- 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 does a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-I2.0TGL/R5 device store and manage data?
The NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-I2.0TGL/R5 device stores and manages data using a combination of hardware and software components.
- Hard Drives: The device typically comes with multiple hard drives (usually in a RAID configuration) that provide the physical storage space for data. These hard drives can be easily inserted or removed from the device.
- RAID Configuration: The TeraStation TS-I2.0TGL/R5 supports various RAID configurations (such as RAID 0, 1, 5, 10) that determine how the data is distributed and protected across the hard drives. RAID provides redundancy and fault tolerance, ensuring data integrity even in case of drive failures.
- File System: The device uses a file system (such as XFS or EXT4) to organize and manage the data stored on the hard drives. The file system allows for file and folder hierarchy, permissions, and metadata storage.
- Network Connectivity: The TeraStation TS-I2.0TGL/R5 has network connectivity (usually through Ethernet) that allows it to be accessed and managed over a local network or the internet. This enables users to store, retrieve, and manage data remotely.
- Operating System and Software: The device runs an embedded operating system (such as Buffalo's proprietary firmware) that provides the necessary functionality for data storage and management. It also includes software tools and utilities for configuring and managing the device, setting up user access permissions, and enabling various network services like file sharing, backup, and synchronization.
- User Management: The TeraStation TS-I2.0TGL/R5 has built-in user management capabilities, allowing administrators to create user accounts, assign permissions, and control access to specific files and folders. This ensures data security and privacy.
- Additional Features: The device may offer additional features like data backup and replication, remote access via mobile apps, integration with cloud storage services, and support for various protocols (such as SMB, FTP, NFS) to facilitate file sharing and collaboration.
Overall, the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-I2.0TGL/R5 device provides a centralized and scalable solution for storing and managing data, allowing multiple users to access and collaborate on files while ensuring data integrity and security.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS TeraStation TS-I2.0TGL/R5 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-I2.0TGL/R5. 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.
How to recover data from a Buffalo
TeraStation TS-I2.0TGL/R5 has 4 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-I2.0TGL/R5 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-I2.0TGL/R5 device can be done even if the storage disks have been physically removed or replaced. However, the success of the data recovery process may depend on various factors such as the condition of the disks, the extent of the damage, and the recovery methods used. It is recommended to consult a professional data recovery service for assistance in recovering data from a NAS device.