A method for issuing global shared memory (GSM) operations from an originating task on a first node coupled to a network fabric of a distributed network via a host fabric interface (HFI). The originating task generates a GSM command within an effective address (EA) space. The task then places the GSM command within a send FIFO. The send FIFO is a portion of real memory having real addresses (RA) that are memory mapped to EAs of a globally executing job. The originating task maintains a local EA-to-RA mapping of only a portion of the real address space of the globally executing job. The task enables the HFI to retrieve the GSM command from the send FIFO into an HFI window allocated to the originating task. The HFI window generates a corresponding GSM packet containing GSM operations and/or data, and the HFI window issues the GSM packet to the network fabric.