A data communication system for a local network. The system includes a network node and a plurality of network devices associated therewith. The network node provides a network node service to clients or bots executing on the plurality of network devices. Individual clients or bots are communicably and only programmatically coupled around the network node service in a programmatic star configuration to create the local network. The network node service validates and authenticates local services provided by the clients or bots within the local network. Data is communicated between clients or bots within the local network in real time or near real time, by relaying the data through the network node service. Information content of the data is encrypted prior to communicating the data, by employing a key store associated with a user of the source client or bot.