Recovering Data After RAID Controller Failure on NAS Synology RackStation RS3618xs: Causes and Solutions

Recovering data after RAID controller failure on ⭐ NAS requires understanding the causes and consequences.

Recovering Data After RAID Controller Failure on NAS Synology RackStation RS3618xs: Causes and Solutions

Synology RackStation RS3618xs NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from RackStation RS3618xs.

Recovering Data After RAID Controller Failure on NAS Synology RackStation RS3618xs: Causes and Solutions

RAID Recovery™ 2.6
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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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.

Can a failed RAID rebuild process lead to data loss on NAS Synology RackStation RS3618xs devices?

Yes, a failed RAID rebuild process can potentially lead to data loss on NAS Synology RackStation RS3618xs devices. During a RAID rebuild, the system attempts to reconstruct data on a failed or replaced hard drive by using data from the remaining drives in the RAID array. If the rebuild process fails, it can result in data corruption or loss.

There are several reasons why a RAID rebuild may fail, including:

  1. Multiple drive failures: If more than one drive fails during the rebuild process, the system may not be able to reconstruct the data properly, leading to potential data loss.
  2. Unreliable or faulty hardware: If the new drive being used for the rebuild is faulty or incompatible with the NAS device, it can cause the rebuild process to fail.
  3. Power loss or system interruptions: If there is a power outage or the NAS device restarts during the rebuild process, it can result in data loss or corruption.
  4. Software or firmware issues: Bugs or compatibility issues in the NAS operating system or firmware can also cause the rebuild process to fail and potentially lead to data loss.

To minimize the risk of data loss during a RAID rebuild, it is recommended to regularly backup important data on a separate storage device or offsite. Additionally, ensuring the NAS device and its components are up to date with the latest firmware updates can help prevent potential issues that may lead to a failed rebuild.

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

Although NAS RackStation RS3618xs 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.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Synology RackStation RS3618xs. 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.

Go to view
How to recover data from a Synology

How to recover data from a Synology

RackStation RS3618xs has 12 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 ToolsSave 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.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  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.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: hoose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP

Where are user’s files stored?

The Synology RackStation RS3618xs 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

Product Operating system License type RAID controller support Supported file systems Virtual RAID controller support Data recovery from damaged RAID File preview
Hetman RAID Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
DiskInternals RAID Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
R-Studio Windows, Mac, Linux Paid Yes, over 200 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery Windows, Mac, Linux Paid Yes, over 1,000 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery Windows Free Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes

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  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #
    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS RackStation RS3618xs, feel free to leave a comment!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • How does RAID technology enhance the data storage capabilities of the Synology RackStation RS3618xs NAS device?

    RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology enhances the data storage capabilities of the Synology RackStation RS3618xs NAS device in several ways:

    1. Data protection: RAID technology allows for data redundancy by spreading data across multiple hard drives. This protects against data loss in case of a single drive failure. The RS3618xs supports various RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and JBOD, providing different levels of data protection and performance.
    2. Increased storage capacity: By combining multiple hard drives into a single logical unit, RAID technology allows for increased storage capacity. The RS3618xs can accommodate up to 12 hard drives, providing a large storage capacity that can be expanded further by adding expansion units.
    3. Improved performance: Depending on the RAID level chosen, the RS3618xs can improve read and write performance by distributing data across multiple drives. RAID 0, for example, stripes data across drives, providing increased performance for data-intensive applications.
    4. Hot-swappable drives: The RS3618xs supports hot-swappable drives, which means that failed drives can be replaced without shutting down the system. This ensures minimal downtime and uninterrupted data access.
    5. Flexibility and scalability: RAID technology allows for flexibility in terms of storage management. The RS3618xs supports Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), which simplifies the management of storage by automatically optimizing the available space and protecting data in case of drive failures. Additionally, the RS3618xs can be expanded by connecting additional expansion units, providing scalability to meet growing storage needs.

    Overall, RAID technology enhances the data storage capabilities of the Synology RackStation RS3618xs NAS device by providing data protection, increased storage capacity, improved performance, flexibility, and scalability.

  • What RAID configurations are supported by the Synology RackStation RS3618xs, and how do they affect data redundancy and performance?

    The Synology RackStation RS3618xs supports various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, and RAID F1.

    1. RAID 0: This configuration does not provide any data redundancy. It stripes data across multiple drives, which improves performance by utilizing the combined capacity of all drives. However, if one drive fails, all data is lost.
    2. RAID 1: It mirrors data across two drives, providing data redundancy. If one drive fails, the other drive contains an identical copy of the data, ensuring data integrity. However, it does not improve performance as it only utilizes the capacity of a single drive.
    3. RAID 5: This configuration stripes data across multiple drives, similar to RAID 0, but also includes parity information distributed across all drives. It offers both data redundancy and improved performance. If a single drive fails, the parity information can be used to rebuild the data on a replacement drive.
    4. RAID 6: Similar to RAID 5, RAID 6 also includes distributed parity information. However, it can withstand the failure of two drives simultaneously, providing higher data redundancy compared to RAID 5.
    5. RAID 10: It combines aspects of RAID 1 and RAID 0. It mirrors data across pairs of drives (RAID 1) and then stripes the mirrored pairs (RAID 0). This configuration offers both data redundancy and improved performance. It can withstand the failure of one drive in each mirrored pair.
    6. RAID F1: It is a proprietary RAID configuration by Synology designed for use with SSDs. It aims to maximize the lifespan of SSDs by distributing write operations more evenly across all drives, reducing wear on individual drives.

    In summary, RAID configurations with higher data redundancy (RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, and RAID 10) provide better protection against drive failures but may have lower write performance due to the overhead of parity calculation. RAID 0 and RAID F1 offer improved performance but do not provide data redundancy, making them more suitable for scenarios where performance is prioritized over data protection.

  • Can the Synology RackStation RS3618xs utilize RAID technologies to provide seamless data protection and high availability for critical business applications?

    Yes, the Synology RackStation RS3618xs can utilize RAID technologies to provide seamless data protection and high availability for critical business applications. It supports various RAID configurations such as RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10, allowing users to choose the level of data protection and performance that suits their needs. Additionally, the RS3618xs also supports Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), which offers flexible storage management and automatic data protection.

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