How to recover data from Buffalo DriveStation Pro Quad NAS

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 recommended practices for regular testing and validation of data backups to prevent potential loss on NAS Buffalo DriveStation Pro Quad devices?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for regular testing and validation of data backups to prevent potential loss on NAS Buffalo DriveStation Pro Quad devices. Here are some of the best practices:

1. Schedule Regular Backup Tests: Set up a regular schedule for testing your backups. This can be done weekly, monthly, or quarterly depending on the criticality of your data.
2. Perform Full and Incremental Backups: Ensure that both full and incremental backups are performed regularly. Full backups capture all the data, while incremental backups only capture the changes since the last backup. This helps in minimizing backup time and storage requirements.
3. Verify Backup Integrity: After each backup, verify the integrity of the backup files. Ensure that the backup files are not corrupted and can be restored successfully.
4. Test Restorations: Regularly test the restoration process by restoring the backup data to a test environment. This will help identify any issues with the backup files or the restoration process itself.
5. Monitor Backup Logs: Keep an eye on the backup logs for any errors or warnings. Monitor the backup process and ensure that it completes successfully without any issues.
6. Use Multiple Backup Locations: Consider storing backups in multiple locations, such as on-site and off-site. This provides an additional layer of protection in case of a disaster or hardware failure.
7. Implement Redundancy: Configure RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) on your NAS device to provide redundancy and protect against disk failures. RAID ensures that even if one disk fails, the data can still be accessed from the remaining disks.
8. Regularly Update Firmware and Software: Keep your NAS device's firmware and backup software up to date. Manufacturers often release updates to address security vulnerabilities and improve performance.
9. Document Backup Procedures: Document the backup procedures, including the backup schedule, restoration process, and any specific configurations. This documentation will be helpful in case of personnel changes or during troubleshooting.
10. Periodically Review Backup Strategy: Regularly review and reassess your backup strategy to ensure it meets your current data protection needs. As your data grows or changes, you may need to adjust your backup strategy accordingly.

By following these recommended practices, you can minimize the risk of data loss and ensure the reliability of your backups on NAS Buffalo DriveStation Pro Quad devices.

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

Although NAS DriveStation Pro Quad 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 DriveStation Pro Quad. 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

DriveStation Pro Quad has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• 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 DriveStation Pro Quad 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