Recovering Data from NAS Synology DiskStation DS410 / DS410j RAID Arrays: Natural Component Wear Recovery

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Synology DiskStation DS410 / DS410j
• 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 DS410 / DS410j devices to prevent unauthorized access and potential data loss?

Yes, there are several guidelines you can follow to configure security settings on Synology DiskStation DS410 / DS410j devices to prevent unauthorized access and potential data loss. Here are some recommendations:

1. Keep the firmware up to date: Regularly check for firmware updates and apply them to ensure that your NAS device has the latest security patches.
2. Use strong passwords: Set strong, unique passwords for all user accounts, including the admin account. Avoid using easily guessable passwords like "password" or "123456". Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.
3. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Synology devices support 2FA, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, typically through a mobile app. Enable 2FA for all user accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
4. Disable unnecessary services: Review the services running on your NAS and disable any that you do not need. This reduces the attack surface and minimizes the risk of exploitation.
5. Configure firewall rules: Enable the built-in firewall on your Synology device and configure appropriate rules to allow only necessary network traffic. Block access from unknown or suspicious IP addresses.
6. Enable auto-blocking: Enable the auto-blocking feature, which will automatically block IP addresses that repeatedly fail login attempts. This helps protect against brute-force attacks.
7. Use HTTPS for remote access: If you access your NAS remotely, ensure that you use HTTPS (HTTP over SSL/TLS) for secure communication. Enable the built-in SSL certificate or use a custom certificate.
8. Regularly backup your data: Implement a reliable backup strategy to ensure that your data is regularly backed up to an external location or another NAS device. This protects against data loss due to hardware failure or ransomware attacks.
9. Enable network encryption: Enable network encryption protocols like SSL/TLS and SSH to secure data transmission between your NAS and other devices.
10. Regularly monitor logs: Monitor the system logs on your NAS for any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts. Investigate and take appropriate action if any anomalies are detected.

It's important to note that these guidelines are not exhaustive, and you should always refer to the official documentation provided by Synology for your specific device model for detailed instructions on configuring security settings.

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

Although the NAS DiskStation DS410 / DS410j 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 DS410 / DS410j. 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 DS410 / DS410j has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR);
• RAID 6;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 10;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 0;
• Basic;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• Btrfs;
• 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 DS410 / DS410j 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