A method for characterizing server utilization out-of-band via remote access card virtual media includes sending at least one preselected desired parameter comprising at least one of at least one performance parameter and at least one process parameter, and at least one preselected polling interval to a remote access card disposed in at least one preselected managed host server system, using a remote application running on a remote management client via at least one remote access card administrative command through an out-of-band dedicated remote access card network interface card. The method also includes connecting a plug-and-play virtual drive, having an auto-run data gathering executable, to the at least one preselected managed host server system at the at least one preselected polling interval via a plug-and-play virtual media interface between the remote access card and the at least one preselected managed host server system, using firmware of the remote access card.