How to recover data from WD My Cloud EX4 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 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.

Are there any specific factors to consider when choosing a NAS WD My Cloud EX4 device to minimize data loss risks?

Yes, there are several factors to consider when choosing a WD My Cloud EX4 device to minimize data loss risks:

1. Redundancy: Look for a NAS device that offers RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) options. RAID configurations like RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 10 provide data redundancy by distributing data across multiple drives, so even if one drive fails, your data remains intact.
2. Backup options: Ensure that the NAS device supports automated backup options. Look for features like scheduled backups, incremental backups, and the ability to back up data to external drives or cloud storage services.
3. Data synchronization: Choose a NAS device that supports data synchronization across multiple devices or locations. This ensures that your data is always up to date and accessible even if the primary NAS device encounters an issue.
4. Data encryption: Look for NAS devices that offer data encryption capabilities. Encryption protects your data from unauthorized access, ensuring that even if someone gains physical access to the device, they won't be able to access your data without the encryption key.
5. Power backup: Consider a NAS device that supports an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or has a built-in battery backup. Power outages or surges can lead to data corruption or loss, and having a power backup solution reduces these risks.
6. User access controls: Ensure that the NAS device allows you to set up user access controls and permissions. This ensures that only authorized users can access and modify the data, reducing the risk of accidental deletion or unauthorized access.
7. Firmware updates and support: Regular firmware updates are crucial for fixing security vulnerabilities and improving device performance. Choose a NAS device from a reputable manufacturer that provides regular firmware updates and has good customer support.
8. Data recovery options: Check if the NAS device offers any built-in data recovery options or supports third-party data recovery software. This can be helpful in case of accidental deletion or data corruption.

By considering these factors, you can minimize the risk of data loss and ensure the safety and accessibility of your data on a WD My Cloud EX4 device.

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

Although NAS My Cloud EX4 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 EX4. 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 EX4 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 EX4 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