How to recover data from Synology Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 NAS

Is your network drive gone, and you are wondering what to do? Has a RAID system crashed, and your files are no longer accessible? Does your device display an error while booting? Have you accidentally rebuilt your RAID system? Are several hard disks out of order?

How to recover data from NAS Synology Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812

Synology Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812.

How to recover data from NAS Synology Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812

Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.

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 regular data integrity checks help prevent data loss in NAS Synology Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 devices?

Yes, regular data integrity checks can help prevent data loss in NAS Synology Rack Station RS812RP+, RS812+, and RS812 devices. These devices typically come with built-in data protection features such as RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) and data scrubbing.

RAID helps protect against disk failures by distributing data across multiple drives. In case of a disk failure, the data can be reconstructed using the redundancy information stored on other drives. Regular data integrity checks, also known as data scrubbing or RAID scrubbing, verify the integrity of data stored on the drives. It involves reading all the data on the drives and comparing it to the redundancy information. If any inconsistencies are detected, the RAID controller can automatically repair the data or notify the user about the issue.

By regularly performing data integrity checks, you can identify and fix potential data corruption or disk errors before they lead to data loss. It is recommended to schedule these checks periodically to ensure the ongoing integrity of your data.

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

Although NAS Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 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 Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812. 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

Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 has 4 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 Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 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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Comments (1)

  • 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 Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812, 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

  • What are the key features and specifications of the Synology Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 that make it suitable for use as a database server?

    The Synology Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 is a network-attached storage (NAS) device that can be used as a database server due to its key features and specifications. Here are some of the notable features that make it suitable for this purpose:

    1. High performance: The RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 is equipped with a powerful dual-core processor and ample memory, allowing it to handle demanding database workloads efficiently.
    2. Scalability: It supports up to 8 hard drives, providing ample storage capacity for databases of varying sizes. The drives can be easily expanded using the available expansion units, allowing for future growth.
    3. RAID support: The NAS supports various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10. This ensures data redundancy and protection against drive failures, which is crucial for database servers.
    4. High availability: The RS812RP+ model specifically offers redundant power supplies, ensuring uninterrupted operation even in the event of a power supply failure. This feature enhances the availability and reliability of the database server.
    5. Data protection and backup: Synology NAS devices come with comprehensive data protection features, including built-in backup applications, snapshot technology, and support for remote replication. These features help safeguard the database and ensure data integrity.
    6. Advanced security: The NAS supports various security measures, such as firewall, encryption, and access control, to protect the database from unauthorized access or data breaches.
    7. Virtualization support: The RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 is compatible with virtualization technologies like VMware, Citrix, and Microsoft Hyper-V. This enables easy integration with virtualized database environments.
    8. Extensive software ecosystem: Synology offers a wide range of software applications, including database management systems like MySQL and MariaDB, as well as other productivity tools that can be installed on the NAS. This allows for easy deployment and management of databases.

    Overall, the Synology Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 provides the necessary performance, scalability, data protection, and security features required for a reliable and efficient database server.

  • How does the Synology Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 ensure data security and integrity when used as a database server?

    The Synology Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 ensures data security and integrity when used as a database server through various features and technologies:

    1. RAID Protection: These Rack Stations support various RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10) that provide data redundancy and protection against drive failures. This ensures that even if a drive fails, the data remains accessible and intact.
    2. Data Encryption: The Rack Stations support AES 256-bit encryption, which allows you to encrypt the stored data. This ensures that even if someone gains unauthorized access to the drives, the data will be unreadable without the encryption key.
    3. Access Control: The Rack Stations offer comprehensive access control mechanisms. You can create user accounts with specific privileges and permissions, ensuring that only authorized users can access the database server. Additionally, you can set up IP blocking and firewall rules to restrict access from specific IP addresses or networks.
    4. Advanced File Permissions: The Rack Stations allow you to set granular file permissions, enabling you to control who can read, write, or modify specific files or folders. This ensures that only authorized users can access or modify the database files.
    5. Snapshot and Backup: The Rack Stations support snapshot technology, allowing you to take point-in-time snapshots of the database files. These snapshots can be used to quickly restore data in case of accidental deletion or corruption. Additionally, you can schedule regular backups to external devices or cloud services to ensure data redundancy and protection against hardware failures or disasters.
    6. Antivirus and Malware Protection: Synology provides built-in antivirus and malware scanning capabilities. You can schedule regular scans to detect and remove any potential threats that could compromise the integrity of the database server.
    7. Data Scrubbing and SMART Analysis: The Rack Stations support data scrubbing, which checks the integrity of data stored on the drives and repairs any inconsistencies. Additionally, SMART analysis monitors the health of the drives and alerts you in case of any potential issues, allowing you to proactively replace failing drives.

    By combining these features, the Synology Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 ensures data security and integrity when used as a database server, protecting against data loss, unauthorized access, and potential threats.

  • Can the Synology Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 handle high-volume database workloads, and what are the performance considerations when using it in this capacity?

    The Synology Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 can handle high-volume database workloads to some extent. However, there are several performance considerations to keep in mind when using it in this capacity:

    1. Processor: The RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 models come with a 1.8GHz dual-core processor, which may not be sufficient for extremely demanding database workloads. It is recommended to consider higher-end models with faster processors for better performance.
    2. RAM: These models typically come with 1GB of RAM, which may not be enough for high-volume database workloads. Increasing the RAM capacity can help improve performance in such scenarios.
    3. Storage: The RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 support up to 4 hard drives, allowing for a maximum storage capacity of 32TB (8TB per drive). While this may be sufficient for some database workloads, it may not be enough for extremely large or high-transaction databases. Consider the storage requirements of your specific workload and choose a model with appropriate storage capacity.
    4. RAID Configuration: The RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 support various RAID configurations (e.g., RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10) for data protection and performance optimization. Choosing the right RAID configuration based on your workload's read/write requirements and fault tolerance needs is crucial for optimal performance.
    5. Network Connectivity: These models come with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, which offer decent network performance. However, if your high-volume database workload requires even higher network throughput, consider models with 10GbE support or link aggregation capabilities.
    6. Database Optimization: Implementing database optimization techniques, such as indexing, query optimization, and caching, can significantly improve the performance of high-volume database workloads. These optimizations are independent of the Synology Rack Station itself but should be considered to maximize performance.

    Overall, while the Synology Rack Station RS812RP+ / RS812+ / RS812 can handle high-volume database workloads to some extent, it is important to consider the aforementioned performance considerations and choose a model that aligns with your specific workload requirements.

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