How to recover data from Buffalo LinkStation LS-WX6.0TL/R1 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.

How can storage tiering or caching strategies impact data availability and potential loss on NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-WX6.0TL/R1 devices?

Storage tiering and caching strategies can have a significant impact on data availability and potential loss on NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-WX6.0TL/R1 devices.

1. Improved Performance: By implementing storage tiering and caching strategies, the performance of the NAS device can be significantly improved. Caching allows frequently accessed data to be stored in faster storage media such as SSDs, reducing access latency and improving overall system performance. This ensures that data is available quickly when needed, reducing potential loss due to delays or unavailability.
2. Enhanced Data Availability: Storage tiering allows data to be distributed across different storage tiers based on its importance or access frequency. Frequently accessed data can be stored in high-performance tiers, while less frequently accessed data can be stored in lower-cost, high-capacity tiers. This ensures that critical data is readily available, reducing the risk of potential data loss due to unavailability or system failures.
3. Data Redundancy: Storage tiering can also be used to implement data redundancy strategies, such as mirroring or RAID configurations. By storing multiple copies of data across different storage tiers, the risk of data loss due to hardware failures or disk errors is mitigated. In the event of a disk failure, the redundant copy of the data ensures that it remains available and accessible.
4. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Storage tiering can be used to allocate storage space for backup and disaster recovery purposes. By dedicating a separate storage tier for backups, critical data can be regularly backed up to ensure its availability in case of data loss or system failures. This helps to minimize potential data loss and facilitates quick recovery in case of any unforeseen events.

However, it's important to note that storage tiering and caching strategies should be implemented carefully, considering the specific requirements and workload patterns of the NAS device. Improper configuration or management of storage tiers and caching can lead to data inconsistency, performance degradation, or potential data loss. It is recommended to consult the device's documentation or seek professional assistance to ensure the optimal setup and configuration of storage tiering and caching on NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-WX6.0TL/R1 devices.

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

Although NAS LinkStation LS-WX6.0TL/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:

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 LinkStation LS-WX6.0TL/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.

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How to recover data from a Buffalo

LinkStation LS-WX6.0TL/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:

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 LinkStation LS-WX6.0TL/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