Preventing Data Loss on NAS Thecus N8910 and Recovering Deleted Files: Complete Manual

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Thecus N8910
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

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 N8910 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 like Thecus N8910 can significantly affect data transfer and potential loss in the following ways:

1. Data Transfer Speed: A higher network throughput or bandwidth capacity allows for faster data transfer rates 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.
2. Concurrent Connections: The network throughput capacity determines the number of concurrent connections that the NAS device can handle simultaneously. If the bandwidth capacity is limited, it may lead to slower data transfer speeds or even connection drops when multiple users or devices are accessing the NAS simultaneously.
3. Potential Data Loss: Insufficient network throughput can result in data loss or corruption during data transfer. If the available bandwidth is not enough to handle the data being transferred, packets may be dropped or corrupted, leading to incomplete or damaged files on the NAS.
4. Backup and Recovery: A higher network throughput allows for faster backup and recovery operations. If the bandwidth capacity is limited, it may take longer to back up or restore data, increasing the risk of potential data loss in case of system failures or disasters.
5. Remote Access and Streaming: Network throughput also affects the performance of remote access and media streaming from the NAS device. Insufficient bandwidth can cause buffering or lagging issues while streaming media or accessing files remotely, degrading the user experience.

To mitigate these potential issues, it is essential to ensure that the network infrastructure, including routers, switches, and network cables, can support the desired network throughput. Additionally, optimizing network settings, such as using link aggregation or Quality of Service (QoS) features, can help prioritize and allocate bandwidth effectively to prevent data transfer bottlenecks or potential loss.

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

Although the NAS N8910 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.

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   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 N8910. 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.

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How to recover data from a Thecus

N8910 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.

   

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.

   

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The Thecus N8910 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