- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN104
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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 Netgear 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 software bugs or glitches impact data integrity on NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN104 devices?
Software bugs or glitches can impact data integrity on NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN104 devices in several ways:
- Data corruption: Bugs or glitches in the software can cause data corruption, leading to the loss or modification of files stored on the device. This can result in data integrity issues, making the data unusable or unreliable.
- File system errors: Software bugs can introduce errors in the file system used by the NAS device. These errors can lead to file system inconsistencies, making it difficult to access or retrieve data from the device.
- Data loss: In some cases, software bugs or glitches can cause data loss on the NAS device. This can occur if the bug affects the device's ability to properly save or store data, leading to permanent loss of files or data.
- Data modification: Bugs or glitches can also result in unintended modifications to data stored on the NAS device. This can include changes to file content, metadata, or even file deletion. Such modifications can compromise the integrity and reliability of the stored data.
- Unreliable backups: NAS devices often provide backup functionality to protect data. However, software bugs can affect the backup process, resulting in incomplete or unreliable backups. This can impact data integrity if the backups cannot be used to restore data accurately.
To mitigate the impact of software bugs or glitches on data integrity, it is recommended to:
- Keep the NAS device's firmware and software up to date by regularly applying updates and patches provided by Netgear.
- Enable automatic software updates to ensure that any bug fixes or security patches are promptly applied.
- Regularly back up the data stored on the NAS device to an external storage or cloud-based backup solution.
- Monitor for any reported software bugs or glitches related to the specific NAS model and promptly apply any available fixes or workarounds.
- Implement RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) or other data redundancy measures to protect against data loss in case of hardware or software failures.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS ReadyNAS RN104 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Netgear ReadyNAS RN104. 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.
How to recover data from a Netgear
ReadyNAS RN104 has 4 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;
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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.
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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 Netgear ReadyNAS RN104 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
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
To recover data from an encrypted Netgear ReadyNAS RN104 device, you would typically need the encryption key or password that was set during the encryption process. Without the correct key or password, accessing the encrypted data would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.
It is important to note that encryption is designed to protect data, and without the proper credentials, recovering encrypted data can be challenging. It is recommended to keep the encryption key or password in a safe and secure location to ensure data recovery is possible when needed.