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

Data recovery from ⭐ NAS RAID arrays after natural component wear: crucial steps to follow.

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

Synology DiskStation DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se 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 DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se.

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

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

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.

    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 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.

Go to view
How to recover data from a Synology

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 ToolsSave 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 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

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

Feedback

We will be happy to answer your questions!

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 DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se, feel free to leave a comment!
Post comment
User
Leave a reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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.

Share

Questions and answers

  • What are the benefits of adding an additional hard drive to a NAS Synology DiskStation DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se?

    There are several benefits of adding an additional hard drive to a NAS Synology DiskStation DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se:

    1. Increased storage capacity: By adding an additional hard drive, you can increase the overall storage capacity of your NAS. This is particularly useful if you have a large amount of data to store, such as multimedia files, documents, or backups.
    2. Data redundancy and protection: Many Synology NAS models support RAID configurations, such as RAID 1 or RAID 5. By adding an additional hard drive, you can set up a RAID configuration that provides data redundancy and protection against drive failures. If one drive fails, you can still access your data from the other drives in the RAID array.
    3. Improved performance: Adding an additional hard drive can improve the overall performance of your NAS. With multiple drives, you can distribute the workload and increase the read/write speeds, allowing for faster data access and transfers.
    4. Flexibility and scalability: Adding an extra hard drive gives you the flexibility to expand your storage capacity as your needs grow. You can start with a single drive and add more drives later on, without the need to migrate your data or set up a new NAS.
    5. Backup and data synchronization: With an additional hard drive, you can set up backup and data synchronization tasks between multiple drives. This ensures that your data is backed up and synchronized across different drives, providing an extra layer of protection against data loss.
    6. Different storage configurations: Depending on your needs, you can configure the additional hard drive in various ways. For example, you can set it up as a separate volume for specific data or use it as a dedicated drive for applications that require high-performance storage.

    Overall, adding an additional hard drive to a Synology NAS provides increased storage capacity, data redundancy, improved performance, flexibility, and various storage configuration options.

  • How do I properly install and configure an additional hard drive for my NAS Synology DiskStation DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se?

    To properly install and configure an additional hard drive for your NAS Synology DiskStation DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se, follow these steps:

    1. Shut down your Synology DiskStation by pressing and holding the power button until it beeps and the power LED starts blinking.
    2. Disconnect the power cord and any other cables connected to the NAS.
    3. Remove the hard drive tray by pressing the tab and pulling it out gently.
    4. Insert the additional hard drive into an available drive tray. Make sure it is properly aligned with the connectors.
    5. Slide the tray back into the NAS until it clicks into place.
    6. Repeat the above steps for any additional hard drives you want to install.
    7. Reconnect the power cord and any other cables to the NAS.
    8. Power on your DiskStation by pressing the power button.
    9. Wait for the DiskStation to boot up. This may take a few minutes.
    10. Once the DiskStation is powered on, open a web browser on your computer and enter the IP address of your NAS. You can find the IP address by using the Synology Assistant software or checking your router's connected devices list.
    11. Log in to the DiskStation's web interface using your admin username and password.
    12. Go to the "Storage Manager" application.
    13. Click on the "Volume" tab and then select "Create" to start the volume creation wizard.
    14. Follow the prompts in the wizard to configure your new hard drive(s) into a RAID array or as individual drives. Choose the appropriate RAID level depending on your needs (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, etc.) or select "JBOD" (Just a Bunch Of Disks) for individual drives.
    15. Once the volume creation is complete, you can assign permissions, set up shared folders, and configure other settings as needed.
    16. You can now start using your additional hard drive(s) for storage on your NAS.

    Note: It is recommended to consult the user manual or online documentation specific to your Synology DiskStation model for detailed instructions and any additional steps that may be required.

  • What factors should I consider when selecting an additional hard drive for my NAS Synology DiskStation DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se in terms of capacity, speed, and compatibility?

    When selecting an additional hard drive for your NAS Synology DiskStation DS214+ / DS214 / DS214play / DS214se, there are several factors to consider in terms of capacity, speed, and compatibility:

    1. Capacity: Determine the amount of storage space you require based on your needs. Consider factors such as the number of users, the type of files you'll be storing, and any future growth requirements. NAS devices typically support multiple hard drives, so you can choose to start with a smaller capacity and expand as needed.
    2. Speed: Look for hard drives with higher RPM (rotations per minute) as they tend to offer faster data transfer rates. A 7200 RPM drive is generally faster than a 5400 RPM drive. Additionally, consider the cache size of the hard drive, as a larger cache can improve performance.
    3. Compatibility: Ensure that the hard drive you choose is compatible with your specific NAS model. Check the manufacturer's website or user manual for a list of recommended or compatible hard drives. Synology also provides a compatibility list on their website that you can refer to.
    4. NAS-optimized drives: Consider using NAS-optimized hard drives, such as those from brands like WD Red or Seagate IronWolf. These drives are designed to handle the demands of a NAS environment, offering features like vibration resistance, optimized firmware, and error recovery controls.
    5. RAID support: If you plan to set up a RAID configuration, ensure that the hard drive you choose is compatible with the RAID level you intend to use (e.g., RAID 1, RAID 5, etc.). Some NAS devices also support hot-swapping, allowing you to replace drives without powering down the system.
    6. Price: Consider your budget when selecting a hard drive. Higher capacity and faster drives often come at a higher price point. Balance your requirements with your budget to find the best option for your needs.

    Remember to always backup your data, even when using a NAS device, as hard drives can fail.

Hello! This is AI-based Hetman Software virtual assistant, and it will answer any of your questions right away.
Start Chat