How to recover data from Buffalo TeraStation TS-8VH16TL/R6 NAS

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 TeraStation TS-8VH16TL/R6 device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?

The power management settings of a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-8VH16TL/R6 device can impact data availability and potential loss in the following ways:

1. Power Loss: If the power management settings are not configured properly, sudden power loss or unexpected shutdowns can occur. This can lead to data corruption or loss if the device is in the middle of a write operation.
2. Scheduled Shutdowns: Power management settings may include options to schedule automatic shutdowns during specific times or periods of inactivity. If the NAS shuts down during critical operations or while data is being accessed, it can result in data unavailability and potential loss.
3. Disk Spinning: Power management settings often include options to spin down the hard drives after a certain period of inactivity. While this can save power, it may cause delays when accessing data as the drives need to spin up again. If critical data is needed urgently, this delay can impact availability.
4. Sleep Mode: Some NAS devices have a sleep mode that allows them to enter a low-power state when not in use. While this can save energy, it can also introduce delays when accessing data as the system needs to wake up. If the NAS is frequently accessed or used for critical operations, this delay can impact data availability.
5. RAID Rebuild: In case of a drive failure in a RAID configuration, the NAS may need to rebuild the RAID array using the spare drive or a replacement drive. If the power management settings cause the NAS to shut down or enter sleep mode during this process, it can lead to incomplete or failed rebuilds, potentially resulting in data loss.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to properly configure the power management settings of the NAS device. This includes setting appropriate schedules, disabling aggressive power-saving features during critical operations, and ensuring that the NAS remains powered on during important processes like RAID rebuilds. Regular backups of the data stored on the NAS are also crucial to minimize the impact of any potential data loss.

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

Although NAS TeraStation TS-8VH16TL/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:

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.

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo TeraStation TS-8VH16TL/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-8VH16TL/R6 has 1 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-8VH16TL/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