How to Extract Data from a RAID Disk When NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN2120 Does Not Power On

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN2120
• 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 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 data fragmentation impact data availability and potential loss on NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN2120 devices?

Data fragmentation can have several impacts on data availability and potential loss on NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN2120 devices:

1. Reduced performance: Fragmentation occurs when files are split into smaller pieces and scattered across different locations on the storage media. This can lead to slower read and write speeds as the device needs to search and access multiple fragments to retrieve a file. Consequently, the overall performance of the NAS device may be significantly reduced.
2. Increased disk space usage: Fragmentation can also result in wasted disk space. When files are fragmented, the NAS device may allocate additional space to accommodate the scattered fragments. This can lead to inefficient disk utilization and a decrease in available storage capacity.
3. Higher risk of data loss: Fragmentation increases the risk of data loss or corruption. If a file is spread across multiple fragments, the failure of a single fragment or disk can make the entire file inaccessible. Additionally, fragmented data is more susceptible to data corruption due to disk errors or power outages. The scattered nature of fragmented data makes it difficult for the NAS device to recover or repair corrupted files.
4. Longer data recovery time: In case of data loss or disk failure, the process of recovering fragmented data can be more time-consuming and complex. The NAS device needs to locate and reconstruct the scattered fragments, which can prolong the data recovery process and increase the downtime for accessing critical data.

To mitigate the impact of data fragmentation on NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN2120 devices, it is recommended to regularly defragment the storage drives. Defragmentation rearranges the fragmented data and consolidates it into contiguous blocks, improving performance, disk space utilization, and reducing the risk of data loss. Additionally, implementing regular backups and RAID configurations can provide an extra layer of protection against data loss in case of disk failures.

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

Although the NAS ReadyNAS RN2120 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 Netgear ReadyNAS RN2120. 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 Netgear

ReadyNAS RN2120 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:

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 Netgear ReadyNAS RN2120 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