1. A system for maintaining metadata in an electronic storage network comprising: a plurality of networks having a storage operation capability and which include client applications, wherein at least one of the plurality of networks includes a storage management component and wherein the plurality of networks are electronically linked to each other; and a storage device associated with the storage manager for maintaining the metadata, wherein the plurality of networks and client applications generate metadata relating to the client applications and system operation, the storage management component collecting the metadata from the plurality of storage operation cells and storing the data on the storage device.