Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring a plurality of data processing systems from a monitoring system. The data processing systems may be coupled to the monitoring system via a network cloud. When one of the plurality of data processing systems experiences a failure, the failure is detected at the monitoring system based upon communications over the network. The data processing systems may each have a service processor directly coupled to the network cloud. The monitoring system can also be employed to monitor the status of the data processing systems, either in a manufacture/test environment or in the field. The monitored status can include an inventory of parts for the data processing systems. Each part can be provided with identification information that is readable by the data processing system when the part is installed, and the identification information can be used to automatically generate an inventory of parts for each of the data processing systems. The monitoring system can also be used to automatically download an updated a piece of software to the data processing systems. In one aspect of the invention, bidirectional communication is employed between the monitoring system and the data processing systems. When an event occurs on the data processing system, the system sends a service request to the monitoring system notifying it of the event. The monitoring system also sends periodic communications to the data processing systems to ensure that each is functioning properly.

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First Claim