US Patent 7716185 Creation of a single client snapshot using a client utility

Systems and methods for backing up and/or restoring data. When a backup operation is initiated, systems and methods are provided for creating a single snapshot of the backup items, including backup groupings. The single snapshot is used by a backup/recovery application to perform a save process on each backup grouping. By using the same snapshot, the backup is performed based on the same point in time so that the backed up data across the client system is consistent and synchronized. When a recovery operation is initiated, recovery items (e.g., backup groupings, writers and writer components) are selected from backup groupings of the client.