- 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?
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 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS TeraStation WS5420RN32S9 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo TeraStation WS5420RN32S9. 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.
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;
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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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 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.
Comparison of software for RAID recovery
Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes, it is possible to recover data from a NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5420RN32S9 device that has been affected by a sudden power outage or blackout. However, the success of data recovery depends on various factors such as the extent of the damage caused by the power outage, the availability of backup solutions, and the expertise of the data recovery professionals.
In such cases, it is recommended to follow these steps:
It's important to note that data recovery can be a complex and time-consuming process, and there is no guarantee of 100% recovery. Therefore, it is always recommended to have regular backups of important data to mitigate the risk of data loss in case of power outages or other unforeseen events.