Abstract: An addressing scheme for file servers. The file handle in a call that accesses a file includes a file system identification, a file identification or inode number and a generation number. The addressing system converts the multi-bit file identification number into an alternative path name that identifies a location for the file without the need for converting the real path name. In one particular embodiment the inode number in binary form is translated into a multiple digit hexadecimal form that is parsed into directory names. The last directory name provides the location of the designated file.