Method for performing scheduled backups of a backup node associated with a plurality of agent nodes

A method, comprising:

• associating backup data sets on at least one machine in a network with a backup node;
• associating a plurality of agent nodes in the network with the backup node, wherein the agent nodes comprise machines in the network capable of backing up the backup data sets associated with the backup node;
• processing a schedule indicating a scheduled backup to backup scheduled data sets associated with the backup node;
• contacting at least one of the agent nodes associated with the backup node over the network to request the at least one agent node to perform the scheduled backup and backup the scheduled data sets, wherein the at least one contacted agent node performs the scheduled backup to backup the scheduled backup sets, and wherein the at least one agent node performing the scheduled backup acts on behalf of the backup node when performing the scheduled backup operations;
• receiving a request to logon by one agent node performing the scheduled backup using an agent node credential;
• receiving a request by the agent node logged on with the agent node credential to operate as the backup node, wherein the agent node performs operations to backup the scheduled data sets acting on behalf of the backup node;
• logging information on operations the agent node performs to backup the scheduled data sets as operations of the backup node.