System and methods for lab automation data sharing

A method for sharing system information data in a network of two or more diagnostic instruments for performing assays, wherein the system information data comprises operating information for the diagnostic instruments in the network, the method comprising:

• receiving a system information metadata packet by a first diagnostic instrument in the network, wherein the system information metadata packet is associated with system information data on a second diagnostic instrument in the network and comprises one or more attributes of a system information data packet containing the associated system information data;
• determining from the system information metadata packet that the first diagnostic instrument needs the associated system information data contained in the system information data packet by comparing the one or more attributes of the system information metadata packet with local data;
• in response to determining from the system information metadata packet that the first diagnostic instrument needs the associated system information data contained in the system information data packet, sending a request to the second diagnostic instrument to send the system information data packet;
• receiving the system information data packet containing the associated system information data from the second diagnostic instrument;
• in response to receiving the system information data packet containing the associated system information data from the second diagnostic instrument, updating the local data based on the associated system information data from the second diagnostic instrument;
• and
• operating the first diagnostic instrument to perform an assay using the updated local data.