in the bit vector memory 231 for the indicator bit vector 206 and provides one output in response to the corresponding fault descriptor 207 the bit vector comparator 230 sends the indicator bit vector 206 and the corresponding fault descriptor 207 to the status recipient 140 and takes other appropriate action as indicated by the fault descriptor 207 in a preferred embodiment at least one and possibly several of the selected bit vectors 206 in the bit vector memory 231 has an associated fault descriptor 207 that describes a u201c normal u201d or non fault condition thus the bit vector comparator 230 can select in response to the input bit vector 206 an associated u201c normal u201d fault descriptor 207 thus some anomalous bit vectors 206 can be associated with known lack of error in a preferred embodiment the u201c normal u201d fault descriptor 207 can be selected to indicate that all is well with the system 100 and that no action is required moreover the u201c normal u201d fault descriptor 207 and other fault descriptor 207 deemed insufficiently serious can be set so that no action is taken in response thereto including sending no message to the status recipient 140 in a preferred embodiment the selected techniques or values used by the system 100 can be included in a configuration database 132 associated with the status monitor 130 and alterable by the system administrator 112 or other operator the.