In a network, a common agnostic data exchange method between two devices native to the network, the devices using different formats and transmission protocols, includes invoking a proxy at each device, and a first proxy receiving a first data record from a first device, the first data record having a first format. The first proxy identifies the first format by comparing a first pattern of the first data record to reference patterns of one or more reference data records and determines if a sufficient pattern match exists between the first pattern and the reference pattern. The first proxy translates the first data record's format into an inter-proxy data record having an inter-proxy format and transmits the inter-proxy data record to a second proxy coupled to a second device. The second proxy translates the inter-proxy data record to a second data record having a format employed at the second device.