How to Avoid Data Loss on NAS D-Link DNR-322L and Recover Deleted Files Easily

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS D-Link DNR-322L
• 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 D-Link 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 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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

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

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 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison