What to Do When Your NAS Thecus N8900V RAID Array Fails: Recovery Guide

When your ⭐ NAS RAID array breaks, use these steps to recover your data and bring your system back online.

What to Do When Your NAS Thecus N8900V RAID Array Fails: Recovery Guide

Thecus N8900V NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from N8900V.

What to Do When Your NAS Thecus N8900V RAID Array Fails: Recovery Guide

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.

How can quality of service (QoS) settings impact data transfer reliability on NAS Thecus N8900V devices?

Quality of Service (QoS) settings can have a significant impact on data transfer reliability on NAS Thecus N8900V devices. Here's how:

  1. Bandwidth Allocation: QoS settings allow you to prioritize bandwidth allocation for different types of traffic. By allocating sufficient bandwidth to data transfer, you ensure that it gets enough resources to operate reliably. Without QoS, other network activities like streaming or browsing may consume most of the bandwidth, leading to data transfer issues.
  2. Traffic Prioritization: QoS settings enable you to prioritize data transfer traffic over other less critical network activities. This ensures that data transfer packets are given higher priority and are not delayed or dropped due to congestion. Prioritizing data transfer traffic enhances reliability by minimizing the chances of packet loss or latency.
  3. Traffic Shaping: QoS settings allow you to shape the traffic flow, limiting the bandwidth for certain applications or users. By shaping the traffic, you can prevent any single application or user from overwhelming the network and affecting data transfer reliability. This ensures fair distribution of resources and avoids network congestion.
  4. Packet Prioritization: QoS settings enable you to prioritize packets based on their importance. For example, you can prioritize TCP/IP packets over UDP packets or prioritize packets from specific applications or protocols. Prioritizing important packets ensures that they are delivered in a timely manner, reducing the chances of data transfer failures or errors.
  5. Congestion Control: QoS settings help in controlling network congestion by managing the flow of data. When congestion occurs, QoS mechanisms can prioritize and manage traffic to prevent data transfer reliability issues. By intelligently managing congestion, QoS settings ensure that data transfer is not adversely affected, even during peak usage periods.

Overall, QoS settings on Thecus N8900V devices play a crucial role in optimizing network resources, prioritizing data transfer traffic, and ensuring reliable data transfer. By properly configuring and utilizing QoS settings, you can enhance the performance and reliability of data transfers on NAS devices.

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

Although NAS N8900V 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 N8900V. 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.

Go to view
How to recover data from a Thecus

How to recover data from a Thecus

N8900V 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 N8900V 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 N8900V, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Carl Shepherd-Barron
    Carl Shepherd-Barron 14.09.2023 03:54 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS Thecus N8900V device be done if the disks have been reformatted?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 14.09.2023 05:00 #

      It is generally possible to recover data from a NAS device even if the disks have been reformatted. However, the success of data recovery depends on several factors such as the extent of formatting, the file system used, and the actions taken after formatting.

      If the disks have been quick-formatted or only the file system has been changed, the data might still be recoverable using specialized data recovery software. In such cases, the file system structures are usually intact, and the software can scan for and recover the files.

      However, if the disks have been fully formatted or overwritten with new data, the chances of successful data recovery decrease significantly. When a disk is fully formatted, the file system structures and data are usually erased, making it much more difficult to recover the original files.

      It is important to note that attempting data recovery yourself can be risky and may further damage the data. It is recommended to consult a professional data recovery service that specializes in NAS devices to maximize the chances of successful recovery.

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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

  • How does the NAS Thecus N8900V perform as a database server in terms of speed and reliability?

    The NAS Thecus N8900V is designed to perform as a high-performance storage solution, but its performance as a database server may vary depending on several factors.

    In terms of speed, the N8900V is equipped with a powerful Intel Xeon processor and supports up to 32GB of RAM. These hardware specifications can provide good processing power for running database applications. Additionally, the N8900V supports multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, and JBOD, which can enhance data read/write speeds and overall performance.

    However, it's important to note that the performance of a database server also depends on the specific database software being used and the complexity of the queries being executed. If the database software is optimized for multi-threading and can take advantage of the available processing power and RAM, the N8900V can perform well as a database server.

    In terms of reliability, the N8900V features redundant power supplies, which can help ensure continuous operation even if one power supply fails. It also supports hot-swappable hard drives, allowing for easy replacement in case of a drive failure without interrupting the server's operation.

