Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for optimizing file storage in a distributed data storage and access system are described. One example system includes a centralized server, coupled to a storage server, configured to transmit, to the storage server, file storage instructions causing the storage server to store a plurality of files and corresponding file identifiers in a hierarchical directory structure. The file storage instructions cause the storage server, as part of storing the plurality of files, to automatically associate the file identifier with the file based on comparing a size of the file to an adaptive threshold value. In response to the size being less than the adaptive threshold value, the file identifier is set using a hash value of the file, and in response to the size being greater than the adaptive threshold value, the file identifier is set using at least a timestamp of the centralized server.