Managing and accessing data storage systems

A network-attached storage (NAS) device comprising:

• a memory configured to store data objects;
• and
• a processor, coupled to the memory, the processor configured to:
• identify one or more data objects that have been modified, wherein the one or more data objects are stored at one or more storage locations of a file system of the NAS device;
• and
• batch edits to metadata for the one or more data objects by:
• determining whether a first period of time has elapsed;
• in response to a first determination that the first period of time has elapsed, determining whether a second period of time has elapsed or whether a threshold number of data objects in the file system have been modified;
• in response to a second determination that the second period of time has elapsed or that the threshold number of data objects in the file system have been modified, editing a set of metadata for a set of data objects, wherein:
• the set of data objects comprises the one or more data objects;
• the set of metadata is stored on the NAS device;
• and
• editing the set of metadata comprises updating existing metadata for an existing file or an existing folder;
• and
• in response to a third determination that the second period of time has not elapsed and the threshold number of data objects have not been modified, refraining from editing the set of metadata.