Methods and systems are described for grouping one or more save sets into a consistency group, the save sets being located across one or more client computers in a network, and for performing backup and recovery operations over a consistency group. According to one embodiment, a consistency group operation request is received by a backup system on a main server, the request indicating that a backup or recovery operation is to be performed over the consistency group. In response, the backup system retrieves information regarding the consistency group's save sets, and sends a save set operation request to each client computer instructing the client computer to perform the backup or recovery operation on any save sets within the consistency group.