How to Recover Data from NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS6400DN0802: Advanced Step-by-Step RAID Array Guide

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS6400DN0802
• 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 disk health monitoring and analysis help in preventing potential data loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS6400DN0802 devices?

Regular disk health monitoring and analysis can help in preventing potential data loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS6400DN0802 devices in the following ways:

1. Early detection of disk failures: By regularly monitoring the health of the disks, you can identify any signs of potential failure such as bad sectors, high temperature, or abnormal noise. This early detection allows you to take necessary actions, such as replacing the failing disk, before it completely fails and causes data loss.
2. RAID array maintenance: NAS devices like Buffalo TeraStation TS6400DN0802 typically use RAID configurations for data redundancy and protection. Monitoring disk health helps in identifying any issues with individual disks in the RAID array, allowing you to replace the faulty disk and rebuild the array to ensure data integrity.
3. Predictive failure analysis: Some disk health monitoring tools provide predictive failure analysis, which uses various algorithms and statistical models to estimate the likelihood of a disk failure. By analyzing these predictions, you can proactively replace disks that are at a higher risk of failure, reducing the chances of data loss.
4. Monitoring disk usage and capacity: Regular monitoring of disk usage and capacity helps you identify situations where the storage is approaching its maximum limit. This allows you to take timely actions such as expanding the storage capacity or archiving old data to prevent data loss due to insufficient space.
5. Monitoring environmental factors: Disk health monitoring tools can also monitor environmental factors like temperature and humidity. Excessive heat or moisture can negatively impact the disks' performance and lifespan. By monitoring these factors, you can take steps to maintain an optimal environment for the NAS device and prevent potential disk failures.
6. Regular backups: Disk health monitoring should be complemented with regular backups of the data stored on the NAS device. Even with preventive measures, disk failures can still occur. Having up-to-date backups ensures that you can recover your data in case of any unforeseen data loss events.

Overall, regular disk health monitoring and analysis provide crucial insights into the status of the disks in a NAS device, allowing you to proactively address any potential issues and minimize the risk of data loss.

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

Although the NAS TeraStation TS6400DN0802 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 TS6400DN0802. 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 TS6400DN0802 has 2 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 TS6400DN0802 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