How to Retrieve RAID Data When NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5200D0202 Won’t Boot Up

Contents

• Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
• How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?

Conventional hard disks keep user’s data by writing it to their surface in a consecutive way, and this is how an entire file is stored on a single hard disk. However, when data is written to a RAID system, a file is divided into several parts. Then these parts are written consecutively to all hard disks within such array. The size of such parts may range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so each file is stored on several hard disks at the same time.

Such approach helps to speed up read and write operations, and it is evident that saving two parts of a file having the size of 1 GB to two hard disks simultaneously is much faster than saving the same 1 GB of data to one hard disk. However, this peculiarity makes file recovery more complicated.

Various RAID levels store information in different ways. Additionally, manufacturers like Buffalo also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.

Can virtualization technologies impact data loss risks in NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5200D0202 devices?

Yes, virtualization technologies can impact data loss risks in NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5200D0202 devices.

Virtualization allows for the creation of virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical server, enabling multiple operating systems and applications to run simultaneously. By utilizing virtualization, you can create separate VMs for different purposes, such as running applications, hosting databases, or storing data.

Here's how virtualization can help mitigate data loss risks in NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5200D0202 devices:

1. Isolation: With virtualization, you can isolate different VMs, ensuring that if one VM experiences a data loss event, it doesn't affect the others. This isolation helps contain any potential data loss incidents and prevents them from spreading across the entire NAS device.
2. Backup and recovery: Virtualization technologies often offer robust backup and recovery features. You can take advantage of features like snapshots, which capture the state of a VM at a specific point in time. If data loss occurs, you can revert to a previous snapshot, minimizing the impact of the loss.
3. High availability: Virtualization platforms often provide high availability features, such as live migration and failover. These features allow you to move VMs between physical hosts without downtime or automatically switch to a standby VM in case of hardware failure. By ensuring continuous availability, you reduce the risk of data loss due to hardware or network failures.
4. Testing and sandboxing: Virtualization enables you to create test environments or sandboxes for applications or system updates. By testing changes in a virtual environment, you can identify potential issues that might lead to data loss before implementing them on the production NAS device.
5. Disaster recovery: Virtualization technologies can simplify disaster recovery processes. You can replicate VMs to an off-site location, enabling quick recovery in case of a catastrophic event like a fire or flood. This replication ensures that your data is safe and accessible even if the primary NAS device is damaged or destroyed.

It's important to note that while virtualization can enhance data loss risk mitigation, it's not a foolproof solution. Proper configuration, regular backups, and adherence to best practices are still necessary to ensure data protection in NAS devices like Buffalo TeraStation TS5200D0202.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS TeraStation TS5200D0202 can be accessed over the network, you still need to take the hard disks out of the storage device and connect them to a Windows computer. Only in this case will the software be able to scan them properly. Here is what you should do:

1. Turn off the storage and disconnect it from the power supply.

   WARNING! Before you start taking hard disks out of your NAS device, read the manual carefully. Incorrect actions may damage your network-attached storage and/or the hard disks within the RAID system.

2. Take the hard disks out of the NAS one by one, carefully removing them from their slots. Remember that the disks are extremely vulnerable: hitting or dropping them may result in serious physical damage.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. Remove the hard disks and connect them to the computer. In this video, we have explored what ports are used to connect hard disks, and what to do if there are not enough ports or connectors.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo TeraStation TS5200D0202. The hard disks that make up the RAID contain technical information about the algorithm used to save files. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery reads this information and puts the damaged array together. Then you can open the disk and save your files. Also, you can recover the files accidentally deleted from the network drive.

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How to recover data from a Buffalo

TeraStation TS5200D0202 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;

Safe recovery from disk images

This utility lets you save an entire copy of the disk to file and then work with this image instead of the actual disk. Such feature helps to protect data on the disk from:

• Overwriting during the recovery process;
• Loss resulting from bad sectors;
• User mistakes.

To create an image, do the following:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. When the image creation wizard starts, you can choose to save the entire disk or select only a part of it. Specify the parameters and click Next.

   

4. At this stage, you need to choose a directory where to save the image. Choose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP.

   

Where are user’s files stored?

The Buffalo TeraStation TS5200D0202 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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery