How to Recover Data from NAS Synology RackStation RS217 RAID Arrays After Component Wear Occurs

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology RackStation RS217
• 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 can quality of service (QoS) settings impact data transfer reliability on NAS Synology RackStation RS217 devices?

Quality of Service (QoS) settings can have a significant impact on data transfer reliability on NAS Synology RackStation RS217 devices. Here are a few ways QoS settings can affect data transfer reliability:

1. Bandwidth Allocation: QoS settings allow you to allocate a specific amount of bandwidth for different applications or services. By prioritizing critical applications such as file transfers or backups, you ensure that they receive sufficient bandwidth, reducing the chances of data transfer interruptions or delays.
2. Traffic Prioritization: QoS settings enable you to prioritize certain types of network traffic over others. By giving higher priority to data transfer protocols like FTP or SMB, you ensure that they receive preferential treatment and are less likely to be affected by other network activities, improving reliability.
3. Traffic Shaping: QoS settings can shape or control the flow of network traffic, preventing congestion and ensuring smooth data transfers. By regulating the amount and rate of data being transferred, QoS helps avoid bottlenecks, packet loss, or network saturation, which can negatively impact reliability.
4. Latency Management: QoS settings can help manage latency, which is the delay between data being sent and received. By prioritizing time-sensitive applications or services, QoS reduces latency, ensuring timely and reliable data transfers.
5. Error Correction: Some QoS settings include error correction mechanisms that can enhance data transfer reliability. By detecting and correcting errors in the data packets, QoS can improve the integrity and accuracy of the transferred data, reducing the chances of corruption or loss.

It is important to note that the specific QoS settings and their impact on data transfer reliability may vary depending on the network environment, the types of applications or services being used, and the overall network traffic. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully configure and fine-tune QoS settings based on your specific requirements and network conditions.

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

Although the NAS RackStation RS217 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 RS217. 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 RS217 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 RS217 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