How to recover data from Buffalo TeraStation TS5400D0804V5 NAS

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.

How can the use of specific file-sharing protocols impact data loss risks on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5400D0804V5 devices?

The use of specific file-sharing protocols can impact data loss risks on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5400D0804V5 devices in several ways:

1. Security vulnerabilities: Different file-sharing protocols have varying levels of security measures. Some protocols may have known vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers or malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to the NAS device and potentially cause data loss.
2. Encryption and authentication: Certain file-sharing protocols offer advanced encryption and authentication mechanisms to protect data during transmission. Using protocols with weak encryption or authentication methods can increase the risk of data interception or unauthorized access, leading to potential data loss.
3. Compatibility and interoperability: NAS devices often support multiple file-sharing protocols such as SMB/CIFS, NFS, FTP, etc. It is crucial to ensure that the chosen protocol is compatible with the devices and operating systems used within the network. Incompatibility or misconfiguration of protocols can lead to data corruption or loss.
4. User access control: Some file-sharing protocols provide more granular control over user access permissions and file-level security. It is important to configure appropriate access controls to prevent accidental deletion or modification of critical data by unauthorized users.
5. Performance and reliability: Different file-sharing protocols have varying performance characteristics, such as speed and reliability. Choosing a protocol that is not optimized for the specific use case or network environment can impact data transfer speeds and increase the likelihood of data loss due to network interruptions or failures.

To mitigate data loss risks, it is recommended to:

• Regularly update the NAS firmware to ensure the latest security patches and bug fixes.
• Choose file-sharing protocols that offer strong encryption and authentication mechanisms.
• Implement secure network configurations, such as using virtual private networks (VPNs) for remote access.
• Configure appropriate user access controls and regularly review and update permissions.
• Regularly back up critical data to separate storage devices or cloud services.
• Monitor the NAS device for any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts.
• Train users on best practices for file sharing and data security to minimize human errors that can lead to data loss.

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

Although NAS TeraStation TS5400D0804V5 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 TS5400D0804V5. 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 TS5400D0804V5 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;

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 TS5400D0804V5 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