Comprehensive NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5420RN32S9 Data Recovery: Step-by-Step Guide to RAID Array Recovery

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5420RN32S9
• 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 fragmentation impact the read and write speeds, and potential data loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5420RN32S9 devices?

Data fragmentation can have several impacts on read and write speeds, as well as potential data loss, on NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5420RN32S9 devices. Here are some ways data fragmentation can affect these aspects:

1. Read and Write Speeds: When data is fragmented, it is scattered across different physical locations on the storage device. This can result in slower read and write speeds because the device needs to access multiple fragmented pieces of data, leading to increased seek times. As a result, the overall performance of the NAS device may be negatively affected.
2. Increased Disk I/O: Fragmented data requires more disk I/O operations to access and retrieve the scattered pieces of data. This can put additional strain on the NAS device's storage system, leading to decreased performance and slower read and write speeds.
3. Data Loss: Fragmentation can increase the risk of data loss, especially in cases where the file system becomes corrupted or errors occur during the fragmentation process. If the fragmented data is not properly managed or if there are issues with the storage system, there is a higher chance of data becoming inaccessible or lost.
4. Reduced Efficiency: Fragmented data can lead to inefficient use of storage space. As files are split into smaller fragments, it can result in wasted disk space due to the allocation of unused gaps between fragmented blocks. This inefficiency can reduce the overall capacity of the NAS device and impact its performance.

To mitigate these impacts, it is recommended to regularly defragment the storage system on NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5420RN32S9 devices. Defragmentation rearranges fragmented data, consolidating it into contiguous blocks. This helps improve read and write speeds, reduces disk I/O, and minimizes the risk of data loss. Additionally, maintaining adequate free space on the NAS device and avoiding excessive file fragmentation can also help optimize performance and reduce the chances of data loss.

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

Although the NAS TeraStation WS5420RN32S9 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 WS5420RN32S9. 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 WS5420RN32S9 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 WS5420RN32S9 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