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.

Recovering Data from NAS Synology DiskStation DS418 / DS418play / DS418j (RAID 5, 6, 0, 1, JBOD, etc) RAID Arrays: Natural Component Wear Challenges

Name: How to recover data from a Synology
Uploaded: 2025-10-16T08:53:56+03:00
Description: How to recover data from a Synology

Recovering Data from NAS Synology DiskStation DS418 / DS418play / DS418j RAID Arrays: Natural Component Wear Challenges

Contents

Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
Key Information About the NAS Synology DiskStation DS418 / DS418play / DS418j
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

RAID Recovery™ 2.8

Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.

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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.

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

Although the NAS DiskStation DS418 / DS418play / DS418j 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:

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.
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.
Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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 DS418 / DS418play / DS418j. 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 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);

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:

Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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.
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 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

Product	Operating system	RAID controller support	Supported file systems	Virtual RAID controller support	Data recovery from damaged RAID	File preview
Hetman RAID Recovery	Windows, Linux, MacOS	Yes, over 100 controllers	FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS	Yes	Yes	Yes
DiskInternals RAID Recovery	Windows	Yes, over 10 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	No	Yes	Yes
R-Studio	Windows, Mac, Linux	Yes, over 20 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	Yes	Yes	Yes
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery	Windows, Mac, Linux	Yes, over 100 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	Yes	Yes	Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery	Windows	Yes, over 20 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	No	Yes	Yes
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery	Windows	Yes, over 100 controllers	FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+	Yes	Yes	Yes