Recovering Data After RAID Controller Failure on NAS Synology FlashStation FS6400: Causes and Steps

Has your NAS Synology FlashStation FS6400 suddenly lost its network drive and you’re unsure what to do next? Did the RAID array collapse, making your files inaccessible? Is the device throwing errors during startup? Perhaps you accidentally rebuilt the RAID array or several hard drives failed at the same time?

Recovering Data After RAID Controller Failure on NAS Synology FlashStation FS6400: Causes and Steps

Synology FlashStation FS6400 NAS Data Recovery in 2025

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from an FlashStation FS6400. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

Recovering Data After RAID Controller Failure on NAS Synology FlashStation FS6400: Causes and Steps

RAID Recovery™ 2.8
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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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.

How does a NAS Synology FlashStation FS6400 device store and manage data?

The Synology FlashStation FS6400 is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device that uses a combination of hardware and software to store and manage data. Here's a breakdown of how it works:

  1. Storage Architecture: The FS6400 utilizes a high-performance storage architecture that includes solid-state drives (SSDs) for fast data access and low-latency performance. It supports both SATA and NVMe SSDs, allowing for flexible storage configurations.
  2. RAID Protection: The device supports various RAID configurations such as RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10, which provide data redundancy and protection against drive failures. RAID allows for data striping (spreading data across multiple drives) and mirroring (creating duplicate copies of data on separate drives).
  3. Disk Group and Volume: The FS6400 allows you to create disk groups by combining multiple drives into a single logical unit. Within a disk group, you can create multiple volumes, each with its own file system and storage settings. This allows for efficient storage management and allocation of capacity based on specific needs.
  4. Btrfs File System: Synology NAS devices, including the FS6400, use the Btrfs (B-tree file system) by default. Btrfs offers advanced features such as data checksums, snapshot capabilities, and efficient data deduplication. It ensures data integrity and provides flexible data protection options.
  5. Data Management: The FS6400 comes with a comprehensive set of software tools and features for data management. This includes file sharing protocols (SMB, AFP, NFS, FTP, etc.), data backup solutions (local, remote, cloud), data synchronization, data deduplication, and data compression. These tools allow users to easily store, access, and manage their data.
  6. Centralized Management: Synology provides a web-based user interface called DiskStation Manager (DSM) to manage the FS6400 and other NAS devices. DSM offers a user-friendly interface for configuring settings, managing storage, creating user accounts, and installing additional applications. It also supports various security features to protect data access and ensure privacy.

Overall, the Synology FlashStation FS6400 combines high-performance hardware with advanced software features to provide reliable and efficient data storage and management capabilities.

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

Although the NAS FlashStation FS6400 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.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Synology FlashStation FS6400. 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.

Go to view
How to recover data from a Synology

How to recover data from a Synology

FlashStation FS6400 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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Choose a disk or save the image via FTP

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The Synology FlashStation FS6400 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

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  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #
    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS FlashStation FS6400, feel free to leave a comment!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are the key features and capabilities of the NAS Synology FlashStation FS6400 in terms of file access security?

    The Synology FlashStation FS6400 offers several key features and capabilities in terms of file access security:

    1. Advanced Access Control: The FS6400 provides a comprehensive access control mechanism that allows you to define user permissions and access rights at various levels, including shared folders, files, and applications. This ensures that only authorized users have access to specific files or folders.
    2. File-Level Encryption: The FS6400 supports AES 256-bit encryption at the file level, ensuring that your data is securely stored on the device. This encryption provides an additional layer of protection against unauthorized access to your files.
    3. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): To enhance security, the FS6400 supports 2FA, which requires users to provide a second verification factor, such as a temporary code generated by a mobile app, in addition to their password. This helps prevent unauthorized access even if the password is compromised.
    4. IP and Account Auto Block: The FS6400 includes an IP and account auto-blocking mechanism that detects and blocks suspicious login attempts. This helps protect against brute-force attacks and unauthorized access attempts by automatically blocking IP addresses or user accounts after a certain number of failed login attempts.
    5. Antivirus and Malware Protection: The FS6400 integrates with Synology's built-in antivirus solution, which regularly scans files and folders for viruses and malware. This helps prevent the spread of malicious files within the NAS and ensures the security of your data.
    6. Audit Logs and Notifications: The FS6400 keeps detailed audit logs of user activities, including file access, modifications, and deletions. These logs can be reviewed to track any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, the system can send notifications to administrators when specific events occur, such as failed login attempts or changes to user permissions.
    7. HTTPS and SSL/TLS Support: The FS6400 supports secure file access over HTTPS, ensuring that data transmitted between the NAS and client devices is encrypted. It also supports SSL/TLS certificates for secure remote access, providing a secure connection for accessing files from outside the local network.

