What are the different file access levels available on the NAS Synology DiskStation DS418/DS418play/DS418j?

The NAS Synology DiskStation DS418/DS418play/DS418j supports the following file access levels:Administrator: The highest level of access with full control over the NAS system, including managing users, permissions, and settings.User: Regular users who have access to specific shared folders and files. The administrator can assign different levels of access rights to individual users.Group: Users can be organized into groups, and access rights can be assigned to the entire group instead of individual users. This simplifies permission management for multiple users.Guest: A guest account can be created to provide limited access to specific shared folders or files without requiring a user account. This is useful for temporary or public access.Public: Shared folders or files can be set as public, allowing unrestricted access to anyone on the network without the need for authentication. This is useful for sharing files with a large number of users.Application-specific access: Some applications installed on the NAS, such as media servers or cloud services, may have their own access control mechanisms. Users can be granted specific access rights within these applications.It is important to note that the availability of these access levels may vary depending on the specific model and firmware version of the Synology DiskStation.

How can I configure file access levels on the NAS Synology DiskStation DS418/DS418play/DS418j?

To configure file access levels on the NAS Synology DiskStation DS418/DS418play/DS418j, follow these steps:Open the DiskStation Manager (DSM) web interface by entering the NAS IP address in a web browser.Log in with your admin credentials.Go to 'Control Panel' and click on 'Shared Folder'.Select the shared folder for which you want to configure access levels.Click on the 'Edit' button next to the shared folder name.In the 'Permissions' tab, you will see a list of existing users and groups with their current access rights.To add a new user or group, click on the 'Create' button and select 'User' or 'Group' accordingly.Specify the appropriate access rights for the user or group by selecting the checkboxes for read, write, and execute permissions.Click on 'OK' to save the changes.You can also set advanced permissions by clicking on the 'Advanced Permissions' button. This allows you to set more granular access control, including applying permissions to subfolders and files.Once you have configured the desired access levels, click on 'OK' to save the settings.Note: It is important to ensure that users and groups are properly created and assigned to appropriate access levels before configuring file access levels.

What are the security implications of different file access levels on the NAS Synology DiskStation DS418/DS418play/DS418j?

The NAS Synology DiskStation DS418/DS418play/DS418j offer different file access levels that have varying security implications. Here are some of the key security implications associated with each access level:Administrator Access: This is the highest level of access and provides complete control over the NAS system. Administrators can manage all settings, create and delete user accounts, and access all files and folders. The security implication is that if an administrator account is compromised, an attacker would have full control over the NAS and can potentially access and manipulate all data.User Access: User accounts have limited access to the NAS system. They can be assigned specific privileges and access rights to files and folders. The security implication is that if a user account is compromised, the attacker would have access to the files and folders assigned to that user but not to the entire NAS system.Group Access: Group accounts allow multiple users to be assigned the same access rights and privileges. This simplifies management and ensures consistent access controls across multiple users. The security implication is that if a group account is compromised, all users within that group would have the same access rights, potentially exposing more data than intended.Guest Access: Guest accounts provide limited access to specific files and folders without requiring a username or password. The security implication is that if guest access is enabled and not properly configured, it can potentially expose sensitive data to unauthorized users.Application-specific Access: Some NAS models offer the ability to install and run various applications, such as media servers, cloud backup services, or surveillance systems. Each application may have its own access controls and security implications. It is important to review and configure the access settings for each application to ensure proper security.To enhance the security of your NAS, it is recommended to follow best practices such as regularly updating the firmware, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, configuring firewall settings, and regularly backing up data. Additionally, restricting access to only necessary users and regularly reviewing access privileges can help minimize the security risks associated with different file access levels.

How to recover data from NAS Synology DiskStation DS418 / DS418play / DS418j (RAID 5, 6, 0, 1, JBOD, etc)

Name: How to recover data from a Synology
Uploaded: 2023-08-18T13:40:30+03:00
Description: How to recover data from a Synology

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?

RAID Recovery™ 2.6

Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.

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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.

How can RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations impact data loss in NAS Synology DiskStation DS418 / DS418play / DS418j devices?

RAID configurations can have a significant impact on data loss in NAS Synology DiskStation DS418 / DS418play / DS418j devices. Here are some key points to consider:

RAID Levels: The Synology DiskStation DS418 series supports various RAID levels, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, and RAID 10. Each RAID level offers different levels of data redundancy and performance. Choosing the appropriate RAID level is crucial in mitigating data loss risks.
Data Redundancy: RAID configurations provide redundancy by distributing data across multiple drives. In case of a drive failure, the redundant data can be used to rebuild the failed drive or restore the data. RAID levels like RAID 1 (mirroring), RAID 5, RAID 6, and RAID 10 offer data redundancy, reducing the risk of data loss due to drive failures.
Single Drive Failure: In RAID configurations with redundancy (RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10), a single drive failure does not result in data loss. The NAS device can continue operating while the failed drive is replaced. The data can be rebuilt using the redundant information stored on other drives.
Multiple Drive Failures: RAID configurations with higher levels of redundancy, such as RAID 6 or RAID 10, can tolerate multiple drive failures without losing data. These configurations use techniques like dual parity or mirroring to protect against data loss in case of simultaneous drive failures.
Rebuilding Time: When a drive fails in a RAID configuration, the NAS device needs to rebuild the data onto a replacement drive. The time required for rebuilding depends on factors like drive size, RAID level, and system workload. During the rebuilding process, the system remains vulnerable to additional drive failures. If another drive fails before the rebuild completes, data loss can occur. It is crucial to monitor the rebuilding process and replace failed drives promptly.
RAID Scrubbing: Synology DiskStation devices offer a feature called RAID Scrubbing. It periodically checks the integrity of data on the drives and repairs any inconsistencies. RAID Scrubbing helps detect and correct errors before they lead to data loss.
Backup Strategy: While RAID configurations provide protection against drive failures, they do not replace the need for regular backups. It is essential to have a comprehensive backup strategy that includes offsite backups to protect against data loss due to factors like accidental deletion, file corruption, natural disasters, or theft.

In summary, selecting the appropriate RAID level, monitoring drive health, promptly replacing failed drives, and implementing a robust backup strategy are vital in minimizing data loss risks in NAS Synology DiskStation DS418 / DS418play / DS418j devices.

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

Although NAS DiskStation DS418 / DS418play / DS418j 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:

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.
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.
Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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 DS418 / DS418play / DS418j. 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 DS418 / DS418play / DS418j 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);

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:

Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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.
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 DS418 / DS418play / DS418j 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