Universal framework for connectivity of devices and development tools

Methods and systems for a universal framework for connectivity of devices and developer tools are disclosed. A network device is detected at an engine. Data is received from the network device at the engine via a first protocol wherein the data comprises metadata. The metadata is converted from the first protocol to a plurality of protocols at the engine. A universal framework is provided at the engine to make the metadata available via the plurality of protocols. The metadata is sent from the universal framework to an external device via a specified protocol requested by the external device. In one embodiment, developer tools are provided for developing objects using said universal framework.