- 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 a NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-WV4.0TL/R1 device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?
The power management settings of a NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-WV4.0TL/R1 device can impact data availability and potential loss in the following ways:
- Sleep Mode: If the device is set to enter sleep mode after a certain period of inactivity, it can lead to data unavailability during that time. When the NAS is in sleep mode, it may not respond to network requests, and accessing files or services stored on the device may not be possible. This can impact productivity and accessibility to critical data.
- Drive Spin Down: The NAS device may have an option to spin down the hard drives after a period of inactivity. While this can save power, it can increase the time required to access data when the drives are spun up again. If the NAS is used in a business environment where quick access to data is crucial, this delay can impact productivity.
- Scheduled Power Off: Some NAS devices allow scheduling a complete power-off during specific hours of the day. While this can save power, it means that the data stored on the NAS will not be accessible during those hours. If important tasks or backups are scheduled during that time, they may be disrupted or delayed, potentially leading to data loss.
- Power Interruptions: If the NAS device is not connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and experiences a sudden power loss or surge, it can result in data loss or corruption. The NAS may not have enough time to complete pending read/write operations or properly shut down, leading to data inconsistencies or even disk failures.
To mitigate the impact of power management settings on data availability and potential loss, it is important to carefully consider the specific needs and use cases of the NAS device. It is recommended to balance power-saving measures with the requirement for continuous data availability. Additionally, using a UPS can help protect the NAS from sudden power disruptions and allow it to gracefully shut down during extended power outages.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS LinkStation LS-WV4.0TL/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-WV4.0TL/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-WV4.0TL/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-WV4.0TL/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 costs associated with data recovery from a NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-WV4.0TL/R1 device can vary depending on several factors, including the severity of the data loss and the specific data recovery service provider. Here are some potential costs to consider:
It is important to note that these costs are estimates and can vary significantly depending on the specific circumstances. It is recommended to contact data recovery service providers directly for accurate cost estimates tailored to your situation.