N8800 NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from N8800.

RAID Array Recovery on NAS Thecus N8800: What to Do When It Breaks Down

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.

Can inadequate cooling or high ambient temperatures impact data loss risks for NAS Thecus N8800 devices?

Yes, inadequate cooling or high ambient temperatures can impact data loss risks for NAS Thecus N8800 devices. NAS devices generate heat during operation, and if they are not adequately cooled, the internal components can overheat, leading to potential hardware failures and data loss. High ambient temperatures can exacerbate this problem by increasing the overall temperature inside the NAS enclosure.

When the internal temperature of a NAS device rises, it can cause the hard drives to operate at higher temperatures as well. Excessive heat can reduce the lifespan of hard drives and increase the likelihood of data corruption or complete drive failure. Additionally, high temperatures can also affect other components of the NAS, such as the power supply or motherboard, increasing the risk of system instability and potential data loss.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to ensure proper cooling for NAS devices. This can be done by placing the NAS in a well-ventilated area, using fans or additional cooling solutions, and regularly cleaning the dust or debris that may accumulate on the device's cooling components. Additionally, monitoring the temperature of the NAS and taking appropriate actions, such as shutting down or reducing system load during periods of high ambient temperatures, can help prevent overheating and potential data loss.

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

Although NAS N8800 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 N8800. 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

How to recover data from a Thecus

N8800 has 8 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • RAID 0;
  • RAID 1;
  • RAID 5;
  • RAID 6;
  • RAID 50;
  • RAID 60;
  • 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 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 N8800 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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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 N8800, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Hudson Beale
    Hudson Beale 14.09.2023 14:47 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS Thecus N8800 device be done if the storage disks have bad sectors?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 14.09.2023 15:00 #

      Yes, data recovery from a NAS Thecus N8800 device can be done even if the storage disks have bad sectors. However, the process may be more complex and time-consuming compared to recovering data from disks without bad sectors.

      In such cases, it is recommended to seek the assistance of professional data recovery services. These experts have specialized tools and techniques to recover data from disks with bad sectors. They can often repair or bypass the damaged areas of the disk to retrieve the data.

      It is important to note that attempting DIY data recovery on disks with bad sectors can potentially cause further damage and make the recovery process more difficult or even impossible.

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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 are the different file access levels available on the Thecus N8800 NAS system?

    The Thecus N8800 NAS system offers the following file access levels:

    1. Administrator: The highest level of access with full control over all system settings, including creating and managing user accounts, shared folders, and permissions.
    2. User: Standard user level with access to shared folders and files based on the permissions granted by the administrator. Users can create, modify, and delete files within their assigned folders.
    3. Guest: Limited access level that allows read-only access to shared folders and files. Guests cannot make any changes or modifications.
    4. Public: A special access level that allows unrestricted access to specific shared folders and files. Public folders are accessible to all users without the need for authentication.
    5. Group: Users can be assigned to specific groups, and group-level access can be configured for shared folders and files. This allows for easier management of permissions by assigning access to entire groups rather than individual users.

    These access levels can be customized and combined to create more granular access controls based on specific user requirements.

  • How can the file access levels be configured and managed on the Thecus N8800 NAS?

    The file access levels on Thecus N8800 NAS can be configured and managed through the following steps:

    1. Log in to the Thecus NAS web interface using the admin credentials.
    2. Once logged in, navigate to the "Access Rights Management" section.
    3. In the "Access Rights Management" section, you will find options to manage different aspects of file access, such as users, groups, and shared folders.
    4. To configure user access levels, go to the "User" tab and click on "Add" to create a new user or select an existing user to modify their access level.
    5. In the user settings, you can assign specific folders and set their access permissions (read, write, execute) for each folder.
    6. To configure group access levels, go to the "Group" tab and click on "Add" to create a new group or select an existing group to modify their access level.
    7. In the group settings, you can assign specific folders and set their access permissions for each folder. You can also add users to the group.
    8. To configure shared folder access levels, go to the "Shared Folder" tab and click on "Add" to create a new shared folder or select an existing shared folder to modify its access level.
    9. In the shared folder settings, you can set the access permissions for different users and groups. You can choose read-only, read/write, or no access for each user or group.
    10. After configuring the access levels, click on "Apply" or "Save" to save the changes.

    By following these steps, you can configure and manage file access levels on the Thecus N8800 NAS.

  • What are the security implications and considerations when setting file access levels on the Thecus N8800 NAS?

    When setting file access levels on Thecus N8800 NAS, there are several security implications and considerations to keep in mind:

    1. User Authentication: Ensure that strong passwords are used for user accounts and enforce regular password changes. This helps prevent unauthorized access to the NAS.
    2. User Permissions: Assign appropriate access levels to users based on their roles and responsibilities. Only grant necessary permissions to prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive files.
    3. Group Permissions: Utilize group permissions to simplify user management and ensure consistent access levels for users with similar roles or responsibilities.
    4. Access Control Lists (ACLs): Use ACLs to define fine-grained permissions for individual files and folders. This allows for more granular control over access rights.
    5. Guest Access: Disable guest access if it is not required. Guest accounts often have limited or no authentication, making them potential security risks.
    6. Encryption: Enable encryption for sensitive files and folders. This ensures that even if the NAS is compromised, the data remains protected.
    7. Firewall and Network Segmentation: Configure the NAS to operate behind a firewall and separate it from the public internet. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access from external sources.
    8. Regular Firmware Updates: Keep the NAS firmware up to date to address any security vulnerabilities that may be discovered over time.
    9. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Implement regular backups of critical data stored on the NAS to mitigate the risk of data loss due to hardware failure, accidental deletion, or ransomware attacks.
    10. Physical Security: Protect the NAS physically by placing it in a secure location. Limit physical access to authorized personnel only.
    11. Logging and Monitoring: Enable logging and monitoring features on the NAS to track access attempts, detect any suspicious activities, and respond promptly to potential security incidents.

    By considering these security implications and implementing appropriate measures, the file access levels on Thecus N8800 NAS can be set in a way that ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the stored data.

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