Abstract: A modular hydronic system core system and method includes a hydronic fluid flow conduit with closely spaced tees and distribution supply and return portions on a substrate. A supply manifold is coupled to branch feeders that support a circulator pump or zone valve. An ECM circulator along the conduit includes a Bluetooth transmitter to capture and transmit fluid flow rate and pressure. A return manifold includes branch returns with purge/shutoff valves. The branch feeders and returns are connectable to a distribution system having heating elements. Air and dirt separators, and an iron remover remove air, dirt and iron from the fluid. An expansion tank bracket supports a pressure gauge and expansion tank. A zone relay is coupled to the ECM circulator and zone valves on the branch feeders, and includes thermostat terminals. The zone relay captures inputs from the thermostats to control operation of the ECM circulator and zone valves.

Abstract: A node is monitored using metadata gathered by an in-memory process. Metadata for the node is dynamically gathered using a process running in memory; and the gathered metadata is provided to a remote server for storage. The process comprises, for example, an in-memory microkernel executing on a boot node. The metadata comprises, for example, information about physical characteristics of the node, information about one or more software packages installed on the node and/or information about one or more of an operating system, a BIOS and firmware. The gathered metadata can be processed to update a finite state machine to indicate a state of the node and/or to detect a change in state of the node.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for securing communications between a node and a server, for example, during a boot process. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a method is provided for securing communications between a node and a server, comprising: dynamically gathering hardware-related metadata for the node using a process running in memory; generating a unique identifier for the node using the hardware-related metadata; generating a public/private key pair for the node using the unique identifier; and securing communications between the node and the server using the public/private key pair. The process comprises, for example, an in-memory microkernel executing on a boot node. The hardware-related metadata comprises, for example, information about physical characteristics of the node. The unique identifier for the node can optionally be further based on information obtained from a Trusted Processing Module. The node can be authenticated using the public/private key pair.