Apparatus and method for performing real-time monitoring of server-side resources required to satisfy a client-side request in a distributed data storage environment, such as in a cloud computing or HPC (high performance computing) network. A client device is configured to issue a service request to carry out a service application associated with one or more server nodes. A request scheduler forwards the service request from the client device to a selected server node associated with the service request. A service log accumulates entries associated with data transfer operations carried out by the server node responsive to the service request over each of a succession of time periods. A service monitor accumulates, for each of the succession of time periods, information associated with the data transfer operations. A monitor tool aggregates the cumulative information to provide an indication of server-side resources utilized to satisfy the service request.