Design a distributed file storage system similar to Dropbox that allows users to store and share files across multiple devices and platforms. The system should be highly available, scalable, and fault-tolerant, capable of handling large amounts of data with efficient storage and retrieval mechanisms. Consider factors such as data replication, synchronization, access control, versioning, and encryption in your design. Discuss how you would handle file metadata, user authentication, and authorization. Additionally, address how you would ensure data consistency and integrity across distributed nodes. Provide insights into the technologies, protocols, and architectural patterns you would employ to build and deploy this distributed file storage system effectively.