RAID Controller Failure on NAS Synology FlashStation FS2017: Recovery Options and Data Recovery

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology FlashStation FS2017
• 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 practices for off-site backup storage to prevent complete data loss in the event of a disaster?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for off-site backup storage to prevent complete data loss in the event of a disaster. Here are some of the key practices:

1. Regular Backups: Perform regular backups of your data to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information stored off-site. This can be done daily, weekly, or based on your organization's needs.
2. Redundancy: Use multiple off-site backup locations or providers to ensure redundancy. If one location or provider fails, you still have another copy of your data available.
3. Encryption: Encrypt your data before sending it to off-site storage to ensure its security and protect it from unauthorized access.
4. Physical Security: Choose off-site backup storage locations that have strong physical security measures in place, such as controlled access, surveillance cameras, and secure storage facilities.
5. Geographic Separation: Store your backups in geographically separate locations to minimize the risk of losing data due to regional disasters like fires, floods, or earthquakes.
6. Test Restores: Regularly test the restoration process from your off-site backups to ensure that the data can be recovered successfully. This helps identify any issues or errors in the backup and restore process.
7. Regular Monitoring: Monitor the backup process and ensure that backups are being performed as scheduled. Implement alert systems to notify you of any failures or issues with the backup storage.
8. Versioning and Retention: Implement versioning and retention policies to keep multiple versions of your backups and retain them for a specific duration. This allows you to recover from different points in time and protects against data corruption or accidental deletion.
9. Disaster Recovery Plan: Develop a comprehensive disaster recovery plan that includes the process for restoring data from off-site backups. Regularly review and update this plan to incorporate any changes in your infrastructure or business needs.
10. Service Level Agreements (SLAs): When using off-site backup storage providers, ensure that you have clear SLAs in place. These agreements should define the level of service, data availability, and response times in case of any issues.

By following these recommended practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of complete data loss and improve your organization's ability to recover from a disaster.

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

Although the NAS FlashStation FS2017 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 FlashStation FS2017. 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

FlashStation FS2017 has 24 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 FlashStation FS2017 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