Addressed is a system and method for remote data caching and replication by local copy maintenance of remote data within a SAN file system. Distributed Storage Tank (DST), an extension to a SAN file system, provides for transparent SAN client access of local copies by importing, exporting, and storing data using network file access protocols as well as by providing assurance of metadata and file content validity. A Remote Access Agent (RAA) handles protocol implementation and conversion necessary for communication with remote data sources. Controlled by a consistency policy, consistency is maintained by RAA fetching and updating local copies if modifications have occurred to a file since it was first stored as a local copy in local storage. Additionally, RAA returns metadata pertaining to the requested data. A SAN client obtains metadata corresponding to the requested data and utilizes it to directly access locally stored copies of remote data.