Abstract: A fault tolerant Internet communications system provides highly reliable e-commerce and server/router functions through scaled down operating system functions provided as a disk on a chip system. It may facilitate initial configuration and installation even through a disparate operating system element through remotely accessible and Internet configurable designs. Immediate shifting to the scaled down operating system can occur to permit re-routing to a redundant or other data server element or even basic informational functions to avoid total lack of communication to users.

Abstract: In a method for temperature and time control of electrical heating devices installed at an end user to optimize energy consumption and energy costs, where a dedicated control system is employed for the control, a local control unit is connected to an electrical heating device for control thereof. The end user supplies a desired user profile for the heating device to the control system which optimizes energy and power consumption on the basis of both the user profile and the operating and capacity conditions in the power supply network. The control commands are transferred to the local control unit. In addition to a dedicated control system for implementation of the method, a control and communication structure includes local control units installed at end users and one or more communication interfaces.