How to identify it
- Brand
- Netgear
- Model
- RN424
- Also sold as
- ReadyNAS 424, RN424E2, RN424E4
- Released
- 2017
- Type
- 4-bay desktop NAS
- Drive bays
- 4
- Drives
- 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD
- With expansion units
- up to 9 drives
- Operating system
- ReadyNAS OS 6
- File systems
- Btrfs
- RAID modes
- X-RAID, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10
- Connection
- 2 x 1GbE
- Processor
- Intel Atom C3338 dual-core
The model name is printed on the front of the unit or on the label on its back or underside.
Recovery methods for this NAS
- Deleted files or a reset volumeLogical recovery from drives that still workYes
We image the drives, then search the Btrfs volume for deleted files and for the volume as it was before a reset. Stop using the unit straight away: new writes overwrite deleted data.
- Failed drivesDrives that click, don't spin or have bad sectorsYes
Each failed drive is imaged on its own. Hard drives that have to be opened go into our clean room, with donor parts matched to the exact drive.
- RAID reconstructionRebuilding the array from its member drivesMain method
We work out the array layout from the drive images: drive order, stripe size, parity rotation and offsets. Then we rebuild it virtually and mount the volume read-only.
- Dead unit, healthy drivesThe NAS itself won't power on or startYes
Your files are on the drives, not in the unit. If the NAS has died, we read the volume straight from the drives without it.
- Encrypted volumes and foldersEncryption you switched on in the NAS settingsNeeds your key
If you turned on volume or shared-folder encryption, we need the password or the exported key. Without it the data can't be decrypted, by us or anyone else.
About this model
- The data volume is Btrfs under ReadyNAS OS 6, and Netgear has said its RAID layer is its own implementation rather than the mainline Btrfs RAID 5/6 code.
- Takes up to 9 drives with expansion units attached. If your volume spans an expansion unit, we need those drives as well.
- No longer in Netgear's current range.
What recovery costs
Recovery from a 4-bay NAS is priced as NAS and RAID recovery: £750 – £1,500+ plus VAT, depending on the number of drives and how many have failed. Inspection is free, and you get a fixed quote before any work starts.
Estimate the cost for your Netgear NAS
Answer three questions to see our standard price range. Inspection is free and you get a fixed quote before any work starts.
NAS and RAID recovery
The price depends on the number of drives and how many have failed. Bring every drive, labelled with its bay number. Standard turnaround is 5–7 working days.