1. A distributed storage system for streaming data, said system comprising: a first computer capable of storing one or more asset files in a local file system on a first storage device and creating a block map for said asset file; a process capable of storing a copy of said block map on a second storage device coupled to a second computer, wherein said second computer is also coupled to said first storage device; and a file system capable of enabling said second computer to access said asset file on said first storage device.