A data transfer retry method includes: A. receiving a particular atomic data transfer command from a director; B. processing identification information associated with the particular atomic data transfer command; C. comparing the identification information associated with the particular atomic data transfer command to identification information of a previous atomic data transfer command received from the director; D. determining that the particular atomic data transfer command is a retry command of the previous atomic data transfer command received from the director; E. determining a status of the execution of the previous atomic data transfer command received from the director; and F. processing the particular atomic data transfer command based on the status of the execution of the previous atomic data transfer command determined in Step E.