The disclosure provides a system and method of retrieving data for an active subnet controller of a subnet in an HVAC network. In an embodiment, a device on said subnet reports a loss of internal memory settings to said active subnet controller. The device is recognized by the active subnet controller. At least one list of parameters is requested from the device by the active subnet controller. An order of said at least one list of parameters is employed to convey corresponding stored values of these parameters from the active subnet controller to the coupled device.