- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-X4.0TL/R5
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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 a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-X4.0TL/R5 device's network throughput or bandwidth capacity affect data transfer and potential loss?
The network throughput or bandwidth capacity of a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-X4.0TL/R5 device can significantly impact data transfer and potential loss in the following ways:
- Data Transfer Speed: The network throughput determines how quickly data can be transferred between the NAS device and the connected devices on the network. Higher network throughput allows for faster data transfer speeds, reducing the time required to transfer large files or perform backups. Conversely, lower network throughput can result in slower data transfer speeds, leading to delays in accessing or transferring files.
- Performance and Efficiency: A higher network throughput enables multiple users or devices to access the NAS simultaneously without experiencing a significant drop in performance. This is crucial in environments with heavy network traffic or when multiple users are accessing large files simultaneously. Insufficient network throughput may lead to bottlenecks, causing slower response times and reduced efficiency.
- Potential Data Loss: Inadequate network throughput can increase the risk of data loss during data transfer. If the network is not capable of handling the required data transfer speeds, data packets may be dropped or corrupted, resulting in incomplete or damaged files. This can lead to data loss or the need to retransfer files, wasting time and resources.
- Backup and Recovery: Network throughput affects the efficiency and speed of backup and recovery processes. If the network bandwidth is limited, it can take longer to back up or restore data from the NAS device. This can impact critical operations, especially in time-sensitive situations or when dealing with large amounts of data.
To mitigate potential issues related to network throughput, it is recommended to ensure that the NAS device is connected to a network infrastructure (such as switches or routers) that can handle the desired throughput. Additionally, using Gigabit Ethernet connections and ensuring proper network configuration can optimize network performance and reduce the risk of data loss.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS TeraStation TS-X4.0TL/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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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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-X4.0TL/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.
How to recover data from a Buffalo
TeraStation TS-X4.0TL/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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.
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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-X4.0TL/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
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes, there are specific encryption keys or passwords required for data recovery from encrypted NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-X4.0TL/R5 devices. The encryption keys or passwords are used to decrypt the data stored on the device.
To recover data from an encrypted NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-X4.0TL/R5 device, you will typically need the following:
It is important to keep the encryption key and password secure and accessible, as losing them may result in data loss or the inability to recover encrypted data.