A first message comprising first information specifying a file is received from a first server. Respective second messages comprising second information specifying the file are transmitted to a plurality of lock services. Assignment information identifying a file server assigned to handle requests related to the specified file is received from each of the plurality of lock services. One or more conflict resolution rules are applied to reconcile conflicts among the assignment information received from the plurality of lock services and to determine an assigned file server assigned to handle requests related to the specified file. A third message identifying the file server assigned to handle requests related to the specified file is transmitted to the first server.