    Overall, the NAS Thecus N8900V can provide good speed and reliability as a database server, but its performance can be further enhanced by optimizing the database software and properly configuring the RAID setup.

  • What are the key features and specifications of the NAS Thecus N8900V that make it suitable for use as a database server?

    The Thecus N8900V is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device that offers several key features and specifications that make it suitable for use as a database server. These include:

    1. High Performance: The N8900V is equipped with a powerful Intel Xeon E3-1275 quad-core processor and 8GB of DDR3 ECC RAM, providing excellent performance for database processing and handling multiple concurrent connections.
    2. Storage Capacity: The NAS supports up to eight 3.5" or 2.5" SATA hard drives, allowing for a large amount of storage capacity. This is essential for storing and managing large databases that require significant disk space.
    3. RAID Support: The N8900V supports various RAID levels (0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, JBOD) to ensure data redundancy and protection. RAID configurations help prevent data loss in case of drive failures, which is crucial for maintaining database integrity.
    4. High-Speed Connectivity: It features dual Gigabit Ethernet ports with load balancing and failover support, ensuring reliable and high-speed network connectivity. This is important for handling the heavy network traffic generated by a database server.
    5. Expansion Options: The NAS offers multiple expansion slots, including PCIe Gen2 x8 and PCI slots, allowing for the addition of expansion cards to enhance functionality. This enables the integration of additional network interfaces or storage connectivity options, such as SAS or 10GbE cards, to meet specific database server requirements.
    6. Advanced Data Protection: The N8900V supports data backup and disaster recovery features, including snapshot technology, replication, and cloud backup integration. These features help ensure data availability, minimize downtime, and protect against data loss or corruption.
    7. Scalability: The N8900V is designed to be scalable, allowing for easy expansion of storage capacity as database needs grow. It supports Thecus's stackable storage architecture, enabling the connection of multiple units to create a larger storage pool.
    8. Flexible Operating System: The NAS runs on Thecus's proprietary operating system, ThecusOS, which provides a user-friendly interface and a wide range of applications and services. It also supports various database server software, such as MySQL or Microsoft SQL Server, allowing for flexibility in choosing the appropriate database platform.

    Overall, the combination of high performance, storage capacity, data protection features, and expandability makes the Thecus N8900V a suitable choice for use as a reliable and efficient database server.

  • Are there any limitations or potential challenges when using the NAS Thecus N8900V as a database server, such as compatibility with specific database management systems or scalability issues?

    The Thecus N8900V is a powerful network-attached storage (NAS) device that can be used as a database server. However, there are some limitations and potential challenges to consider:

    1. Compatibility with specific database management systems (DBMS): The Thecus N8900V runs on a Linux-based operating system and supports various DBMS such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. However, it may not support all DBMS options available in the market. It is essential to check the compatibility of your preferred DBMS with the NAS before implementation.
    2. Scalability: The scalability of the Thecus N8900V as a database server depends on the specific requirements of your application. While the NAS itself can handle a significant amount of data and concurrent connections, it may have limitations in terms of storage capacity and processing power. If your database requirements grow significantly over time, you may need to consider additional hardware or a more robust database server solution.
    3. Performance: The performance of the Thecus N8900V as a database server can be affected by factors such as the number of concurrent users, the complexity of database queries, and the size of the database. While the NAS has a powerful CPU and ample memory, it may not match the performance of dedicated database servers. It is crucial to benchmark and monitor the performance to ensure it meets your application's requirements.
    4. High Availability and Redundancy: Thecus N8900V offers some redundancy features like RAID configurations and hot-swappable drives. However, it may not provide advanced high availability features like database clustering or automatic failover. If high availability is critical for your database server, you may need to implement additional solutions or consider a dedicated database server setup.
    5. Support and Community: The Thecus N8900V has a community of users and support documentation available, but it may not have the same level of support and resources as enterprise-grade database server solutions. If you encounter any issues or need assistance, you may have limited options for professional support.

    It is important to thoroughly evaluate your specific database requirements, scalability needs, and support expectations before using the Thecus N8900V as a database server. Consider consulting with database administrators or IT professionals to determine if it is the right solution for your use case.

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