A method includes storing information regarding protocols required by a plurality of climate controllers and a plurality of cooling devices. A request message is received from a first of the climate controllers, the request message being addressed to a specific cooling device. A protocol required by the specific cooling device is determined using the stored information regarding protocols required by the cooling devices. The request message is converted to the protocol required by the specific cooling device. A response message is queued from the specific cooling device if the time period allowed for responding to the first climate controller has expired. The queued response message is sent to the first climate controller when a subsequent request message is received from the first climate controller.