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

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology DiskStation DS1815+
• 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.

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

Although the NAS DiskStation DS1815+ 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.

   Go to view

   

   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 DS1815+. 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.

Go to view

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);

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 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison