How to recover data from Synology DiskStation DS212+ / DS212 / DS212j NAS

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 common mistakes or oversights made by users that can lead to data loss on NAS Synology DiskStation DS212+ / DS212 / DS212j devices?

Yes, there are several common mistakes or oversights made by users that can lead to data loss on NAS Synology DiskStation DS212+ / DS212 / DS212j devices. Some of these include:

1. Lack of regular backups: Many users fail to regularly back up their data stored on the NAS. This can result in permanent data loss if the NAS experiences a hardware failure or if the data becomes corrupted.
2. Failure to update firmware: Synology regularly releases firmware updates that address security vulnerabilities and improve system stability. Neglecting to update the firmware can leave the NAS vulnerable to attacks and potential data loss.
3. Inadequate security measures: Weak passwords, open ports, and lack of firewall protection can leave the NAS vulnerable to unauthorized access or hacking attempts. This can result in data theft or loss.
4. Improper shutdown: Abruptly powering off the NAS without properly shutting it down can lead to data corruption or loss. It is important to follow the correct shutdown procedures to ensure data integrity.
5. Mishandling of hard drives: Removing or inserting hard drives while the NAS is powered on, or mishandling the drives, can cause physical damage or data corruption. It is crucial to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for handling and installing hard drives.
6. Overloading the system: Running too many applications or services simultaneously on the NAS can overload the system and result in data loss. Users should ensure that the NAS is not being pushed beyond its capacity.
7. Ignoring disk health warnings: The NAS provides disk health monitoring and alerts for potential issues. Ignoring these warnings and failing to replace failing or damaged drives can lead to data loss.

To avoid these mistakes and prevent data loss, it is essential to follow best practices such as regularly backing up data, keeping the firmware up to date, implementing strong security measures, properly shutting down the NAS, handling hard drives carefully, avoiding overloading the system, and addressing disk health warnings promptly.

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

Although NAS DiskStation DS212+ / DS212 / DS212j 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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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Synology DiskStation DS212+ / DS212 / DS212j. 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 DS212+ / DS212 / DS212j has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

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

NAS supports:

• EXT4;
• EXT3 (External Disk Only);
• FAT32 (External Disk Only);
• NTFS (External Disk 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 DS212+ / DS212 / DS212j 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