- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Synology Rack Station RS1619xs+
- 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.
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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS Rack Station RS1619xs+ 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 Rack Station RS1619xs+. 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
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);
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 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.
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 |
