Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to aggregate control of multiple devices. In some methods, a downstream controller can advertise a service group of the downstream controller, can receive a connection request message from a gateway controller that is part of the service group, and responsive to the connection request message, can transmit a connection accept message to the gateway controller to set up a connection channel between the downstream controller and the gateway controller. In some methods, the gateway controller can receive an advertisement message from the downstream controller, can transmit the connection request message to the downstream controller responsive to the advertisement message and when the gateway controller is part of the service group, and can receive the connection accept message from the downstream controller to set up the connection channel between the gateway controller and the downstream controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to aggregate control of multiple devices. In some methods, a downstream controller can advertise a service group of the downstream controller, can receive a connection request message from a gateway controller that is part of the service group, and, responsive to the connection request message, can transmit a connection accept message to the gateway controller to set up a connection channel between the downstream controller and the gateway controller. In some methods, a gateway controller can receive an advertisement message from a downstream controller, can transmit a connection request message to the downstream controller responsive to the advertisement message and when the gateway controller is part of the service group, and can receive a connection accept message from the downstream controller to set up a connection channel between the gateway controller and the downstream controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided wherein the method includes the steps of a downstream controller of a security system advertising a service type of the downstream controller on a sub-network, a gateway controller of the security system detecting the advertisement and authenticating the downstream controller as being part of a group that also includes the gateway controller, the gateway controller sending a connection request to the downstream controller, the gateway and downstream controllers establishing an L4 connection based upon the connection request, and the gateway and downstream controllers establishing a L5 session channel through the L4 connection.