Recovering RAID Array Data from NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS520DN0402: Comprehensive 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 conducting regular backups on external storage devices mitigate data loss risks for NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS520DN0402 devices?

Conducting regular backups on external storage devices can mitigate data loss risks for NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS520DN0402 devices in the following ways:

1. Redundancy: By regularly backing up your data on external storage devices, you create a redundant copy of your important files. In case of data loss on the Buffalo LinkStation, you can restore your data from the backup, minimizing the impact of the loss.
2. Protection against hardware failure: NAS devices like the Buffalo LinkStation can experience hardware failures, such as a hard drive crash. Regular backups on external storage devices ensure that your data is not solely dependent on the NAS device. If the LinkStation fails, you can restore your data from the backup without losing important files.
3. Protection against accidental deletion or user errors: Human errors like accidental deletion of files or formatting the NAS can lead to data loss. By conducting regular backups on external storage devices, you have a separate copy of your data that is not affected by such errors. You can easily restore your files from the backup in case of accidental data loss.
4. Protection against malware and ransomware attacks: NAS devices are vulnerable to malware and ransomware attacks that can encrypt or delete your data. By regularly backing up your data on external storage devices, you can have an offline copy of your files that is not directly accessible to malware. In case of an attack, you can restore your data from the backup without paying any ransom.
5. Off-site storage: Storing backups on external devices also allows you to keep a copy of your data off-site. In case of disasters like fire, flood, or theft that might affect the Buffalo LinkStation and the local backups, having an off-site backup ensures that your data remains safe and can be recovered.

It is important to follow a consistent backup schedule and ensure that the external storage devices are properly maintained and protected to mitigate data loss risks effectively.

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

Although NAS LinkStation LS520DN0402 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 LS520DN0402. 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 LS520DN0402 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 LS520DN0402 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