1. A site controller adapted to be used in an automated monitoring system configured for monitoring and controlling a plurality of remote devices via a host computer connected to a first communication network, the site controller configured for controlling communication with the host computer and a plurality of communication devices that define a second communication network associated with the plurality of remote devices, wherein the second communication network comprises a first communication device associated with a first remote device and a second communication device associated with a second remote device, the site controller comprising: a transceiver configured to communicate with the plurality of communication devices via the second communication network; a network interface device configured to communicate with the host computer via the first communication network; and logic configured to: manage communication with each of the plurality of communication devices, via a first communication protocol, based on one or more communication paths for each of the plurality of communication devices and the identification of each of the plurality of communication devices in the one or more communication paths, each communication path comprising one or more communication devices involved in the communication link between the transceiver and each of the plurality of communication devices, wherein the communication path for the second communication device comprises the first communication device; manage communication with the host computer via a second communication protocol; poll one or more of the remote devices according to a predetermined schedule by transmitting a status message to one or more remote devices requesting current operating status of the remote device, wherein the operating status comprises information indicative of a condition monitored or controlled by the remote device independent of other remote devices and communication devices, and determine and store upstream and downstream communication paths for each of the plurality of communication devices in the second communication network.