Avoiding Data Loss on NAS WD My Cloud EX4100 and Recovering Deleted Files: Essential Tips

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 guidelines for configuring security settings on NAS WD My Cloud EX4100 devices to prevent unauthorized access and potential data loss?

Yes, there are several guidelines you can follow to configure security settings on a WD My Cloud EX4100 NAS device to prevent unauthorized access and potential data loss. Here are some important steps:

1. Change the default admin password: Start by changing the default password for the admin account to a strong and unique password. Avoid using common passwords or easily guessable information.
2. Create individual user accounts: Instead of using the admin account for everyday use, create individual user accounts for each person who needs access to the NAS. This allows you to control access permissions for each user separately.
3. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Enable two-factor authentication if supported by your NAS device. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification method, such as a code sent to your mobile device, in addition to the password.
4. Regularly update firmware: Keep your NAS firmware up to date by regularly checking for and installing any available updates. Firmware updates often include security patches and bug fixes.
5. Configure access permissions: Set up access permissions for each user or group to restrict access to specific folders or files. Only grant necessary permissions to each user, limiting access to sensitive data.
6. Enable network encryption: Enable encryption protocols like SSL/TLS to secure data transmission between the NAS and connected devices. This prevents unauthorized interception of data.
7. Disable unnecessary services: Disable any unnecessary services or features on the NAS to reduce the attack surface. Only enable services that are required for your specific needs.
8. Regularly back up data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure your data is protected against potential loss. You can set up automatic backups to an external storage device or cloud storage.
9. Use strong network security: Secure your network by using a strong Wi-Fi password, enabling network encryption (WPA2 or higher), and regularly updating your router's firmware.
10. Implement firewall rules: Configure the built-in firewall on your NAS device to block unauthorized access attempts. Only allow necessary network traffic to reach the NAS.

Remember, these guidelines provide a basic level of security, but it's important to stay informed about the latest security best practices and keep up with any security advisories or updates provided by the manufacturer.

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

Although NAS My Cloud EX4100 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 EX4100. 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 EX4100 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 EX4100 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