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

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS3200D0402
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

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.

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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS TeraStation TS3200D0402 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo TeraStation TS3200D0402. 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.

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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;

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:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison