How to Recover Data from NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5400RN1604S2: Complete Step-by-Step RAID Array 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 a NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5400RN1604S2 device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?

The power management settings on a NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5400RN1604S2 device can impact data availability and potential loss in the following ways:

1. Power Loss: If the power management settings are not properly configured, sudden power loss or unexpected power interruptions can occur. This can lead to data loss or corruption if the device is not able to properly save or sync data before shutting down.
2. Drive Spin Down: Some power management settings allow for the automatic spin down of hard drives when they are not in use for a certain period of time. While this can save power, it can also lead to delays when accessing data. If a drive is spun down and a user tries to access files, there may be a delay while the drive spins up, impacting data availability.
3. Scheduled Power Off: Power management settings may allow for the NAS device to automatically power off at specific times or during periods of inactivity. While this can save power, it can also result in data unavailability if users need to access files during the scheduled power-off period.
4. Network Connectivity: Power management settings can also impact network connectivity. For example, if the device enters a low-power mode or goes to sleep, it may disconnect from the network. This can lead to data unavailability if users are unable to access the NAS or if data syncing and backup processes are interrupted.

To minimize the impact on data availability and potential loss, it is important to properly configure the power management settings on the NAS device. This may involve setting appropriate timeouts for drive spin down, scheduling power-off periods during low usage times, and ensuring that the device has a reliable power supply with backup options like uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. Additionally, regular data backups and redundancy measures should be in place to mitigate the risk of data loss.

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

Although NAS TeraStation WS5400RN1604S2 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.

   Go to view

   

   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 WS5400RN1604S2. 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.

Go to view

How to recover data from a Buffalo

TeraStation WS5400RN1604S2 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 WS5400RN1604S2 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