A network file system-based data storage system that converts random I/O requests into a piecewise sequential data structure to facilitate variable length data segment redundancy identification and elimination. For one embodiment of the invention a stateless network file system is employed. For one such embodiment, that provides multiple-client access to stored data, multiple Writes are buffered and then broken into variable length data segments. Redundant segment elimination is then effected. One embodiment of the invention allows sharing of the variable length data segments among files.