How to Retrieve RAID Files Without a Working NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS3200D0402

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 TS3200D0402 devices against physical theft or unauthorized access that can lead to data loss?

Yes, there are several recommended practices for protecting NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS3200D0402 devices against physical theft or unauthorized access. Here are some of them:

1. Secure physical location: Place the NAS device in a secure and locked room or cabinet to prevent physical theft.
2. Strong passwords: Set strong and unique passwords for the NAS device's administration interface, user accounts, and shared folders. Avoid using default or easily guessable passwords.
3. Regular firmware updates: Keep the NAS device's firmware up to date with the latest security patches and bug fixes. This helps protect against known vulnerabilities.
4. Network segmentation: Place the NAS device on a separate network segment or VLAN to isolate it from other devices on the network. This prevents unauthorized access from other compromised devices.
5. Enable firewall: Configure the built-in firewall on the NAS device to restrict access to only necessary services and ports. Block any unnecessary incoming connections.
6. Two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if supported by the NAS device. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code from a mobile app or a physical token.
7. Disable unused services: Disable any unused services or protocols on the NAS device to minimize the attack surface. Only enable the necessary services required for your specific use case.
8. Regular backups: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that important data stored on the NAS device is regularly backed up to an off-site location. This helps mitigate the risk of data loss in case of theft or hardware failure.
9. Physical security measures: Implement additional physical security measures such as surveillance cameras, access control systems, or alarms to further protect the NAS device against theft.
10. User access control: Implement granular user access control and permissions to restrict access to specific folders or files only to authorized users. Regularly review and update user permissions as required.

It is important to note that these practices should be implemented in conjunction with other security measures to provide comprehensive protection for your NAS device and data.

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

Although NAS TeraStation TS3200D0402 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 TS3200D0402. 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 TS3200D0402 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:

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 TS3200D0402 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