Comprehensive Guide to Recovering RAID Array Data from NAS Buffalo CloudStation CS-WV4.0/R1

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo CloudStation CS-WV4.0/R1
• 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 Buffalo 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 hardware failure lead to data loss in NAS Buffalo CloudStation CS-WV4.0/R1 devices?

Hardware failure in NAS Buffalo CloudStation CS-WV4.0/R1 devices can lead to data loss in several ways:

1. Hard Drive Failure: NAS devices typically use multiple hard drives in a RAID configuration to ensure data redundancy and protection against drive failure. However, if one or more hard drives fail simultaneously or sequentially, it can result in data loss if the RAID array is not properly configured or if the failure occurs before data can be rebuilt onto a replacement drive.
2. Power Supply Failure: A faulty or failing power supply can cause the NAS device to shut down unexpectedly, potentially resulting in data loss if data is being written or read at the time of the power outage. Sudden power loss can corrupt data or cause incomplete writes, leading to file system errors and data loss.
3. Network Interface Failure: If the network interface card (NIC) or other networking components in the NAS device fail, it can result in the device being inaccessible over the network. This can prevent users from accessing or backing up their data, potentially leading to data loss if the device cannot be repaired or if the data cannot be recovered through other means.
4. Controller Failure: The controller in a NAS device is responsible for managing data transfer between the drives and the network. If the controller fails, it can result in data corruption or loss, as the device may not be able to properly read or write data to the drives.
5. Firmware or Software Issues: Hardware failures can sometimes be caused by firmware or software issues. If the firmware or software on the NAS device becomes corrupted or malfunctions, it can lead to data loss or inaccessibility of the data stored on the device.

To mitigate the risk of data loss due to hardware failure, it is important to regularly back up data stored on the NAS device to an external location or cloud storage service. Additionally, implementing a RAID configuration with redundancy and regularly monitoring the health of the drives can help minimize the impact of hardware failures.

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

Although the NAS CloudStation CS-WV4.0/R1 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 Buffalo CloudStation CS-WV4.0/R1. 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 Buffalo

CloudStation CS-WV4.0/R1 has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
• NTFS / ReFS;
• APFS / HFS+;
• Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
• VMFS / HikvisionFS;

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 Buffalo CloudStation CS-WV4.0/R1 network-attached storage keeps OS Linux 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