1. A machine-implemented method, comprising: in response to a request for accessing metadata stored in a local storage volume mounted and representing a remote storage volume over a network using a network file accessing protocol, establishing a communication channel as a first communication channel over the network file accessing protocol, the first communication channel being a bidirectional communication channel; and transmitting the request via the communication channel to the remote storage volume to access the requested metadata, wherein the communication channel is designated for searching metadata while accessing content files of the remote storage volume is performed using a separate communication channel as a second communication channel, the second communication channel being a bidirectional channel, wherein the first communication channel is used to search metadata stored in the remote storage system that is independent of the content files being accessed via the second communication channel.