NAS Synology DiskStation DS716+II / DS716+ RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Techniques for Component Wear Recovery

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology DiskStation DS716+II / DS716+
• 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 recommended steps to take after detecting or suspecting data loss on a NAS Synology DiskStation DS716+II / DS716+ device?

If you suspect or detect data loss on a Synology DiskStation DS716+II or DS716+ NAS device, here are some recommended steps to take:

1. Stop using the device: As soon as you notice data loss, it is crucial to stop using the device immediately. Continued use may overwrite the lost data, making recovery more difficult or even impossible.
2. Identify the cause: Try to determine the cause of the data loss. It could be due to hardware failure, accidental deletion, malware, or other reasons. Understanding the cause can help in formulating a recovery plan.
3. Check hardware connections: Ensure that all cables and connections between the NAS device and other components are secure. Loose or faulty connections can lead to data loss or corruption.
4. Restart the device: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve minor issues. Power off the NAS device, wait for a few seconds, and then power it back on. Check if the lost data reappears after the restart.
5. Check disk health: Log in to the DiskStation Manager (DSM) web interface and navigate to the Storage Manager. Check the health status of the hard drives in the NAS. If any drive is marked as degraded or failed, it might be the cause of data loss. Replace the faulty drive(s) following the manufacturer's instructions.
6. Restore from backup: If you have a recent backup of your data, restore it to the NAS device. Synology NAS devices have built-in backup features that allow you to create scheduled backups to external drives, cloud storage, or other NAS devices. Refer to the Synology documentation for instructions on how to restore data from backups.
7. Use data recovery software: If you don't have a backup or the backup is outdated, you can try using data recovery software specifically designed for NAS devices. Synology offers its own software called "Synology Data Recovery" that can help recover lost data from Synology NAS devices. Follow the instructions provided by Synology for using the software.
8. Contact Synology support: If you are unable to recover the lost data using the above methods, it is recommended to contact Synology support for further assistance. They have expertise in dealing with data loss situations and may be able to provide additional guidance or solutions.

Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Regularly backing up your data and implementing RAID configurations can help minimize the risk of data loss on NAS devices.

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

Although the NAS DiskStation DS716+II / DS716+ 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 DS716+II / DS716+. 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 DS716+II / DS716+ has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

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

NAS supports:

• Btrfs;
• 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:

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 DS716+II / DS716+ 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