Ultimate Guide to Recover Data from NAS Buffalo DriveStation Pro Quad RAID Array

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo DriveStation Pro Quad
• 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 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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS DriveStation Pro Quad 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 DriveStation Pro Quad. 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

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;

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 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison