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

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology DiskStation DS218+ / DS218 / DS218play / DS218j
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID

Conventional hard drives store user data by writing it sequentially across the disk surface, which means an entire file is typically located on a single drive. In contrast, when data is written to a RAID array, each file is split into multiple fragments. These fragments are then distributed and written in sequence across all the drives in the array. Depending on the configuration, fragment sizes can range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so every file is physically stored across several disks at once.

This approach significantly increases read and write performance — after all, writing two halves of a 1 GB file to two drives simultaneously is much faster than writing the full 1 GB to a single disk. However, this same mechanism makes file recovery far more complex.

Different RAID levels use different methods to distribute and protect data. On top of that, manufacturers like Synology often add their own proprietary structures and variations. As a result, data can be written to disks in many different formats, and each requires a specific approach during recovery.

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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS DiskStation DS218+ / DS218 / DS218play / DS218j can be accessed over the network, you still need to remove its hard disks and connect them directly to a Windows PC. Only then can the recovery software properly scan and analyze the drives. Follow these steps:

1. Power off the NAS and disconnect it from the power source.

   WARNING! Before removing any drives, carefully read the device manual. Improper actions may damage both the NAS enclosure and the hard disks in the RAID array.

2. Remove the hard disks one by one, gently sliding each drive out of its slot. Remember that hard disks are highly sensitive: any impact or drop can cause serious physical damage.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. Connect the drives to your computer. In this video, we explain which ports you can use to connect hard disks and what to do if your PC does not have enough free connectors.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Synology DiskStation DS218+ / DS218 / DS218play / DS218j. Each hard disk in the array contains technical metadata describing how files were written. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery analyzes this metadata, automatically reconstructs the damaged array, and provides access to its contents. After that, you can browse the recovered disk and save your files. The program can also restore files that were 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);

How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images

This utility allows you to create a complete copy of a disk and work with the disk image instead of the physical drive. This approach helps protect your data from:

• Overwriting during the recovery process;
• Additional data loss caused by bad sectors;
• User errors.

To create a disk image, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. When the Image Creation Wizard opens, select whether you want to save the entire disk or only a specific region. Adjust the settings and click Next.

   

4. Choose the directory where the image will be saved. You may select any available disk connected to your PC or upload the image via FTP.

   

Where Are the User’s Files Actually 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison