How to recover data from Asustor LOCKERSTOR 12RD NAS

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 specific network security measures to implement for safeguarding NAS Asustor LOCKERSTOR 12RD devices against data loss?

Yes, there are several network security measures that you can implement to safeguard NAS Asustor LOCKERSTOR 12RD devices against data loss. Here are some important ones:

1. Use strong passwords: Set strong and unique passwords for all user accounts, including the admin account. Avoid using default or easily guessable passwords.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Implement 2FA to add an extra layer of security. This requires users to provide a second form of authentication, such as a code generated on a mobile device, in addition to their password.
3. Regularly update firmware: Keep the firmware of your NAS device up to date with the latest security patches and updates. This helps protect against known vulnerabilities.
4. Disable unnecessary services: Disable any unnecessary services or protocols that are not required for your specific needs. This reduces the attack surface and minimizes the risk of unauthorized access.
5. Use firewall rules: Configure firewall rules to restrict access to your NAS device from external networks. Only allow necessary ports and protocols to communicate with the device.
6. Implement network segmentation: Separate your NAS device from other network devices by implementing network segmentation. This prevents unauthorized access to the NAS from other compromised devices on the network.
7. Regularly backup data: Implement a robust backup strategy to regularly backup your data. This ensures that even if the NAS device is compromised or experiences data loss, you can restore your important files and data.
8. Encrypt data: Enable encryption for sensitive data stored on the NAS device. This adds an extra layer of protection in case of unauthorized access or physical theft of the device.
9. Monitor and log activities: Enable logging and monitoring features on the NAS device to keep track of any suspicious activities. Regularly review the logs to detect any potential security breaches.
10. Educate users: Train and educate users on best practices for network security, including strong password management, avoiding phishing emails, and being cautious while accessing the NAS device remotely.

By implementing these network security measures, you can enhance the protection of your NAS Asustor LOCKERSTOR 12RD devices against data loss and unauthorized access.

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

Although NAS LOCKERSTOR 12RD 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 LOCKERSTOR 12RD. 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

LOCKERSTOR 12RD has 12 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:

• 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 LOCKERSTOR 12RD 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