A distributed monitoring system and a computer-implemented method monitors and controls locally situated network components through a monitoring and control device or processor querying the network component operating parameters and sending control commands for controlling the parameters queried. Reports of the status of the monitored network components are periodically generated from throughout the network and sent to a remotely located status viewing station configured to generate a monitoring interface and display the operational status of the network based on the status reports. If necessary, the status viewing station automatically transmits instructions, or a user enters instructions into the status viewing station, for instructing action be taken by the monitoring and control device or processor, e.g., to adjust one or more operating parameters queried. The distributed monitoring system may be particularly useful in monitoring and managing the health of a digital signage network.