A network device includes a web server chip that is connectable to a computer network. The web server chip includes an embedded processor that is programmable to function as a manageability web server, obtain manageability information about the network device and send the manageability to a network manager. The web server chip further includes an interface for communicating with an I2C bus in the network device. The embedded processor is programmable to obtain manageability information about devices connected to the I2C bus. The embedded processor is also programmable to control fan controllers, power supply controllers and other controllers connected to the I2C bus. This, in turn, allows a network manager to command the web server chip to remotely power up and power down the network device. Thus, the web server chip can perform network management functions without burdening the host processor of the network device. If network communications are performed via HTTP, the embedded processor can be programmed to implement an HTTP server, and the network manger can use a web browser and HTML files to run network management software.