NAS failure

[robbyell]

Hi all

My LS Pro (LS-VL) has stopped working - getting a clicking thing that sounds like a train going over points.  I've taken the HDD out and it's doing the same in a caddy, so I'm presuming it's lost.  2 questions:

1) Am I right in thinking that, because this is a single HDD NAS, the NAS's OS/software/config is also lost?  So just replacing the hard drive won't work?  Would replacing with a 2+ bay NAS make it easier to get back up and running (as in, the OS etc is stored somewhere other than any of the HDDs, so I can just whip out the faulty HDD and stick another one in)?

2) If I decide instead to try to resurrect this NAS, by sticking another HDD in,

a) can I upgrade the drive from 2Tb to eg 4Tb?
b) how do I get it up and running again?  I assume I format the disk, using my laptop, to XFS and then install the firmware?

Thanks


Rob

[Texturtle]

You are correct in assuming that with a single drive system that just replacing the drive won't bring it back, the OS is on the drive and there's no easy way to get that back.

Going to a 2 drive unit would allow you to set it up as a RAID 1 system. In that configuration the OS and data are mirrored to both drives. In the event of a single drive failure the failed drive can be replaced and the RAID rebuilt.

[joma90]

Ill answer your A and B.

A- THe unit has been sold with up to 4tb drives in them, What drive though i do not know. I choose Seagate or WD. And not the fancy ones LOL no RED or NAS. Im not 100% sure it will work. They have big bother to this one LS-WVL.

B- Installing the os can be hard like Textturle said or can be easy. Its more of everything has to be perfect for it to work. Sometimes you will be trying different computer til one works as well.. safe mode with networking, rechecking everything, setting pc to a static ip. There is a post written on TFTP that kind of explains this, and tons of post giving other suggestions as well.

TFTP Post
http://forums.buffalotech.com/index.php?topic=10185.0

Force Update Post
http://forums.buffalotech.com/index.php?topic=10184.45

If you are going to do this. Message me and i will help you as much as i can. Buffalo does not support this so you will get no help from them. I also have the correct TFTP image needed to do this. It is on the TFTP post but you have to find it.

[Texturtle]

Since he mentioned it was single drive NAS, I'm assuming it's one of the slim models that aren't designed to have the drives replaced.

[joma90]

Its the LS-VL, they arent meant to be replace but you can do it. Its just breaking the plastic tabs and opening it, Duct tape will be needed sometimes to hold the shell together again LOL but it will work. All depends if he wants to go though it or just buy the new 410 ( 3yr warranty!!!)

[Texturtle]

I also cannot verify that the LS-VL will support a drive larger than 2TB.

[joma90]

I have to agree, The only thing though is Buffalo site says the units came with up to 4tb. Unless there was a hardware change which the there should be a v2 etc., but going back that far i dont remember them releasing one like that... hmm

Pretty much im going off the site here lol, i remember seen quiet a few 3TBs, tons of 2TBs and 1TBs, but never a 4TB... idk.. just a simple helper, no more no less.

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[robbyell]

Thanks all for your responses and offers of help!  I'm not getting a warm feeling about replacing the HDD in the existing unit, so will likely buy another NAS, which leaves me with this:

If a HDD fails in a NAS, I really don't want to lose access to all my music, films etc, so I'd like to be able to quickly recover from it.  Trouble is, I don't think I want RAID / straight mirroring - can't see a lot of point to backing up data to a drive in the same unit.  What options have I got here?  Can I back up the NAS OS to another HDD and just copy it onto a replacement if it fails?  I'd rather hoped the NAS enclosure (single or multiple) came with its own memory to hold the OS so it could act independently of any storage/data HDDs you stick in.  No?

[joma90]

So this is how i had my setup before i got more units. I have a primary unit with raid 1 that i would back up to then i have a usb drive hooked up and that was backing to that. Now i have one copy of my backup. Though i dont not consider that a backup it is for a basic user. You can buy 2 units and have them back up from your primary to your secondary or one unit and a portable drive. Both these methods will do.

I know what you mean. They have the TeraStations which are business units, also the only units i use, not a fan of the LinkStations vs TeraStations. They cost more but some have a feature where you can make a recovery usb incase of something happening. Has the os and settings i believe.