How to Extract Data from a RAID Disk When NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN102 is Not Starting

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.

How can regular data verification or checksum processes help maintain data integrity on NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN102 devices?

Regular data verification or checksum processes can help maintain data integrity on NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN102 devices by ensuring that the data stored on the device remains unchanged and accurate over time. Here's how these processes can help:

1. Data Verification: Regular data verification involves comparing the stored data with a known reference or backup to check for any discrepancies or errors. This process can be performed manually or automated using software tools. By regularly verifying the data, any potential corruption or data loss can be identified and addressed promptly.
2. Checksum Processes: Checksums are a mathematical algorithm that generates a unique value for a file or data set. By calculating and storing checksums for each file or data block on the ReadyNAS RN102, you can periodically compare these checksums to ensure the data's integrity. If the checksums do not match, it indicates that the data has been altered or corrupted.

Benefits of Regular Data Verification and Checksum Processes:

a. Detecting Data Corruption: Regular verification and checksum processes help identify any data corruption or changes that may have occurred due to hardware failures, software errors, or other factors. By detecting these issues early on, you can take appropriate measures to recover or restore the data.

b. Ensuring Data Accuracy: By comparing stored data with known references or checksums, you can ensure that the data remains accurate and unchanged. This is particularly important for critical data that must be preserved in its original form.

c. Preventing Silent Data Corruption: Silent data corruption refers to the scenario where data gets corrupted without any visible signs or error messages. Regular data verification and checksum processes can help uncover such silent corruption and prevent it from going undetected for an extended period.

d. Facilitating Data Recovery: In case of any data loss or corruption, having regular data verification and checksum processes in place can aid in the recovery process. By comparing the corrupted data with the known references or checksums, you can identify the extent of the damage and potentially recover the lost or corrupted data from backups or redundant copies.

Overall, regular data verification and checksum processes provide an extra layer of protection and assurance for maintaining data integrity on NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN102 devices.

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

Although NAS ReadyNAS RN102 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 RN102. 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 RN102 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• X-RAID;
• RAID 1;
• 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 RN102 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