Commumcanon of 1nformat1on mcludmg data between a
remote computer and a vehicle is managed and facilitated
using an apparatus compatible with standardized network
communication links. In one embodiment, the standardized
network communication links include the Internet and a
controller area network used in vehicles. The apparatus
preferably includes a controller contained in the vehicle. The
controller is comprised of a number of hardware and soft
ware elements including a processor. AT CP/lP stack is part
of the controller for providing the necessary control in
checking for communicating information, such as requests
and data, over the Internet. Aweb server communicates with
the TCP/IP stack for servicing information related requests
in http format including obtaining or sending information in
operative communication with the TCP/IP stack. A CGI-bin
(common gateway interface-binary) communicates with the
web server and acts as a link to executable software stored
in program memory that is responsive to user requests. A
data memory is also available for storing data in html that is
accessible by the web server. A real time operating system
(RTOS) is involved in task and memory management as part
of the responding to requests for information. The controller
is able to receive requests using a wireless device When it is
in the vehicle and through a communications port when the
wireless device is not in the vehicle. In another embodiment,
each of the plurality of vehicle devices has an Internet
address or designation associated with it.