Patent ID: 7293099

Claim:
A method implemented by a server, comprising: receiving a request from a first client to browse contents of a first file system on a first data server, wherein the first data server implements the first file system for managing file access and storage, and wherein the first client is unaware that the first data server implements the first file system; selecting a first protocol interpreter from a plurality of different protocol interpreters, wherein the first protocol interpreter implements a first file access protocol which enables interaction with the first file system; invoking the first protocol interpreter to interact with the first file system of the first data sever to obtain therefrom a first list of contents, wherein the first list of contents sets forth a hierarchical listing of at least a portion of the contents of the first file system on the first data server, the first list of contents comprising one or more directories and zero or more files; and sending at least a portion of the first list of contents to the first client.