How to Recover Data from NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5600D2406SR2: Step-by-Step RAID Array Instructions

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5600D2406SR2
• 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 hardware failure lead to data loss in NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5600D2406SR2 devices?

Hardware failure in NAS Buffalo TeraStation WS5600D2406SR2 devices can lead to data loss in several ways:

1. Disk Drive Failure: The TeraStation device consists of multiple disk drives configured in a RAID array. If one or more drives fail, it can result in data loss or corruption. The RAID configuration provides redundancy to protect against drive failures, but if multiple drives fail simultaneously or during the rebuilding process, data loss can occur.
2. Power Supply Failure: A faulty power supply can cause sudden power outages or fluctuations, leading to data corruption or loss. Abrupt power interruptions during data read/write operations can result in incomplete or damaged files.
3. Controller Failure: The NAS device's controller manages the data flow between the disks and the network. If the controller fails, it can result in data loss or inaccessibility. The data may become inaccessible or corrupted due to the inability to read or write to the disks.
4. Fan Failure: The TeraStation device has cooling fans to prevent overheating of the components. If the fans fail, the internal temperature can rise, potentially causing damage to the hard drives and other components. Overheating can lead to data loss or hardware failure.
5. Network Interface Failure: The network interface card (NIC) in the NAS device allows it to connect to the network. If the NIC fails, the device may become inaccessible, preventing access to the stored data.
6. Firmware or Software Corruption: Hardware failures can sometimes cause firmware or software corruption, resulting in the inability to access or retrieve data. This can occur if the device's firmware becomes corrupted due to a hardware malfunction.

To mitigate the risk of data loss due to hardware failure, it is important to regularly back up the data stored on the NAS device to an external storage device or a cloud-based backup service. Additionally, monitoring the health of the hardware components and promptly replacing any failing components can help prevent data loss.

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

Although the NAS TeraStation WS5600D2406SR2 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 WS5600D2406SR2. 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 WS5600D2406SR2 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 WS5600D2406SR2 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