Abstract: The disclosed invention is a method in a computer peripheral control system for initializing and monitoring operations of a plurality of peripheral device controllers. The system includes more than one master controller. The method comprises the steps of storing in registers of the master controllers an initial set of parameters for operation of the control system, executing a self test of each of the master controllers to determine if any errors have occurred; and if so, checking to verify presence of a redundant master controller. The method further includes detecting whether or not the redundant master controller is in control; if not, setting bus active control signals; enabling active clock output signals; initializing status bus address pointer; polling a selected one of the peripheral device controllers; checking for end of cabinet address; incrementing status bus address pointer; and repeating the steps of initializing through incrementing.