A write request is transmitted from a client to a metadata server (“MDS”), wherein the write request comprises an object identifier associated with a data object. An object store location for an object store is received from the MDS. A conditional write request is transmitted to the object store using the object store location, wherein the conditional write request includes the object identifier and the data object. A metadata response is received from the object store. The metadata response is determined to contain an object designator. A commit request is transmitted to the MDS, wherein the commit response includes the object designator.