    Overall, the Synology FlashStation FS6400 offers robust file access security features and capabilities to protect your data from unauthorized access and ensure the integrity and confidentiality of your files.

  • How does the NAS Synology FlashStation FS6400 ensure secure file access for multiple users or groups within an organization?

    The NAS Synology FlashStation FS6400 ensures secure file access for multiple users or groups within an organization through several mechanisms:

    1. User and Group Management: The FS6400 allows administrators to create and manage user accounts and groups with different access privileges. This ensures that only authorized users can access specific files or folders.
    2. Access Control Lists (ACLs): The FS6400 supports ACLs, which enable administrators to define fine-grained permissions for individual users or groups. This allows for precise control over who can read, write, or execute files and folders.
    3. Shared Folder Encryption: The FS6400 provides the option to encrypt shared folders, ensuring that data remains secure even if unauthorized access occurs. Encryption is performed on the NAS device itself, so data is protected both during transit and at rest.
    4. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): The FS6400 supports 2FA, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a second form of authentication, such as a temporary code generated by a mobile app, in addition to their password.
    5. Firewall and IP Blocking: The FS6400 includes a built-in firewall that can be configured to restrict access to specific IP addresses or ranges. This helps prevent unauthorized access attempts and protects against potential attacks.
    6. Audit Logs and Notifications: The FS6400 keeps detailed audit logs of file access activities, allowing administrators to monitor user actions and detect any suspicious or unauthorized activities. Notifications can also be set up to alert administrators of specific events, such as failed login attempts.
    7. Integration with Active Directory/LDAP: The FS6400 can be integrated with existing Active Directory or LDAP services, allowing organizations to leverage their existing user management infrastructure and maintain centralized control over user accounts and access permissions.

    Overall, the combination of user and group management, ACLs, encryption, 2FA, firewall, audit logs, and integration with directory services ensures secure file access for multiple users or groups within an organization using the NAS Synology FlashStation FS6400.

  • Can you explain the authentication and authorization mechanisms employed by the NAS Synology FlashStation FS6400 to protect against unauthorized file access?

    The NAS Synology FlashStation FS6400 employs several authentication and authorization mechanisms to protect against unauthorized file access. These mechanisms include:

    1. User Authentication: The FS6400 supports various authentication methods, such as local user accounts, LDAP, Active Directory, and two-factor authentication. These methods ensure that only authorized users can access the NAS and its files.
    2. Access Control Lists (ACLs): The FS6400 allows administrators to set fine-grained access control lists on files and folders. ACLs define which users or groups have permission to read, write, or execute specific files or directories. This ensures that only authorized individuals can access specific files or directories.
    3. Shared Folder Permissions: Administrators can set permissions on shared folders to control access at a broader level. They can assign read-only or read/write permissions to individual users or groups, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access shared folders.
    4. IP and Connection Restrictions: The FS6400 allows administrators to restrict access based on IP addresses or connection types. This feature enables administrators to limit access to specific networks or devices, further enhancing security.
    5. Encryption: The FS6400 supports various encryption protocols, such as SSL/TLS and AES-256, to secure data transmission and storage. Encryption ensures that even if unauthorized access occurs, the data remains encrypted and inaccessible without the proper decryption keys.
    6. Firewall and Network Security: The FS6400 has built-in firewall capabilities to protect against unauthorized network access. It also supports various network security features like IP blocking, port forwarding, and VPN server integration, which further enhance security.
    7. Audit Logs and Alerts: The FS6400 keeps detailed audit logs of user activities, including file access and modifications. Administrators can review these logs to detect any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities. The system can also generate alerts to notify administrators of potential security breaches.

    By employing these authentication and authorization mechanisms, the NAS Synology FlashStation FS6400 ensures that only authorized users can access files, and unauthorized access attempts are mitigated or detected promptly.