NAS Synology DiskStation DS218+ / DS218 / DS218play / DS218j RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Solutions Following 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.

Are there any guidelines for configuring security settings on NAS Synology DiskStation DS218+ / DS218 / DS218play / DS218j devices to prevent unauthorized access and potential data loss?

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

1. Enable Firewall: Enable the built-in firewall on your DiskStation to restrict unauthorized access. Go to Control Panel > Security > Firewall & DDoS Protection to configure firewall settings.
2. Update Firmware: Regularly update the DiskStation firmware to ensure that security vulnerabilities are patched. You can check for updates in Control Panel > Update & Restore.
3. Use Strong Passwords: Set strong and unique passwords for all user accounts, including the admin account. Avoid using common or easily guessable passwords. Enable account lockout policies to prevent brute-force attacks.
4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for all user accounts to provide an extra layer of security. This can be done in Control Panel > User > User > Edit > Enable 2-step verification.
5. Restrict Access: Configure user permissions and access rights to limit access to specific folders and files. Only grant necessary permissions to users and groups.
6. Disable Default Services: Disable any unnecessary services or applications that you do not use to reduce the potential attack surface. Review the packages installed on your DiskStation and disable any that are not required.
7. Enable Auto Block: Enable the Auto Block feature to automatically block IP addresses that repeatedly fail login attempts. This can be enabled in Control Panel > Security > Account > Auto Block.
8. Enable Network Encryption: Enable SSL/TLS encryption for network connections to ensure secure communication. Go to Control Panel > Network > DSM Settings and enable "Enable HTTPS connection" and "HSTS".
9. Regularly Backup Data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that your data is protected. Use Synology's built-in backup solutions or third-party backup software to create backups to external storage or off-site locations.
10. Enable Auditing and Logs: Enable auditing and review logs regularly to monitor for any suspicious activities. This can be done in Control Panel > Control Panel > Security > Log.

These guidelines provide a starting point for securing your Synology DiskStation NAS devices. It is also recommended to refer to the official Synology documentation and consult with security professionals for more specific and advanced security configurations.

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

Although NAS DiskStation DS218+ / DS218 / DS218play / DS218j 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 DS218+ / DS218 / DS218play / DS218j. 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 DS218+ / DS218 / DS218play / DS218j has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR);
• RAID 1;
• RAID 0;
• Basic;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• 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 DS218+ / DS218 / DS218play / DS218j 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