How to recover data from D-Link DNS-323 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.

How can a NAS D-Link DNS-323 device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?

The power management settings on a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the D-Link DNS-323 can have a significant impact on data availability and potential loss. Here are a few ways power management settings can affect data:

1. Drive Spindown: NAS devices often have a power-saving feature that automatically spins down the hard drives when not in use. While this helps save power, it can increase the time it takes to access data when the drives need to spin up again. If the NAS is configured to spin down the drives too frequently or for extended periods, it can result in slower performance and delays in accessing data.
2. Sleep Mode: Some NAS devices have a sleep mode that puts the entire device into a low-power state after a certain period of inactivity. While this can save power, it also means the NAS is not readily available for data access. If the sleep mode is set too aggressively or without considering the usage patterns, it can lead to data unavailability when needed urgently.
3. Network Connectivity: Power management settings can also affect network connectivity. For example, if the NAS device enters sleep mode or powers down the network interface during periods of inactivity, it may not respond to network requests. This can result in data unavailability and potential loss if the NAS is not accessible when needed.
4. Scheduled Backups and Maintenance: Power management settings can impact scheduled backups and maintenance tasks. If the NAS is set to power down or enter sleep mode during scheduled backup or maintenance windows, it can disrupt these critical operations. This can lead to incomplete backups, missed maintenance tasks, and potential data loss or corruption.

To mitigate the impact of power management settings on data availability and potential loss, it is important to carefully configure these settings based on the specific needs and usage patterns of the NAS. It is recommended to strike a balance between power-saving and data accessibility, ensuring that the NAS remains responsive when needed while still saving power during periods of inactivity. Regular backups and monitoring of the NAS's power management behavior can also help identify any issues or potential risks.

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

Although NAS DNS-323 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 DNS-323. 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

DNS-323 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 DNS-323 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