Steps to Recover a Damaged RAID Array on NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-LX1.0TU3 with Several Disks

Contents

• 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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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.

Are there any known limitations or performance bottlenecks that can increase data loss risks for NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-LX1.0TU3 devices?

While it is difficult to provide a comprehensive list of all known limitations or performance bottlenecks specific to the NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-LX1.0TU3 devices, there are a few general factors that can potentially increase data loss risks:

1. Hardware Failure: Like any electronic device, the NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-LX1.0TU3 is susceptible to hardware failures such as hard drive crashes or power supply issues. These failures can lead to data loss if proper backup and redundancy measures are not in place.
2. Lack of Redundancy: If the NAS is not configured with a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) setup or any other redundancy mechanism, a single drive failure can result in data loss. It is recommended to configure the NAS with a RAID level that suits your needs and provides data redundancy.
3. Insufficient Backup Strategy: Relying solely on the NAS as the primary storage without implementing regular backups to an external device or cloud storage can increase the risk of data loss. Accidental file deletion, malware attacks, or NAS failure could result in permanent data loss without a proper backup strategy.
4. Network Connectivity: The performance and reliability of the NAS can be affected by the network infrastructure it is connected to. Slow network speeds, network congestion, or intermittent connectivity issues can impact data transfer and increase the risk of data loss during file operations.
5. Firmware or Software Bugs: Like any software-based system, NAS devices can have firmware or software bugs that may result in unexpected behavior or data corruption. It is important to keep the firmware up to date and regularly check for any known issues or updates from the manufacturer.

To mitigate these risks, it is recommended to implement a comprehensive backup strategy, regularly update firmware and software, use a reliable network infrastructure, and consider redundancy options such as RAID configurations. Additionally, consulting the product documentation and support resources provided by Buffalo Technology can provide more specific information about any known limitations or performance bottlenecks for the NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-LX1.0TU3 devices.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS Drive Station HD-LX1.0TU3 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo Drive Station HD-LX1.0TU3. 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.

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How to recover data from a Buffalo

Drive Station HD-LX1.0TU3 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:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. 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.

   

4. 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-LX1.0TU3 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