- 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 continuous data protection mechanisms help in minimizing potential data loss on NAS WD My Cloud Home devices?
Continuous data protection mechanisms can help minimize potential data loss on NAS WD My Cloud Home devices in the following ways:
- Real-time Backup: Continuous data protection ensures that data is backed up in real-time or with very minimal delay. This means that any changes or modifications made to the data on the NAS device are immediately backed up, reducing the risk of data loss.
- Incremental Backups: Continuous data protection typically performs incremental backups, meaning that only the changes made to the data are backed up, rather than the entire dataset. This reduces the backup time and storage requirements, while ensuring that the latest version of the data is always protected.
- Point-in-Time Recovery: Continuous data protection mechanisms often provide the ability to recover data to a specific point in time. This means that even if data gets corrupted or deleted, users can restore it to a previous state when it was still intact, thereby minimizing the impact of data loss.
- Automatic Backup Scheduling: Continuous data protection mechanisms can be configured to automatically schedule backups at regular intervals. This ensures that backups are performed regularly without manual intervention, reducing the risk of forgetting to back up important data.
- Versioning and File History: Some continuous data protection mechanisms offer versioning and file history features. These features keep track of multiple versions of files and allow users to restore previous versions if needed. This can be helpful in case of accidental file modifications or data corruption.
- Redundant Storage: Continuous data protection mechanisms often support redundant storage options, such as RAID configurations or cloud backups. Redundancy helps protect against hardware failures or disasters by storing data in multiple locations, reducing the risk of data loss.
Overall, continuous data protection mechanisms provide a proactive approach to data backup and recovery, ensuring that data is continuously protected and minimizing the potential for data loss on NAS WD My Cloud Home devices.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS My Cloud Home 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 Home. 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 Home has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- None;
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 Home 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 |
If a WD My Cloud Home device is showing signs of excessive noise or vibration, it may indicate a hardware issue. In such cases, it is recommended to contact Western Digital support or a professional data recovery service to assess the situation. They will have the necessary expertise and tools to diagnose and potentially recover data from the device. However, it is important to note that data recovery is not guaranteed, especially if the hardware is severely damaged.