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

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS-WV2.0TL/R1
• 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 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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS TeraStation WS-WV2.0TL/R1 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-WV2.0TL/R1. 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-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;

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-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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison