NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5400DN1204W2 Data Recovery: Detailed Step-by-Step RAID Array Guide

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 hardware failure lead to data loss in NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5400DN1204W2 devices?

Hardware failure in NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5400DN1204W2 devices can lead to data loss in several ways:

1. Hard Drive Failure: The most common type of hardware failure in NAS devices is the failure of hard drives. If one or more hard drives fail in a RAID configuration, it can result in data loss. The data stored on the failed drive(s) may become inaccessible, and in some cases, the entire RAID array may become unusable.
2. Power Supply Failure: If the power supply unit (PSU) of the NAS device fails, it can cause sudden power outages or fluctuations, which may result in data corruption or loss. Power surges or spikes can damage the internal components of the NAS, including the hard drives, leading to data loss.
3. Controller Failure: The controller board in the NAS device manages the communication between the hard drives and the rest of the system. If the controller fails, it can prevent the NAS from accessing the data stored on the hard drives, resulting in data loss.
4. Firmware or Software Corruption: If the firmware or software of the NAS device becomes corrupted due to a hardware failure, it can lead to data loss. Corrupted firmware may cause the NAS to malfunction or become unresponsive, preventing access to the stored data.
5. Network Interface Failure: NAS devices rely on network connectivity to access and share data. If the network interface card (NIC) or other network-related components fail, it can result in the NAS becoming inaccessible, leading to potential data loss.
6. Overheating: NAS devices generate heat during operation, and if the cooling system fails or becomes inadequate, it can lead to overheating. Excessive heat can cause damage to internal components, including hard drives, which may result in data loss.

To mitigate the risk of data loss due to hardware failure, it is essential to regularly back up the data stored on the NAS device to an external location. Additionally, implementing RAID configurations with redundancy can help protect against data loss caused by hard drive failures.

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

Although NAS TeraStation WS5400DN1204W2 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 WS5400DN1204W2. 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 WS5400DN1204W2 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 WS5400DN1204W2 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