1. A machine implemented method for collecting information from a storage server managed by use of a multi-appliance management application (MMA), the method comprising: dividing, by the MMA, data stored in the storage server into a plurality of sections; assigning, by the MMA, the plurality of sections to a plurality of agents, wherein each of the plurality of agents is an independent system which is a separate device from the storage server and the MMA, and wherein each of the plurality of agents communicates with the storage server via a network; using the plurality of agents to scan the plurality of sections and to collect information regarding files stored by the storage server; summarizing the information and creating a summary by using the plurality of agents; storing, by the plurality of agents, the summary on a database server; and outputting, by the MMA, the summary to a user interface.