Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for monitoring and controlling computer systems. The invention provides an intelligent card and a monitoring and control unit coupled to the intelligent card. The intelligent card translates a data stream form a host computer system into a universal data stream. The universal data stream is communicated to the monitoring and control unit via a standard network protocol for performing operations based on the universal data stream.

Abstract: An electronic monitoring method for externally monitoring processes in a computer system is provided in which preexisting computer system generated signals output by a particular process in the computer system are received. The preexisting computer system generated signals are transformed into a plurality of message signals in a common message signal format. Subsequently, different operations are performed on a particular message signal of the plurality of message signals based on processing rules related to monitoring functions such that monitoring of the computer system is accomplished by only utilizing the preexisting computer system signals. In addition, a monitoring system for implementing the external monitoring method is provided.

Abstract: An electronic control method for externally controlling processes in the computer system is provided in which electronic data is presented as graphical information to a user on a display device. In addition, electronic data input by the user is received. Processing rules are obtained from user input provided through the input device in response to processing rules displayed to the user on the display device. Operations of the computer system are controlled based on the processing rules with the electronic data processor such that the computer system can be automatically externally and directly controlled with the processing rules by only utilizing preexisting computer system signals received from the computer system and control signals sent to the computer system. In addition, a control system for implementing the external control method is provided.

Abstract: An electronic control method for externally controlling processes in the computer system is provided in which electronic data is presented as graphical information to a user on a display device. In addition, electronic data input by the user is received. Software routines are written in a script language specifically designed for computer monitoring and control operations through interactively presenting data to and receiving data from the user. Subsequently, processing rules are interpreted from the software routines with an electronic data processor. Operations of the computer system are controlled based on the processing rules with the electronic data processor such that the computer system can be automatically externally controlled with the processing rules by only utilizing preexisting computer system signals received from the computer system and control signals sent to the computer system. In addition, a control system for implementing the external control method is provided.