- 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?
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 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 take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS My Cloud EX2 Ultra 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra. 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.
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;
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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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 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.
Comparison of software for RAID recovery
| Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | 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.