This invention provides a system and method for managing backup and restore operations on a storage system, typically between source storage system and destination storage system using a backup management client that employs a version of the Network Data Management Protocol to interface with the destination file server and generate an “index” of data structures (such as directories and files) from directly from scanning the trees of PCPIs stored on the destination. The management client includes a command line interface for entry of instructions by a user or application and a web-based user interface and allows the index to be displayed as a series of web pages on a graphical user interface. The index can be browsed and selected data structures can be restored to a source filer/file server as desired. All back-ups/PCPIs can be contemporaneously browsed, allowing greater flexibility in selecting a best backup image to restore.