A file system and a related method are presented. The file system includes a data storage including a plurality of data blocks; a merge index including a plurality of namespace entries, wherein the plurality of namespace entries include a plurality of blockmap entries and a plurality of local reference entries; a deduplication database including a plurality of deduplication indices and a plurality of global reference entries for a plurality of datasets; and an indexing system configured to generate the plurality of namespace entries and the plurality of global reference entries.