How to recover data from Synology DiskStation DS508 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 DiskStation DS508
Data Recovery Tool

Synology DiskStation DS508 NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from DiskStation DS508.

How to recover data from NAS Synology DiskStation DS508

RAID Recovery™ 2.6
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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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.

How can user authentication methods impact data loss risks for NAS Synology DiskStation DS508 devices?

User authentication methods can have a significant impact on data loss risks for NAS Synology DiskStation DS508 devices. Here are some ways in which user authentication methods can mitigate or increase data loss risks:

  1. Strong Password Policies: Enforcing strong password policies, such as requiring a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters, can make it harder for unauthorized users to gain access to the NAS device. This reduces the risk of data loss due to unauthorized access.
  2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Implementing 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a second form of authentication, such as a code generated by a mobile app or a fingerprint scan. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and data loss.
  3. Account Lockouts: Implementing account lockouts after a certain number of failed login attempts can protect against brute-force attacks. This prevents malicious actors from repeatedly attempting to guess passwords, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data loss.
  4. Limited User Privileges: Assigning appropriate user privileges can limit the potential damage that can be caused by a compromised account. Users should only have access to the data and services they require to perform their tasks, reducing the risk of accidental or intentional data loss.
  5. Regular Password Updates: Enforcing regular password updates ensures that users periodically change their passwords, reducing the risk of unauthorized access due to compromised credentials.
  6. Audit Logs and Monitoring: Enabling audit logs and monitoring user activities can help identify any suspicious or unauthorized access attempts. This allows for timely response and mitigation of potential data loss risks.

On the other hand, if weak authentication methods are used, such as easily guessable passwords or no authentication at all, the risk of unauthorized access and data loss increases significantly. It is crucial to implement strong authentication measures to protect the data stored on NAS devices like Synology DiskStation DS508.

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

Although NAS DiskStation DS508 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 DiskStation DS508. 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

DiskStation DS508 has 5 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 Tools – Save 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 DiskStation DS508 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 DiskStation DS508, 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 is DLNA and how does it facilitate media sharing and streaming between devices?

    DLNA stands for Digital Living Network Alliance. It is a standard protocol that enables devices to share and stream media content, such as photos, videos, and music, over a local network.

    DLNA facilitates media sharing and streaming by defining a set of guidelines and specifications that devices must adhere to. These guidelines ensure compatibility and interoperability between different DLNA-certified devices, regardless of the manufacturer or operating system.

    To share and stream media using DLNA, the following steps typically occur:

    1. Devices connect to the same local network: All devices involved in the media sharing process, such as smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, or game consoles, need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
    2. DLNA server discovery: DLNA-enabled devices automatically discover and recognize each other on the network. They communicate using the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) protocol to identify available DLNA servers.
    3. Media server setup: A device with DLNA server capabilities, such as a computer or a network-attached storage (NAS) device, acts as the media server. It scans and indexes the media files available on its storage.
    4. Media renderer identification: DLNA-enabled devices capable of playing media, such as smart TVs or speakers, identify themselves as media renderers. They can receive and play media content streamed from the media server.
    5. Media selection and control: Using a DLNA-enabled media controller app on a smartphone or tablet, users can browse the media library available on the media server. They can select media files to be streamed and control playback on the chosen media renderer.
    6. Streaming and playback: Once the media files are selected and the playback command is initiated, the media server streams the content over the local network to the chosen media renderer. The media renderer receives and plays the media file, allowing users to enjoy the content on their preferred device.

    DLNA simplifies the process of sharing and streaming media between devices by providing a standardized framework that ensures compatibility and ease of use. It allows users to access their media libraries from various devices without the need for complex configurations or additional software installations.

  • How does a NAS Synology DiskStation DS508 utilize DLNA to enable media sharing and streaming capabilities?

    The Synology DiskStation DS508 is a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device that supports DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) protocol to enable media sharing and streaming capabilities. Here's how it utilizes DLNA:

    1. Media Server: The DS508 acts as a DLNA media server, allowing you to store and organize various media files such as photos, videos, and music on its storage drives. It indexes and catalogs these files, making them accessible to DLNA-enabled devices on the same network.
    2. Media Indexing: The DS508 automatically scans and indexes the media files stored on its drives. It extracts metadata like file names, album art, artist information, and other relevant details to create a media library.
    3. DLNA Certification: The DS508 undergoes DLNA certification, ensuring compatibility and interoperability with other DLNA devices. This certification ensures that the DS508 can seamlessly communicate and share media with other DLNA-compliant devices like smart TVs, gaming consoles, smartphones, and tablets.
    4. Media Streaming: Once the media files are indexed and the DS508 is connected to the network, DLNA-enabled devices can discover and access the media library stored on the NAS. Users can browse and stream media files directly from the DS508 to their devices without the need for additional software or manual file transfers.
    5. Transcoding: The DS508 also supports media transcoding, which means it can convert media files into a compatible format on-the-fly. This feature allows devices with limited media playback capabilities to stream content from the DS508 by converting it into a format that the device can handle.
    6. Remote Access: DLNA on the DS508 enables remote access to media files. This means that even when you are outside your home network, you can still access your media library stored on the DS508 using DLNA-enabled devices by establishing a secure connection.

    Overall, the DS508 utilizes DLNA to provide a seamless media sharing and streaming experience across various devices, allowing users to access their media library from anywhere within their network or remotely.

  • Can you explain the key features and benefits of using DLNA with a NAS Synology DiskStation DS508 for multimedia management and playback?

    DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a set of standards that allows devices to share multimedia content over a local network. When used with a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Synology DiskStation DS508, DLNA offers several key features and benefits for multimedia management and playback.

    1. Centralized Multimedia Storage: The DS508 acts as a central storage hub for all your multimedia files, including movies, music, and photos. You can store and organize your entire media library in one place, making it easily accessible to all DLNA-enabled devices on your network.
    2. Seamless Media Streaming: DLNA enables seamless streaming of media content from the DS508 to DLNA-compatible devices such as smart TVs, gaming consoles, smartphones, and tablets. You can enjoy your favorite movies, music, and photos on different devices without the need for manual file transfers.
    3. Cross-Platform Compatibility: DLNA ensures compatibility across different platforms and operating systems. Whether you have Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android devices, they can all access and stream media content from the DS508 using DLNA. This makes it convenient for households with a mix of devices.
    4. Automatic Media Indexing: The DS508 automatically indexes and categorizes your multimedia files, making it easier to browse and search for specific content. DLNA clients can access this indexed information, allowing for quick and efficient media navigation.
    5. Transcoding and Conversion: DLNA servers like the DS508 often support transcoding capabilities. This means that if a DLNA client does not support the original file format or codec, the server can convert the media on-the-fly to a compatible format for seamless playback. It ensures that your media can be played on a wide range of devices without compatibility issues.
    6. Remote Access: DLNA can also enable remote access to your media library. With appropriate network configuration and settings, you can access your DS508 and stream media content from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection. This allows you to enjoy your multimedia collection even when you're away from home.

    Overall, using DLNA with a NAS like the Synology DiskStation DS508 provides a convenient and efficient way to manage and stream multimedia content across multiple devices. It simplifies media playback, improves compatibility, and centralizes your media library for easy access.
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