NAS Synology Diskstation DS111 RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Techniques After 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 DS111 devices?

User authentication methods can have a significant impact on data loss risks for NAS Synology Diskstation DS111 devices. Here are a few ways in which user authentication methods can mitigate or increase data loss risks:

1. Strong Password Policies: Implementing strong password policies, such as enforcing complex passwords and regular password changes, can help prevent unauthorized access to the device. This reduces the risk of data loss due to unauthorized users gaining access to sensitive data.
2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enabling 2FA adds an extra layer of security to the authentication process. It requires users to provide an additional verification method, such as a temporary code sent to their mobile device, along with their password. This makes it significantly harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access, reducing the risk of data loss.
3. Account Lockouts and Failed Login Attempts: Implementing account lockouts after a certain number of failed login attempts can prevent brute-force attacks. By locking out the account temporarily or permanently, it reduces the risk of unauthorized access and potential data loss.
4. User Access Control: Implementing granular user access control allows administrators to assign different levels of access to different users or user groups. This ensures that only authorized users have access to specific data or functionalities, reducing the risk of accidental or intentional data loss by unauthorized users.
5. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): RBAC allows administrators to define roles and assign permissions based on those roles. This ensures that users only have access to the resources and actions necessary for their specific roles, reducing the risk of data loss caused by unauthorized access or accidental misconfiguration.
6. Regular Security Updates: Keeping the NAS device's firmware and software up to date is crucial for addressing any security vulnerabilities. Regular security updates provided by the manufacturer can help mitigate potential risks and vulnerabilities that could lead to data loss.

By implementing strong authentication methods and following best practices, the risk of data loss for NAS Synology Diskstation DS111 devices can be significantly reduced.

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

Although NAS Diskstation DS111 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 DS111. 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 DS111 has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• Nie wspiera;

NAS supports:

• EXT4;
• EXT3;
• FAT (External Disk Only);
• NTFS (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 DS111 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