Sample separation network with simply connectable sample separation device

A sample separation network 100 comprises a server node 102 communicatively coupled to client nodes 104, and to sample separation devices 106, which may be liquid or supercritical fluid chromatography devices (e.g. for HPLC). Each separation device has device-specific software 108 for controlling the device, and at least one of the server and client nodes has software 110 for generically controlling sample separation devices in a non-device-specific way. At least one of the nodes and separation devices may load device-specific control software from a separation device to one of the nodes upon connection of the separation device to the network. Thus by connecting a separation device in a plug and play fashion, the distributed software allows client or server nodes to control the newly connected separation device without software updates. Each separation device may have a detector for detecting and a fractioner unit for collecting separated fractions of fluidic samples, and an injector for injecting a sample in a mobile phase (eluent), which may be a mixture of solvents. Each separation device may have a chromatographic column, such as a glass or steel tube or microfluidic column, providing a stationary phase, such as silica gel, alumina or cellulose powder.