Abstract: A network and system of electrical devices comprising a device-independent controller, a device-dependent controller, a console through which a user interfaces with the system, and a communication protocol for network-enabling the devices, and a method for such network-enablement are described. The integration of information content from a network, such as the Internet, with the network-enabling hardware and software of the present invention provides a flexible inexpensive way to enhance the overall utility and range of capabilities of a system of networked devices in a device-independent network application.