NAS Synology Rack Station RS815RP+ / RS815+ / RS815 RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Strategies for Component Wear Issues

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology Rack Station RS815RP+ / RS815+ / RS815
• 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.

Can regular data integrity checks help prevent data loss in NAS Synology Rack Station RS815RP+ / RS815+ / RS815 devices?

Yes, regular data integrity checks can help prevent data loss in NAS Synology Rack Station RS815RP+ / RS815+ / RS815 devices. These devices typically come with built-in data integrity features such as RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) and SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) to ensure data reliability and prevent data loss.

RAID technology allows for data redundancy by distributing data across multiple hard drives, ensuring that if one drive fails, the data can still be accessed from the remaining drives. Regular data integrity checks can help identify any potential issues with the RAID array, such as failed drives or data corruption, allowing for timely repair or replacement.

SMART technology monitors the health and performance of hard drives by tracking various parameters such as temperature, error rates, and bad sectors. By regularly checking the SMART status of the drives, you can proactively identify any signs of potential drive failure and take appropriate action, such as replacing the drive before it completely fails and causes data loss.

In addition to RAID and SMART, Synology NAS devices also offer various data protection features like data scrubbing and data checksums. Data scrubbing periodically verifies the integrity of data stored on the drives, ensuring that all the data is accessible and error-free. Data checksums, on the other hand, generate unique signatures for files and compare them during regular integrity checks to detect any data corruption.

By regularly performing data integrity checks and utilizing the built-in data protection features of Synology NAS devices, you can significantly reduce the risk of data loss and ensure the integrity of your data.

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

Although the NAS Rack Station RS815RP+ / RS815+ / RS815 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 RS815RP+ / RS815+ / RS815. 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 RS815RP+ / RS815+ / RS815 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 RS815RP+ / RS815+ / RS815 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