A method and system to implement a virtual out-of-band management controller. A management mode of operation of a processing system is activated in response to a signal received via a network. A portion of code copied from a firmware unit into system memory of the processing system is executed during the management mode of operation to interact with at least one hardware entity of the processing system. A runtime monitor is further executed during the management mode of operation to determine information about the at least one hardware entity via executing the portion of code and to transmit the information over the network. Subsequently, the management mode of operation is deactivated.