NAS Synology Diskstation DS101g+ / DS101 / DS101j RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Steps After Component Wear

Contents

• Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
• How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?

Conventional hard disks keep user’s data by writing it to their surface in a consecutive way, and this is how an entire file is stored on a single hard disk. However, when data is written to a RAID system, a file is divided into several parts. Then these parts are written consecutively to all hard disks within such array. The size of such parts may range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so each file is stored on several hard disks at the same time.

Such approach helps to speed up read and write operations, and it is evident that saving two parts of a file having the size of 1 GB to two hard disks simultaneously is much faster than saving the same 1 GB of data to one hard disk. However, this peculiarity makes file recovery more complicated.

Various RAID levels store information in different ways. Additionally, manufacturers like Synology also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.

Are there any known issues or limitations when using NAS Synology Diskstation DS101g+ / DS101 / DS101j devices with virtualization platforms such as VMware or Hyper-V?

There are a few known issues and limitations when using Synology DiskStation DS101g+, DS101, or DS101j devices with virtualization platforms like VMware or Hyper-V. Here are some of them:

1. Limited CPU and Memory: These DiskStation models have relatively low CPU and memory resources compared to dedicated virtualization servers. This can impact the performance and scalability of virtual machines (VMs) running on these devices.
2. Lack of Hardware Virtualization Support: Some older DiskStation models, including DS101g+, do not support hardware virtualization technologies like Intel VT-x or AMD-V. This means that you may not be able to run certain VMs that require these features.
3. Limited Network Throughput: These devices typically have limited network interfaces and lower network throughput compared to dedicated virtualization servers. This can affect the network performance of VMs, especially if you have high network-intensive workloads.
4. Limited Storage Performance: DiskStation devices use slower hard drives or slower RAID configurations compared to enterprise-grade storage solutions. This can result in lower storage performance for VMs, especially if you have demanding I/O workloads.
5. Lack of Advanced Virtualization Features: Synology DiskStation devices are primarily designed for file storage and basic server functionalities. They may lack advanced virtualization features like live migration, high availability, or advanced storage management that are commonly found in dedicated virtualization servers.
6. Compatibility and Support: While Synology provides compatibility with popular virtualization platforms like VMware and Hyper-V, it is important to check the compatibility matrix and ensure that your specific DiskStation model is supported. Additionally, the level of support and integration with these platforms may vary depending on the specific model and firmware version.

It is recommended to carefully evaluate the requirements and limitations of your virtualization environment before using Synology DiskStation devices as virtualization hosts. If you have demanding virtualization workloads or require advanced virtualization features, it may be more suitable to consider dedicated virtualization servers or storage solutions.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS Diskstation DS101g+ / DS101 / DS101j can be accessed over the network, you still need to take the hard disks out of the storage device and connect them to a Windows computer. Only in this case will the software be able to scan them properly. Here is what you should do:

1. Turn off the storage and disconnect it from the power supply.

   WARNING! Before you start taking hard disks out of your NAS device, read the manual carefully. Incorrect actions may damage your network-attached storage and/or the hard disks within the RAID system.

2. Take the hard disks out of the NAS one by one, carefully removing them from their slots. Remember that the disks are extremely vulnerable: hitting or dropping them may result in serious physical damage.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. Remove the hard disks and connect them to the computer. In this video, we have explored what ports are used to connect hard disks, and what to do if there are not enough ports or connectors.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Synology Diskstation DS101g+ / DS101 / DS101j. The hard disks that make up the RAID contain technical information about the algorithm used to save files. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery reads this information and puts the damaged array together. Then you can open the disk and save your files. Also, you can recover the files accidentally deleted from the network drive.

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How to recover data from a Synology

Diskstation DS101g+ / DS101 / DS101j has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• Basic;

NAS supports:

• FAT, FAT32(External Disk Only);
• EXT3;

Safe recovery from disk images

This utility lets you save an entire copy of the disk to file and then work with this image instead of the actual disk. Such feature helps to protect data on the disk from:

• Overwriting during the recovery process;
• Loss resulting from bad sectors;
• User mistakes.

To create an image, do the following:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. When the image creation wizard starts, you can choose to save the entire disk or select only a part of it. Specify the parameters and click Next.

   

4. At this stage, you need to choose a directory where to save the image. Choose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP.

   

Where are user’s files stored?

The Synology Diskstation DS101g+ / DS101 / DS101j 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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery