Choosing the Right Data Recovery Software for NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS3410RN0804: Complete Guide

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS3410RN0804
• 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 a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS3410RN0804 device's caching policy impact data loss risks?

The caching policy of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Buffalo TeraStation TS3410RN0804 can impact data loss risks in several ways:

1. Write Caching: Write caching is a feature that allows the NAS device to temporarily store data in its cache before writing it to the underlying storage drives. This can improve performance by reducing the number of disk writes. However, if a power outage or system failure occurs before the data is written to the drives, there is a risk of data loss. To mitigate this risk, the NAS device should have a battery backup or UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to ensure that the cached data is safely written to the drives in case of power failure.
2. Read Caching: Read caching is a feature that stores frequently accessed data in the NAS device's cache, allowing for faster retrieval. However, if the cached data becomes corrupted or the cache fails, there is a risk of data loss or data inconsistency. It is important to regularly monitor the health of the cache and ensure that it is properly functioning. Some NAS devices offer redundancy in their cache systems, such as mirroring or parity, which can help protect against data loss in case of cache failure.
3. Cache Synchronization: In a multi-NAS environment, where multiple NAS devices are connected and share data, cache synchronization becomes crucial. If the caching policy is not properly configured or synchronized across the NAS devices, there is a risk of data inconsistency or loss. It is important to ensure that the caching policy is correctly set up and synchronized across all NAS devices to avoid any data integrity issues.
4. Cache Size: The size of the cache can also impact data loss risks. A larger cache can improve performance by accommodating more data, but it also means that more data is at risk in case of a cache failure or power outage. It is important to strike a balance between cache size and data protection, considering factors such as the importance of the data, available backup solutions, and the reliability of the NAS device.

Overall, understanding and configuring the caching policy of a NAS device is crucial to minimize data loss risks. It is recommended to consult the manufacturer's documentation and best practices, and to regularly monitor and maintain the NAS device to ensure optimal performance and data protection.

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

Although the NAS TeraStation TS3410RN0804 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 TS3410RN0804. 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 TS3410RN0804 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 TS3410RN0804 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