Abstract: Ethernet, or more generally any packetized network system, remote management techniques are provided, where management instructions and data (“management packets”) are presented during the active idle signal period (e.g., during the inter-packet gap). The management packets are separated from the signalling before normal packet data processing. Thus, remote management is achieved transparently and without using payload bandwidth. Line cards, media converters, and other network devices can employ the management techniques. The management channel enables write and read commands to remote devices on the network, and alarm reporting by a remote device. Also, monitoring of remote device parameters (e.g., temperature, power status), monitoring of remote statistics, remote link testing (loopback), remote adjusting of maximum burst size, and bandwidth provisioning are enabled.