How to recover data from Netgear ReadyNAS EDA500 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 Netgear 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 specific network security measures to implement for safeguarding NAS Netgear ReadyNAS EDA500 devices against data loss?

Yes, there are several network security measures you can implement to safeguard NAS Netgear ReadyNAS EDA500 devices against data loss. Here are some recommendations:

1. Regularly update firmware: Keep the firmware of your NAS device up to date with the latest security patches and bug fixes released by Netgear. This ensures that any known vulnerabilities are addressed.
2. Strong passwords: Set strong and unique passwords for all user accounts on the NAS device, including the administrator account. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable passwords like "password" or "123456".
3. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA on your NAS device if it supports this feature. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a second form of authentication, such as a code generated by a mobile app, in addition to their password.
4. Firewall and network segmentation: Configure a firewall on your network to restrict access to the NAS device from unauthorized sources. Additionally, consider segmenting your network to isolate the NAS device from other devices, ensuring that even if one device is compromised, it does not affect the others.
5. Disable unnecessary services: Disable any unnecessary services or protocols on the NAS device to reduce the attack surface. Only enable the services that are required for your specific use case.
6. Regular backups: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that your data is protected in case of hardware failure, accidental deletion, or a security breach. Consider using both on-site and off-site backups for added redundancy.
7. User access control: Implement granular user access control on the NAS device, allowing only authorized users to access specific files or folders. Regularly review and update user permissions to ensure that only necessary access is granted.
8. Network monitoring: Implement network monitoring tools to detect any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts. This can help you identify potential security threats and take appropriate actions in a timely manner.
9. Data encryption: Enable encryption for sensitive data stored on the NAS device. This ensures that even if the device is physically stolen or accessed by unauthorized individuals, the data remains encrypted and inaccessible without the encryption key.
10. Regular security audits: Conduct regular security audits of your NAS device to identify any vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. This can be done by using security scanning tools or hiring a professional to perform a thorough assessment.

By implementing these network security measures, you can significantly enhance the protection of your NAS Netgear ReadyNAS EDA500 devices against data loss.

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

Although NAS ReadyNAS EDA500 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 Netgear ReadyNAS EDA500. 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 Netgear

ReadyNAS EDA500 has 5 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• X-RAID;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• Ext2;
• Ext3;
• Ext4;
• Btrfs;

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 Netgear ReadyNAS EDA500 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