When receiving a client data access request directed to a first data container serviced by a first federation member, data of the first requested data container may be used to resolve a context identifier and identify a volume location database (VLDB) associated with a second federation member servicing a second data container. A look up request may then be sent to the VLDB to identify one or more locations of the second data container. The client's original data access request illustratively may then be responded to with the identified one or more locations of the second data container.