1. A method performed by a controller that monitors and/or controls an apparatus, the method comprising: polling a sewer by sending a message to the sewer periodically, the message containing information that distinguishes the apparatus from other identical apparatuses, the message comprising a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) message and an operational parameter for the apparatus; receiving, in a single reply from the server and in response to the message, data that is specific to the apparatus, the data comprising an updated value for the operational parameter; and using the data to affect: a configuration of the apparatus, and an operation of the apparatus; wherein the controller is on an internal network and the server is on an external network, and wherein the controller has a local address that is not recognizable from the external network and, as a result, the controller is not remotely addressable from the server; and wherein the data further comprises a schedule of actions to be performed by the apparatus that is based on information pertaining to an owner of the apparatus.