In this deployment guide, we will understand how to wipe multiple hard drives simultaneously using the BitRaser Drive Eraser & Diagnostics Cloud Variant (USB solution).
The software helps ITADs and enterprises securely erase multiple storage drives like HDDs, SSDs, NVMe, etc., simultaneously. This significantly reduces turnaround time while ensuring permanent data sanitization.
Using the software, you can:
- Wipe up to 100 drives simultaneously via USB-based deployment using the Cloud Variant
- Erase up to 65,000 drives over the network through PXE deployment using the Network Variant
The following sections will guide you through the erasure process:
Stage 1: Download BitRaser ISO and Create Bootable USB
Stage 2: Wipe Multiple Drives Using BitRaser
Optional: Perform Hardware Diagnostics
Note: Total erasure time depends on drive type, storage capacity, and the selected erasure standard.
Step 1: Log in to your BitRaser Cloud account using the credentials shared via email after purchase.
Step 2: Navigate to ‘Download BitRaser’ and click on ‘Cloud Variant: BitRaser Drive Eraser & Diagnostics’ to download the ISO file (Refer to Image 1).
Image 1: Download BitRaser Software
Step 3: Visit https://rufus.ie to download and install Rufus, an open-source tool for creating bootable USB drives.
Step 4: Connect a USB drive to your laptop or desktop, and use Rufus to create a BitRaser bootable USB. For detailed instructions, refer to the knowledge base article: How to Create a Bootable USB with Rufus?
Step 1: Mount all drives to be erased into the storage rack or chassis and connect the chassis to a desktop or laptop. Ensure the system is connected to the internet, then insert the BitRaser bootable USB into the system.
Step 2: Power on the system and open the ‘Boot Menu’ using the appropriate key for your device. Select the BitRaser bootable USB and press Enter. When the BitRaser Boot Menu appears, press ‘Enter’ again to proceed (Refer to Image 2).
Image 2: BitRaser Boot Menu
The BitRaser interface will load and display all connected drives (Refer to Image 3).
Image 3: BitRaser Drive Eraser & Diagnostics Erasure UI
Step 3: Connect the system to the internet and log in to BitRaser Cloud to acquire licenses and enable report upload.
- Click the Settings icon
- Open the Network tab
- Connect using DHCP or manual configuration
- Click Connect (Refer to Image 4a)
Next, open the BitRaser Server tab:
- Enter BitRaser Cloud credentials
- Click Connect (Refer to Image 4b)
Image 4a: Connect Application to Network
Image 4b: Connect Application to BitRaser Server
The system will automatically fetch licenses from your BitRaser Cloud account.
Step 4: Select the drives you want to erase, choose the erasure method and verification type, then click ‘Erase’. Confirm the action to start the erasure process (Refer to Images 5a & 5b).
Image 5a: Choose Erasure Method
Image 5b: Confirm Erasure
You can monitor the erasure progress on the screen (Refer to Image 6).
Image 6: Erasure Progress
Once the process is completed, a confirmation screen with a green tick will appear on the screen.
After erasure, detailed reports and certificates can be accessed and downloaded from your BitRaser Cloud account.
The software also provides you with the option to perform ‘Hardware Diagnostics’ via the ‘Component Test’ tab. You have the option to pre-customize the application to perform:
- Only Erasure
- Erasure & Diagnostics both
It can be done either through the software settings (Refer to Image 7) or by pre-customizing the workflow using the ISO Customization feature in the BitRaser Cloud Console.
Image 7: Workflow Settings
To run component tests and assess hardware health, you need to purchase hardware diagnostic licenses. The software is capable of performing various automated and manual testing; some of the tests performed include CPU, GPU, storage, display, CMOS, keyboard, mouse, microphone, and Bluetooth. The program also allows for assigning a grade to the device that was tested.
Follow the steps below to perform hardware diagnostics:
Step 1: Click on the ‘Component Test’ tab to open the diagnostics tab, and click on ‘Start’ (Refer to Image 8).
Image 8: Diagnostics UI
The software begins performing automated tests and prompts you to proceed with the manual tests. The first manual test is for the keyboard, where you are required to press each key and verify the response on the screen. If all keys function correctly, you can mark the result as Yes and proceed to the next test (Refer to Image 9).
Similarly, you can test other components and provide a grade to the device (Refer to Images 10, 11 & 12).
Image 9: Keyboard Test
Image 10: Display Test
Image 11: Port Test
Image 12: Accessories & Grading Screen
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