1. A path affinity apparatus for facilitating connected messaging between distributed control components comprising: an electronic computer executing a program stored in non-transient memory to: (a) communicate on a network connecting industrial control components storing control level data associated with tag names to provide a directory of tag names linked to route data of industrial control components holding the control level data associated with the tag name; (b) receive a request from a first industrial control component providing a tag name for control level data; (c) open a connection between the path affinity apparatus and a second industrial control component using route data linked to the tag name from the directory and provide the first industrial control component with a pointer to the connection; (d) after step (c), receive the pointer from the first industrial control component to exchange control level data between the first industrial control coniponent and the second industrial control component associated with the tag name using the connection.