How to recover data from D-Link DNR-322L 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 D-Link 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 guidelines for configuring security settings on NAS D-Link DNR-322L devices to prevent unauthorized access and potential data loss?

Yes, there are several guidelines you can follow to configure security settings on the D-Link DNR-322L NAS device to prevent unauthorized access and potential data loss. Here are some recommendations:

1. Change the default administrator password: The first and foremost step is to change the default password for the administrator account. Choose a strong, unique password that includes a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
2. Enable firewall: Enable the built-in firewall on the NAS device to restrict unauthorized access. Configure the firewall to only allow necessary services and block all other incoming connections.
3. Update firmware: Regularly check for firmware updates provided by D-Link and apply them to ensure that any security vulnerabilities are patched.
4. Disable unnecessary services: Disable any unused or unnecessary services on the NAS device to reduce the attack surface. Only enable the services that are required for your specific needs.
5. Enable access controls: Utilize the access control features provided by the NAS device to restrict access to authorized users only. Create separate user accounts with strong passwords and assign appropriate access privileges.
6. Enable network encryption: Use encryption protocols such as SSL/TLS to secure network communications between the NAS device and connected clients. This prevents eavesdropping and data tampering.
7. Regularly backup data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that your data is securely backed up and can be restored in case of any data loss or unauthorized access.
8. Disable remote access if not required: If you do not require remote access to the NAS device, disable this feature to minimize the risk of unauthorized access from external networks.
9. Regularly monitor logs: Monitor the system logs of the NAS device to detect any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts. Take appropriate actions if any anomalies are identified.
10. Secure physical access: Ensure that the NAS device is physically secured in a locked room or cabinet to prevent unauthorized physical access.

It's important to note that these are general guidelines, and the specific steps may vary depending on the firmware version and configuration options available on your D-Link DNR-322L NAS device. Always refer to the device's user manual or consult with D-Link support for detailed instructions.

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

Although NAS DNR-322L 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 D-Link DNR-322L. 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 D-Link

DNR-322L has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
• NTFS / ReFS;
• APFS / HFS+;
• Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
• VMFS / HikvisionFS;

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 D-Link DNR-322L 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