How to recover data from Buffalo TeraStation TS-RVH4.0TL/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.

Are there any recommended practices for protecting NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-RVH4.0TL/R6 devices against physical theft or unauthorized access that can lead to data loss?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for protecting NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-RVH4.0TL/R6 devices against physical theft or unauthorized access. Here are some of them:

1. Physical Security: Ensure that the device is kept in a secure location, such as a locked server room or cabinet, to prevent physical theft. Limit access to authorized personnel only.
2. Strong Passwords: Set strong and unique passwords for the device's administrative account and user accounts. Avoid using default or easily guessable passwords.
3. Firmware Updates: Regularly update the firmware of the TeraStation to ensure that any security vulnerabilities are patched.
4. Network Segmentation: Place the TeraStation on a separate network segment or VLAN, isolating it from other devices on the network. This helps prevent unauthorized access from other compromised devices.
5. Firewall and Intrusion Detection: Enable the built-in firewall and intrusion detection features on the TeraStation. Configure these settings to block unauthorized access attempts.
6. User Access Control: Implement strict user access control by assigning appropriate access rights and permissions to individual users or groups. Only grant access to necessary files and folders.
7. Disable Unused Services: Disable any unnecessary services or protocols on the TeraStation to minimize potential attack vectors.
8. Data Encryption: Enable data encryption on the TeraStation to protect the stored data from unauthorized access in case of theft or physical compromise.
9. Regular Backups: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that data is regularly backed up and can be restored in case of data loss or device theft.
10. Surveillance and Alarm Systems: Install surveillance cameras and alarm systems in the area where the TeraStation is located to deter theft and unauthorized access. This can also help in identifying culprits if an incident occurs.

It is important to note that these practices should be implemented in conjunction with each other to provide comprehensive protection against physical theft or unauthorized access.

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

Although NAS TeraStation TS-RVH4.0TL/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:

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-RVH4.0TL/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.

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How to recover data from a Buffalo

TeraStation TS-RVH4.0TL/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:

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-RVH4.0TL/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