How to Prevent Data Loss on NAS Thecus N8880U and Retrieve Deleted Files Securely

Has your NAS Thecus N8880U 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?

How to Prevent Data Loss on NAS Thecus N8880U and Retrieve Deleted Files Securely

Thecus N8880U 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 N8880U. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

How to Prevent Data Loss on NAS Thecus N8880U and Retrieve Deleted Files Securely

RAID Recovery™ 2.8
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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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 user training or education help in minimizing data loss incidents on NAS Thecus N8880U devices?

User training or education can help in minimizing data loss incidents on NAS Thecus N8880U devices in the following ways:

  1. Understanding data backup: Users should be educated on the importance of regular data backups and how to perform them on the NAS device. This includes setting up scheduled backups, selecting appropriate backup destinations, and verifying the integrity of the backup data.
  2. Security best practices: Users should be trained on security best practices such as creating strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly updating the NAS firmware and software to protect against vulnerabilities.
  3. Access control and permissions: Users should be educated on how to set up access control and permissions to restrict unauthorized access to sensitive data. This includes creating user accounts with appropriate access levels and ensuring that only trusted individuals have administrative privileges.
  4. Network security: Users should be trained on network security measures such as enabling firewalls, configuring secure remote access protocols (e.g., VPN), and monitoring network traffic for any suspicious activities.
  5. Data encryption: Users should be educated on the importance of data encryption to protect sensitive information stored on the NAS device. This includes enabling encryption for shared folders and implementing secure transmission protocols (e.g., HTTPS) for remote access.
  6. Regular maintenance and monitoring: Users should be trained on performing regular maintenance tasks such as checking for firmware updates, monitoring system logs for any anomalies, and ensuring that the NAS device has sufficient storage capacity to avoid data loss due to disk failures.
  7. Disaster recovery planning: Users should be educated on disaster recovery planning, including creating backup strategies, documenting recovery procedures, and testing the recovery process to ensure data can be restored in case of a data loss incident.

Overall, user training and education can empower users to take proactive measures to protect their data and minimize the risk of data loss incidents on NAS devices like Thecus N8880U.

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

Although the NAS N8880U 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.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Thecus N8880U. 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

How to recover data from a Thecus

N8880U 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;

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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Choose a disk or save the image via FTP

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The Thecus N8880U 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

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We will be happy to answer your questions!

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 N8880U, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Job Aitchison
    Job Aitchison 13.09.2023 01:42 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS Thecus N8880U device be done if the device is showing signs of network congestion or bandwidth issues?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 13.09.2023 03:00 #

      Yes, data recovery from a NAS device like Thecus N8880U can still be possible even if the device is experiencing network congestion or bandwidth issues. In such cases, the data recovery process might be slower or more challenging due to the limitations in network speed, but it can still be done.

      One approach to recover the data is to connect the NAS device directly to a computer using an Ethernet cable, bypassing the network congestion. This allows for a more direct and faster data transfer between the NAS and the computer, improving the chances of successful data recovery.

      Another option is to use specialized data recovery software or services that can handle network-related issues. These tools are designed to optimize data recovery processes in situations where network performance is compromised.

      It's important to note that if the NAS device is experiencing hardware failures or other issues unrelated to network congestion, data recovery may require professional assistance from data recovery experts or specialized services.

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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 key data security features offered by the NAS Thecus N8880U?

    The Thecus N8880U NAS offers several key data security features, including:

    1. RAID Support: The NAS supports various RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, and JBOD) to protect data against drive failures and provide redundancy.
    2. AES 256-bit Encryption: The NAS supports hardware-accelerated AES 256-bit encryption, which ensures that data stored on the drives is securely encrypted and protected from unauthorized access.
    3. Data Deduplication: Thecus N8880U NAS includes data deduplication technology, which eliminates redundant data and optimizes storage capacity while reducing backup time and network bandwidth requirements.
    4. Antivirus Protection: The NAS comes with built-in antivirus software that scans files and folders for malware, preventing the spread of viruses and other malicious threats across the network.
    5. Data Backup and Disaster Recovery: The NAS supports various backup options, including scheduled backups, remote replication, and cloud backup, ensuring that data is regularly backed up and can be easily restored in case of data loss or system failure.
    6. Access Control and User Management: The NAS provides comprehensive access control and user management features, allowing administrators to create multiple user accounts with different access privileges, ensuring that only authorized users can access specific data or folders.
    7. Secure Remote Access: Thecus N8880U NAS supports secure remote access protocols such as FTPS, SFTP, and HTTPS, enabling users to access their data securely from anywhere over the internet.
    8. IP Camera Surveillance: The NAS offers IP camera surveillance support, allowing users to connect and manage IP cameras for video surveillance purposes. It includes features like motion detection, event notifications, and recording schedules to enhance security.
    9. Network Security: The NAS supports various network security protocols, including HTTPS, IP blocking, and network access protection, ensuring that the network and data transmission are secure from external threats.
    10. Data Wiping and Recycle Bin: The NAS includes data wiping features that securely erase data from drives, making it unrecoverable. Additionally, it has a recycle bin feature to prevent accidental deletion of files, allowing users to restore them if needed.

