Comprehensive NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS220D1202 Data Recovery: Step-by-Step RAID Array Guide

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 a NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS220D1202 device's cache settings impact data loss risks?

The cache settings on a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Buffalo LinkStation LS220D1202 can impact data loss risks in the following ways:

1. Write Cache: NAS devices often have a write cache, which temporarily stores data before it is written to the hard drives. This can improve performance by allowing the device to quickly acknowledge data writes. However, if there is a power failure or system crash before the data is written from the cache to the drives, there is a risk of data loss. It is recommended to configure the NAS device to use a write-through cache policy, where data is immediately written to the drives, reducing the risk of data loss.
2. Read Cache: NAS devices may also have a read cache, which stores frequently accessed data in memory for faster access. While this can improve performance, it poses a risk if the cache becomes corrupted or if the data on the drives is updated without reflecting the changes in the cache. This can result in data inconsistency or loss. It is advisable to periodically clear the read cache or configure the NAS device to use a write-back cache policy, where changes are written to the cache first and then to the drives, reducing the risk of data inconsistency.
3. Battery Backup: Some NAS devices, including the Buffalo LinkStation LS220D1202, come with a built-in battery backup unit (BBU) or an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) support. This helps to mitigate the risk of data loss during power outages or sudden shutdowns by allowing the device to complete pending write operations and safely shut down. Enabling and maintaining a battery backup or UPS can significantly reduce the risk of data loss due to power-related issues.

It is essential to review the user manual or consult the manufacturer's documentation for specific instructions on configuring cache settings and ensuring data integrity on the Buffalo LinkStation LS220D1202 or any other NAS device.

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

Although NAS LinkStation LS220D1202 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.

   Go to view

   

   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 LS220D1202. 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.

Go to view

How to recover data from a Buffalo

LinkStation LS220D1202 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 LS220D1202 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