A method is provided for preserving redundant copies of metadata in a data storage system employing de-duplication. The method includes (a) creating metadata describing a file of a file system stored on the data storage system, (b) buffering the metadata within a metadata buffer of system memory of the data storage system, (c) sending contents of the metadata buffer from system memory to transmission circuitry of the data storage system, (d) directing the transmission circuitry to store the contents of the metadata buffer to a first location of persistent storage of the data storage system, and (e) directing the transmission circuitry to store a modified version of the contents of the metadata buffer to a second location of persistent storage of the data storage system, the first location being different from the second location. A computerized apparatus and a computer program product are also provided for performing a similar method.