Abstract: The invention permits a user, such as a network administrator, to remotely initiate and control the diagnostics of a node of a networked computer system. This diagnostic control is performed by the user selecting a diagnostic routine that is to be executed. This diagnostic routine instructs the managed node to collect configuration or other data and report this data back to the diagnostic control, which is then reported back to the user. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system includes a management client executing a user interface, such as a Web browser. The system also includes a management server executing a Web server, wherein the Web server is configured to be invoked by the user interface (e.g., by specifying a URL). The management server further includes software for dynamically serving data to the Web server, and at least one diagnostic control (e.g., COM object) that defines a plurality of diagnostic steps to perform on a managed object.