- 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 system monitoring and alerting help in early detection and prevention of data loss events on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-QVH8.0TL/R6 devices?
Regular system monitoring and alerting can play a crucial role in the early detection and prevention of data loss events on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-QVH8.0TL/R6 devices. Here are some ways it can help:
- Disk Health Monitoring: By monitoring the health of the hard drives in the TeraStation, you can identify any signs of impending failure or degradation. This includes monitoring parameters such as SMART attributes, temperature, and disk usage. If any abnormalities are detected, you can take proactive measures like replacing the failing drive before it leads to data loss.
- RAID Array Monitoring: The TeraStation TS-QVH8.0TL/R6 supports various RAID levels for data redundancy and protection. Regular monitoring of the RAID array ensures that it is functioning properly and all drives are in sync. Monitoring tools can alert you if any drive fails or if there are any issues with the RAID configuration, allowing you to take immediate action to prevent data loss.
- Network Monitoring: Monitoring the network connectivity and performance of the TeraStation can help detect any issues that may impact data availability or integrity. This includes monitoring network bandwidth, latency, and packet loss. If there are any network-related problems, you can address them promptly to prevent data loss or corruption.
- File System Monitoring: Monitoring the file system on the TeraStation can help identify any anomalies or errors that may lead to data loss. This includes monitoring file system integrity, file permissions, and file access logs. Any unauthorized modifications or suspicious activities can trigger alerts, enabling you to investigate and prevent potential data loss events.
- Backup Monitoring: If you have implemented a backup strategy for your TeraStation, monitoring the backup process ensures that your data is being successfully backed up. Regularly verifying the integrity of backups and monitoring backup completion status can help you identify any issues that may compromise data recovery in case of a data loss event.
- Security Monitoring: Monitoring security events and access logs on the TeraStation can help detect any unauthorized access attempts or potential security breaches. By setting up alerts for suspicious activities or failed login attempts, you can take immediate action to prevent data loss due to unauthorized access or malware attacks.
In summary, regular system monitoring and alerting provide proactive visibility into the health, performance, and security of your TeraStation NAS device. By promptly detecting and addressing any issues, you can significantly reduce the risk of data loss events and ensure the availability and integrity of your data.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS TeraStation TS-QVH8.0TL/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-QVH8.0TL/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-QVH8.0TL/R6 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-QVH8.0TL/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, the order of disks in a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-QVH8.0TL/R6 is important for a RAID array. The TeraStation uses a specific RAID configuration, such as RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 6, to distribute and store data across multiple disks for redundancy and performance. The order of the disks determines how the data is written and read by the RAID controller. If the disks are not in the correct order, the RAID array may not function properly or data may be inaccessible. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions or user manual to ensure the correct disk order for setting up a RAID array in the TeraStation.