NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS220D0202 Data Recovery: Step-by-Step Guide to RAID Array Recovery

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 conducting regular backups on external storage devices mitigate data loss risks for NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS220D0202 devices?

Conducting regular backups on external storage devices can mitigate data loss risks for NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS220D0202 devices in the following ways:

1. Redundancy: By creating backups on external storage devices, you create a redundant copy of your data. In case of any data loss or corruption on the NAS device, you can restore the data from the external backup, ensuring that your important files are safe.
2. Protection against hardware failure: NAS devices like Buffalo LinkStation can experience hardware failures, such as a faulty hard drive. Regular backups on external storage devices help safeguard your data in such situations. If the NAS device fails, you can restore your data from the external backup onto a new NAS or another storage device.
3. Protection against accidental deletion or user errors: Backups on external storage devices provide a safety net against accidental deletion or user errors. If you accidentally delete important files or make changes that you later regret, you can retrieve the original files from the backup.
4. Protection against malware or ransomware attacks: External backups can protect your data from malware or ransomware attacks that may target your NAS device. If your NAS becomes infected, you can restore your data from the clean backup, minimizing the impact of the attack.
5. Off-site storage: Storing backups on external devices allows you to keep a copy of your data off-site. This protects your data from physical damage, such as fire, floods, or theft, that may affect the NAS device and its local backups. Off-site backups provide an additional layer of security and ensure business continuity in case of any disasters.

To conduct regular backups on external storage devices for your Buffalo LinkStation LS220D0202, you can use the built-in backup features of the NAS device or use third-party backup software. Set up a schedule for automatic backups, ensuring that your data is regularly copied to the external storage device. It is also recommended to periodically verify the integrity of the backups and test the restoration process to ensure that the backups are reliable and usable when needed.

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

Although NAS LinkStation LS220D0202 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 LS220D0202. 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 LS220D0202 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 LS220D0202 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