Method for tracking configuration changes in networks of computer systems through historical monitoring of configuration status of devices on the network.

A computerized method for tracking configuration changes within a computer system comprising the steps of:

• (a) collecting a first snapshot of a data item having a unique identifier at a first predetermined time, from a first monitored device on a computer system network, and setting a first time stamp indicating when said first snapshot was collected;
• (b) storing said first snapshot of said data item and said first time stamp in a remote support node connected to said first monitored device through a first network connection within said computer system network;
• (c) collecting a second snapshot of said data item having said unique identifier at a second predetermined time, from said first monitored device on said computer system network, and setting a second time stamp indicating when said second snapshot was collected;
• (d) comparing said stored first snapshot of said data item to said collected second snapshot of said data item;
• (e) when step (d) determines that said collected second snapshot of said data item has at least one difference from said stored first snapshot of said data item, performing step (f) and not step (g), and when step (d) determines that there is no difference, performing step (g) and not step (f);
• (f) storing all differences identified in step (d) and said second time stamp in said remote support node as a most recently stored snapshot of said data item;
• (g) discarding said second snapshot and said second time stamp, wherein said stored first snapshot is a most recently stored snapshot of said data item;
• and
• (h) displaying said all differences stored in step (f) between said second snapshot and said first snapshot, or displaying an indication that said no difference was determined between said second snapshot and said first snapshot, on a graphics display in said remote support node.