Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a surgical laser system having a control architecture operable to enable the surgical laser to be controlled from a user interface local to the laser system (e.g., the laser system front panel) and from a remote device. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a surgical laser unit operable to implement one set of functionality may be coupled to an advanced control unit such that the surgical laser unit may be controllable by the advanced control unit. The advance control unit may be a surgical system such as a vitreoretinal surgical system or other such surgical system.