How to Extract Data from a RAID Disk When NAS Asustor DRIVESTOR 4 Fails to Power On

Contents

• Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
• How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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 Asustor also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.

Are there any recommended practices for protecting NAS Asustor DRIVESTOR 4 devices against physical theft or unauthorized access that can lead to data loss?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for protecting NAS Asustor DRIVESTOR 4 devices against physical theft or unauthorized access:

1. Physical security: Keep the device in a locked and secure location, such as a locked cabinet or a server room, to prevent physical theft.
2. Strong passwords: Set strong and unique passwords for the administrator account and all user accounts. Avoid using default or easily guessable passwords.
3. Two-factor authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for additional security. This adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second verification step, such as a code sent to your mobile device, in addition to the password.
4. Firmware updates: Regularly update the firmware of your Asustor DRIVESTOR 4 device to ensure that you have the latest security patches and bug fixes.
5. Network security: Secure your network by using a strong Wi-Fi password and enabling encryption (WPA2 or higher). Additionally, consider using a firewall and enabling network segmentation to isolate the NAS from the rest of your network.
6. Disable unnecessary services: Disable any unnecessary services or features on the NAS to reduce the attack surface. Only enable the services you actually need.
7. Backup your data: Regularly backup your data to an off-site location or to a cloud storage service. This will ensure that even if the NAS is stolen or compromised, your data remains safe.
8. User access control: Implement proper user access control by assigning specific permissions and access rights to individual users. Restrict access to sensitive data to only those who need it.
9. Enable audit logs: Enable and regularly review the audit logs on the NAS to detect any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities.
10. Regularly monitor and update security measures: Stay vigilant and keep up-to-date with the latest security practices and recommendations. Regularly review and update your security measures to adapt to new threats and vulnerabilities.

By following these recommended practices, you can significantly enhance the security of your Asustor DRIVESTOR 4 device and protect it against physical theft or unauthorized access.

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

Although NAS DRIVESTOR 4 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.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Asustor DRIVESTOR 4. 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.

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How to recover data from a Asustor

DRIVESTOR 4 has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 10;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• Ext2;
• Ext3;
• Ext4;

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 Tools – Save 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.

   

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.

   

Where are user’s files stored?

The Asustor DRIVESTOR 4 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