Method and apparatus for remotely and centrally controlling a plurality of host processors

A method is disclosed for controlling a plurality of host processors from either a single remote workstation or a plurality of remote workstations. The user interface and level of control at the remote workstation is identical to that which is available at the host processor operations console. Operator alerts appearing at the operations console are forwarded to the remote workstation for notifying the remote operator of alert conditions occurring at the operations console. A computer serving as the operation console for the host processor is coupled to a communications network. Upon operator initiation, a workstation, also connected to the network, sends a message to the console requesting that a console window be started. After the console window is started on the workstation, the operations console duplicates its user interface at the remote workstation and the host processor connected to the console can be controlled from the workstation. This operation can be repeated for multiple host processors.