Best Data Recovery Software for Lost NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS51210RH3204 Data: Essential Guide

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS51210RH3204
• 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 specific network security measures to implement for safeguarding NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS51210RH3204 devices against data loss?

Yes, there are several network security measures that can be implemented to safeguard NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS51210RH3204 devices against data loss. Here are some recommendations:

1. Access Control: Implement strong access control mechanisms to restrict unauthorized access to the NAS device. This includes using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly reviewing and updating user access privileges.
2. Firewall: Configure a firewall to control incoming and outgoing network traffic to the NAS device. This helps prevent unauthorized access and protects against potential attacks.
3. Encryption: Enable encryption for data stored on the NAS device. This ensures that even if the device is compromised, the data remains protected and unreadable to unauthorized individuals.
4. Regular Updates: Keep the NAS device's firmware and software up to date. Regularly check for updates and patches provided by Buffalo to address any security vulnerabilities.
5. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Implement a robust backup and disaster recovery strategy. Regularly backup the data stored on the NAS device to an off-site location or another secure device. This helps in case of data loss or device failure.
6. Network Segmentation: Separate the NAS device from the main network using VLANs or other network segmentation techniques. This helps contain any potential security breaches and limits the impact on other network resources.
7. Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDPS): Deploy an IDPS to monitor network traffic and detect any suspicious activity or potential attacks. This can help in identifying and mitigating security threats before they cause data loss.
8. Physical Security: Ensure the physical security of the NAS device by placing it in a secure location, such as a locked server room. Restrict physical access to authorized personnel only.
9. User Education: Train users on best practices for network security, such as creating strong passwords, avoiding suspicious links or downloads, and regularly updating their devices.

Implementing these network security measures can significantly enhance the protection of NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS51210RH3204 devices against data loss and unauthorized access.

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

Although the NAS TeraStation TS51210RH3204 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 TS51210RH3204. 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 TS51210RH3204 has 12 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• 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 TS51210RH3204 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