How to Get Files from RAID Disks Without NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5200D

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5200D
• 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 regular data verification or checksum processes help maintain data integrity on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5200D devices?

Regular data verification or checksum processes can help maintain data integrity on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5200D devices in the following ways:

1. Detecting and preventing data corruption: Data verification processes involve checking the integrity of data by comparing it to a known value or checksum. By regularly verifying data, any corruption or alteration in the stored data can be detected. This helps in identifying and preventing potential data integrity issues.
2. Ensuring data consistency: Regular data verification processes ensure that the data stored on the TeraStation device remains consistent over time. By comparing the checksum or hash value of the data with the expected value, any inconsistencies or changes in the data can be identified and rectified.
3. Early detection of storage media issues: Data verification processes can also help in identifying any issues with the storage media, such as hard drive failures or bad sectors. By comparing the checksums of the data stored on different drives or RAID arrays, discrepancies can be detected, indicating potential hardware issues that may affect data integrity.
4. Data recovery and restoration: In case of data corruption or loss, regular data verification processes can aid in data recovery and restoration. By comparing the checksums of the corrupted or lost data with the known checksums, it becomes possible to identify and recover the correct data from backups or redundant storage.
5. Data validation during transfer: Data verification processes can also be used during data transfer or backup operations. By calculating and comparing checksums before and after the transfer, any data corruption or loss during the process can be detected, ensuring the integrity of the transferred data.

Overall, regular data verification or checksum processes play a crucial role in maintaining data integrity on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5200D devices by detecting and preventing data corruption, ensuring data consistency, identifying storage media issues, aiding in data recovery, and validating data during transfer operations.

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

Although the NAS TeraStation TS5200D 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 TS5200D. 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 TS5200D 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 TS5200D 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