NAS Synology DiskStation DS508 RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Strategies for Natural Component Wear

Contents

• Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
• How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with 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.

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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.

   

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.

   

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