RAID Controller Failure on NAS Synology RackStation RS3412RPxs / RS3412xs: Data Recovery Techniques and Consequences

Contents

• 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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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 limitations or performance bottlenecks that can increase data loss risks for NAS Synology RackStation RS3412RPxs / RS3412xs devices?

There are a few known limitations and performance bottlenecks for the NAS Synology RackStation RS3412RPxs / RS3412xs devices that can potentially increase data loss risks:

1. Single point of failure: These devices typically have a single power supply unit (PSU) configuration, which means that if the PSU fails, it can lead to downtime and potential data loss. To mitigate this risk, it is recommended to use redundant PSU configurations or have a backup power supply.
2. Limited scalability: The RS3412RPxs / RS3412xs devices have a fixed number of drive bays, which limits the scalability in terms of storage capacity. If you run out of drive bays, you may need to purchase additional devices or upgrade to a higher-capacity model, which can increase the complexity and potential risks of data loss during the migration process.
3. Network bandwidth limitations: NAS devices rely on the network to transfer data, and the RS3412RPxs / RS3412xs devices have a limited network bandwidth. If you have a high volume of data transfer or a large number of concurrent users accessing the NAS, it can potentially lead to performance bottlenecks and increased data loss risks.
4. Lack of real-time data protection: The RS3412RPxs / RS3412xs devices do not have built-in real-time data protection mechanisms like RAID 6 or RAID 10. They typically support RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10 configurations, but these configurations may not provide immediate protection against data loss in case of multiple drive failures or other catastrophic events.
5. Limited backup options: While the Synology devices offer various backup options, such as local backups, remote backups, and cloud backups, the RS3412RPxs / RS3412xs devices may have limited storage capacity or performance for efficient backup operations. This can increase the risk of data loss if backups are not regularly performed or if the backup strategy is not properly implemented.

To mitigate these risks and ensure data protection, it is recommended to implement a comprehensive backup strategy, use redundant components where possible, regularly monitor and maintain the NAS device, and consider upgrading to higher-capacity models or implementing a distributed storage solution if scalability is a concern.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS RackStation RS3412RPxs / RS3412xs 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Synology RackStation RS3412RPxs / RS3412xs. 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.

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How to recover data from a Synology

RackStation RS3412RPxs / RS3412xs has 10 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:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 RackStation RS3412RPxs / RS3412xs 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