NAS Synology Diskstation DS109+ / DS109 / DS109j RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Solutions for Component Wear Issues

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology Diskstation DS109+ / DS109 / DS109j
• 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.

What is a NAS Synology Diskstation DS109+ / DS109 / DS109j (Network Attached Storage) device?

The Synology DiskStation DS109+ / DS109 / DS109j is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device manufactured by Synology Inc. NAS devices are specialized file storage systems that are connected to a network, allowing multiple users and devices to access and share files and data.

The DS109+ / DS109 / DS109j models are compact and desktop-sized NAS devices designed for home and small office use. They offer various features and capabilities, including:

1. Storage Capacity: The DS109+ / DS109 / DS109j models have a single drive bay, allowing you to install a single hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD). The storage capacity can be customized based on your needs and budget.
2. File Sharing: These devices support various file sharing protocols such as SMB, AFP, and NFS, making it easy to share files across different operating systems and devices, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
3. Data Backup: The DS109+ / DS109 / DS109j devices provide backup solutions to protect your important data. They support scheduled backups, incremental backups, and remote backup to other NAS devices or cloud storage services.
4. Multimedia Streaming: These NAS devices have built-in media server capabilities, allowing you to stream multimedia content, including videos, music, and photos, to compatible devices such as smart TVs, media players, and mobile devices.
5. Surveillance Station: The DS109+ / DS109 / DS109j models can be used as a surveillance system with their built-in Surveillance Station software. You can connect IP cameras to the NAS and use it to record, monitor, and manage your surveillance footage.
6. Mobile Apps: Synology provides a range of mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, allowing you to access and manage your NAS remotely. These apps offer features like file access, multimedia streaming, and backup management.
7. Additional Features: These NAS devices support various additional features such as remote file access, FTP server, web server, VPN server, and more. They also have a user-friendly web-based interface for easy configuration and management.

Overall, the Synology DiskStation DS109+ / DS109 / DS109j is a versatile and feature-rich NAS device that provides reliable and secure storage solutions for personal and small office environments.

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

Although the NAS Diskstation DS109+ / DS109 / DS109j 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 DS109+ / DS109 / DS109j. 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 DS109+ / DS109 / DS109j has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• Nie wspiera;

NAS supports:

• EXT3;
• FAT (External Disk Only);
• NTFS (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 DS109+ / DS109 / DS109j 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