remote machine data

Hello, is there a way to retrieve data from remote computers using php? I would like to have an application that retrievs data from remote computers, stores them in a database and displays them on a web interface. I would like to retrieve data from the computers on my LAN like: system configuration info (CPU, ROM, BIOS, RAM, disk info, video, mice, system devices), workstation serial number, Registry, startup files, installed software. Also: how can I make a page open in Word instead of the browser? <INPUT type="button" value="Open Word" onclick="OpenWord()"> This script will open Word empty. The file is generated on the fly, so there is no real file to open, just the output from the webserver. As far as I know, Word can open html pages as well as documents. The problem is: how to pass to MSWord the output of the php code? Thanks for any idea Szilard Some sysinfo: PHP Version 4.2.3 SystemWindows NT 5.0 build 2195 Build DateOct 5 2002 15:06:37 Server APIApache Virtual Directory Supportenabled Configuration File (php.ini) PathC:\WINNT\php.ini Debug Buildno Thread Safetyenabled com.allow_dcom Off com.autoregister_casesensitive On com.autoregister_typelib Offf com.autoregister_verbose Offf com.typelib_file no value