How to Avoid Data Loss on NAS D-Link DSN-2100-10 and Recover Deleted Files Quickly

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS D-Link DSN-2100-10
• 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 DSN-2100-10 device's caching policy impact data loss risks?

The caching policy of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the D-Link DSN-2100-10 can impact data loss risks in the following ways:

1. Write Caching: Write caching is a feature that temporarily stores write operations in cache memory before writing them to the actual storage disks. While write caching can improve performance by reducing disk I/O, it also introduces a risk of data loss in case of a power outage or system failure. If the cached data has not been written to the disks, it can be lost. To mitigate this risk, the NAS device should have a battery backup unit (BBU) or a mechanism to flush the cache to disk during power loss.
2. Read Caching: Read caching involves storing frequently accessed data in cache memory to speed up subsequent read operations. While read caching generally doesn't pose a direct risk of data loss, it can impact data integrity if the cache becomes inconsistent with the actual data on the disks. This can occur if the NAS device experiences a sudden failure or if the cache is not properly synchronized with the underlying storage. To minimize this risk, the NAS device should have mechanisms to ensure cache consistency and data integrity.
3. RAID Configuration: The D-Link DSN-2100-10 supports various RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations for data redundancy and protection against disk failures. The choice of RAID level and configuration can impact data loss risks. For example, RAID 0 offers high performance but no data redundancy, meaning a single disk failure can result in data loss. On the other hand, RAID 1 or RAID 5 provide varying levels of data redundancy, reducing the risk of data loss in case of disk failures. It is crucial to choose an appropriate RAID configuration based on the desired balance between performance and data protection.

In summary, the caching policy of a NAS device like the D-Link DSN-2100-10 can impact data loss risks by introducing potential vulnerabilities during write caching, cache consistency, and RAID configuration. Proper configuration, including battery backup for write caching, cache consistency mechanisms, and appropriate RAID levels, can help mitigate these risks and ensure data integrity and protection.

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

Although the NAS DSN-2100-10 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 DSN-2100-10. 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

DSN-2100-10 has 8 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 10;
• 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 DSN-2100-10 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