AUTHENTICATED FILE HANDLES FOR NETWORK FILE SYSTEMS

One or more file sharing computers receives a client request including an IP address and port number used by the client (computer). The one or more computers respond by creating an enhanced file handle from a hash on a combination of the IP address, port number, restricted key, and a standard file handle, and concatenating the hash with the standard file handle. The enhanced file handle is sent to the client and used by the client in a second request. The one or more computers uncouple the standard file handle and hash combination. Using the client IP address, port number, restricted key and standard file handle from the client second request, the one or more computers create a second combination. The second combination hash is compared to the first combination hash and in response to determining a match, the second request is accepted, and otherwise denied.