- 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.
Can remote access to NAS Synology DiskStation DS715 devices pose additional data loss risks?
Remote access to NAS Synology DiskStation DS715 devices can potentially pose additional data loss risks if proper security measures are not in place. Here are some potential risks:
- Unauthorized access: If remote access is not properly secured, it can open up the possibility of unauthorized individuals gaining access to your NAS device. This can result in data theft, deletion, or modification.
- Weak passwords: Weak or easily guessable passwords can make it easier for attackers to gain access to your NAS device remotely. It is important to use strong, complex passwords and enable two-factor authentication for added security.
- Network vulnerabilities: If your network is not properly secured, it can expose your NAS device to various network-based attacks, such as Man-in-the-Middle attacks or brute-force attempts. Regularly updating your network security measures and using encryption protocols can help mitigate these risks.
- Malware and ransomware: Remote access can potentially expose your NAS device to malware or ransomware attacks if the connected device used for remote access is compromised. It is crucial to keep your remote devices, including computers and mobile devices, updated with the latest security patches and use reputable security software.
- Data transmission risks: During remote access, data is transmitted over the internet, which can be intercepted or compromised if proper encryption measures are not in place. Using secure protocols such as SSL/TLS and VPN can help protect the data during transmission.
To minimize these risks, it is important to follow best practices for securing remote access to your NAS device, such as enabling firewall rules, using strong passwords, regularly updating firmware, and implementing additional security measures like two-factor authentication.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS DiskStation DS715 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 DS715. 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 DS715 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- Synology Hybrid RAID(SHR);
- RAID 1;
- RAID 0;
- Basic;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- EXT4;
- EXT3 (External Disk Only);
- FAT32 (External Disk Only);
- NTFS (External Disk Only);
- HFS+ (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:
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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 DS715 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 |
