Interactive system support using a system management asic

Abstract

A client on a network is provided with auxiliary low power logic, at the network adaptor, that is always active and simulates network traffic (e.g., Ethernet format) normally sent under control of the main client system processor(s). This logic collects client status information and reports to the network manager, irrespective of the system's CPU power level, information and provides for interaction between the user and the administration or network manager to exercise broader control and perform repair and upgrades which would otherwise require a dialog with the user and/or limit repair and reconfiguration of the client system to off-hours activity. The auxiliary logic also can receive and interpret commands from the network that conform to a predefined format.