1. A universal control engine, comprising: a processing device; and a memory device having stored thereon instructions executable by the processing device, the instructions, when executed by the processing device, causing the universal control engine to respond to a detected presence of an intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances which includes the universal control engine by using an identity associated with the intended target appliance to create a listing comprised of at least a first communication method and a second communication method different than the first communication method for use in controlling each of at least a first functional operation and a second functional operation of the intended target appliance and to respond to a received request from a controlling device intended to cause the intended target appliance to perform a one of the first and second functional operations by causing a one of the first and second communication methods in the listing of communication methods that has been associated with the requested one of the first and second functional operations to be used to transmit to the intended target appliance a command for controlling the requested one of the first and second functional operations of the intended target appliance.