- 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 RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations impact data loss in NAS Synology DiskStation DS216+II / DS216+ / DS216 / DS216play / DS216j / DS216se devices?
RAID configurations can have a significant impact on data loss in NAS Synology DiskStation devices. Here are a few ways RAID configurations can affect data loss:
- Redundancy: RAID configurations provide redundancy by distributing data across multiple disks. In case of a disk failure, the data can be recovered from the remaining disks. This helps mitigate the risk of data loss due to a single disk failure.
- RAID Levels: Synology DiskStation devices support various RAID levels such as RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, etc. Each RAID level offers different trade-offs between performance, capacity, and data redundancy. Choosing the appropriate RAID level based on your requirements is crucial to minimize the risk of data loss.
- Rebuilding Process: When a failed disk is replaced in a RAID array, the data from the remaining disks is used to rebuild the data on the new disk. During this rebuilding process, if another disk fails or encounters an error, it can lead to data loss. Therefore, it is important to monitor the RAID array and replace failed disks promptly.
- RAID Controller Failure: The RAID controller is responsible for managing the array and ensuring data integrity. If the RAID controller fails, it can result in data loss or corruption. Using a reliable RAID controller and regularly backing up data can help mitigate this risk.
- Human Error: RAID configurations can be complex, and improper configuration or accidental deletion of data can lead to data loss. It is essential to understand the RAID configuration options and take necessary precautions to prevent human errors.
- RAID Scrubbing: Synology DiskStation devices offer RAID scrubbing, which periodically checks the integrity of data on the disks. This process helps identify and correct any errors or inconsistencies in the RAID array, reducing the risk of data loss.
Overall, selecting the appropriate RAID level, regularly monitoring the RAID array, promptly replacing failed disks, and implementing backup strategies are crucial to minimize the risk of data loss in Synology DiskStation devices.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS DiskStation DS216+II / DS216+ / DS216 / DS216play / DS216j / DS216se 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 DS216+II / DS216+ / DS216 / DS216play / DS216j / DS216se. 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.
How to recover data from a Synology
DiskStation DS216+II / DS216+ / DS216 / DS216play / DS216j / DS216se 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);
- HFS+ (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 DS216+II / DS216+ / DS216 / DS216play / DS216j / DS216se 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 |
