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

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS WD My Cloud EX4100
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

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.

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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS My Cloud EX4100 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

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 EX4100. 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.

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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;

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:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison