Best Data Recovery Software for NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS3410DN1604 Data: Complete Guide

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS3410DN1604
• 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.

How can data fragmentation impact data availability and potential loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS3410DN1604 devices?

Data fragmentation can have a significant impact on data availability and potential loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS3410DN1604 devices in the following ways:

1. Reduced Performance: Data fragmentation can lead to decreased performance on the NAS device. When files are fragmented, the system takes longer to retrieve and access the data, resulting in slower read and write speeds. This can affect the overall availability of data, especially in scenarios where quick access to data is crucial.
2. Increased Disk Wear: Fragmentation can cause increased disk wear on the NAS device. When files are fragmented, the disk heads have to move more frequently to access different fragments of the same file. This increased movement can lead to mechanical wear and tear on the hard drives, potentially resulting in data loss due to disk failure.
3. Increased Risk of Data Loss: Fragmentation can increase the risk of data loss on the NAS device. If a fragmented file is spread across multiple physical locations on the hard drive, the failure of any one of those locations can result in the loss of the entire file. This risk is particularly significant if the NAS device does not have a robust backup and recovery system in place.
4. Difficulty in Data Recovery: In case of data loss or corruption, fragmented data can make the recovery process more challenging. Fragmented files may be scattered across different sectors or blocks on the hard drive, making it difficult for data recovery tools to reconstruct the files accurately. This can result in partial or incomplete data recovery, further impacting data availability.

To mitigate these issues, regular defragmentation of the NAS device is recommended. Defragmentation rearranges fragmented files and consolidates them into contiguous blocks, improving data access speed and reducing the risk of data loss. Additionally, implementing a proper backup strategy, including off-site backups, can help protect against data loss in case of hardware failures or other unforeseen events.

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

Although the NAS TeraStation TS3410DN1604 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 TS3410DN1604. 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 TS3410DN1604 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:

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 TS3410DN1604 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