In-band/out-of-band alert delivery system

A computer network server for coupling to a computer network, the computer network having at least one in-band communication channel, the computer network server comprising:

• means for monitoring a plurality of variable physical attributes of the computer network server and the network;
• means for alerting a first remote console, via one of the in-band channels in the computer network, when one of the monitored physical attributes falls within a predetermined range;
• means for providing signals to remotely control the computer network server via a first communication channel of the computer network;
• means for storing histories of functions performed by the computer server network;
• and
• means for sending asynchronous communications over a second communication path that is independent of the at least one in-band communication channel of the network, to at least one first remote console.

A computer network server coupled to a computer network, the computer network having at least one in-band communication channel and wherein the computer network server employs at least one extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, the computer network server comprising:

• at least one system mother board having at least one system bus, the system bus having a width of at least 32 bits and wherein the system bus conforms to an EISA standard;
• means for monitoring a plurality of variable physical attributes of the computer network server and the network;
• means for alerting a first remote console, via one of the in-band channels in the computer network, when one of the monitored physical attributes falls within a predetermined range;
• means for coupling the system manager circuit to a first communication channel of the network for providing the signals to remotely control the computer network server;
• means for storing histories of functions performed by the EISA system board;
• and
• means for sending asynchronous communications over a second communication path that is independent of the at least one in-band communication channel of the network, to at least one first remote console.

A computer network server comprising:

• means for monitoring a system bus for at least one physical attribute of the computer network server;
• means for updating a stored set of object data contained within the computer network server;
• means for updating a value threshold for the at least one monitored physical attribute;
• means for determining if an alert is required based on a comparison between the physical attribute and the threshold value at least in part based upon the updated stored set of object data;
• means for determining if an in-band alert is required;
• means for issuing an in-band alert to a first predetermined console if an in-band alert is required;
• means for determining if an out-of-band alert is required;
• means for issuing an out-of-band alert to a first of a plurality of predetermined out-of-band devices if an out-of-band alert is required;
• means for determining whether the out-of-band alert issued to the first of a plurality of the predetermined out-of-band devices was received;
• means for issuing an out-of-band alert to a next of the plurality of the predetermined out-of-band devices if the out-of-band alert issued to the first of a plurality of the predetermined out-of-band devices is determined to not have been received;
• and
• means for receiving asynchronous data from one of the plurality of predetermined out-of-band devices in order to perform at least one of reprogramming the computer network server and responding to the alert.