- 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 does a NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-V2.0TL device store and manage data?
The NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-V2.0TL device stores and manages data through a combination of hardware and software components. Here is a general overview of how it works:
- Storage Drives: The device typically comes with one or more internal hard drives. These drives provide the physical storage space for data. The LS-V2.0TL model, for example, has a total capacity of 2 terabytes (TB).
- RAID Configuration: The drives can be configured in different RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) levels, such as RAID 0, RAID 1, or JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks). RAID provides various levels of data redundancy and performance improvements. For example, RAID 1 mirrors the data across multiple drives to ensure data integrity even if one drive fails.
- Network Connectivity: The LinkStation connects to the local network via an Ethernet port. This allows other devices on the network to access the stored data.
- Operating System and Software: The LinkStation runs a built-in operating system specifically designed for NAS devices. Buffalo uses its own proprietary firmware, which provides the necessary functionality for data management and network access. The firmware includes features like file sharing, user management, remote access, and backup options.
- File System: The LinkStation typically uses a file system like NTFS or FAT32 to organize and manage the data on the storage drives. The file system allows for file and folder creation, deletion, and modification.
- Data Management: Users can access the LinkStation through various methods, including a web-based graphical user interface (GUI) or dedicated software provided by Buffalo. These interfaces allow users to create folders, upload and download files, and manage permissions for different users or groups.
- Data Protection: The LinkStation often includes built-in features for data protection, such as scheduled backups, replication to another NAS device, or cloud backup options. These features help safeguard the data against accidental loss or hardware failures.
Overall, the NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-V2.0TL device combines hardware storage drives, RAID configurations, network connectivity, a specialized operating system, and software interfaces to store and manage data effectively.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS LinkStation LS-V2.0TL 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 LinkStation LS-V2.0TL. 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.
LinkStation LS-V2.0TL 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 LinkStation LS-V2.0TL 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 |
Yes, there are specific techniques used in data recovery from NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-V2.0TL devices with RAID configurations. Here are some common techniques:
It is important to note that data recovery from RAID configurations can be complex and should be performed carefully to avoid further data loss. It is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service if you are not experienced in handling RAID recoveries.