NAS Synology Rack Station RS814RP+ / RS814+ / RS814 RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Tips After Component Wear

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology Rack Station RS814RP+ / RS814+ / RS814
• 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 file system corruption impact data integrity on NAS Synology Rack Station RS814RP+ / RS814+ / RS814 devices?

File system corruption can have a significant impact on data integrity on NAS Synology Rack Station RS814RP+ / RS814+ / RS814 devices. Here are some ways it can affect data integrity:

1. Data Loss: File system corruption can lead to the loss of data stored on the NAS. This can happen if critical file system structures, such as the master file table or file allocation table, get corrupted or damaged. In such cases, files may become inaccessible or completely lost.
2. Data Inconsistency: Corruption in the file system can result in data inconsistencies, where the information stored in files or directories does not match the actual data on the storage medium. This can lead to incorrect or incomplete data being retrieved, causing issues with data integrity.
3. File System Errors: Corrupted file systems can cause various errors to occur during normal operations. These errors can prevent files from being read or written properly, resulting in data corruption or loss.
4. Reduced Performance: File system corruption can impact the performance of the NAS device. The corrupted file system may cause delays in accessing files, slower read/write speeds, and overall degraded performance.
5. Unreliable Backups: If the file system corruption affects the backup mechanisms on the NAS, it can render the backups unreliable or unusable. This can make it difficult to restore data in case of data loss or corruption.

To mitigate the impact of file system corruption on data integrity, it is essential to take preventive measures:

1. Regular backups: Maintain regular backups of critical data stored on the NAS. This ensures that even if corruption occurs, you can restore the data from a clean backup.
2. RAID Configuration: Utilize RAID configurations on the NAS devices to provide data redundancy and protection against disk failures. RAID can help in recovering data in case of file system corruption on a single disk.
3. File System Check: Perform regular file system checks or scans on the NAS devices. This helps to identify and fix any file system errors or inconsistencies before they cause significant data integrity issues.
4. Firmware Updates: Keep the NAS device's firmware up to date. Manufacturers often release firmware updates that address known file system issues or vulnerabilities, improving data integrity.
5. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Use a UPS to protect the NAS from sudden power outages or fluctuations. Abrupt power loss can increase the risk of file system corruption.

By implementing these measures, you can minimize the impact of file system corruption on data integrity and ensure the reliability of your NAS Synology Rack Station RS814RP+ / RS814+ / RS814 devices.

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

Although the NAS Rack Station RS814RP+ / RS814+ / RS814 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 Rack Station RS814RP+ / RS814+ / RS814. 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

Rack Station RS814RP+ / RS814+ / RS814 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);

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 Rack Station RS814RP+ / RS814+ / RS814 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