How to Extract Data from a RAID Disk When NAS ZyXel NSA310s is Not Launching

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS ZyXel NSA310s
• 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 ZyXel 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.

Are there any known limitations or performance bottlenecks that can increase data loss risks for NAS ZyXel NSA310s devices?

There are a few known limitations and performance bottlenecks that can increase data loss risks for NAS ZyXel NSA310s devices:

1. Hardware limitations: The ZyXel NSA310s is a relatively older NAS device with limited hardware capabilities. It has a slower processor and less RAM compared to newer models. This can result in slower data transfer speeds and may affect the overall performance of the device.
2. Limited storage capacity: The NSA310s has a limited storage capacity, typically up to 4TB. If the device reaches its maximum storage capacity, it may lead to data loss risks if there is no additional storage available for backups or expansion.
3. Lack of redundancy: The NSA310s does not offer built-in redundancy features like RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks). RAID provides data redundancy by storing data across multiple drives, ensuring that data is not lost if one drive fails. Without RAID or other redundancy mechanisms, a drive failure can result in data loss.
4. Limited backup options: The NSA310s may have limited backup options available, especially when it comes to offsite or cloud backups. This can increase the risk of data loss if there is a failure or disaster at the physical location where the NAS device is located.
5. Limited software support: As the NSA310s is an older model, it may have limited software support and updates from the manufacturer. This can result in potential security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues, which can increase the risk of data loss due to unauthorized access or software failures.

To mitigate these risks, it is recommended to regularly backup data to external storage or cloud services, monitor the device's storage capacity, and consider upgrading to a newer NAS device with better performance and more robust features.

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

Although the NAS NSA310s 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 ZyXel NSA310s. 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 ZyXel

NSA310s has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• None 0;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• Ext2;
• Ext3;
• Ext4;

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 ZyXel NSA310s 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