    These are some of the key data security features offered by the Thecus N8880U NAS, providing robust protection and ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of stored data.

  • How does the NAS Thecus N8880U ensure data protection against unauthorized access or data breaches?

    The NAS Thecus N8880U ensures data protection against unauthorized access or data breaches through several security measures:

    1. User Authentication: The N8880U supports various user authentication methods, including local user accounts, LDAP, and Active Directory. This ensures that only authorized users can access the data stored on the NAS.
    2. Access Control: The NAS provides granular access control settings, allowing administrators to define user permissions and restrict access to specific folders or files. This prevents unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data.
    3. Data Encryption: The N8880U supports AES 256-bit volume-based encryption, which encrypts the entire contents of the NAS. This protects the data even if the hard drives are physically stolen or accessed by unauthorized individuals.
    4. Firewall and IP Blocking: The NAS includes a built-in firewall that can be configured to block unauthorized access attempts. It also supports IP blocking, allowing administrators to blacklist specific IP addresses or ranges to prevent unauthorized access.
    5. Secure Remote Access: The N8880U supports secure remote access methods such as SSL/TLS encryption and VPN (Virtual Private Network) connections. These technologies ensure that data transmitted between the NAS and remote devices is encrypted and secure.
    6. Antivirus and Antimalware: The NAS can be equipped with antivirus and antimalware software to scan files for potential threats. This helps prevent data breaches caused by malicious software.
    7. RAID Protection: The N8880U supports various RAID configurations, such as RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and JBOD. RAID provides data redundancy, ensuring that data remains accessible even if a hard drive fails. This protects against data loss and helps maintain data integrity.
    8. Backup and Snapshot: The NAS supports scheduled backups and snapshot technology. Regular backups help protect against data loss, while snapshots allow for point-in-time recovery in case of accidental file modifications or deletions.
    9. Auditing and Logging: The N8880U logs user activities, including login attempts, file access, and system changes. These logs can be reviewed to detect any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities.

    Overall, the combination of user authentication, access control, encryption, firewall, remote access security, antivirus protection, RAID, backups, and auditing features ensure comprehensive data protection against unauthorized access or data breaches on the NAS Thecus N8880U.

  • Can you explain the encryption capabilities and protocols supported by the NAS Thecus N8880U to safeguard sensitive data?

    The Thecus N8880U is a network-attached storage (NAS) device that offers several encryption capabilities and protocols to safeguard sensitive data. These encryption features are designed to provide data security and prevent unauthorized access. Here are some of the encryption capabilities and protocols supported by the Thecus N8880U:

    1. RAID Encryption: The NAS supports RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) encryption, which allows you to encrypt the data stored on the hard drives. This ensures that even if the drives are removed or stolen, the data remains encrypted and inaccessible without the encryption key.
    2. AES 256-bit Encryption: Thecus N8880U supports Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with a key length of 256 bits. AES is a widely recognized and highly secure encryption algorithm used by governments and organizations worldwide.
    3. SSL/TLS Encryption: The NAS supports Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption protocols for secure communication between the NAS and client devices. This ensures that data transmitted over the network is encrypted and protected from eavesdropping or tampering.
    4. VPN Support: The Thecus N8880U can act as a VPN (Virtual Private Network) server, allowing secure remote access to the NAS over the internet. VPNs encrypt the data traffic between the client device and the NAS, ensuring secure access to sensitive data from anywhere.
    5. Network Data Encryption: The NAS supports various network protocols such as SMB/CIFS, AFP, and NFS, which can be configured to use encryption for data transmission over the network. This adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized interception of data.
    6. Self-Encrypting Drives (SED): Thecus N8880U is compatible with Self-Encrypting Drives, which are hard drives that have built-in hardware encryption capabilities. SEDs automatically encrypt the data stored on the drive, providing an additional layer of security.
    7. User and Group Permissions: The NAS allows you to set granular user and group permissions, ensuring that only authorized users have access to specific files or folders. This helps protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.

    It's important to note that while the Thecus N8880U provides various encryption capabilities and protocols, the actual security of the data also depends on the strength of the encryption keys, proper configuration, and user practices, such as using strong passwords and regularly updating firmware and software.