Synology NAS Data Recovery

Synology NAS Data Recovery

By conservative estimates, annual storage system hardware failure rates hover around 2-5%. Synology NAS devices, while robust, are not immune to this risk — every storage device can fail under the wrong circumstances. 

Founded in 2000, Synology Inc. is a Taiwanese corporation specializing in Network Attached Storage (NAS) appliances. They’re well known for their user-friendly operating system and DiskStation Manager (DSM), which simplifies NAS management and offers a wide range of applications for data sharing, backup, multimedia streaming,

Common Causes of Data Loss in Synology NAS Devices

Most Synology NAS devices utilize some level of RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive/Independent Disks), which can prevent a single hard drive/SSD failure from causing data loss. However, redundancy is not backup; if data only exists in a single location, a disaster can make it inaccessible.

Synology NAS systems are relatively reliable, and the company’s SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID) technology is well implemented. Of course, data loss is still possible.

Common failure scenarios include:

• Drive Failure: Given enough time, all hard drives will eventually fail. In redundant systems, data loss can occur following multiple drive failures or due to issues within the RAID configuration.
• Accidental Deletion: Unintentional deletion of files or folders will cause data loss, regardless of the level of redundancy.
• Software Issues: This includes aborted firmware updates, operating system errors, or failed synchronization attempts.
• Ransomware/Malware Attacks: NAS devices can be targeted by viruses or malware. Some ransomware variants may target specific high-value folders, rendering data inaccessible.
• Natural Disasters: Events like fires, floods, or power surges can physically damage your NAS device and the data within it.

In most of these scenarios, the data recovery prognosis is good — but because RAID introduces some novel challenges, it’s important to work with a provider that has experience with Synology systems. This is especially important if your device utilizes the Byrfs file system or SHR RAID.

Synology NAS Error Messages

Synology offers a wide range of NAS devices, including the DiskStation series (e.g., DS220+, DS420j, DS920+, DS1520+, DS1621+, DS1821+), the Plus Series, the XS/XS+ Series (geared towards medium-sized businesses), and the FS/SA Series (all-flash NAS designed for enterprise use cases). 

The systems may show error messages that can provide valuable insights into the cause of data loss. Some common examples (note that the exact text output can vary):

• “System Partition Failed”: This error indicates a problem with the system partition, preventing the NAS from booting and accessing data. Specialized recovery techniques are often needed to access the data partitions, though in some cases the error can be easily resolved by restarting the system or by repairing through Storage Manager. 
• “Volume Crashed”: This error suggests a critical problem with the storage volume, potentially due to drive failure, file system corruption, or inconsistencies in the RAID metadata. Recovery may involve repairing the file system or reconstructing the RAID array.
• “RAID Degraded”: This message appears when one or more drives in a RAID array have failed. While the RAID might function in a degraded state, your data is at increased risk. Addressing the failed drive(s) promptly is crucial to prevent data loss. Depending on the RAID level and the specific Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) configuration, data recovery might be necessary if another drive fails before the array is repaired.
• “I/O Error”: This error indicates a problem with input/output operations, often related to drive connectivity, failing drives, or issues with the NAS controller. This can result in slow performance, inability to access files, or data corruption.

If possible, you should write down any error messages that precede or coincide with the failure. However, the best practice is to avoid operating the system when data is inaccessible — while error messages are helpful, keeping the system powered off will mitigate issues that could cause permanent data loss. 

Recovering Data from Synology NAS Devices

Data recovery from Synology NAS devices can be complex, especially in cases of RAID configurations or severe drive damage. It is crucial to avoid further damage and work with an experienced data recovery service provider. 

At Datarecovery.com, our engineers have the expertise and tools to work with the Btrfs file system and SHR RAID systems. All locations are equipped with certified cleanrooms, which allows for physical data recovery procedures (e.g., hard drive repair). 

Our process for NAS data recovery:

1. Evaluation and Imaging: Our engineers carefully assess the failed NAS to determine the cause of failure, the extent of the damage, and the chances of successful recovery. We provide a price quote and turnaround estimate. If approved, bit-by-bit images are created for each functional drive in the NAS. Imaging ensures that the original drives are not further compromised during the recovery process. 
2. Physical Data Recovery: If damaged storage media needs to be restored to allow for a complete recovery, physical repairs are performed in a certified clean room environment. Datarecovery.com maintains an extensive library of hard drives, SSDs, and hardware components to reduce the turnaround time for physical data recovery procedures. 
3. Logical RAID Reconstruction: Our technicians analyze the images and meticulously reconstruct the RAID configuration, including parameters like RAID level (SHR or classic RAID), stripe size, and block order. This process accounts for the complexities of Synology Hybrid RAID and its flexibility in handling drives of different sizes. Once the RAID is logically reconstructed, we extract the user data from the reconstructed array. The recovered data is thoroughly verified for integrity, then returned to you via an appropriate method.
   

A Professional Resource for Synology NAS Data Recovery

At Datarecovery.com, we specialize in performing physical and logical repairs for Synology NAS devices. Our engineers have extensive experience dealing with various Synology models, and we prioritize communication to help you plan effectively after a data loss incident.

Reasons to choose Datarecovery.com:

• On-Site Capabilities: Every Datarecovery.com location is equipped with state-of-the-art cleanrooms, firmware repair equipment, and a vast inventory of parts. This allows us to treat NAS failures on-site and minimize turnaround times.
• Remote Options: In some cases, we can perform NAS recovery remotely, restoring essential data to a secondary system after resolving the underlying issues.
• Extensive Hardware Library: Our comprehensive hardware library enables us to handle various Synology NAS models, including older or less common devices.
• Flexible Service Options: We offer various service levels, including 24/7 emergency services, to provide data recovery solutions that meet your needs.
• No Data, No Charge Guarantee: All our services are backed by a no data, no charge guarantee. If we cannot recover the data you need, there is no charge for the failed attempt (evaluation fees may apply for high-priority cases).

When dealing with data loss on a Synology NAS system, professional data recovery services are crucial. At Datarecovery.com, we have the expertise, tools, and experience to handle even the most complex Synology NAS failures.

Call 1-800-237-4200 to get started or submit a case online.

* Turnaround time varies by model number and data loss scenario, and same-day service may not be available in every instance. Our engineers provide turnaround estimates with every case evaluation.

**Synology is a registered trademark of Synology Inc. and is not affiliated with Datarecovery.com, Inc. in any way. All product names, registered trademarks, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

***Free evaluations are not available for fire- or water-damaged NAS devices, except where damage was caused by Hurricane Harvey or Irma.