RAID Array Recovery Guide for NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS-WV2.0TL/R1 Data: Step-by-Step Recovery

Contents

• 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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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.

How can continuous data protection mechanisms help in minimizing potential data loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS-WV2.0TL/R1 devices?

Continuous data protection (CDP) mechanisms can help minimize potential data loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS-WV2.0TL/R1 devices in the following ways:

1. Real-time data replication: CDP mechanisms continuously replicate data in real-time to a secondary location or device. By keeping an up-to-date copy of the data, it ensures that even if the primary device fails, the replicated data can be easily recovered, minimizing data loss.
2. Point-in-time recovery: CDP mechanisms capture data changes at specific intervals, allowing users to recover data from any point in time. This feature is particularly useful in case of accidental data deletion, data corruption, or ransomware attacks.
3. Incremental backups: CDP mechanisms typically use incremental backups, where only the changed or new data is backed up after the initial full backup. This reduces the backup window and minimizes the impact on system performance.
4. Quick recovery: CDP mechanisms provide faster recovery times compared to traditional backup methods. In case of data loss, users can quickly restore the most recent copy of the data, minimizing downtime and productivity loss.
5. Automatic backup scheduling: CDP mechanisms can be configured to automatically schedule backups at regular intervals, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This ensures that data is continuously protected without relying on user actions.
6. Redundancy and fault tolerance: CDP mechanisms often support redundant storage options, such as RAID configurations, which provide fault tolerance. If a drive fails, the redundant drives can continue to provide access to the data, reducing the risk of data loss.
7. Monitoring and alerts: CDP mechanisms often include monitoring and alerting capabilities, notifying administrators of any backup failures or issues. This helps ensure that backups are functioning properly and allows timely resolution of any potential problems.

By implementing continuous data protection mechanisms on NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS-WV2.0TL/R1 devices, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of data loss and improve their overall data protection strategy.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS TeraStation WS-WV2.0TL/R1 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo TeraStation WS-WV2.0TL/R1. 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.

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How to recover data from a Buffalo

TeraStation WS-WV2.0TL/R1 has 1 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;

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:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 WS-WV2.0TL/R1 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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery