- 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?
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.
How can file system corruption impact data integrity on NAS Synology DiskStation DS210+ / DS210j devices?
File system corruption on NAS Synology DiskStation DS210+ / DS210j devices can have a significant impact on data integrity. Here are some ways it can affect data:
- Data Loss: File system corruption can result in the loss of data stored on the NAS. This can happen if the corruption affects critical system files or the file allocation table, making it difficult or impossible for the NAS to access and retrieve the stored data.
- Data Inaccessibility: Corruption can make the data inaccessible, even if it is still physically present on the NAS. This can happen if the corruption affects the file system structure, making it difficult for the NAS to read and interpret the data correctly.
- Data Corruption: In some cases, file system corruption can lead to data corruption. This means that the stored data may become unreadable, garbled, or contain errors. It can result in the loss or distortion of important information, rendering it useless or unreliable.
- Slow Performance: File system corruption can cause the NAS to slow down or become unresponsive. This can happen as the NAS tries to navigate through the corrupted file system, leading to delays in accessing or transferring data.
- System Instability: Corruption can also make the NAS system unstable, leading to frequent crashes, freezes, or unexpected shutdowns. This instability can further exacerbate the data integrity issues and increase the risk of data loss or corruption.
To mitigate the impact of file system corruption on data integrity, it is crucial to have regular backups of the data stored on the NAS. This ensures that even if corruption occurs, you can restore the data from a previous backup. Additionally, using RAID technology and implementing data scrubbing can help detect and correct file system errors before they cause significant damage. Regularly updating the NAS firmware and performing regular system checks can also help identify and resolve any potential file system issues before they escalate.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS DiskStation DS210+ / DS210j 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Synology DiskStation DS210+ / DS210j. 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.
DiskStation DS210+ / DS210j has 1 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 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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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 DS210+ / DS210j 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
Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |