Recovering Data from NAS Synology DiskStation DS620slim RAID Arrays Due to Natural Component Wear

Has your NAS Synology DiskStation DS620slim suddenly lost its network drive and you’re unsure what to do next? Did the RAID array collapse, making your files inaccessible? Is the device throwing errors during startup? Perhaps you accidentally rebuilt the RAID array or several hard drives failed at the same time?

Recovering Data from NAS Synology DiskStation DS620slim RAID Arrays Due to Natural Component Wear
Data Recovery Tool

Synology DiskStation DS620slim NAS Data Recovery in 2025

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from an DiskStation DS620slim. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

Recovering Data from NAS Synology DiskStation DS620slim RAID Arrays Due to Natural Component Wear

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.

Are there any known limitations or performance bottlenecks that can increase data loss risks for NAS Synology DiskStation DS620slim devices?

While Synology DiskStation DS620slim devices are generally reliable, there are a few known limitations and potential performance bottlenecks that can increase data loss risks:

  1. Limited drive capacity: The DS620slim supports up to six 2.5-inch SATA drives, which have smaller capacities compared to larger 3.5-inch drives. This limitation may lead to more frequent disk swaps or the use of smaller drives, increasing the risk of data loss due to drive failures.
  2. Limited RAM: The DS620slim comes with 2GB DDR4 memory, which may be insufficient for demanding workloads or multiple concurrent users. Insufficient RAM can result in slower performance and potential data loss if the system becomes overwhelmed.
  3. Network limitations: The DS620slim has a single Gigabit Ethernet port, which may limit the network throughput and performance, especially when multiple users are accessing the NAS simultaneously. This limitation can lead to slower data transfers and potential data loss if network congestion occurs.
  4. Limited expansion options: Unlike some other Synology models, the DS620slim has limited expansion capabilities. It does not support expansion units or additional RAM upgrades. This limitation may restrict scalability and potential performance improvements.
  5. RAID limitations: The DS620slim supports various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10. However, RAID 5 and 6 configurations have a higher risk of data loss during the rebuild process due to the larger capacity and longer rebuild times. Additionally, RAID configurations do not provide protection against data loss caused by accidental deletion or file corruption.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to regularly backup your data, use reliable drives, maintain a stable network environment, and consider upgrading to a higher-end Synology model with more robust hardware specifications if your requirements demand it.

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

Although the NAS DiskStation DS620slim 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.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Synology DiskStation DS620slim. 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.

Go to view
How to recover data from a Synology

How to recover data from a Synology

DiskStation DS620slim has 6 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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Image Creation Wizard

  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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Choose a disk or save the image via FTP

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The Synology DiskStation DS620slim 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

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #
    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS DiskStation DS620slim, feel free to leave a comment!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is SSH and how does it work in general?

    SSH stands for Secure Shell, and it is a network protocol that allows secure remote access to a computer or server over an unsecured network. It provides a secure channel for communication between the client and the server, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted.

    SSH works by establishing a secure connection between a client and a server. The client initiates a connection request to the server, and both parties negotiate the encryption algorithms and authentication methods to be used. Once the connection is established, the client and server can securely exchange data.

    Here is a general overview of how SSH works:

    1. Connection initiation: The client sends a connection request to the server, specifying the hostname and port number.
    2. Key exchange: The client and server perform a key exchange to establish a shared secret key. This key is used to encrypt the subsequent communication.
    3. User authentication: The client provides its credentials (username and password or SSH key) to authenticate itself to the server. The server verifies the credentials and grants access if they are valid.
    4. Secure channel establishment: Once the client is authenticated, a secure channel is established between the client and server. This channel is used to encrypt all data transmitted between them.
    5. Data exchange: The client and server can now securely exchange data over the encrypted channel. This can include executing remote commands, transferring files, or tunneling other network protocols.
    6. Connection termination: When the communication is complete, the client or server can terminate the SSH connection.

    SSH provides several security features, including encryption, data integrity checks, and authentication mechanisms. It is widely used in various scenarios, such as remote system administration, secure file transfers, and secure access to network services.

  • How does the NAS Synology DiskStation DS620slim utilize SSH protocol for remote access and management?

    The NAS Synology DiskStation DS620slim utilizes the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol for remote access and management in the following ways:

    1. Secure Remote Access: SSH provides a secure encrypted connection between the client and the NAS. Users can access and manage the NAS remotely over the internet using SSH, ensuring data privacy and integrity.
    2. Command-Line Interface (CLI): SSH allows users to access the NAS's command-line interface remotely. By establishing an SSH session, users can execute commands, configure settings, and perform administrative tasks on the NAS using the CLI.
    3. Secure File Transfer: SSH supports secure file transfer between the client and the NAS. Users can securely transfer files to and from the NAS using protocols like SCP (Secure Copy) or SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) over the SSH connection.
    4. Tunneling and Port Forwarding: SSH enables tunneling and port forwarding, allowing users to securely access services running on the NAS's local network. By forwarding ports through an SSH connection, users can access services such as HTTP, FTP, or other applications hosted on the NAS remotely.
    5. Security and Authentication: SSH provides strong encryption and authentication mechanisms to ensure secure remote access. It uses public-key cryptography for authentication, making it resistant to brute-force attacks and unauthorized access.

    Overall, the NAS Synology DiskStation DS620slim leverages the SSH protocol to provide secure and convenient remote access and management capabilities, enabling users to control their NAS from anywhere while maintaining data security.

  • Can you explain the security features and benefits of using SSH with the Synology DiskStation DS620slim?

    The Synology DiskStation DS620slim supports SSH (Secure Shell) as a secure remote access protocol. Here are some security features and benefits of using SSH with the DS620slim:

    1. Encryption: SSH uses strong encryption algorithms to secure data transmission between the client and the server. It ensures that the communication is encrypted and protected from eavesdropping and interception.
    2. Authentication: SSH supports various authentication methods, including password-based authentication, public key authentication, and certificate-based authentication. These methods provide an extra layer of security to ensure that only authorized users can access the DiskStation.
    3. Secure File Transfer: SSH allows secure file transfer between the client and the DiskStation using protocols like SCP (Secure Copy) and SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol). These protocols encrypt the data during transit, preventing unauthorized access or tampering.
    4. Port Forwarding: SSH supports port forwarding, which enables secure access to services running on the DiskStation's internal network from external networks. It allows you to securely access services like web interfaces, file sharing, or remote desktops without exposing them directly to the internet.
    5. Firewall-friendly: SSH uses a single port (typically port 22) for communication, making it firewall-friendly. Since it uses a well-known port, it is less likely to be blocked by firewalls compared to other protocols.
    6. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): The DS620slim supports 2FA for SSH login, adding an extra layer of security. With 2FA enabled, users need to provide a second form of authentication, such as a verification code from a mobile app, in addition to the password.
    7. Access Control: The DiskStation's SSH server allows you to configure access control rules, specifying which users or IP addresses are allowed to connect via SSH. This helps in restricting access to authorized individuals or networks, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
    8. Audit Logs: The DS620slim keeps logs of SSH sessions, including login attempts, successful logins, and commands executed. These logs can be useful for monitoring and auditing purposes, allowing you to track any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts.

    By leveraging the security features of SSH, the Synology DiskStation DS620slim provides a secure and encrypted remote access solution, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of data transmitted between the client and the server.
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