Recovering Data from NAS Synology DiskStation DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se RAID Arrays: Overcoming Component Wear Issues

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.

Are there any guidelines for configuring security settings on NAS Synology DiskStation DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se devices to prevent unauthorized access and potential data loss?

Yes, there are guidelines for configuring security settings on Synology DiskStation devices to prevent unauthorized access and potential data loss. Here are some general guidelines to follow:

1. Keep the firmware up to date: Regularly check for firmware updates on the Synology website and install them to ensure that your device has the latest security patches.
2. Use strong passwords: Set strong and unique passwords for all user accounts, including the administrator account. Avoid using default or easily guessable passwords.
3. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Synology DiskStation devices support 2FA, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, such as a code from a mobile app or a physical security key.
4. Disable default services: Review the default services enabled on your DiskStation and disable any that are not needed. This reduces the attack surface and potential vulnerabilities.
5. Enable firewall: Synology devices have built-in firewall settings. Enable the firewall and configure it to only allow necessary incoming and outgoing connections.
6. Enable auto-blocking: Enable the auto-blocking feature on your DiskStation to automatically block IP addresses that repeatedly fail login attempts. This helps protect against brute-force attacks.
7. Configure network settings: Limit access to your DiskStation by configuring network settings such as IP address restrictions and VPN access. Only allow connections from trusted networks or IP ranges.
8. Use HTTPS and SSL/TLS: Enable HTTPS for secure web access to your DiskStation. Also, use SSL/TLS certificates for secure connections to services like FTP, SMTP, and others.
9. Regularly backup data: Implement a backup strategy to regularly back up your important data to an external location or another DiskStation. This helps protect against data loss due to hardware failure or ransomware attacks.
10. Enable notifications: Configure notifications to receive alerts about any suspicious activities, failed login attempts, or system changes on your DiskStation.

It's important to note that these guidelines are not exhaustive, and it's recommended to refer to the official Synology documentation and security best practices for more detailed instructions specific to your model and firmware version.

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

Although NAS DiskStation DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se 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 DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se. 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 DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• Synology Hybrid RAID;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 0;
• Basic;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• EXT4;
• EXT3 (External Disk Only);
• FAT32 (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 DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se 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