No matter how perfectly a network is set up, there will be occasions when system diagnostics and upgrades need to be performed. Many such activities can now be undertaken centrally, through the use of HP Insight Manager (formally Compaq Insight Manager). The core of this software is supplied with every HP server, and acts as an easy-to-use SNMP-compliant management tool. Through the addition of agents that are provided with HP desktop PCs plus selected laptops, monitors and network devices, Insight Manager can monitor the status of systems that are connected to the network.

Amongst the many facilities provided by Insight Manager are automatic presentation of system fault reports and pre-failure warnings by network or pager notification, the ability to implement firmware updates and system restarts remotely, and the option of tracking hardware serial numbers and asset tags. Together with remote server management features through LAN, WAN and dial-up connections, the possibilities offered for helping with network administration are considerable.