Avoiding Data Loss on NAS WD ShareSpace and Recovering Deleted Files: Comprehensive Guide

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS WD ShareSpace
• 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 preventive measures to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS WD ShareSpace devices?

Yes, there are several preventive measures you can take to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS WD ShareSpace devices. Here are some recommendations:

1. Regularly backup your data: Implement a backup strategy to create regular backups of your important data. This can be done by using an external hard drive, cloud storage, or another NAS device.
2. RAID configuration: Configure your WD ShareSpace device in RAID mode. RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) provides data redundancy and can help protect against data loss in case of a drive failure. Consult the device's user manual for instructions on setting up RAID.
3. Keep the firmware up to date: Regularly check for firmware updates for your WD ShareSpace device. Firmware updates often include bug fixes and security patches that can help prevent data loss due to software vulnerabilities.
4. Use UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): Connect your WD ShareSpace device to a UPS to protect it from sudden power outages or voltage fluctuations. Sudden power loss can result in data corruption or loss.
5. Implement user access controls: Set up user access controls and permissions to restrict unauthorized access to your WD ShareSpace device. This can help prevent accidental deletion or modification of data.
6. Implement data encryption: Enable data encryption on your WD ShareSpace device to protect your data from unauthorized access. Encryption ensures that even if the physical drives are stolen, the data remains secure.
7. Regularly check drive health: Use the built-in diagnostic tools provided by WD ShareSpace to monitor the health of your hard drives. Replace any failing drives promptly to avoid data loss.
8. Implement a disaster recovery plan: Develop a disaster recovery plan that outlines the steps to be taken in case of data loss or device failure. This plan should include details on how to restore data from backups and rebuild the system.

By following these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of data loss on your NAS WD ShareSpace devices.

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

Although the NAS ShareSpace 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 ShareSpace. 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

ShareSpace 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 ShareSpace 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