Accessing RAID Files When NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-2RZH48T12D Device Fails to Start

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 data be recovered from a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-2RZH48T12D device after a malfunction or data loss event?

To recover data from a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-2RZH48T12D device after a malfunction or data loss event, you can follow these steps:

1. Identify the cause of the malfunction: Determine whether the issue is due to hardware failure, software corruption, or accidental deletion. This will help you choose the appropriate recovery method.
2. Contact Buffalo support: Reach out to Buffalo's technical support team for guidance and assistance. They may provide specific troubleshooting steps or recommend professional data recovery services.
3. Check hardware connections: Ensure all cables and connections are secure and functioning properly. Sometimes, a loose connection can cause data access issues.
4. Use diagnostic tools: Buffalo TeraStation devices often come with built-in diagnostic tools. Run these tools to check the health of the device and identify any hardware issues.
5. Replace faulty hardware components: If the malfunction is due to a failed hard drive or other hardware component, you may need to replace the faulty part. Consult the device's manual or Buffalo support for instructions on how to do this.
6. Restore from backups: If you have regular backups of your data, you can restore the lost files from those backups. Buffalo TeraStation devices usually have built-in backup features that allow you to schedule automatic backups or create manual backups.
7. Use data recovery software: If the data loss is due to accidental deletion or software corruption, you can try using data recovery software. Connect the TeraStation device to a computer and use a reliable data recovery tool to scan for and recover lost files. Note that this method may not be effective if the device's file system is severely damaged.
8. Seek professional data recovery services: If the data loss is severe or the above methods fail, you may need to contact a professional data recovery service. These services specialize in recovering data from various storage devices, including NAS devices. They have specialized tools and expertise to handle complex data recovery situations.

Remember to avoid further writes or modifications to the TeraStation device after data loss, as it can overwrite the lost files and make recovery more difficult.

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

Although NAS TeraStation TS-2RZH48T12D 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 TeraStation TS-2RZH48T12D. 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

TeraStation TS-2RZH48T12D has 12 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• 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 TeraStation TS-2RZH48T12D 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