====== NAS - QNAP - Recover RAID or move data from broken NAS ======

Most NAS brands run Linux as a backbone, so it is usually easy to recover data by connecting the disks from the NAS to a system running Linux.

----

===== Remove the drives from your NAS =====

<WRAP warning>
**IMPORTANT:**  Remember the order in which the disks were arranged in the NAS; as this may be needed for the recovery process.

  * It is usually good to place a sticker with the drive number onto each disk.
</WRAP>


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===== Connect the disks from the NAS to a PC running Ubuntu =====


Prepare a PC with enough hard drive slots available to install the hard drives from your NAS.

    * For RAID or SHR configurations, connect all the hard drives (excluding hard drives used as hot spares) to your computer at the same time.

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  Ensure the file system running on the hard drives of your NAS are EXT4 or Btrfs.

  * If the computer does not have enough SATA ports or power connectors; then use some power splitter adapters and expansion cards as needed.

If the NAS only had a single disk, then this disk should be immediately accessible and no further steps in these instructions are needed.
</WRAP>

----

===== Install mdadm =====

<code bash>
sudo apt-get install mdadm
</code>

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  When prompted for Postfix Configuration.

  * Select **No configuration** and complete the installation.

</WRAP>

----

===== Install lvm2 =====

<code bash>
sudo apt-get install lvm2
</code>

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:** This is needed for **vgchange**.
</WRAP>

----

===== Mount all of the hard drives =====

<code bash>
sudo mdadm -Asf && vgchange -ay
</code>

<WRAP info>
**NOTE:**  The files on the hard disks should be accessible.

  * **mdadm -Asf**:  Assemble a pre-existing array.  Scan config file or /proc/mdstat for missing information.  Insist that mdadm accept  the  geometry  and  layout  specified  without  question.
  * **vgchange -ay**:  To activate all known volume groups in the system.
</WRAP>