- 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 file system corruption impact data integrity on NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-WSX500L/R1 devices?
File system corruption on NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-WSX500L/R1 devices can have a significant impact on data integrity. Here are some ways it can affect the device:
- Data loss: File system corruption can lead to the loss of data stored on the NAS. This can happen when the corruption affects the file allocation table, directory structure, or the actual data blocks. In severe cases, it may render the data inaccessible or completely unrecoverable.
- Data inconsistency: Corruption in the file system can cause inconsistencies in the stored data. This means that the data may become fragmented or contain errors, leading to incorrect or incomplete information. This can impact the reliability and accuracy of the stored data.
- Unreliable backups: Many NAS devices rely on regular backups to ensure data safety. However, if the file system is corrupted, it can affect the backup process and result in unreliable or incomplete backups. This can make it difficult to restore the data to its original state in case of data loss or corruption.
- System instability: File system corruption can cause the NAS device to become unstable or unresponsive. It may result in frequent crashes, freezes, or errors. This can disrupt normal operations and cause inconvenience to users.
- Reduced performance: Corruption in the file system can lead to degraded performance of the NAS device. It may result in slower read/write speeds, increased latency, or longer access times. This can impact the overall efficiency and productivity of the device.
To mitigate the impact of file system corruption on data integrity, it is important to regularly backup data to an external storage device or cloud service. Additionally, performing regular file system checks and maintenance, such as running disk checks or using tools provided by the NAS manufacturer, can help identify and repair any file system issues before they lead to data corruption.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS LinkStation LS-WSX500L/R1 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-WSX500L/R1. 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
LinkStation LS-WSX500L/R1 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-WSX500L/R1 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 |
The Buffalo LinkStation LS-WSX500L/R1 devices typically use the XFS file system, which is a high-performance file system designed for Unix-like operating systems. XFS is known for its scalability and ability to handle large amounts of data efficiently.
In terms of data recovery, the XFS file system does not have any inherent limitations or issues that would significantly affect the recovery process. However, data recovery can still be challenging if the device experiences hardware failures or logical errors.
If you encounter data loss on a Buffalo LinkStation LS-WSX500L/R1 device, it is recommended to consult professional data recovery services that specialize in NAS devices to maximize the chances of successful recovery.