- 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?
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 regular performance monitoring and optimization help in preventing data loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-6VH12TL/R6 devices?
Regular performance monitoring and optimization can help in preventing data loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-6VH12TL/R6 devices in the following ways:
- Early detection of issues: Regular performance monitoring allows you to identify any potential issues or anomalies in the device's performance. This can include slow response times, high CPU or memory usage, or network connectivity problems. By detecting these issues early, you can take necessary actions to prevent data loss before it becomes a major problem.
- Proactive maintenance: Monitoring the performance of your NAS device can help you identify areas that require optimization or maintenance. This can include disk fragmentation, outdated firmware, or insufficient storage capacity. By addressing these issues proactively, you can ensure the smooth operation of your device and minimize the risk of data loss.
- Capacity planning: Regular monitoring of the NAS device's storage capacity can help you anticipate future storage needs. By tracking storage usage trends, you can identify when additional storage may be required and take appropriate actions, such as upgrading hard drives or expanding storage capacity. This can prevent situations where the device runs out of storage space, potentially leading to data loss.
- Backup and disaster recovery: Monitoring the performance of your NAS device can also help ensure the effectiveness of your backup and disaster recovery strategies. By regularly checking the status of backups, verifying data integrity, and testing the recovery process, you can ensure that your data is properly backed up and can be restored in the event of data loss.
- Security monitoring: Regular performance monitoring can also include monitoring for security-related events and anomalies. This can help detect any unauthorized access attempts, malware infections, or other security breaches that could potentially lead to data loss. By promptly addressing these security issues, you can prevent data loss and protect your valuable information.
Overall, regular performance monitoring and optimization of NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-6VH12TL/R6 devices can help identify and address potential issues before they result in data loss. It allows you to take proactive measures, maintain optimal performance, and ensure the safety and integrity of your data.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS TeraStation TS-6VH12TL/R6 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo TeraStation TS-6VH12TL/R6. 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.
TeraStation TS-6VH12TL/R6 has 6 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- RAID 5;
- RAID 6;
- 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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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-6VH12TL/R6 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
Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes, data recovery from a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-6VH12TL/R6 device can still be possible even if the device is experiencing intermittent connectivity issues. However, it might make the process more challenging and time-consuming.
Here are a few steps you can take to recover data from a NAS device with intermittent connectivity issues:
Remember to always create backups of your important data to avoid data loss situations.