Secure erase of hard drives

[alxrmrs]

It would be very useful if QTOS supported securely erasing hard drives by writing random data over it a specified (i.e. 0-10) number of times.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

on desktop i use privazer. i heard in a future version they MAY support NAS as well.

http://privazer.com/

[youtube=]kOZchMvGbj4[/youtube]

privazer.jpg

until then.... what i normally do if i wanted to really do a clean wipe. I format via QNAP. when done, i pull out all the hdds then use my HDD dock station which is connected to my desktop. I can then run privazer and wipe it that way via connected usb device selection

hdd docks are really useful (for my own use i use it for diagnosing issues with hdd using other third party apps which can only be run from desktop pc, or just a quick way to access a HDD), i recommend getting one

[OneCD]

You might also checkout shred. Available through the Entware-3x QPKG.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

or if your intending for permanently getting rid of a broken hdd there is the actual shredding itself

[youtube=]rV4EvvgkZrQ[/youtube]

[youtube=]wb3Xa1h_RqM[/youtube]

[schumaku]

Trouble is that secure erasing HDDs (or SSDs) is hardly possible if the units are broken or run-out. SSD might block writing completely once the number of allowed writes is hit, too. For storage blocks going to re-usage or sales, a secure erase is better done off the NAS, because commonly the NAS has to return to service ASAP.

[bitminer]

And for you serious types:

[youtube=]WOdZkSdNKSM[/youtube]

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

It would be very useful if QTOS supported securely erasing hard drives by writing random data over it a specified (i.e. 0-10) number of times.

4.3.4 added a feature for securely erasing hard drives.

Secure Erase
Secure erase permanently deletes all data on a disk, ensuring that the data is unrecoverable. Using secure erase on an SSD also restores the disk's performance to its original factory state.

To begin, select a free disk, and then select "Action" > "Secure Erase". In the Secure Erase Wizard, follow the instructions to specify other disks to erase and the erase method.

If all disks in the NAS have been selected for a secure erase, a full NAS system re-initialization is required.

*Note: During the secure erase process, do not unplug any disks, or power off or restart the NAS. This ensures disks are fully erased and can be used again afterwards.

[alxrmrs]

Awesome, thanks for the feature QNAP! Hopefully this will work on my failing drives so I can throw it out. I'll find out this week.

[alxrmrs]

If the SMART information says "Warning" secure erase is not available under actions. Is there a way to override this?

[dolbyman]

if the drives are failing and are just tossed out .. why go through a secure erase? .. a nail through the top cover works faster and is more secure

[schumaku]

If the SMART information says "Warning" secure erase is not available under actions. Is there a way to override this?

The Secure Erase is available for "free" disks only - disks not used in a storage pool or holding a legacy volume. A control the "Free" a disk (remove from a redundant RAID) to secure erase and replace for rebuilding the RAID does not exist unfortunately. Please support the "Free" disk control addition feature request by filing tickets on https://helpdesk.qnap.com/ mentioning MantisBT 28413.

[alxrmrs]

Is it possible to set the disk as free even though the SMART status is warning? Under SMART it does say that the disk should be operating properly.

[oldWindowsGuy]

Is it possible to set the disk as free even though the SMART status is warning? Under SMART it does say that the disk should be operating properly.

I would like to know if this is possible too. I have a drive that is working, but it listed as "warning." I'm replacing it (since it's less that 30 days old) but I'd like to wipe it before I send it back. Any way to do this in the NAS?

[shaileshl]

Is it possible to set the disk as free even though the SMART status is warning? Under SMART it does say that the disk should be operating properly.

I would like to know if this is possible too. I have a drive that is working, but it listed as "warning." I'm replacing it (since it's less that 30 days old) but I'd like to wipe it before I send it back. Any way to do this in the NAS?

Did you get the solution for this? I am in the same boat. have to return the hard disk after wiping all the data.

[matrixhasu]

sadly the "safe erase" option is not available for external drives :/