How Effective is Synology’s Restore System? A Comprehensive Review

[Andy]

Maximising NAS Capability: A Comprehensive Guide to Synology's System Recovery and RAID Configuration​

Thanks to Synology for providing me with the DS1823xs+ and allowing me to keep it. This opportunity enabled me to delve deep into the practical aspects of NAS management and explore Synology’s System Recovery capabilities firsthand. Here’s a detailed walkthrough of my findings and the lessons learned along the way.

Setting the Scene: Initial Backup Configuration​

My primary NAS, the Synology DS1823xs+, was initially set up with a 40TB storage pool in RAID5 configuration, containing approximately 5.5TB of data. I opted to back up this system using Hyper Backup Entire System to a smaller DS220+ unit, which boasts an 8TB storage pool configured in RAID1. Despite the DS220+’s smaller size, it successfully accommodated the backup from the DS1823xs+. However, as expected, it warned of nearing its storage capacity limit.

Transitioning to RAID6​

Motivated by a goal to reconfigure the DS1823xs+ to use RAID6 while keeping the same number of drives in the array for enhanced data protection and redundancy, I ventured into reformatting. After backing up the data, I deleted the original RAID5 pool and recreated it using RAID6 with the same six 8TB HDDs. Despite the DSM (DiskStation Manager) configurations remaining intact, all stored data was wiped from the array during this transition.

Restoration Challenges​

The restoration process presented its own set of challenges. Initially, I attempted to restore the system through the DSM’s Control Panel under Update/Restore, using the Restore System button. Interestingly, this process defaulted the storage configuration back to RAID5, not the RAID6 setup I had prepared.

Realising this was not the outcome I wanted, I wiped all disks on the DS1823xs+ and reinstalled the DSM. Before attempting a full restoration from the Hyper Backup Vault, I tried an interim solution with the aim of simplifying the setup. Given that my data totalled only 5.5 TB, I initially installed only three 8 TB HDDs in my DS1823xs+, hoping to create a RAID5 array aligned with the system design. My plan was then to add an additional 8TB disk later to transition to RAID6. However, during the initiation of the full system restoration, the DSM prompted me to insert the missing disks in bays 4, 5, and 6, indicating that the original configuration was required to proceed.

Faced with this requirement, I wiped all disks on the DS1823xs+ again and reinstalled the DSM, starting from a clean slate. At the DSM 7.2 setup screen, I opted once more to restore from the Hyper Backup Vault. Unfortunately, this stage of the process did not allow for selective backup restoration; I had to restore the system entirely, which included both data and packages. This approach led to my storage pool data reverting back to a RAID5 configuration, further complicating the transition to RAID6.

It’s worth noting that at the time of writing this article, Synology’s Knowledge Center does not offer a walkthrough or the level of detail found here, highlighting the unique value of this hands-on experience.

Final Configuration Adjustments​

Post-restoration, to shift from RAID5 to RAID6, I removed two 1TB SATA SSDs previously used as read-write cache. Additionally, I expanded the system by adding two more drives, ultimately configuring eight 8TB HDDs in RAID6. This setup not only catered to my storage needs but also enhanced the system’s fault tolerance and data integrity.

Key Takeaways and Best Practices​

The primary lesson from this exercise is the importance of scalability and foresight in storage management. It’s advisable to start with a manageable array size, such as three 8TB HDDs in RAID5, and then expand as necessary. This approach allows for easier management and upgrades, like transitioning to RAID6 by simply adding another 8TB drive.

In my case, starting with a larger array meant dealing with its complexities from the outset. This experiment underscores the significance of understanding your NAS capabilities and planning accordingly to accommodate future needs without overextending current resources.

Conclusion​

This practical test of Synology’s System Recovery not only demonstrated the robustness of Synology’s backup solutions but also provided deep insights into RAID configurations and system restoration. The successful restoration of my NAS, returning it fully intact with the upgraded RAID6 redundancy I desired, is a testament to the effectiveness of Synology’s Restore System functionality, proving it works exactly as intended. Having at least two Synology NAS units is always handy, allowing you to do more and facilitate offsite backups. Whether you’re a seasoned IT professional or a nascent network administrator, understanding these fundamentals can significantly aid in efficient NAS management and data safeguarding. Synology’s reliable and user-friendly solutions ensure that data integrity and system resilience are always maintained, making it an invaluable tool in any IT environment.