NAS Buffalo TeraStation WSH5610DN12S6 Data Recovery: Complete Step-by-Step RAID Array Guide

Contents

• 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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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.

Are there any precautions to take while replacing or upgrading hard drives in NAS Buffalo TeraStation WSH5610DN12S6 devices?

Yes, there are several precautions to take while replacing or upgrading hard drives in NAS Buffalo TeraStation WSH5610DN12S6 devices. Here are some important steps to follow:

1. Backup your data: Before replacing or upgrading any hard drives, it is crucial to backup all your data to ensure you don't lose any important files or information.
2. Power off the NAS: Turn off the TeraStation and unplug it from the power source. This will prevent any accidental damage or data loss during the drive replacement process.
3. Identify the failed drive: If you are replacing a failed drive, make sure to identify the specific drive that needs to be replaced. Most NAS devices have LED indicators that will show which drive has failed.
4. Use compatible drives: Ensure that the replacement or upgraded hard drives are compatible with your NAS device. Check the manufacturer's specifications or consult the user manual for the supported drive types and capacities.
5. Handle drives with care: When handling hard drives, it is important to be gentle and avoid any physical shocks or drops. Use an anti-static wrist strap or touch a grounded metal object to discharge any static electricity before handling the drives.
6. Follow the manufacturer's instructions: Consult the user manual or documentation provided by Buffalo for detailed instructions on how to replace or upgrade hard drives in your specific TeraStation model. Follow the recommended steps carefully to avoid any damage to the device or data loss.
7. RAID configuration: If your TeraStation is configured with RAID, it is crucial to understand the RAID configuration and how it will be affected by the drive replacement. Follow the recommended steps to rebuild the RAID array after replacing the drive.
8. Test the new drive: Once the replacement or upgrade is complete, power on the TeraStation and test the new drive to ensure it is recognized and functioning properly. Check the device's web interface or management software for any error messages or warnings.

By following these precautions and instructions provided by Buffalo, you can safely replace or upgrade hard drives in your NAS Buffalo TeraStation WSH5610DN12S6 device without risking data loss or damaging the device.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS TeraStation WSH5610DN12S6 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo TeraStation WSH5610DN12S6. 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.

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How to recover data from a Buffalo

TeraStation WSH5610DN12S6 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:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 WSH5610DN12S6 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