- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5400RN1604S2
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS TeraStation WS5400RN1604S2 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo TeraStation WS5400RN1604S2. 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.
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;
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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.
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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 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.
RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
If the disks of a NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5400RN1604S2 device have been reformatted, it may still be possible to recover the data. However, the chances of successful recovery depend on several factors:
In any case, it is crucial to avoid further use of the NAS device to prevent any new data from being written to the disks, as this can overwrite the original data and make recovery more difficult or impossible.