How to Recover Data from NAS Synology DiskStation DS1010+ RAID Arrays Due to Natural Component Wear

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology DiskStation DS1010+
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID

Conventional hard drives store user data by writing it sequentially across the disk surface, which means an entire file is typically located on a single drive. In contrast, when data is written to a RAID array, each file is split into multiple fragments. These fragments are then distributed and written in sequence across all the drives in the array. Depending on the configuration, fragment sizes can range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so every file is physically stored across several disks at once.

This approach significantly increases read and write performance — after all, writing two halves of a 1 GB file to two drives simultaneously is much faster than writing the full 1 GB to a single disk. However, this same mechanism makes file recovery far more complex.

Different RAID levels use different methods to distribute and protect data. On top of that, manufacturers like Synology often add their own proprietary structures and variations. As a result, data can be written to disks in many different formats, and each requires a specific approach during recovery.

How can data redundancy techniques such as mirroring or replication enhance data availability and protect against loss on NAS Synology DiskStation DS1010+ devices?

Data redundancy techniques such as mirroring or replication can enhance data availability and protect against loss on NAS Synology DiskStation DS1010+ devices in the following ways:

1. Mirroring: Mirroring, also known as RAID 1, involves creating an exact copy of the data on multiple drives. In a DS1010+ device, you can configure two drives in a mirrored setup. If one drive fails, the other drive will still have a complete copy of the data, ensuring data availability and protection against loss. You can replace the failed drive and rebuild the mirror to restore redundancy.
2. Replication: Replication involves creating multiple copies of data and distributing them across different devices or locations. In a DS1010+ device, you can set up replication to another Synology NAS or a remote server. This ensures that even if the primary device fails or data is lost, you have a secondary copy available for recovery. Replication can be scheduled periodically or performed in real-time for continuous data protection.
3. High Availability (HA): The DS1010+ device supports High Availability, which involves setting up two identical NAS devices in an active-passive configuration. Both devices are synchronized, and if the primary device fails, the secondary device takes over seamlessly, ensuring uninterrupted data availability. This redundancy technique provides protection against hardware failures and enhances overall system reliability.
4. Snapshot Technology: Synology DiskStation DS1010+ devices support snapshot technology, which allows you to capture point-in-time copies of data. Snapshots can be scheduled or initiated manually, and they provide a quick and efficient way to recover data in case of accidental deletion, file corruption, or malware attacks. Snapshots can be stored on the same device or replicated to another location for added protection.

By implementing these data redundancy techniques, the DS1010+ device ensures that data is readily available, minimizes the risk of data loss, and provides options for quick recovery in case of failures or disasters.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS DiskStation DS1010+ can be accessed over the network, you still need to remove its hard disks and connect them directly to a Windows PC. Only then can the recovery software properly scan and analyze the drives. Follow these steps:

1. Power off the NAS and disconnect it from the power source.

   WARNING! Before removing any drives, carefully read the device manual. Improper actions may damage both the NAS enclosure and the hard disks in the RAID array.

2. Remove the hard disks one by one, gently sliding each drive out of its slot. Remember that hard disks are highly sensitive: any impact or drop can cause serious physical damage.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. Connect the drives to your computer. In this video, we explain which ports you can use to connect hard disks and what to do if your PC does not have enough free connectors.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Synology DiskStation DS1010+. Each hard disk in the array contains technical metadata describing how files were written. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery analyzes this metadata, automatically reconstructs the damaged array, and provides access to its contents. After that, you can browse the recovered disk and save your files. The program can also restore files that were accidentally deleted from the network drive.

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How to recover data from a Synology

DiskStation DS1010+ has 5 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR);
• RAID 6;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 10;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 0;
• Basic;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• Btrfs;
• EXT4;
• EXT3 (External Disk Only);
• FAT32 (External Disk Only);
• exFAT (External Disk Only);
• NTFS (External Disk Only);
• HFS+ (External Disk Read Only);

How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images

This utility allows you to create a complete copy of a disk and work with the disk image instead of the physical drive. This approach helps protect your data from:

• Overwriting during the recovery process;
• Additional data loss caused by bad sectors;
• User errors.

To create a disk image, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. When the Image Creation Wizard opens, select whether you want to save the entire disk or only a specific region. Adjust the settings and click Next.

   

4. Choose the directory where the image will be saved. You may select any available disk connected to your PC or upload the image via FTP.

   

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The Synology DiskStation DS1010+ network-attached storage keeps DSM (DiskStation Manager) operating system files on a separate RAID 1 (mirrored) array. Usually, all NAS systems create several volumes on every hard disk, and the first of them takes up to 2 Gb of space. This is where operating system files are stored. Other volumes are united into a RAID array where user’s data is written.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison