Steps to Recover a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-RIX4.0TL/R5 RAID Array with Multiple Disk Failures

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 the number of concurrent users or clients accessing a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-RIX4.0TL/R5 device affect data loss risks?

The number of concurrent users or clients accessing a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-RIX4.0TL/R5 device can affect data loss risks in the following ways:

1. Increased risk of data corruption: When multiple users or clients access the NAS device simultaneously, there is a higher chance of data corruption if there are conflicts in read and write operations. If multiple users try to modify the same file simultaneously, it can lead to data inconsistencies or loss.
2. Network congestion and performance issues: A large number of concurrent users can put a strain on the network bandwidth and the NAS device's processing capabilities. This can result in network congestion and performance degradation, leading to slower response times and potential data loss if the system becomes overwhelmed.
3. Increased risk of accidental deletions or overwrites: With more users accessing the NAS device, the chances of accidental file deletions or overwrites increase. Human errors, such as mistakenly deleting important files or saving incorrect versions over existing ones, can lead to data loss if proper backup measures are not in place.
4. Security vulnerabilities: More concurrent users mean a larger attack surface for potential security breaches. If the NAS device is not properly secured or if user access controls are not properly configured, malicious users or hackers may gain unauthorized access to the system, potentially leading to data loss or theft.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to implement the following measures:

1. Implement user access controls: Ensure that proper user access controls and permissions are in place to restrict unauthorized access and prevent accidental file modifications or deletions.
2. Regular backups: Regularly backup the data on the NAS device to an external storage device or cloud storage. This will help in recovering data in case of accidental deletions, overwrites, or system failures.
3. Network optimization: Ensure that the network infrastructure is capable of handling the expected number of concurrent users. This may involve upgrading network switches, routers, or increasing bandwidth to prevent network congestion and performance issues.
4. Security measures: Implement security measures such as strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular firmware updates to protect the NAS device from unauthorized access and potential security breaches.
5. User education: Educate users about best practices for accessing and managing data on the NAS device, including avoiding simultaneous modifications of the same file, taking caution while deleting files, and reporting any suspicious activities or errors immediately.

By implementing these measures, the risks associated with data loss can be minimized, even with a large number of concurrent users accessing the NAS device.

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

Although NAS TeraStation TS-RIX4.0TL/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:

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.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo TeraStation TS-RIX4.0TL/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.

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How to recover data from a Buffalo

TeraStation TS-RIX4.0TL/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:

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-RIX4.0TL/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