NAS Synology DiskStation DS209+II / DS209+ / DS209 / DS209j RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Techniques After Natural Component Wear

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology DiskStation DS209+II / DS209+ / DS209 / DS209j
• 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 a NAS Synology DiskStation DS209+II / DS209+ / DS209 / DS209j device's network throughput or bandwidth capacity affect data transfer and potential loss?

The network throughput or bandwidth capacity of a NAS device like the Synology DiskStation DS209+II / DS209+ / DS209 / DS209j can have a significant impact on data transfer and potential loss. Here's how:

1. Data Transfer Speed: The network throughput determines how quickly data can be transferred between the NAS device and other devices on the network. A higher network throughput allows for faster data transfer, reducing the time required to backup, access, or transfer files. Conversely, a lower network throughput can result in slower data transfer speeds, leading to delays and inefficiencies.
2. Concurrent Connections: The bandwidth capacity of the NAS device affects the number of concurrent connections it can handle simultaneously. If the device has limited bandwidth capacity, it may struggle to handle multiple users accessing or transferring data simultaneously, leading to congestion and slower transfer speeds.
3. Potential Data Loss: Insufficient network throughput can increase the risk of data loss during transfer. When transferring large files or performing backups, if the network bandwidth is not sufficient, data packets may be dropped or corrupted, leading to incomplete or corrupted files. This can result in data loss or the need for retransmission, wasting time and resources.
4. Performance and User Experience: A NAS device with higher network throughput provides a better user experience, especially for tasks that require real-time access to data or streaming media. For example, streaming high-definition videos or accessing large files over a low-bandwidth connection may result in buffering or choppy playback.

To optimize data transfer and reduce potential loss, it is important to ensure that the NAS device's network throughput matches the requirements of the network and users. This can be achieved by:

• Using a wired Gigabit Ethernet connection: Wired connections generally provide higher bandwidth capacity compared to wireless connections, ensuring optimal data transfer speeds.
• Upgrading network infrastructure: If the existing network infrastructure is outdated or limited, upgrading to faster switches, routers, or network cables can improve network throughput.
• Load balancing: If the NAS device supports link aggregation or load balancing, combining multiple network interfaces can increase overall bandwidth capacity and distribute the load across multiple connections.
• Prioritizing network traffic: Configuring Quality of Service (QoS) settings on the NAS device or router can prioritize network traffic for critical applications, ensuring smooth data transfer even during high network usage.

By considering and optimizing the network throughput and bandwidth capacity of a NAS device, users can enhance data transfer speeds, reduce potential loss, and improve overall performance.

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

Although the NAS DiskStation DS209+II / DS209+ / DS209 / DS209j 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 DS209+II / DS209+ / DS209 / DS209j. 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 DS209+II / DS209+ / DS209 / DS209j has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 1;
• RAID 0;
• Basic;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• EXT3;
• FAT (External Disk Only);
• NTFS (External Disk 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 DS209+II / DS209+ / DS209 / DS209j 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