NAS Synology Diskstation DS118 RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Strategies for Component Wear Recovery

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.

What are the risks of data loss due to firmware or software malfunctions in NAS Synology Diskstation DS118 devices?

There are several risks of data loss due to firmware or software malfunctions in NAS Synology Diskstation DS118 devices:

1. Corrupted Data: Firmware or software malfunctions can lead to data corruption, rendering the files and folders stored on the NAS inaccessible or unreadable.
2. System Instability: Malfunctions in the firmware or software can cause the NAS device to become unstable, leading to unexpected crashes or freezes. This instability can result in data loss if files are being written or accessed during such events.
3. Disk Failure: Firmware or software issues can potentially cause disk failures or errors, resulting in data loss. If the NAS fails to properly manage or communicate with the disks, it can lead to data corruption or complete loss of data stored on the affected disk.
4. Incompatibility: Incompatibilities between the NAS firmware or software and other components, such as hard drives or network equipment, can cause data loss. For example, a firmware update might introduce compatibility issues that result in data becoming inaccessible or lost.
5. Data Migration Errors: Firmware or software malfunctions during data migration processes, such as upgrading to a new NAS model or restoring from a backup, can lead to data loss. Errors or interruptions during these processes can corrupt data or result in incomplete transfers.
6. User Error Amplification: Firmware or software malfunctions can amplify the impact of user errors. For instance, if a user accidentally deletes a file, a malfunctioning firmware or software might fail to properly handle the deletion, resulting in permanent data loss.

To mitigate these risks, it is essential to regularly update the firmware and software of the NAS device, maintain proper backups, and ensure the integrity and compatibility of the hardware components used with the NAS. Additionally, following best practices for data management, such as avoiding abrupt power cuts or improper shutdowns, can help minimize the chances of data loss due to firmware or software malfunctions.

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

Although NAS Diskstation DS118 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 DS118. 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 DS118 has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• Basic;

NAS supports:

• EXT4;
• EXT3 (External Disk Only);
• FAT (External Disk Only);
• exFAT (External Disk Only);
• NTFS (External Disk Only);
• HFS+ (External Disk Only);

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 DS118 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