Method and apparatus for monitoring the operating environment of a

Abstract

A method and apparatus features a system for automatically monitoring the operating environment and other physical conditions around and in which a host computer system operates. Sensors located around a computer system, including inside equipment cabinets and under the floor where cabling and air are ducted, are used to collect data that is frequently and periodically collected and stored along with an indication of the time and data of collection. The stored data is checked against a list of environmental parameters for the location of each sensor and an indication given when measurements indicate an environmental condition is outside discrete limits and rates of change of conditions. The stored parameters may be changed at any time from a console of the computer system. The stored data is also used to prepare histograms that are used to indicate trends in environmental conditions that can point to potential problems that may then be remedied before actual problems arise, and to faulty computer system installation design. Generation of histograms may be requested from remote locations via telephone links and then forwarded over the links to the remote locations for analysis. Trouble conditions indicated by out of parameter limits checking causes alarms to be given at the computer site and to be selectively sent to remote sites to initiate remedial action. In addition, a failsafe monitoring operation monitors the communications between the computer system and the monitoring apparatus to detect troubles.