Abstract: Systems and methods for automated monitoring and management of distributed applications, client/server databases, networks and systems across heterogeneous environments. Distributed, automated intelligent monitoring agents use embedded sensing technology which is knowledgeable of application protocols, to monitor continuously the network environment in real time. To this end, the monitoring agent can be located on each client and server in the network. The monitoring agent can couple to the communications stack for monitoring the data that is being passed between the client and the network, of a server in the network. The data can be collected and employed for trouble shooting trend analysis, resource planning, security auditing, and accounting as well as other applications. Also included is a controller for remotely coordinating the data gathering process from the various clients and servers.