NAS Synology RackStation RS214 RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Methods for Natural Component Wear

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology RackStation RS214
• 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.

How does a NAS Synology RackStation RS214 device store and manage data?

The Synology RackStation RS214 is a network-attached storage (NAS) device that stores and manages data using various mechanisms. Here's how it typically works:

1. Hard Drives: The RS214 comes with two drive bays, and you can install two hard drives or solid-state drives (SSDs) in these bays. The device supports various storage capacities, and you can configure the drives in different RAID configurations (e.g., RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD) depending on your requirements.
2. File System: The RS214 uses the Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system, which supports multiple file systems. By default, it uses the Btrfs (B-Tree File System) or EXT4 file system, depending on your configuration. These file systems provide data integrity, snapshots, and other advanced features.
3. Data Management: The RS214 offers various data management features. You can create shared folders to organize your data and assign different access permissions to users or groups. It also supports file-level and folder-level encryption to ensure data security.
4. RAID Protection: If you configure the RS214 in a RAID configuration (e.g., RAID 1), it provides data redundancy. This means that even if one drive fails, your data remains accessible, and you can replace the faulty drive without downtime or data loss.
5. Backup and Sync: The RS214 supports various backup and synchronization mechanisms. You can schedule regular backups to external drives, other NAS devices, or cloud storage services. It also offers file syncing capabilities, allowing you to keep data synchronized across multiple devices.
6. Remote Access: Synology NAS devices come with built-in remote access features. With the RS214, you can access your data remotely using Synology's QuickConnect service or by setting up a virtual private network (VPN) connection. This enables you to access and manage your data from anywhere securely.
7. Application Ecosystem: The RS214 supports a wide range of applications through the Synology Package Center. You can install applications like file servers, media servers, backup utilities, surveillance software, and more. These applications enhance the functionality of the device and allow you to customize it according to your needs.

Overall, the Synology RackStation RS214 device stores and manages data by utilizing hard drives, file systems, RAID configurations, data management features, backup and sync mechanisms, remote access capabilities, and an extensive application ecosystem.

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

Although the NAS RackStation RS214 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 RackStation RS214. 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

RackStation RS214 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• Synology Hybrid RAID;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 0;
• Basic;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• 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 RackStation RS214 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