- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra
- 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 WD 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 hardware failure lead to data loss in NAS WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra devices?
Hardware failure in NAS WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra devices can lead to data loss in several ways:
- Hard drive failure: The most common hardware failure in NAS devices is the failure of the hard drives. If one or both of the hard drives in the My Cloud EX2 Ultra fail, it can result in data loss. This can happen due to mechanical issues, electronic failures, or natural wear and tear over time.
- Power supply failure: If the power supply unit of the NAS device fails, it can cause the device to shut down abruptly. This sudden loss of power can lead to data corruption or loss if the device was in the middle of a read/write operation.
- RAID controller failure: The My Cloud EX2 Ultra uses RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology to provide data redundancy and protection against drive failures. However, if the RAID controller in the NAS device fails, it can result in the loss of data stored across the drives.
- Network interface failure: The NAS device relies on its network interface to connect to other devices and transfer data. If the network interface fails, it can lead to connectivity issues and potentially result in data loss if data transfers were interrupted or corrupted.
- Firmware or software issues: Hardware failures can sometimes be caused by firmware or software issues. If the firmware or software running on the My Cloud EX2 Ultra becomes corrupted or malfunctions, it can lead to data loss or inaccessibility of the stored data.
To mitigate the risk of data loss due to hardware failure, it is recommended to regularly backup the data stored on the NAS device to an external storage device or a cloud backup service. Additionally, monitoring the health of the NAS device, keeping the firmware up to date, and ensuring proper cooling and power supply can help minimize the chances of hardware failure and subsequent data loss.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS My Cloud EX2 Ultra 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 WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra. 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.
My Cloud EX2 Ultra has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- Ext2;
- Ext3;
- Ext4;
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 WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra 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 make a backup for your WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra NAS (Network Attached Storage), you can follow these steps:
a. Local Backup: This option allows you to back up your data to an external hard drive connected to the NAS device.
b. Remote Backup: This option enables you to back up your data to another NAS device or cloud storage service.
It's recommended to regularly check and update your backup settings to ensure your data is protected. Additionally, consider storing your backup in a separate physical location to protect against potential disasters like fire or theft.