System including a proxy client to backup files in a distributed computing environment

Disclosed is a system for backing up files in a distributed computing system. A file server maintains files in a shared name space. The file server provides a first backup client program and a second backup client program with access to the files in the shared name space. The first backup client program initiates a backup request to backup a requested file. A determination is made as to whether the requested file is maintained in a shared name space. The backup request is transmitted to the second backup client program upon determining that the requested file is maintained in the shared name space. The second backup client program transmits a message to the file server to provide the requested file. The file server transmits the requested file with the file server to the second backup client program. The second backup client program then transmits the requested file to a backup server program. The backup server program stores the requested file in a storage device.