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

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS220D0202
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID

Conventional hard drives store user data by writing it sequentially across the disk surface, which means an entire file is typically located on a single drive. In contrast, when data is written to a RAID array, each file is split into multiple fragments. These fragments are then distributed and written in sequence across all the drives in the array. Depending on the configuration, fragment sizes can range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so every file is physically stored across several disks at once.

This approach significantly increases read and write performance — after all, writing two halves of a 1 GB file to two drives simultaneously is much faster than writing the full 1 GB to a single disk. However, this same mechanism makes file recovery far more complex.

Different RAID levels use different methods to distribute and protect data. On top of that, manufacturers like Buffalo often add their own proprietary structures and variations. As a result, data can be written to disks in many different formats, and each requires a specific approach during recovery.

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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS LinkStation LS220D0202 can be accessed over the network, you still need to remove its hard disks and connect them directly to a Windows PC. Only then can the recovery software properly scan and analyze the drives. Follow these steps:

1. Power off the NAS and disconnect it from the power source.

   WARNING! Before removing any drives, carefully read the device manual. Improper actions may damage both the NAS enclosure and the hard disks in the RAID array.

2. Remove the hard disks one by one, gently sliding each drive out of its slot. Remember that hard disks are highly sensitive: any impact or drop can cause serious physical damage.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. Connect the drives to your computer. In this video, we explain which ports you can use to connect hard disks and what to do if your PC does not have enough free connectors.

   Go to view

   

   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo LinkStation LS220D0202. Each hard disk in the array contains technical metadata describing how files were written. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery analyzes this metadata, automatically reconstructs the damaged array, and provides access to its contents. After that, you can browse the recovered disk and save your files. The program can also restore files that were accidentally deleted from the network drive.

Go to view

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;

How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images

This utility allows you to create a complete copy of a disk and work with the disk image instead of the physical drive. This approach helps protect your data from:

• Overwriting during the recovery process;
• Additional data loss caused by bad sectors;
• User errors.

To create a disk image, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. When the Image Creation Wizard opens, select whether you want to save the entire disk or only a specific region. Adjust the settings and click Next.

   

4. Choose the directory where the image will be saved. You may select any available disk connected to your PC or upload the image via FTP.

   

Where Are the User’s Files Actually 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison