Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques for reducing the time required for a node to take over for a failed node or to boot. An apparatus includes an access component to retrieve a metadata from a storage device coupled to a first D-module of a first node during boot, the metadata generated from a first mutable metadata portion and an immutable metadata portion, and the first metadata specifying a first address of a second D-module of a second node; a replication component to contact the second data storage module at the first address; and a generation component to, in response to failure of the contact, request a second mutable metadata portion from a N-module of the first node and generate a second metadata from the second mutable metadata portion and the immutable metadata portion, the second mutable metadata portion specifying a second address of the second D-module.