NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5420DN16W6 Data Recovery: Detailed Step-by-Step RAID Array Recovery Guide

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5420DN16W6
• 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 data be recovered from a NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5420DN16W6 device after a malfunction or data loss event?

If you are facing data loss or a malfunction on a NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5420DN16W6 device, you can try the following steps to recover your data:

1. Check hardware connections: Ensure that all the cables and connections are properly connected and functioning correctly. Sometimes, a loose cable or connection can cause data access issues.
2. Restart the device: Power off the NAS Buffalo TeraStation and then turn it back on. This simple step can sometimes resolve minor software glitches and restore access to your data.
3. Use Buffalo NAS Navigator: Install and run the Buffalo NAS Navigator software on your computer. It helps in detecting and accessing the NAS device on your network. If the device is detected, you may be able to access your data through the software.
4. Check the drive status: If the NAS device has a RAID configuration, check the drive status using the device's web interface or management software. Look for any drive failures or warnings. If a drive has failed, you may need to replace it and rebuild the RAID array.
5. Contact Buffalo support: If the above steps do not resolve the issue, reach out to Buffalo's technical support. They can provide specific guidance and assistance based on your device's model and configuration.
6. Professional data recovery services: If the data loss is critical or the device is physically damaged, you may need to seek professional data recovery services. These services specialize in recovering data from malfunctioning or damaged storage devices. However, keep in mind that professional data recovery can be expensive.

It's important to note that data recovery is not always guaranteed, especially in cases of severe hardware failure or damage. Therefore, it is crucial to regularly back up your data to prevent loss in the first place.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS TeraStation WS5420DN16W6 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 WS5420DN16W6. 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 WS5420DN16W6 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:

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 WS5420DN16W6 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