How to Avoid Data Loss on NAS D-Link DNS-323 and Recover Files That Were Erased

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS D-Link DNS-323
• 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.

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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS DNS-323 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 DNS-323. 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

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;

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 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison