How to recover data from Digiever DS-16549-RM Pro+ 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 Digiever 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 recommended best practices for securely storing usernames and passwords on NAS Digiever DS-16549-RM Pro+ devices?

Yes, there are several recommended best practices for securely storing usernames and passwords on NAS Digiever DS-16549-RM Pro+ devices. Here are some of them:

1. Use strong and unique passwords: Ensure that you use strong passwords that are difficult to guess. Avoid using common passwords or easily guessable information like birthdates or names. Additionally, use a different password for each account to minimize the impact if one password is compromised.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA whenever possible to add an extra layer of security. This requires users to provide an additional verification method, such as a code sent to their mobile device, in addition to their username and password.
3. Regularly update firmware and software: Keep your NAS device's firmware and software up to date. Manufacturers often release updates to address security vulnerabilities, so it's important to install these updates as soon as they become available.
4. Disable unnecessary services: Disable any unnecessary services or features on the NAS device to reduce the attack surface. Only enable the services that are required for your specific use case.
5. Use strong encryption: Ensure that your data is encrypted both at rest and in transit. Enable encryption options provided by the NAS device, such as AES-256 encryption, to protect your data from unauthorized access.
6. Implement proper access controls: Assign appropriate access permissions to users and groups. Only grant access to the necessary files and folders, and regularly review and update these permissions as needed.
7. Regularly backup your data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that your data is protected in case of any unforeseen events, such as hardware failure or ransomware attacks. Store the backups in a secure location separate from the NAS device.
8. Physically secure the NAS device: Ensure that the NAS device is physically secured in a locked room or cabinet to prevent unauthorized physical access.
9. Educate users about security best practices: Train users on the importance of strong passwords, phishing awareness, and other security best practices. Regularly remind them to follow these practices to minimize the risk of security breaches.

It's important to note that these best practices are general recommendations and may need to be adapted based on your specific requirements and the capabilities of the NAS Digiever DS-16549-RM Pro+ device.

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

Although NAS DS-16549-RM Pro+ 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 Digiever DS-16549-RM Pro+. 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 Digiever

DS-16549-RM Pro+ has 16 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• 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 Digiever DS-16549-RM Pro+ 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