Guide for PR2100 Drive Upgrade Procedure

To upgrade the internal hard drives of a Western Digital My Cloud PR2100 NAS (Network Attached Storage) system safely and efficiently while maintaining data integrity.

Prerequisites:

A full backup of existing data (if drives are not being replaced as part of a RAID rebuild).

New hard drives (NAS-rated, e.g., WD Red or equivalent) compatible with the PR2100.

A computer connected to the same network.

Access to the PR2100 dashboard (admin credentials).

Static anti-static protection (e.g., grounded wrist strap).

Procedure:

Backup Data (if necessary):

Before beginning the upgrade, back up all critical data to an external drive or cloud storage. This is especially important if you're replacing all drives or not using RAID.

Check RAID Configuration:

Log in to the PR2100 dashboard via a web browser (typically at http://<device_ip>). Navigate to Storage > RAID to view your current configuration (e.g., JBOD, RAID 1, RAID 5).

Shutdown the NAS:

Power down the device using the dashboard (Settings > Utilities > Shutdown), or hold the power button until the system shuts off. Unplug the power cord once the system is fully shut down.

Remove Existing Drive(s):

Open the front drive bay by pressing the release latch. Gently pull out the old drive(s). Label them if necessary to retain the original order.

Install New Drive(s):

Insert the new drive(s) into the bay(s), making sure they are fully seated. Lock the trays if applicable.

Power On the NAS:

Reconnect the power and Ethernet cables. Power on the NAS. Wait a few minutes for the system to initialize.

Access Dashboard & Initialize Drives:

Once the NAS is online, log in to the dashboard. Navigate to Storage > RAID. The system will detect the new drive(s) and prompt for configuration.

Configure RAID (if applicable):

Select your preferred RAID level:

RAID 0 (striping, no redundancy)

RAID 1 (mirroring, 2 drives)

RAID 5 (striped with parity, 3+ drives)

Follow the on-screen steps to format and build the RAID array. This process can take several hours depending on drive size and RAID type.

Restore Data (if applicable):

If a backup was created earlier, now is the time to restore your data to the NAS.

Verify System Health:

Navigate to Storage > Disk Status and Dashboard > Notifications to ensure all drives are healthy and the array is functioning correctly. Perform a short or extended S.M.A.R.T. test if needed.

Firmware & App Updates:

Check Settings > Firmware Update and Apps for any available updates. Apply as needed to ensure system stability and performance.

Post-Upgrade Tips:

Regularly back up important data.

Monitor drive health monthly.

Use UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to prevent data loss from power failures.