A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to perform an operation on a multi-platform heterogeneous network. Path alias table (PAT) information necessary to create a PAT is obtained by a server. The PAT information includes alias(es) and location information necessary to locate a desired path for the alias(es). The server resolves the alias(es) using the PAT information by finding the desired path for the alias(es) within the file system of the server, building the PAT, and storing the PAT in a memory on the server. A request for an operation (comprising an alias) is received from a client. The PAT is then examined for the alias. Once found, the requested operation is performed using the desired path that corresponds to the alias in the PAT.