Restoring a Faulty RAID Array on NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-CE640IU2 with Multiple Drives

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-CE640IU2
• 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.

Are there any recommended best practices for securely storing usernames and passwords on NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-CE640IU2 devices?

Yes, there are several recommended best practices for securely storing usernames and passwords on NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-CE640IU2 devices:

1. Change the default admin username and password: The first step is to change the default admin username and password to a strong and unique combination. This helps to prevent unauthorized access to the device.
2. Use strong and complex passwords: Ensure that all user accounts have strong and complex passwords that include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable passwords like birthdates or common words.
3. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a second form of verification, such as a code sent to their mobile device, in addition to the username and password.
4. Regularly update firmware: Keep the firmware of the NAS device up to date to ensure that any security vulnerabilities are patched. Check the manufacturer's website for firmware updates and install them promptly.
5. Disable unnecessary services and ports: Disable any unnecessary services or ports on the NAS device to minimize the attack surface. Only enable the services that are required for your specific needs.
6. Implement network segmentation: If possible, isolate the NAS device on a separate network segment to limit access to it. This can be achieved by using VLANs or network segmentation features on your router or switch.
7. Regularly backup data: Regularly backup your data stored on the NAS device to an external storage device or cloud storage. In the event of a security breach or data loss, having backups ensures that you can recover your important files.
8. Educate users: Educate all users on best practices for password management, such as not sharing passwords, avoiding password reuse, and being cautious of phishing attempts.
9. Monitor and log activity: Enable logging and monitoring features on the NAS device to keep track of any suspicious activity. Regularly review the logs to identify any potential security incidents.
10. Physically secure the device: Ensure that the NAS device is physically secured in a locked room or cabinet to prevent unauthorized physical access.

By following these best practices, you can enhance the security of your usernames and passwords stored on NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-CE640IU2 devices.

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

Although the NAS Drive Station HD-CE640IU2 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 Drive Station HD-CE640IU2. 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

Drive Station HD-CE640IU2 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 Drive Station HD-CE640IU2 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