A simplified hardware management communication protocol comprises defined request packets, which are utilized to transmit requests to lower layers of management functionality or to managed resources, and it also comprises defined response packets, which are utilized to transmit responses back to the source of the request. A request packet comprises an identification of a type of device, an identifier of that device, an address of the sending entity, a session identifier, a sequence number, a function identifier, and a payload that comprises encapsulated communications or data directed to the request target. A response packet can comprise an identification of the sender of the request, a session identifier, a sequence number, a completion code identifying whether and how the request was completed, and a payload. Managed asset type specific drivers translate into communications utilizing communicational protocols that are specific to the managed assets.