How to recover data from Netgear ReadyNAS RN3130 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.

How can regular software updates and patches enhance the security and stability of NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN3130 devices?

Regular software updates and patches can enhance the security and stability of NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN3130 devices in the following ways:

1. Security Fixes: Software updates and patches often include security fixes that address vulnerabilities and exploits discovered in the system. By regularly updating the software, you ensure that any known security issues are patched, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches.
2. Bug Fixes: Updates and patches also address software bugs and stability issues. These fixes can improve the overall performance and reliability of the NAS device, ensuring smooth operation and minimizing the risk of crashes or system failures.
3. Compatibility Updates: Software updates may include compatibility updates to ensure that the NAS device remains compatible with the latest operating systems, network protocols, and hardware. This helps to maintain seamless integration with other devices and systems in your network, reducing potential compatibility issues.
4. New Features and Functionality: Updates may introduce new features and functionality to the NAS device, enhancing its capabilities and usability. However, it is important to carefully review and evaluate these new features to ensure they align with your security and operational requirements.
5. Security Best Practices: Software updates and patches often incorporate security best practices and industry standards. By keeping your NAS device up to date, you benefit from the latest security measures implemented by the manufacturer, reducing the risk of security breaches and ensuring compliance with security standards.

To maximize the security and stability benefits of software updates and patches, it is recommended to:

• Enable automatic updates or regularly check for updates from the manufacturer's website.
• Keep track of security advisories and notifications from Netgear regarding vulnerabilities and patches.
• Test updates in a controlled environment before deploying them to production systems.
• Regularly back up your data to ensure data integrity during the update process.
• Follow proper update procedures provided by Netgear, including any required pre-update or post-update steps.

By following these practices and keeping your NAS device up to date, you can enhance its security and stability, ensuring the protection of your data and the smooth operation of your network storage.

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

Although NAS ReadyNAS RN3130 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 RN3130. 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 RN3130 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;

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 RN3130 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