Systems and methods are disclosed for providing directory data access in a data storage system. A network-attached storage device (NAS) includes a host interface for communicating with a host, an interface for communicating with a data storage drive associated with the NAS, a cache memory, and a controller configured to enter a power-saving mode by requesting directory data from the data storage drive, storing the directory data in the cache memory, and after requesting the directory data, sending a standby command to the data storage drive.