NAS Synology DiskStation DS2413+ RAID Controller Failure: Causes, Data Recovery Techniques, and Consequences

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology DiskStation DS2413+
• 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 the number of concurrent users or clients accessing a NAS Synology DiskStation DS2413+ device affect data loss risks?

The number of concurrent users or clients accessing a NAS Synology DiskStation DS2413+ device can potentially affect data loss risks in the following ways:

1. Increased risk of hardware failure: When multiple users are accessing the NAS device simultaneously, it puts more strain on the hardware components such as the hard drives, power supply, and cooling system. This increased workload can lead to higher chances of hardware failure, which may result in data loss.
2. Network congestion and data corruption: If a large number of users are simultaneously accessing and transferring data to or from the NAS device, it can cause network congestion. Network congestion can result in data packets being dropped, corrupted, or delayed, leading to potential data loss or file corruption.
3. Accidental file deletion or modification: With more concurrent users, there is an increased likelihood of accidental file deletion or modification. If multiple users have write access to the same files or folders, there is a higher chance of conflicts and accidental overwrites, leading to data loss.
4. Insufficient system resources: The NAS device has limited system resources such as CPU, memory, and network bandwidth. If the number of concurrent users exceeds the capacity of these resources, it can lead to performance degradation, system instability, and potential data loss.

To mitigate these risks, it is essential to:

a. Ensure regular backups: Implement a robust backup strategy to regularly back up the data stored on the NAS device. This will help recover data in case of any accidental deletion, hardware failure, or other data loss incidents.

b. Monitor system resources: Keep an eye on the system resource utilization of the NAS device. If the device is consistently operating at its maximum capacity, it may be necessary to upgrade the hardware or limit the number of concurrent users to prevent data loss risks.

c. Implement access controls: Set up appropriate access controls and permissions to restrict user access to critical files and folders. This can help minimize the chances of accidental deletion or modification by unauthorized users.

d. Optimize network infrastructure: Ensure a robust and reliable network infrastructure to handle the increased traffic generated by concurrent users. This may involve using high-quality network switches, routers, and cables to minimize network congestion and reduce the risk of data loss due to network-related issues.

e. Educate users: Provide adequate training and education to users about best practices for data management, file sharing, and backup procedures. This can help reduce the likelihood of accidental data loss incidents caused by user errors.

By considering these factors and implementing appropriate measures, the risks associated with data loss can be minimized, even with a large number of concurrent users accessing a NAS Synology DiskStation DS2413+ device.

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

Although the NAS DiskStation DS2413+ 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 DS2413+. 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 DS2413+ has 12 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR);
• RAID 6;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 10;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 0;
• Basic;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• Btrfs;
• EXT4;
• EXT3 (External Disk Only);
• FAT32 (External Disk Only);
• exFAT (External Disk Only);
• NTFS (External Disk Only);
• HFS+ (External Disk Read 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 DS2413+ 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