A method, system, and computer-usable medium for implementing a file directory in a server. An application including a buffer for retrieving and storing at least one entry is interfaced with the file directory. Utilizing a determined average filename length, an estimate of a number of entries among the collection of entries that can be stored by the buffer is determined. In response to determining at least one attribute data field has been requested, the number of entries that can be stored by the buffer is recalculated. Recalculating the number of entries includes determining an amount of data required for storing the collection of filenames, a collection of fixed-length attribute data fields, and a collection of variable-length attribute data fields. The recalculated number of entries is then requested from the file directory, and the buffer is loaded, with the recalculated number of entries.