A method for establishing communication between a control node and a machine in a machine tool system includes notifying the control node of an identifier of the machine. The machine includes a numerical control (NC). The method further includes the steps of retrieving a machine configuration file including machine attributes at the control node based on the identifier; determining a data structure of a data signal transferring information in the machine tool system by interpreting the machine configuration file; and acknowledging from the control node to the machine that communication has been established.

Via at least one network, a remote server sends configuration data to a local server at a farm having a milking plant system with a set of farm components. Each of the farm components is operatively connected to a respective controller that is configurable by a set of configuration parameters included in the configuration data. In response to receiving the configuration data, the local server transmits a respective set of configuration parameters to each of the respective controllers. In response to receiving the set of configuration parameters each of the respective controllers sets a configuration of the controller in accordance with the respective set of configuration parameters for that controller. Thus, the farm components of the milking plant system can be configured and upgraded in a convenient and efficient manner.