D-Link ShareCenter NAS systems are widely used by businesses and engineering firms for centralized data storage and collaboration. However, during firmware updates or configuration changes, users can experience deleted or lost NAS shares and volumes, leading to inaccessible business-critical data.
This case study details how we successfully recovered engineering project files from a D-Link ShareCenter NAS with 4 Seagate SATA disks, after a failed upgrade wiped out shared folders and RAID volumes.
As Ireland’s oldest and most experienced data recovery company, we used RAID reconstruction and NAS file system recovery techniques to restore the lost engineering data.
The Challenge: Deleted NAS Shares & Volumes After an Upgrade
An engineering company contacted us after their D-Link ShareCenter NAS lost access to all shared folders following a firmware update. The reported issues included:
- NAS shares missing from the web interface, preventing access to stored files.
- RAID volume not appearing, making data retrieval impossible.
- Drives appearing healthy, but no data accessible.
- Business-critical CAD drawings, schematics, and engineering reports were at risk.
Since the company relied on this NAS for daily operations, an immediate and professional recovery solution was required.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the D-Link ShareCenter NAS arrived at our cleanroom facility, we performed a full RAID and NAS-level diagnostic. Our findings:
- Deleted NAS shares & RAID volume metadata – The firmware update wiped out volume indexing information.
- RAID array misconfiguration – The system failed to recognize the existing RAID setup.
- No physical damage to the hard drives – All four Seagate SATA disks were fully functional, meaning full data recovery was possible.
Since D-Link NAS systems use Linux-based file systems (EXT4, XFS, or Btrfs), we needed to rebuild the lost RAID structure manually to extract the missing files.
The Recovery Process
1. Cloning & Imaging All 4 RAID Drives
To prevent further data loss, we:
- Created forensic sector-by-sector clones of all four Seagate SATA disks.
- Used write-blocking tools to preserve the original data.
2. Manually Rebuilding the RAID Array
Since the RAID configuration was lost, we:
- Analyzed the RAID metadata from the cloned images to determine the original setup.
- Reconstructed the RAID 5 volume manually, bypassing the NAS firmware.
- Mounted the recovered RAID array in a controlled environment, allowing access to the missing shares.
3. Extracting & Verifying Engineering Data
Once the RAID was successfully reconstructed, we:
- Recovered all CAD files, technical schematics, and engineering reports.
- Restored the deleted NAS shares, ensuring proper folder structures.
- Transferred the recovered data to a secure external storage device for the client.
The Results: 100% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our RAID reconstruction and NAS recovery techniques, we successfully recovered 100% of the engineering company’s business-critical data, including:
✅ CAD drawings, schematics, and project designs
✅ Engineering reports, contracts, and compliance documents
✅ Technical specifications and research files
The company was able to resume operations without losing essential project data, avoiding costly delays.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful recoveries, we are the leading NAS and RAID data recovery specialists in Ireland and the UK. Our expertise includes:
✔ D-Link ShareCenter RAID 5 and RAID 10 data recovery
✔ Deleted NAS shares & lost volume reconstruction
✔ EXT4, XFS, and Btrfs file system recovery
✔ Secure & confidential data retrieval for engineering firms
If your D-Link NAS has lost shares, deleted RAID volumes, or is failing after an update, stop further attempts and contact us immediately for professional data recovery.