- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Thecus N8900
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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 N8900 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, such as Thecus N8900, can significantly impact data transfer and potential loss in the following ways:
- Data Transfer Speed: A higher network throughput allows for faster data transfer between the NAS device and connected devices on the network. This means that large files or backups can be transferred more quickly, reducing the time required for data transfer.
- Concurrent Connections: The network throughput capacity determines the number of simultaneous connections that the NAS device can handle efficiently. If the bandwidth capacity is low, it may lead to slower data transfer speeds and delays when multiple users are accessing or transferring data simultaneously.
- Latency and Response Time: Insufficient network throughput can result in increased latency and slower response times when accessing files or performing operations on the NAS device. This can impact productivity and user experience, especially in scenarios where real-time access to data is crucial.
- Potential Data Loss: If the network throughput is not sufficient to handle the data transfer requirements, it may lead to data loss or corruption. In scenarios where large files or backups are being transferred, a slow or unstable network connection can increase the chances of data loss due to interruptions or incomplete transfers.
- Network Bottlenecks: A NAS device with low network throughput can create bottlenecks in the network infrastructure, especially if it is connected to other devices or servers that require high-speed data transfer. This can affect the overall network performance and cause congestion, leading to slower data transfer speeds for all connected devices.
To mitigate these issues, it is important to ensure that the NAS device's network throughput or bandwidth capacity is sufficient for the intended usage. This can be achieved by using high-speed network interfaces (such as Gigabit Ethernet or 10 Gigabit Ethernet), optimizing network settings, and considering network upgrades if necessary.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS N8900 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Thecus N8900. 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.
How to recover data from a Thecus
N8900 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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.
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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 N8900 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 |
No, data recovery from a NAS device like Thecus N8900 cannot be done if the storage disks have been physically removed or replaced. Data recovery typically relies on accessing the original storage media to retrieve lost or deleted data. If the disks have been removed or replaced, the original data is no longer accessible, making recovery difficult or impossible. It is always recommended to back up important data to prevent loss in such situations.