How to Avoid Data Loss on NAS WD My Cloud DL4100 and Retrieve Recently Deleted Files

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 WD 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 user training or education help in minimizing data loss incidents on NAS WD My Cloud DL4100 devices?

User training or education can help minimize data loss incidents on NAS WD My Cloud DL4100 devices in the following ways:

1. Understanding device functionality: Training can help users understand how the NAS device works, including its features, settings, and limitations. This knowledge allows users to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions to protect their data.
2. Proper setup and configuration: Education can guide users on how to correctly set up and configure the NAS device. This includes creating secure passwords, enabling encryption, setting up regular backups, and configuring RAID for data redundancy.
3. Data backup and recovery: Users can be trained on the importance of regular data backups and how to perform them using the NAS device. They can also learn about different backup strategies, such as using external drives, cloud storage, or remote backups, to ensure data safety.
4. Security practices: Users can be educated on best practices for securing their NAS device and data. This may include enabling firewall and antivirus protection, updating firmware regularly, restricting access to authorized users, and implementing strong network security measures.
5. Data access and sharing: Training can help users understand the risks associated with granting access to their NAS device and data. They can learn how to set up user accounts, permissions, and access controls to ensure that only authorized individuals can access and modify data.
6. Awareness of common risks: Users can be educated about common risks that can lead to data loss, such as accidental deletion, hardware failures, power outages, and malware attacks. By being aware of these risks, users can take preventive measures and respond appropriately in case of an incident.
7. Troubleshooting and maintenance: Training can equip users with troubleshooting skills and knowledge to handle common issues that may lead to data loss. Users can learn how to monitor system health, identify warning signs, and perform routine maintenance tasks to prevent data loss incidents.

By providing users with comprehensive training and education on NAS WD My Cloud DL4100 devices, they can become more proficient in managing and safeguarding their data, ultimately minimizing the risk of data loss incidents.

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

Although NAS My Cloud DL4100 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 WD My Cloud DL4100. 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 WD

My Cloud DL4100 has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 10;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• Ext2;
• Ext3;
• Ext4;

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 WD My Cloud DL4100 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