- 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 network issues impact the data stored on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-WVHL/E devices?
Network issues can have several impacts on the data stored on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-WVHL/E devices:
- Data Loss: Network issues can lead to data loss if the connection between the NAS device and the network is interrupted or unstable. If the network connection is lost while data is being written or transferred to the NAS, it can result in incomplete or corrupted files.
- Slow Data Transfer: Network issues such as congestion, packet loss, or high latency can significantly slow down data transfer speeds between the NAS device and connected devices. This can affect productivity and efficiency when accessing or transferring files from the NAS.
- Inaccessibility: Network issues can cause the NAS device to become inaccessible from connected devices. If the network connection is disrupted, users may not be able to access the data stored on the NAS until the issue is resolved. This can result in downtime and disruptions to business operations.
- Data Corruption: Network issues can introduce data corruption if the integrity of the data packets is compromised during transmission. This can occur due to network errors, hardware failures, or software glitches. Corrupted data can lead to file system errors, data inconsistencies, and loss of data integrity.
- Security Risks: Network issues can also pose security risks to the data stored on NAS devices. If the network connection is compromised or insecure, unauthorized access or data breaches may occur, leading to potential data loss or theft.
To mitigate the impact of network issues on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-WVHL/E devices, it is recommended to ensure a stable and reliable network infrastructure, regularly update firmware and software on the NAS device, implement security measures such as firewalls and encryption, backup data regularly, and monitor network performance to identify and resolve any issues promptly.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS TeraStation TS-WVHL/E 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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
-
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.
Go to view
Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo TeraStation TS-WVHL/E. 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-WVHL/E 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:
-
Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
-
Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
-
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.
-
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-WVHL/E 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 |
Data recovery from a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-WVHL/E can be done by individuals with some technical knowledge and experience in data recovery. However, it is generally recommended to seek professional assistance for data recovery from a NAS device, especially if the data is critical or if you are unsure about the recovery process.
Professional data recovery services have specialized tools, expertise, and experience in dealing with complex data recovery scenarios. They can ensure a higher chance of successful recovery while minimizing the risk of further data loss or damage to the device.
If you decide to attempt data recovery on your own, it is crucial to proceed with caution and avoid any actions that may further jeopardize the data. This includes avoiding any write operations to the NAS device, as it can overwrite the existing data and make recovery more difficult.