A method and apparatus for performing network-based control functions on an alert-enabled managed client. An alert proxy translates generic, management-based command data received from a management application/agent into specific client-based hardware control data. The alert proxy transmits a data packet containing the hardware control data over a network to an alert-enabled managed client. Alert hardware within the alert-enabled managed client parses the hardware control data into control bits and utilizes the control bits to set or clear registers within the alert-enabled managed client so as to effectuate the specified control operations. The control operations may be performed on the alert-enabled managed client independent of the operational status of the alert-enabled managed client's operating system.