Abstract: A water treatment system, such as a water softener, is remotely operated and a method of remotely controlling a water treatment system. In a first embodiment, the water treatment system having a web server is delivered and installed on the users LAN. The user PC is redirected by a remote server to the water treatment system by use of the water treatment system MAC address, IP protocol address and user information. In this manner, the user is able to control the water treatment system and communicate with the remote server. In a second and third embodiment, the water treatment system and user PC communicate indirectly via the remote server. In the second embodiment, the water treatment system is provided with a wireless network interface to couple to the remote server. In the third embodiment, the water treatment system is provided with an internet interface.

Abstract: A method of communication within a network of a water treatment system is disclosed. The water treatment system includes a plurality of devices. The devices including at least one AC powered device. The method comprising the steps of continually checking, by a first AC powered device, the network for broadcasts by other devices, detecting, by the first AC powered device, a broadcast by another device, establishing, by the first AC powered device, a logical connection with the other device, receiving, by the first AC powered device, any request by the other device for data, the request including the identification of a data element, and the address of the device which relates to the data element, and receiving, by the first AC powered device, any data offered by the other device, the data including the identification of a data element, the data element value, and the identification of the device which originated the data element value.