RAID Array Recovery from NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5810DN4804: Step-by-Step Data Recovery Guide

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5810DN4804
• 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 system monitoring and alerting help in early detection and prevention of data loss events on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5810DN4804 devices?

Regular system monitoring and alerting can help in early detection and prevention of data loss events on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5810DN4804 devices in the following ways:

1. Monitoring Disk Health: Regular monitoring of disk health can help detect any signs of impending disk failures. By using tools like SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) monitoring, administrators can receive alerts when the disks start showing signs of degradation, such as bad sectors or increased error rates. This allows them to proactively replace the failing disks before complete failure occurs.
2. RAID Array Monitoring: TeraStation devices support various RAID configurations for data redundancy. Monitoring the RAID arrays ensures that all disks are functioning properly and that the data is being correctly distributed across the drives. Alerts can be set up to notify administrators if any disks are offline or if the RAID array is degraded or in a critical state.
3. Network Monitoring: Monitoring the network connectivity and performance of the TeraStation device can help identify any issues that may lead to data loss. This includes monitoring network throughput, latency, and packet loss. Alerts can be configured to notify administrators of any network-related problems, allowing them to take appropriate actions to prevent data loss.
4. File System Monitoring: Monitoring the file system for any inconsistencies or errors can help detect potential data loss events. Regular file system checks can be scheduled to ensure the integrity of the file system structure. Alerts can be set up to notify administrators if any file system errors are detected, allowing them to take corrective actions promptly.
5. User Activity Monitoring: Monitoring user activity on the TeraStation device can help detect any unauthorized access or suspicious behavior that may lead to data loss. By monitoring file access logs and user permissions, administrators can identify any unusual activities and take necessary actions to prevent data breaches or accidental deletions.
6. Backup Monitoring: Regular monitoring of the backup process ensures that data is being successfully backed up to external storage or cloud services. Alerts can be configured to notify administrators if backups fail or if there are any issues with the backup process. This helps ensure that data can be restored in case of any data loss events.

By implementing regular system monitoring and alerting practices, administrators can proactively identify and address potential issues that may lead to data loss events on NAS Buffalo TeraStation devices, minimizing the risk of data loss and ensuring the availability and integrity of critical data.

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

Although the NAS TeraStation TS5810DN4804 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 TS5810DN4804. 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 TS5810DN4804 has 4 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 TS5810DN4804 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