The inventions concerns a network data storage system comprising a storage unit, at least one network client and an intermediate network switch.The storage unit contains at least two data storage servers each comprises a local storage component containing digital file segments of at least one digital file and is adapted to execute a local digital file management method organizing the physical location of the digital file segments.Each data storage server is adapted to communicate with the other data storage servers and to execute a distributed digital file management method.The distributed digital file management method maintains a record of operations and communicates internally with the other data storage servers to obtain information concerning the digital file segments contained on the other data storage servers and an overview of all information concerning all digital files stored on the storage unit.