Choosing Data Recovery Software for Lost NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS6400RN0802 Data: Essential Guide

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS6400RN0802
• 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 a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS6400RN0802 device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?

The power management settings of a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS6400RN0802 device can impact data availability and potential loss in the following ways:

1. Power outage: If the power management settings are not properly configured, sudden power outages or fluctuations can occur, leading to unexpected shutdowns of the device. This can result in data loss or corruption if the device is not given enough time to save and synchronize data before shutting down.
2. Disk failure: The power management settings can affect the spin-down behavior of hard drives in the NAS device. If the settings are set to spin down the drives too frequently or aggressively, it can increase wear and tear on the drives, potentially leading to premature disk failures. This can result in data loss if the failed drive is not properly backed up or if the RAID array is not configured for redundancy.
3. Scheduled backups: Power management settings can impact scheduled backup processes. If the device is set to power down during backup windows or if the backup software is unable to wake up the device from sleep mode, scheduled backups may fail to run. This can lead to data loss if backups are not performed regularly and consistently.
4. Network accessibility: If the power management settings of the NAS device are configured to enter sleep or hibernation mode too frequently or aggressively, it may cause delays in accessing data over the network. This can impact data availability, especially in scenarios where the NAS is used for real-time data access or shared storage among multiple users.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to properly configure the power management settings of the NAS device based on the specific requirements and usage patterns. It is recommended to balance power-saving objectives with the need for data availability and protection. Regular backups, redundant storage configurations (such as RAID), and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems can also help minimize the impact of power-related issues on data availability and potential loss.

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

Although the NAS TeraStation TS6400RN0802 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 TS6400RN0802. 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 TS6400RN0802 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 TS6400RN0802 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