Ultimate Guide to RAID Array Recovery for NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS-6V12TL/R5 Data

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS-6V12TL/R5
• 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 storage tiering or caching strategies impact data availability and potential loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS-6V12TL/R5 devices?

Storage tiering and caching strategies can have a significant impact on data availability and potential loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS-6V12TL/R5 devices. Here are some ways in which these strategies can affect data availability and potential loss:

1. Improved Performance: By implementing storage tiering and caching strategies, the device can optimize data access and retrieval, resulting in improved performance. This means that users can access their data quickly and efficiently, enhancing data availability.
2. Increased Redundancy: Storage tiering allows for the distribution of data across multiple storage tiers, including faster SSDs and slower HDDs. This redundancy ensures that even if one storage tier fails, the data remains accessible on other tiers, minimizing potential loss.
3. Enhanced Data Protection: Caching strategies, such as read and write caching, can improve data protection by temporarily storing frequently accessed data in faster cache memory. This reduces the reliance on slower storage media and decreases the chances of data loss due to disk failures.
4. Reduced Downtime: When using storage tiering, if a particular storage tier fails, the system can automatically switch to a redundant tier, ensuring continuous data availability and reducing downtime. This minimizes the impact on business operations and mitigates potential loss.
5. Data Resilience: By implementing storage tiering and caching, the TeraStation device can distribute data across different storage media and utilize caching techniques to optimize data access. This resilience ensures that even in the event of a hardware failure, data remains available and potential loss is minimized.

However, it's important to note that no storage strategy is foolproof, and there is always a risk of data loss or unavailability. It is recommended to regularly backup data to an external storage or cloud-based solution to further safeguard against any unforeseen circumstances.

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

Although the NAS TeraStation WS-6V12TL/R5 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 WS-6V12TL/R5. 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 WS-6V12TL/R5 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;

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 WS-6V12TL/R5 network-attached storage keeps Windows Storage Server 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