NAS Synology RackStation RS3413xs+ RAID Controller Failure: Causes, Recovery Solutions, and Data Loss Prevention

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 recommended practices for protecting NAS Synology RackStation RS3413xs+ devices against physical theft or unauthorized access that can lead to data loss?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for protecting NAS Synology RackStation RS3413xs+ devices against physical theft or unauthorized access that can lead to data loss. Here are some best practices:

1. Secure Physical Location: Place the NAS device in a secure, locked room or cabinet to prevent unauthorized physical access.
2. Use Strong Passwords: Set strong and unique passwords for all user accounts, including the administrator account. Avoid using default or easily guessable passwords.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for all user accounts to add an extra layer of security. This will require users to provide a second form of authentication, such as a code from a mobile app, in addition to their password.
4. Regularly Update Firmware: Keep the NAS device's firmware up to date with the latest security patches and updates. Synology regularly releases firmware updates that address security vulnerabilities.
5. Disable Unused Services: Disable any unnecessary services or features on the NAS device to minimize potential attack vectors. Only enable the services you actually need.
6. Enable Firewall: Enable the built-in firewall on the NAS device to block unauthorized access attempts from the internet. Configure the firewall to allow only necessary incoming and outgoing connections.
7. Use VPN for Remote Access: If you need remote access to the NAS device, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to establish a secure connection. This will encrypt the data transmitted between your device and the NAS.
8. Regularly Backup Data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that your data is protected in the event of theft or data loss. Store backups off-site or in the cloud for added security.
9. Encrypt Sensitive Data: If you store sensitive data on the NAS, consider enabling encryption to protect it from unauthorized access. Synology offers built-in encryption options for shared folders.
10. Enable Security Notifications: Configure the NAS device to send security notifications to alert you of any suspicious activities or login attempts. This will help you take immediate action in case of unauthorized access.

By following these recommended practices, you can significantly enhance the security of your NAS Synology RackStation RS3413xs+ device and protect it against physical theft or unauthorized access that may lead to data loss.

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

Although NAS RackStation RS3413xs+ 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 RS3413xs+. 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 RS3413xs+ 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 RS3413xs+ 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