How to Recover Data from NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5400D0804: Complete RAID Array Recovery Tutorial

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 does a NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5400D0804 device store and manage data?

The NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5400D0804 device stores and manages data using a combination of hardware and software components. Here is a breakdown of how it works:

1. Hard drives: The device comes with multiple hard drive bays where you can install hard drives. These hard drives can be configured in different RAID configurations (e.g., RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, etc.) to provide data redundancy and performance.
2. RAID controller: The device has a built-in RAID controller that manages the configuration and operation of the hard drives in the selected RAID level. It handles tasks like data striping, mirroring, and parity calculations.
3. Network connectivity: The TeraStation device is connected to a network, typically through Ethernet, allowing it to communicate with other devices on the network. This enables file sharing and data access from multiple devices simultaneously.
4. File system: The device uses a file system (e.g., NTFS, FAT, ext4) to organize and manage the data stored on the hard drives. The file system provides a hierarchical structure for files and folders, allowing users to easily navigate and access their data.
5. Operating system and software: The TeraStation device runs an embedded operating system (such as Buffalo's proprietary firmware or a Linux-based OS) that provides the necessary functionality for data management. The firmware includes various software components like file sharing protocols (e.g., SMB, NFS), user authentication, access control, and data backup features.
6. Data management features: The TeraStation device offers various data management features, including user and group management, access control lists (ACLs) for fine-grained permissions, remote access through VPN or web-based interfaces, scheduled backups, snapshotting, and RAID rebuild/recovery capabilities.
7. Web-based management interface: Users can access the device's management interface through a web browser, allowing them to configure settings, monitor system status, and perform administrative tasks like creating shares, setting up backups, and managing user accounts.

Overall, the NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5400D0804 device combines hardware components (hard drives, RAID controller) with software (operating system, file system, management software) to provide a reliable and efficient solution for storing and managing data in a networked environment.

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

Although NAS TeraStation WS5400D0804 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 WS5400D0804. 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 WS5400D0804 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:

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 WS5400D0804 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