- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Synology DiskStation DS715
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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.
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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS DiskStation DS715 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Synology DiskStation DS715. 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.
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);
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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.
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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 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.
RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
