Abstract: A network monitoring system for a network interconnecting a plurality of computer systems, wherein the network monitoring system is comprised of one or more Intelligent Remote Agents, a Data Server, and a Proxy Controller. The Intelligent Remote Agents receive commands instructing them to collect performance data on the Agent's associated computer system, wherein the commands comprise predicates for filtering the performance data and a sampling interval or event occurrence. The Data Server generates requests for performance data and stores the collected performance data returned in response to the requests. The Proxy Controller translates the requests generated by the Data Server into the commands for the Intelligent Remote Agents. The Proxy Controller also transmits the commands to the Intelligent Remote Agents, accumulates the collected performance data returned from the Intelligent Remote Agents, and forwards the collected performance data to the Data Server for storage therein.