- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS TerraMaster D2-300 D2 Clone
- 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 TerraMaster 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.
Are there any preventive measures to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS TerraMaster D2-300 D2 Clone devices?
Yes, there are several preventive measures you can take to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS TerraMaster D2-300 D2 Clone devices:
- Regular Backup: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that your data is backed up on another storage device or cloud storage. This will help you recover your data in case of any data loss or device failure.
- RAID Configuration: Configure your NAS device in RAID mode, such as RAID 1 or RAID 5, which provides data redundancy. This means that even if one drive fails, your data will still be accessible from the remaining drives.
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Connect your NAS device to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect it from power surges, fluctuations, or sudden power outages. This will prevent any potential damage to the device and data loss.
- Regular Firmware Updates: Keep your NAS device's firmware up to date by regularly checking for and installing any available updates. Firmware updates often include bug fixes and security patches that can help prevent data loss.
- Secure Network: Ensure that your NAS device is connected to a secure network and that you have implemented proper security measures such as strong passwords, firewall settings, and regular network monitoring. This will help protect your data from unauthorized access or cyberattacks.
- Physical Security: Place your NAS device in a secure location to prevent physical damage or theft. Additionally, ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the device to minimize the risk of data loss.
By implementing these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of data loss on your NAS TerraMaster D2-300 D2 Clone devices.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS D2-300 D2 Clone 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 TerraMaster D2-300 D2 Clone. 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 TerraMaster
D2-300 D2 Clone has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- 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 TerraMaster D2-300 D2 Clone 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 |
Yes, data recovery from a NAS TerraMaster D2-300 D2 Clone device can be performed even if there are issues with the firmware or device settings. In such cases, the data recovery process typically involves connecting the NAS device's hard drives to a computer and using specialized data recovery software to access and retrieve the data directly from the drives. This method bypasses the device's firmware and settings, allowing for data recovery regardless of any issues with the device itself. It is important to note that data recovery from a NAS device can be a complex and delicate process, so it is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service if you are not familiar with the process.