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

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-RIX4.0TL/R5
• 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 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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS TeraStation TS-RIX4.0TL/R5 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-RIX4.0TL/R5. 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-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;

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-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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison