NAS Synology DiskStation DS1815+ RAID Controller Failure: Causes, Recovery Tips, and Data Recovery Approaches

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 specific network security measures to implement for safeguarding NAS Synology DiskStation DS1815+ devices against data loss?

Yes, there are several network security measures that can be implemented to safeguard NAS Synology DiskStation DS1815+ devices against data loss. Here are some important measures:

1. Enable Firewall: Enable the built-in firewall on the DiskStation to block unauthorized access attempts from the network.
2. Update Firmware: Keep the firmware of the DiskStation up to date to ensure that any known security vulnerabilities are patched.
3. Strong Passwords: Set strong passwords for all user accounts, including the administrator account. Avoid using common or easily guessable passwords.
4. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for all user accounts to add an extra layer of security. This will require users to provide a second form of authentication, such as a code from a mobile app, in addition to their password.
5. Disable Default Services: Disable any unnecessary services or applications that are not being used. This reduces the attack surface and minimizes the risk of potential vulnerabilities.
6. Network Segmentation: If possible, segregate the NAS device on a separate network segment or VLAN to limit its exposure to potential threats from other devices on the network.
7. Enable Network Encryption: Use protocols like SSL/TLS or VPN to encrypt the network traffic between the NAS device and other devices accessing it.
8. Regular Data Backups: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that critical data is backed up frequently. This will help mitigate the impact of data loss in case of a security breach.
9. Antivirus and Malware Protection: Install and regularly update antivirus and anti-malware software on the NAS device to detect and prevent any malicious software from compromising the system.
10. Access Control: Implement granular access control policies to restrict access to specific folders or files based on user roles and permissions. This helps prevent unauthorized access or accidental deletion of data.
11. Intrusion Detection and Prevention: Enable intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to monitor network traffic and detect any suspicious activities or attempts to exploit vulnerabilities.
12. Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits to identify any potential weaknesses in the network and system configuration. This can help in identifying and addressing security gaps before they are exploited.

It is important to note that these measures should be implemented in conjunction with other best practices for data security and protection.

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

Although NAS DiskStation DS1815+ 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 DS1815+. 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 DS1815+ has 8 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);

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 DS1815+ 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