Abstract: The invention provides a file server that provides for backup and restore of files in a heterogeneous file server environment. Metadata associated with each file by each model or protocol is preserved across backup and restore operations. The file server performs at least three tasks as part of the backup and restore operations. The file server notes all file attributes associated with each file in either model. These file attributes can include Unix perms, ownership and timestamp information, and link information. On backup, the file server records those file attributes in an analogous record using a different model. The file server records each element of Unix metadata as an NT Extended Attribute for use by an NT backup element. On restore, the file server restores those file attributes from the analogous record. The NT Extended Attributes provided by an NT restore element are translated into Unix metadata.