In an example, there is disclosed an example of a system and method for plug and play in a controller based network. Aspects of the embodiments are directed to a network switch of a fabric network, the network switch configured to detect a connection of a device to the network switch, the device compliant with a remote integrated services engine (RISE) protocol; receive, from the device, a programming instruction for switching compliant with the RISE protocol; and distribute the programming instruction to one or more other network switches of the fabric network.