- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5400D
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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 recommended practices for regular testing and validation of data backups to prevent potential loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5400D devices?
Yes, there are several recommended practices for regular testing and validation of data backups to prevent potential loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5400D devices. Here are some of them:
- Regularly schedule backup tests: Set up a regular schedule to perform backup tests to ensure the integrity of your data. This can be done weekly, monthly, or as per your organization's requirements.
- Perform test restores: Regularly perform test restores of your backed-up data to ensure that the backup files are valid and can be restored successfully. This will help identify any issues with the backup process or data corruption.
- Verify backup logs: Check the backup logs regularly to ensure that backups are being performed successfully without any errors or warnings. Monitor the logs for any anomalies or failures.
- Use backup verification tools: Some backup software or NAS devices have built-in verification tools that can check the integrity of the backup files. Utilize these tools to validate the backups.
- Test backup redundancy: If you have multiple Buffalo TeraStation devices or backup locations, periodically test the redundancy by restoring data from different backup sources. This will ensure that you have multiple copies of your data and can recover it even if one backup source fails.
- Monitor disk health: Regularly monitor the health and status of the disks in your Buffalo TeraStation NAS device. This can be done through the device's management interface or using disk monitoring software. Identifying disk failures early can help prevent data loss.
- Offsite backups: Consider creating offsite backups of your data to protect against physical damage or loss of your primary NAS device. This can be done by replicating data to another location or using cloud backup services.
- Document backup and recovery procedures: Maintain up-to-date documentation of your backup and recovery procedures. This will help ensure that the process is followed consistently and can be easily replicated by other team members if needed.
By following these recommended practices, you can minimize the risk of potential data loss and ensure the reliability of your backups on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5400D devices.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS TeraStation TS5400D 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo TeraStation TS5400D. 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.
How to recover data from a Buffalo
TeraStation TS5400D 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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.
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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 TS5400D 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
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes, data recovery from a Buffalo TeraStation TS5400D device can still be possible even if there are issues with the firmware or device settings. However, it may require advanced technical knowledge and expertise. Here are a few steps you can take:
It's important to note that attempting DIY data recovery methods without proper knowledge or experience can potentially worsen the situation and lead to permanent data loss.