- 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.
Are there any known issues or limitations when using NAS Synology Rack Station RS1619xs+ devices with virtualization platforms such as VMware or Hyper-V?
There are a few known issues and limitations when using Synology Rack Station RS1619xs+ devices with virtualization platforms like VMware or Hyper-V. Here are some of them:
- Limited CPU and memory resources: The RS1619xs+ is a 1U rackmount NAS device, so it has limited CPU and memory resources compared to dedicated virtualization servers. This can limit the number and performance of virtual machines that can be hosted on the device.
- Limited storage performance: The RS1619xs+ comes with a built-in PCIe slot for adding a 10GbE network interface card (NIC) to improve storage performance. However, the device's storage performance may still be limited compared to dedicated storage arrays used in virtualization environments.
- Lack of advanced virtualization features: The RS1619xs+ is primarily designed as a NAS device and may lack some advanced virtualization features found in dedicated virtualization servers. For example, it may not support features like live migration, high availability, or fault tolerance.
- Compatibility issues: While Synology provides compatibility with VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V, there may still be compatibility issues with specific versions or configurations of these virtualization platforms. It is recommended to check Synology's compatibility list and consult their technical support for any known issues or limitations.
- Limited scalability: The RS1619xs+ has a limited number of drive bays and expansion options compared to larger rackmount NAS devices. This can limit the scalability of the storage capacity and virtualization resources as the needs of the virtualization environment grow.
Overall, while the RS1619xs+ can be used as a virtualization platform, it may have limitations in terms of performance, advanced features, and scalability compared to dedicated virtualization servers. It is important to carefully evaluate these limitations and consider the specific requirements of the virtualization environment before using the RS1619xs+ for virtualization purposes.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Rack Station RS1619xs+ 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 Rack Station RS1619xs+. 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.
Rack Station RS1619xs+ has 4 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);
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 Rack Station RS1619xs+ 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 |