- 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 software bugs or glitches impact data integrity on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-WVH6.0TL/R1 devices?
Software bugs or glitches on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-WVH6.0TL/R1 devices can impact data integrity in several ways:
- Data corruption: Bugs or glitches in the software can cause data corruption, leading to the loss or alteration of files stored on the device. This can result in data integrity issues, where the data becomes unreliable or unusable.
- Incomplete or failed backups: NAS devices often include backup functionality to protect data. However, software bugs or glitches can interfere with the backup process, resulting in incomplete or failed backups. This can compromise data integrity by leaving important files unprotected.
- Unreliable data access: Bugs or glitches can cause issues with accessing files stored on the NAS device. This can lead to data integrity problems if users are unable to read or modify files correctly, resulting in data inconsistencies or errors.
- Security vulnerabilities: Software bugs or glitches can introduce security vulnerabilities, making the NAS device susceptible to unauthorized access or data breaches. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to modify or delete data, compromising its integrity.
- Data loss: In severe cases, software bugs or glitches can cause data loss on the NAS device. This can occur if the bugs corrupt the file system or cause the device to become unresponsive. Data loss can have a significant impact on data integrity, as it may be difficult or impossible to recover the lost data.
To mitigate these risks, it is important to regularly update the NAS device's firmware and software to the latest versions provided by Buffalo. Additionally, implementing proper backup strategies, including off-site backups, can help protect against data loss. Monitoring the device for any software updates or security patches from the manufacturer is also recommended to address any known bugs or vulnerabilities.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS TeraStation TS-WVH6.0TL/R1 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-WVH6.0TL/R1. 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-WVH6.0TL/R1 has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- 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-WVH6.0TL/R1 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 |
It is possible to recover data from a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-WVH6.0TL/R1 device that has been affected by a network attack or intrusion, but it depends on the extent of the damage caused by the attack.
If the attack only affected the network connectivity or the device's operating system, it might be possible to recover the data by repairing or reinstalling the operating system, or by connecting the drives to another compatible NAS device.
However, if the attack caused physical damage to the hard drives or the data itself was compromised, recovery might be more challenging and may require professional data recovery services. In such cases, it is recommended to contact a data recovery specialist who has experience with NAS devices and can assess the situation to determine the best course of action.