Recovering Data from NAS Synology Diskstation DS110+ / DS110j RAID Arrays: Recovery Tips for Component Wear

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology Diskstation DS110+ / DS110j
• 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 continuous data protection mechanisms help in minimizing potential data loss on NAS Synology Diskstation DS110+ / DS110j devices?

Continuous data protection mechanisms can help in minimizing potential data loss on NAS Synology Diskstation DS110+ / DS110j devices in the following ways:

1. Real-time Backup: Continuous data protection mechanisms enable real-time backup of data on the NAS devices. This means that any changes made to the data are immediately backed up, reducing the risk of data loss due to system failures or human errors.
2. Incremental Backups: Continuous data protection mechanisms typically use incremental backups, where only the changes made since the last backup are stored. This reduces the backup time and storage requirements, making it more efficient to protect data on the NAS devices.
3. Point-in-Time Recovery: Continuous data protection mechanisms allow for point-in-time recovery, meaning that you can restore the data to a specific point in time. This is particularly useful in case of data corruption or accidental deletion, as you can roll back to a previous version of the data.
4. Versioning: Continuous data protection mechanisms often include versioning capabilities, which means that multiple versions of the same file are stored. This allows you to recover previous versions of a file if needed, providing an additional layer of protection against data loss.
5. Redundancy and RAID: NAS devices like the Synology Diskstation DS110+ / DS110j often support RAID configurations, which provide redundancy by spreading data across multiple drives. Continuous data protection mechanisms can work in conjunction with RAID to ensure that even if one drive fails, the data is still protected and accessible.
6. Remote Replication: Some continuous data protection mechanisms offer remote replication capabilities, allowing you to replicate the data to another NAS device or off-site location. This provides an extra level of protection against disasters or physical damage to the NAS device.

Overall, continuous data protection mechanisms help in minimizing potential data loss on NAS Synology Diskstation DS110+ / DS110j devices by ensuring real-time backups, efficient storage, point-in-time recovery, versioning, redundancy, and remote replication.

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

Although the NAS Diskstation DS110+ / DS110j 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 DS110+ / DS110j. 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 DS110+ / DS110j 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 DS110+ / DS110j 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