A method for maintaining a data storage system is disclosed. The method may include monitoring for receipt of a first broadcast message from a first data storage node, where the first broadcast message may indicate that the first data storage node is operating correctly. The method may also include detecting that the first data storage node is malfunctioning based on not receiving the first broadcast message for a predetermined period of time. The method may also include initiating a data replication procedure based on detecting that the first data storage node is malfunctioning. The data replication procedure may include sending a first multicast message to a plurality of data storage nodes requesting identification of a second data storage node that maintains a copy of a file stored on the first data storage node.