NAS Synology DiskStation DS3612xs RAID Controller Failure: Causes, Recovery Solutions, and Consequences

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology DiskStation DS3612xs
• 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.

Are there any common mistakes or oversights made by users that can lead to data loss on NAS Synology DiskStation DS3612xs devices?

Yes, there are several common mistakes or oversights made by users that can lead to data loss on NAS Synology DiskStation DS3612xs devices. Some of them include:

1. Lack of proper backup: Many users rely solely on their NAS device for data storage without maintaining a proper backup. This can be risky as any hardware failure, accidental deletion, or ransomware attack can result in permanent data loss.
2. Failure to update firmware: Neglecting to update the firmware of the NAS device can expose it to security vulnerabilities. Hackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access and potentially delete or corrupt data.
3. Inadequate security measures: Weak or default passwords, disabled firewall, or open network ports can make the NAS device vulnerable to unauthorized access or malware attacks. This can lead to data loss or compromise.
4. Ignoring disk health monitoring: DiskStation devices provide disk health monitoring features that can alert users about potential disk failures. Ignoring these warnings can result in complete data loss if a disk fails.
5. Improper shutdown or power loss: Abruptly shutting down the NAS device or experiencing a power loss while it is in use can cause data corruption or loss. It is important to properly shut down the device or use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to prevent such issues.
6. Accidental deletion or formatting: Users may accidentally delete or format important files or folders on the NAS device. Without a proper backup, recovering such data can be challenging or even impossible.

To mitigate the risk of data loss, users should regularly backup their data, keep the firmware up to date, implement strong security measures, monitor disk health, follow proper shutdown procedures, and exercise caution while handling data on the NAS device.

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

Although the NAS DiskStation DS3612xs 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 DS3612xs. 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 DS3612xs 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 DS3612xs 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