NAS Synology DiskStation DS211+ / DS211 / DS211j RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Steps for Handling Component Wear

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology DiskStation DS211+ / DS211 / DS211j
• 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 file system corruption impact data integrity on NAS Synology DiskStation DS211+ / DS211 / DS211j devices?

File system corruption can have several impacts on data integrity on NAS Synology DiskStation DS211+ / DS211 / DS211j devices:

1. Data Loss: File system corruption can lead to the loss of data stored on the NAS device. This can happen if the corruption affects critical system files or if the corruption prevents proper access to the stored data.
2. Inaccessibility: Corrupted file systems can make it difficult or impossible to access the data stored on the NAS device. This can result in the loss of important files and documents.
3. Data Corruption: File system corruption can also lead to data corruption, where the stored files become unreadable or contain errors. This can render the data useless or result in the loss of important information.
4. Unreliable backups: NAS devices often provide backup functionality, allowing users to create backups of their data. However, if the file system on the NAS device is corrupted, the backups may also be affected, rendering them unreliable or useless.
5. System Instability: File system corruption can cause the NAS device to become unstable, leading to frequent system crashes, freezes, or other performance issues. This can further impact the integrity of the data stored on the device.

To mitigate the impact of file system corruption on data integrity, it is recommended to:

1. Regularly backup data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that important data is stored in multiple locations, reducing the risk of complete data loss.
2. Use RAID or redundancy: Employ RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) or other redundancy mechanisms to protect against data loss in case of file system corruption or hardware failures.
3. Implement data integrity checks: Enable data integrity checks, such as periodic filesystem scans or checksum verification, to detect and correct any file system corruption issues early on.
4. Keep the NAS firmware up to date: Regularly update the NAS firmware to ensure that any known file system corruption issues are addressed by the manufacturer.
5. Monitor and maintain the NAS device: Regularly monitor the NAS device for any signs of file system corruption or degradation and promptly address any issues that arise.

By following these measures, you can minimize the impact of file system corruption on data integrity on NAS Synology DiskStation DS211+ / DS211 / DS211j devices.

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

Although the NAS DiskStation DS211+ / DS211 / DS211j 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 DS211+ / DS211 / DS211j. 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 DS211+ / DS211 / DS211j has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• Synology Hybrid RAID;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 0;
• Basic;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• EXT4;
• EXT3;
• FAT32 (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 DS211+ / DS211 / DS211j 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