A first file server for use with a distributed-file system includes a processor configured to determine that an incoming file system communication is associated with a first portion of the distributed-file system associated with a second file server, send a first authorization request to the second file server to request authorization to directly access the first portion of the distributed-file system, analyze a first authorization response from the second file server to determine at least one storage location associated with the first portion of the distributed-file system, determine that an incoming second authorization request received from a third file server is associated with a second portion of the distributed-file system associated with the first file server, obtain data indicative of the second portion of the distributed-file system, and send a second authorization response that includes the data.