How to Access Files on RAID When NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-6VH18TL/R6 Won’t Turn On

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-6VH18TL/R6
• 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 regular disk health monitoring and analysis help in preventing potential data loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-6VH18TL/R6 devices?

Regular disk health monitoring and analysis can help in preventing potential data loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-6VH18TL/R6 devices in the following ways:

1. Early detection of disk failures: Disk health monitoring tools can constantly monitor the health and performance of individual disks in the NAS. By analyzing parameters like SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) data, temperature, and error rates, these tools can detect early signs of disk failure. This allows for proactive action to be taken, such as replacing the failing disk before it completely fails and causes data loss.
2. RAID array monitoring: NAS devices often use RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations to provide data redundancy and protection against disk failures. Regular monitoring and analysis of the RAID array can ensure that all disks are functioning properly, and the array is in a healthy state. This helps prevent data loss by identifying and resolving any issues with the RAID configuration or individual disks.
3. Predictive analysis: Disk health monitoring tools can use predictive analysis algorithms to forecast the likelihood of disk failures based on historical data and performance trends. By analyzing patterns and identifying potential risks, these tools can provide warnings or alerts about disks that are likely to fail in the near future. This allows for timely replacements and data migration to prevent data loss.
4. Data backup and recovery: Regular disk health monitoring can also help in ensuring the effectiveness of data backup and recovery processes. By monitoring the health of disks and RAID arrays, administrators can verify that backups are being successfully created and that the backup data is intact and accessible. This ensures that in the event of a disk failure or data loss, the backup can be relied upon for recovery.
5. Proactive maintenance and firmware updates: Disk health monitoring can also provide insights into the overall health and performance of the NAS device. By identifying potential bottlenecks, performance issues, or outdated firmware, administrators can take proactive measures to optimize the NAS and prevent data loss. Regular firmware updates can also address known issues or vulnerabilities, improving the overall reliability and security of the device.

In summary, regular disk health monitoring and analysis can help in preventing potential data loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-6VH18TL/R6 devices by detecting disk failures early, monitoring RAID arrays, predicting failures, ensuring effective data backup and recovery, and facilitating proactive maintenance and updates.

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

Although the NAS TeraStation TS-6VH18TL/R6 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.

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   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 TeraStation TS-6VH18TL/R6. 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.

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How to recover data from a Buffalo

TeraStation TS-6VH18TL/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;

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 TeraStation TS-6VH18TL/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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison