- 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?
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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo Drive Station HD-LB1.5TU3 devices?
RAID configurations can have a significant impact on data loss in NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-LB1.5TU3 devices. Here are a few ways RAID can affect data loss in these devices:
- RAID 0: This configuration offers no redundancy or fault tolerance. It stripes data across multiple drives for improved performance but does not provide any data protection. If one drive fails in a RAID 0 setup, all the data on the entire array can be lost.
- RAID 1: In this configuration, data is mirrored across multiple drives, providing redundancy. If one drive fails, the data can still be accessed from the remaining drives. RAID 1 reduces the risk of data loss due to drive failure but does not protect against other types of data loss, such as accidental deletion or file corruption.
- RAID 5: This configuration distributes data and parity information across multiple drives. It offers both performance and redundancy. If one drive fails, the data can be reconstructed using the parity information stored on the remaining drives. RAID 5 provides better data protection than RAID 0 or RAID 1 but can still be vulnerable to data loss if multiple drives fail simultaneously.
- RAID 6: Similar to RAID 5, RAID 6 distributes data and double parity information across multiple drives. It can tolerate the failure of two drives simultaneously without losing data. RAID 6 provides higher data protection compared to RAID 5 but requires a minimum of four drives.
It's important to note that while RAID configurations can help protect against certain types of data loss, they are not foolproof. Other factors like human error, power surges, or natural disasters can still result in data loss. Therefore, it is recommended to have regular backups of important data to an external storage device or cloud service to further mitigate the risk of data loss.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Drive Station HD-LB1.5TU3 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo Drive Station HD-LB1.5TU3. 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.
How to recover data from a Buffalo
Drive Station HD-LB1.5TU3 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;
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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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 Buffalo Drive Station HD-LB1.5TU3 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.
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 |
Data recovery from a NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-LB1.5TU3 device can be challenging if the storage disks have been overwritten or reformatted. When data is overwritten or reformatted, the original data is usually permanently erased or partially overwritten.
However, there is still a possibility of recovering some data depending on the extent of the overwrite or reformatting. It is recommended to immediately stop using the device to avoid further data loss and contact a professional data recovery service.
A data recovery service may be able to use specialized tools and techniques to attempt to recover the overwritten or reformatted data. They can analyze the disk's file system, search for remnants of the original data, and reconstruct the files if possible.
Keep in mind that the success of data recovery in such cases is not guaranteed, and it can be an expensive process. It is always recommended to regularly back up important data to prevent data loss in situations like this.