- 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?
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.
Can improper network configuration or firewall settings result in data loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS6400RN1604 devices?
Improper network configuration or firewall settings can potentially result in data loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS6400RN1604 devices. Here are a few scenarios where this could happen:
- Inadequate access permissions: If the network configuration or firewall settings are not properly configured to allow the necessary access permissions for the NAS device, users may not be able to access or modify the data stored on it. This can lead to data loss if important files cannot be retrieved or modified.
- Blocked network ports: NAS devices often use specific network ports for communication and file transfer. If these ports are blocked by the firewall settings, it can prevent the NAS from functioning correctly, resulting in data loss or limited access to the stored data.
- Incomplete backups: Network configuration issues or firewall settings that prevent proper communication between the NAS device and backup solutions can result in incomplete or failed backups. In such cases, if data is lost or corrupted on the NAS, there may not be a recent backup available to restore from.
- Data corruption during transfer: Improper network configuration or firewall settings can cause data corruption during file transfers to or from the NAS device. This can result in files becoming unreadable or damaged, leading to data loss.
To mitigate these risks, it is important to ensure that the network configuration and firewall settings are properly configured to allow appropriate access to the NAS device. Regular backups should also be performed and verified to ensure data can be recovered in case of any issues.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS TeraStation TS6400RN1604 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo TeraStation TS6400RN1604. 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.
TeraStation TS6400RN1604 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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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 TS6400RN1604 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
Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes, the Buffalo TeraStation TS6400RN1604 NAS devices support various RAID configurations and levels that may impact data recovery. The TeraStation TS6400RN1604 supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks).
RAID 0 does not provide any redundancy and data striping is used across multiple drives, which means that if one drive fails, all data may be lost, making data recovery difficult.
RAID 1 mirrors data across two drives, providing redundancy. If one drive fails, the other drive still contains a complete copy of the data, making data recovery easier.
RAID 5 uses data striping with parity across multiple drives, providing both redundancy and performance. If one drive fails, the data can be rebuilt using the parity information stored on the remaining drives.
RAID 6 is similar to RAID 5 but with double parity, allowing for the simultaneous failure of up to two drives without data loss. Data recovery is possible by rebuilding the failed drives using the parity information.
RAID 10 combines both mirroring and striping, providing redundancy and performance benefits. It requires a minimum of four drives and can sustain the failure of one or more drives depending on the configuration.
JBOD is not a RAID level but rather a configuration where each drive is treated as an individual disk, resulting in no data redundancy or striping. The lack of redundancy makes data recovery challenging if a drive fails.
It is important to note that while RAID configurations can provide some level of data protection, they are not a substitute for regular backups. In case of data loss or multiple drive failures, professional data recovery services may be required.