Patent ID: 8667034

Claim:
A method for identifying symlink target path location comprising: providing a storage virtualization system coupled to a first Network Attached Storage (“NAS”) system, the storage virtualization system including a data structure for storing data and configured to synchronize, migrate and/or copy a data object stored on the first NAS system to a second NAS system; discovering, by the storage virtualization system, using a multi-protocol scan, at least one data object stored on the first NAS system that is a symlink associated with a target path location; matching the results from a first scan of the first NAS system using a first protocol with the results from a second scan of the first NAS system using a second protocol; discovering, by the storage virtualization system, the target path location associated with the symlink, wherein the target path location is discovered by monitoring requests for access to the at least one data object on the first NAS system or by using metadata or file attributes associated with the at least one data object; storing the target path location in the data structure for performing symlink expansion; receiving, by the storage virtualization system, a request for access to the at least one data object; searching, by the storage virtualization system, the data structure for the stored target path location of the requested at least one data object discovered to be a symlink; and forwarding access to the target path location in response to the request for access.