Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A remote monitoring system automatically communicates system diagnostic information from a monitored computer system to a remote service center at regular intervals. The monitored computer system includes a plurality of monitored computers coupled together by a network. One of the monitored computers is a master and others of the monitored computers are slaves coupled to the master. The monitored computers store system diagnostic information resulting from execution of diagnostic programs. The diagnostic information from the slaves is collected at a memory location accessible by the master before the diagnostic information from all of the monitored computers is communicated to the remote monitoring computer system. The remote monitoring computer system receives the diagnostic information at predetermined intervals and incorporates the diagnostic information into a searchable database. The diagnostic information includes data indicating currently installed hardware and software components on the monitored system. The remote monitoring computer system compares the current diagnostic information with previously received diagnostic information to determine if new components exist in the monitored system. If a new component exists, the remote monitoring computer system provides a new diagnostic test which is automatically incorporated into the diagnostics executed by the monitored system.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim