diff --git a/src/ebusd/bushandler.cpp b/src/ebusd/bushandler.cpp
index 31a0ebbe..277bc9f9 100644
--- a/src/ebusd/bushandler.cpp
+++ b/src/ebusd/bushandler.cpp
@@ -350,8 +350,32 @@ result_t BusHandler::readFromBus(Message* message, const string& inputStr, symbo
   return ret;
 }
 
-void BusHandler::notifyProtocolStatus(bool signal) {
-  // ignored
+void BusHandler::notifyProtocolStatus(ProtocolState state) {
+  if (state == ps_empty && m_pollInterval > 0) {  // check for poll/scan
+    time_t now;
+    time(&now);
+    if (m_lastPoll == 0 || difftime(now, m_lastPoll) > m_pollInterval) {
+      Message* message = m_messages->getNextPoll();
+      if (message != nullptr) {
+        m_lastPoll = now;
+        if (difftime(now, message->getLastUpdateTime()) > m_pollInterval) {
+          // only poll this message if it was not updated already by other means within the interval
+          auto request = new PollRequest(message);
+          result_t ret = request->prepare(m_protocol->getOwnMasterAddress());
+          if (ret != RESULT_OK) {
+            logError(lf_bus, "prepare poll message: %s", getResultCode(ret));
+            delete request;
+          } else {
+            ret = m_protocol->addRequest(request, false);
+            if (ret != RESULT_OK) {
+              logError(lf_bus, "push poll message: %s", getResultCode(ret));
+              delete request;
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
 }
 
 result_t BusHandler::notifyProtocolAnswer(const MasterSymbolString& command, SlaveSymbolString* response) {
@@ -494,7 +518,7 @@ result_t BusHandler::prepareScan(symbol_t slave, bool full, const string& levels
   if (scanMessage == nullptr) {
     return RESULT_ERR_NOTFOUND;
   }
-  if (m_protocol->getDevice()->isReadOnly()) {
+  if (m_protocol->isReadOnly()) {
     return RESULT_OK;
   }
   deque<Message*> messages;
@@ -564,9 +588,8 @@ result_t BusHandler::startScan(bool full, const string& levels) {
   }
   m_scanResults.clear();
   m_runningScans++;
-  m_protocol->addRequest(request, false);
   // request is deleted by ProtocolHandler after finish
-  return RESULT_OK;
+  return m_protocol->addRequest(request, false);
 }
 
 void BusHandler::setScanResult(symbol_t dstAddress, size_t index, const string& str) {
@@ -704,7 +727,7 @@ void BusHandler::formatUpdateInfo(ostringstream* output) const {
   }
   *output << ",\"c\":" << m_protocol->getMasterCount()
           << ",\"m\":" << m_messages->size()
-          << ",\"ro\":" << (m_protocol->getDevice()->isReadOnly() ? 1 : 0)
+          << ",\"ro\":" << (m_protocol->isReadOnly() ? 1 : 0)
           << ",\"an\":" << (m_protocol->isAnswering() ? 1 : 0)
           << ",\"co\":" << (m_protocol->isAddressConflict(SYN) ? 1 : 0);
   if (m_grabMessages) {
@@ -727,8 +750,7 @@ void BusHandler::formatUpdateInfo(ostringstream* output) const {
   }
   unsigned char address = 0;
   for (int index = 0; index < 256; index++, address++) {
-    bool ownAddress = !m_protocol->getDevice()->isReadOnly()
-    && (address == m_protocol->getOwnMasterAddress() || address == m_protocol->getOwnSlaveAddress());
+    bool ownAddress = !m_protocol->isOwnAddress(address);
     if (!isValidAddress(address, false) || ((m_seenAddresses[address]&SEEN) == 0 && !ownAddress)) {
       continue;
     }
@@ -815,8 +837,11 @@ result_t BusHandler::scanAndWait(symbol_t dstAddress, bool loadScanConfig, bool
       m_scanResults[dstAddress].resize(1);
     }
     m_runningScans++;
-    requestExecuted = m_protocol->addRequest(request, true);
-    result = requestExecuted ? request->m_result : RESULT_ERR_TIMEOUT;
+    result = m_protocol->addRequest(request, true);
+    requestExecuted = result == RESULT_OK;
+    if (requestExecuted) {
+      result = request->m_result;
+    }
     delete request;
     request = nullptr;
   }
diff --git a/src/ebusd/bushandler.h b/src/ebusd/bushandler.h
index e0f6c684..b7405ca8 100755
--- a/src/ebusd/bushandler.h
+++ b/src/ebusd/bushandler.h
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ class BusHandler : public ProtocolListener {
   void setScanConfigLoaded(symbol_t address, const string& file);
 
   // @copydoc
-  void notifyProtocolStatus(bool signal) override;
+  void notifyProtocolStatus(ProtocolState state) override;
 
   // @copydoc
   result_t notifyProtocolAnswer(const MasterSymbolString& master, SlaveSymbolString* slave) override;
diff --git a/src/ebusd/main.cpp b/src/ebusd/main.cpp
index 5da175e0..f78270f6 100644
--- a/src/ebusd/main.cpp
+++ b/src/ebusd/main.cpp
@@ -363,8 +363,7 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[], char* envp[]) {
   }
 
   // open the device
-  Device *device = Device::create(s_opt.device, s_opt.extraLatency, !s_opt.noDeviceCheck, s_opt.readOnly,
-                                  s_opt.initialSend);
+  Device *device = Device::create(s_opt.device, s_opt.extraLatency, !s_opt.noDeviceCheck);
   if (device == nullptr) {
     logWrite(lf_main, ll_error, "unable to create device %s", s_opt.device);  // force logging on exit
     cleanup();
@@ -385,8 +384,14 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[], char* envp[]) {
   signal(SIGINT, signalHandler);
   signal(SIGTERM, signalHandler);
 
+  // create the MainLoop
+  s_requestQueue = new Queue<Request*>();
+  s_mainLoop = new MainLoop(s_opt, device, s_messageMap, s_scanHelper, s_requestQueue);
+  BusHandler* busHandler = s_mainLoop->getBusHandler();
+  ProtocolHandler* protocol = busHandler->getProtocol();
+
   ostringstream ostream;
-  device->formatInfo(&ostream, false, false, true);
+  protocol->formatInfo(&ostream, false, true);
   string deviceInfoStr = ostream.str();
   logNotice(lf_main, PACKAGE_STRING "." REVISION " started%s on device: %s",
       s_opt.scanConfig ? s_opt.initialScan == ESC ? " with auto scan"
@@ -397,12 +402,7 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[], char* envp[]) {
   // load configuration files
   s_scanHelper->loadConfigFiles(!s_opt.scanConfig);
 
-  s_requestQueue = new Queue<Request*>();
-
-  // create the MainLoop and start it
-  s_mainLoop = new MainLoop(s_opt, device, s_messageMap, s_scanHelper, s_requestQueue);
-  BusHandler* busHandler = s_mainLoop->getBusHandler();
-  ProtocolHandler* protocol = busHandler->getProtocol();
+  // start the MainLoop
   if (s_opt.injectMessages) {
     int scanAdrCount = 0;
     bool scanAddresses[256] = {};
diff --git a/src/ebusd/mainloop.cpp b/src/ebusd/mainloop.cpp
index 902a6540..f2b7e107 100644
--- a/src/ebusd/mainloop.cpp
+++ b/src/ebusd/mainloop.cpp
@@ -152,6 +152,7 @@ MainLoop::MainLoop(const struct options& opt, Device *device, MessageMap* messag
   }
   // create BusHandler
   ebus_protocol_config_t config = {
+    .readOnly = opt.readOnly,
     .ownAddress = m_address,
     .answer = opt.answer,
     .busLostRetries = opt.acquireRetries,
@@ -160,6 +161,7 @@ MainLoop::MainLoop(const struct options& opt, Device *device, MessageMap* messag
     .slaveRecvTimeout = opt.receiveTimeout,
     .lockCount = opt.masterCount,
     .generateSyn = opt.generateSyn,
+    .initialSend = opt.initialSend,
   };
   m_busHandler = new BusHandler(m_device, m_messages, scanHelper,
       config, opt.pollInterval);
@@ -377,7 +379,7 @@ void MainLoop::run() {
                << ",\"a\":\"other\""
 #endif
                << ",\"u\":" << (now-start);
-          m_device->formatInfo(&ostr, false, true, true);
+          m_protocol->formatInfoJson(&ostr);
           if (m_reconnectCount) {
             ostr << ",\"rc\":" << m_reconnectCount;
           }
@@ -1935,7 +1937,7 @@ result_t MainLoop::executeInfo(const vector<string>& args, const string& user, o
     *ostream << "update check: " << m_updateCheck << "\n";
   }
   *ostream << "device: ";
-  m_device->formatInfo(ostream, verbose);
+  m_protocol->formatInfo(ostream, verbose, false);
   *ostream << "\n";
   if (!user.empty()) {
     *ostream << "user: " << user << "\n";
@@ -2226,7 +2228,7 @@ result_t MainLoop::executeGet(const vector<string>& args, bool* connected, ostri
                    << ",\n  \"maxsymbollatency\": " << m_protocol->getMaxSymbolLatency();
         }
       }
-      if (!m_device->isReadOnly()) {
+      if (!m_protocol->isReadOnly()) {
         *ostream << ",\n  \"qq\": " << static_cast<unsigned>(m_address);
       }
       *ostream << ",\n  \"reconnects\": " << m_reconnectCount
diff --git a/src/lib/ebus/device.cpp b/src/lib/ebus/device.cpp
index 07166e67..1132bdaa 100755
--- a/src/lib/ebus/device.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/ebus/device.cpp
@@ -88,11 +88,11 @@ namespace ebusd {
   #define DEBUG_RAW_TRAFFIC(format, args...)
 #endif
 
-Device::Device(const char* name, bool readOnly, bool initialSend)
-  : m_name(name), m_readOnly(readOnly), m_initialSend(initialSend), m_listener(nullptr) {
+Device::Device(const char* name)
+  : m_name(name), m_listener(nullptr) {
 }
 
-Device* Device::create(const char* name, unsigned int extraLatency, bool checkDevice, bool readOnly, bool initialSend) {
+Device* Device::create(const char* name, unsigned int extraLatency, bool checkDevice) {
   bool highSpeed = strncmp(name, "ens:", 4) == 0;
   bool enhanced = highSpeed || strncmp(name, "enh:", 4) == 0;
   if (enhanced) {
@@ -128,23 +128,17 @@ Device* Device::create(const char* name, unsigned int extraLatency, bool checkDe
     *portpos = 0;
     char* hostOrIp = strdup(addrpos);
     free(in);
-    return new NetworkDevice(name, hostOrIp, port, extraLatency, readOnly, initialSend, udp, enhanced);
+    return new NetworkDevice(name, hostOrIp, port, extraLatency, udp, enhanced);
   }
   // support enh:/dev/<device>, ens:/dev/<device>, and /dev/<device>
-  return new SerialDevice(name, checkDevice, extraLatency, readOnly, initialSend, enhanced, highSpeed);
-}
-
-result_t Device::afterOpen() {
-  if (m_initialSend && !send(ESC)) {
-    return RESULT_ERR_SEND;
-  }
-  return RESULT_OK;
+  return new SerialDevice(name, checkDevice, extraLatency, enhanced, highSpeed);
 }
 
 
-FileDevice::FileDevice(const char* name, bool checkDevice, unsigned int latency, bool readOnly, bool initialSend,
+
+FileDevice::FileDevice(const char* name, bool checkDevice, unsigned int latency,
     bool enhancedProto)
-  : Device(name, readOnly, initialSend),
+  : Device(name),
     m_checkDevice(checkDevice),
     m_latency(HOST_LATENCY_MS+(enhancedProto?ENHANCED_LATENCY_MS:0)+latency),
     m_enhancedProto(enhancedProto), m_fd(-1), m_resetRequested(false),
@@ -164,33 +158,24 @@ FileDevice::~FileDevice() {
   }
 }
 
-void FileDevice::formatInfo(ostringstream* ostream, bool verbose, bool asJson, bool noWait) {
-  if (asJson) {
-    if (m_enhancedProto) {
-      string ver = getEnhancedVersion();
-      if (!ver.empty()) {
-        *ostream << ",\"dv\":\"" << ver << "\"";
-      }
+void FileDevice::formatInfo(ostringstream* ostream, bool verbose, bool prefix) {
+  if (prefix) {
+    *ostream << m_name;
+    string info = getEnhancedProtoInfo();
+    if (!info.empty()) {
+      *ostream << ", " << info;
     }
     return;
   }
-  *ostream << m_name;
-  string info = getEnhancedProtoInfo();
-  if (!info.empty()) {
-    *ostream << ", " << info;
-  }
-  if (isReadOnly()) {
-    *ostream << ", readonly";
-  }
-  if (noWait) {
-    return;
-  }
   if (!isValid()) {
     *ostream << ", invalid";
   }
+  if (!m_enhancedProto) {
+    return;
+  }
   bool infoAdded = false;
   if (verbose) {
-    info = getEnhancedInfos();
+    string info = getEnhancedInfos();
     if (!info.empty()) {
       *ostream << ", " << info;
       infoAdded = true;
@@ -204,6 +189,15 @@ void FileDevice::formatInfo(ostringstream* ostream, bool verbose, bool asJson, b
   }
 }
 
+void FileDevice::formatInfoJson(ostringstream* ostream) {
+  if (m_enhancedProto) {
+    string ver = getEnhancedVersion();
+    if (!ver.empty()) {
+      *ostream << ",\"dv\":\"" << ver << "\"";
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 result_t FileDevice::open() {
   close();
   return m_bufSize == 0 ? RESULT_ERR_DEVICE : RESULT_OK;
@@ -220,8 +214,6 @@ result_t FileDevice::afterOpen() {
       m_listener->notifyStatus(false, "resetting");
     }
     m_resetRequested = true;
-  } else if (m_initialSend && !write(ESC)) {
-    return RESULT_ERR_SEND;
   }
   return RESULT_OK;
 }
@@ -339,7 +331,7 @@ result_t FileDevice::send(symbol_t value) {
   if (!isValid()) {
     return RESULT_ERR_DEVICE;
   }
-  if (m_readOnly || !write(value)) {
+  if (!write(value)) {
     return RESULT_ERR_SEND;
   }
   if (m_listener != nullptr) {
@@ -496,9 +488,6 @@ result_t FileDevice::startArbitration(symbol_t masterAddress) {
     }
     return RESULT_OK;
   }
-  if (m_readOnly) {
-    return RESULT_ERR_SEND;
-  }
   m_arbitrationMaster = masterAddress;
   if (m_enhancedProto && masterAddress != SYN) {
     if (!write(masterAddress, true)) {
diff --git a/src/lib/ebus/device.h b/src/lib/ebus/device.h
index 407f2262..40bc9d62 100755
--- a/src/lib/ebus/device.h
+++ b/src/lib/ebus/device.h
@@ -99,10 +99,8 @@ class Device {
   /**
    * Construct a new instance.
    * @param name the device name (e.g. "/dev/ttyUSB0" for serial, "127.0.0.1:1234" for network).
-   * @param readOnly whether to allow read access to the device only.
-   * @param initialSend whether to send an initial @a ESC symbol in @a open().
    */
-  Device(const char* name, bool readOnly, bool initialSend);
+  explicit Device(const char* name);
 
  public:
   /**
@@ -115,13 +113,10 @@ class Device {
    * @param name the device name (e.g. "/dev/ttyUSB0" for serial, "127.0.0.1:1234" for network).
    * @param extraLatency the extra bus transfer latency in milliseconds.
    * @param checkDevice whether to regularly check the device availability (only for serial devices).
-   * @param readOnly whether to allow read access to the device only.
-   * @param initialSend whether to send an initial @a ESC symbol in @a open().
    * @return the new @a Device, or nullptr on error.
    * Note: the caller needs to free the created instance.
    */
-  static Device* create(const char* name, unsigned int extraLatency = 0, bool checkDevice = true,
-      bool readOnly = false, bool initialSend = false);
+  static Device* create(const char* name, unsigned int extraLatency = 0, bool checkDevice = true);
 
   /**
    * Get the device name.
@@ -129,12 +124,6 @@ class Device {
    */
   const char* getName() const { return m_name; }
 
-  /**
-   * Return whether to allow read access to the device only.
-   * @return whether to allow read access to the device only.
-   */
-  bool isReadOnly() const { return m_readOnly; }
-
   /**
    * Set the @a DeviceListener.
    * @param listener the @a DeviceListener.
@@ -142,13 +131,18 @@ class Device {
   void setListener(DeviceListener* listener) { m_listener = listener; }
 
   /**
-   * Format device infos in plain text or JSON format.
+   * Format device infos in plain text.
    * @param output the @a ostringstream to append the infos to.
    * @param verbose whether to add verbose infos.
-   * @param asJson whether to format as JSON rather than plain text.
-   * @param noWait true to not wait for any response asynchronously and return immediately.
+   * @param prefix true for the synchronously retrievable prefix, false for the potentially asynchronous suffix.
    */
-  virtual void formatInfo(ostringstream* output, bool verbose, bool asJson = false, bool noWait = false) = 0;
+  virtual void formatInfo(ostringstream* output, bool verbose, bool prefix) = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * Format device infos in JSON format.
+   * @param output the @a ostringstream to append the infos to.
+   */
+  virtual void formatInfoJson(ostringstream* output) = 0;
 
   /**
    * Open the file descriptor.
@@ -160,7 +154,7 @@ class Device {
    * Has to be called by subclasses upon successful opening the device as last action in open().
    * @return the @a result_t code.
    */
-  virtual result_t afterOpen();
+  virtual result_t afterOpen() { return RESULT_OK; }
 
   /**
    * Close the file descriptor if opened.
@@ -213,12 +207,6 @@ class Device {
   /** the device name (e.g. "/dev/ttyUSB0" for serial, "127.0.0.1:1234" for network). */
   const char* m_name;
 
-  /** whether to allow read access to the device only. */
-  const bool m_readOnly;
-
-  /** whether to send an initial @a ESC symbol in @a open(). */
-  const bool m_initialSend;
-
   /** the @a DeviceListener, or nullptr. */
   DeviceListener* m_listener;
 };
@@ -234,11 +222,9 @@ class FileDevice : public Device {
    * @param name the device name (e.g. "/dev/ttyUSB0" for serial, "127.0.0.1:1234" for network).
    * @param checkDevice whether to regularly check the device availability.
    * @param latency the bus transfer latency in milliseconds.
-   * @param readOnly whether to allow read access to the device only.
-   * @param initialSend whether to send an initial @a ESC symbol in @a open().
    * @param enhancedProto whether to use the ebusd enhanced protocol.
    */
-  FileDevice(const char* name, bool checkDevice, unsigned int latency, bool readOnly, bool initialSend,
+  FileDevice(const char* name, bool checkDevice, unsigned int latency,
       bool enhancedProto = false);
 
  public:
@@ -248,7 +234,10 @@ class FileDevice : public Device {
   virtual ~FileDevice();
 
   // @copydoc
-  void formatInfo(ostringstream* output, bool verbose, bool asJson = false, bool noWait = false) override;
+  void formatInfo(ostringstream* output, bool verbose, bool prefix) override;
+
+  // @copydoc
+  void formatInfoJson(ostringstream* output) override;
 
   // @copydoc
   result_t open() override;
@@ -450,14 +439,12 @@ class SerialDevice : public FileDevice {
    * @param name the device name (e.g. "/dev/ttyUSB0" for serial, "127.0.0.1:1234" for network).
    * @param checkDevice whether to regularly check the device availability.
    * @param extraLatency the extra bus transfer latency in milliseconds.
-   * @param readOnly whether to allow read access to the device only.
-   * @param initialSend whether to send an initial @a ESC symbol in @a open().
    * @param enhancedProto whether to use the ebusd enhanced protocol.
    * @param enhancedHighSpeed whether to use ebusd enhanced protocol in high speed mode.
    */
-  SerialDevice(const char* name, bool checkDevice, unsigned int extraLatency, bool readOnly, bool initialSend,
+  SerialDevice(const char* name, bool checkDevice, unsigned int extraLatency,
                bool enhancedProto = false, bool enhancedHighSpeed = false)
-    : FileDevice(name, checkDevice, extraLatency, readOnly, initialSend, enhancedProto),
+    : FileDevice(name, checkDevice, extraLatency, enhancedProto),
     m_enhancedHighSpeed(enhancedHighSpeed) {
   }
 
@@ -498,14 +485,12 @@ class NetworkDevice : public FileDevice {
    * @param hostOrIp the host name or IP address of the device.
    * @param port the TCP or UDP port of the device.
    * @param extraLatency the extra bus transfer latency in milliseconds.
-   * @param readOnly whether to allow read access to the device only.
-   * @param initialSend whether to send an initial @a ESC symbol in @a open().
    * @param udp true for UDP, false to TCP.
    * @param enhancedProto whether to use the ebusd enhanced protocol.
    */
-  NetworkDevice(const char* name, const char* hostOrIp, uint16_t port, unsigned int extraLatency, bool readOnly,
-      bool initialSend, bool udp, bool enhancedProto = false)
-    : FileDevice(name, true, NETWORK_LATENCY_MS+extraLatency, readOnly, initialSend, enhancedProto),
+  NetworkDevice(const char* name, const char* hostOrIp, uint16_t port, unsigned int extraLatency,
+      bool udp, bool enhancedProto = false)
+    : FileDevice(name, true, NETWORK_LATENCY_MS+extraLatency, enhancedProto),
     m_hostOrIp(hostOrIp), m_port(port), m_udp(udp) {}
 
   /**
@@ -514,6 +499,7 @@ class NetworkDevice : public FileDevice {
   ~NetworkDevice() override {
     if (m_hostOrIp) {
       free((void*)m_hostOrIp);
+      m_hostOrIp = nullptr;
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/src/lib/ebus/protocol.cpp b/src/lib/ebus/protocol.cpp
index 7842120a..9707916a 100644
--- a/src/lib/ebus/protocol.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/ebus/protocol.cpp
@@ -43,14 +43,35 @@ ProtocolHandler* ProtocolHandler::create(const ebus_protocol_config_t config,
   return new DirectProtocolHandler(config, device, listener);
 }
 
+void ProtocolHandler::formatInfo(ostringstream* ostream, bool verbose, bool noWait) {
+  m_device->formatInfo(ostream, verbose, true);
+  if (isReadOnly()) {
+    *ostream << ", readonly";
+  }
+  if (noWait) {
+    return;
+  }
+  m_device->formatInfo(ostream, verbose, false);
+}
+
+void ProtocolHandler::formatInfoJson(ostringstream* ostream) {
+  m_device->formatInfoJson(ostream);
+}
+
 void ProtocolHandler::clear() {
   memset(m_seenAddresses, 0, sizeof(m_seenAddresses));
   m_masterCount = 1;
 }
 
-bool ProtocolHandler::addRequest(BusRequest* request, bool wait) {
+result_t ProtocolHandler::addRequest(BusRequest* request, bool wait) {
+  if (m_config.readOnly) {
+    return RESULT_ERR_DEVICE;
+  }
   m_nextRequests.push(request);
-  return !wait || m_finishedRequests.remove(request, true);
+  if (!wait || m_finishedRequests.remove(request, true)) {
+    return RESULT_OK;
+  }
+  return RESULT_ERR_TIMEOUT;
 }
 
 result_t ProtocolHandler::sendAndWait(const MasterSymbolString& master, SlaveSymbolString* slave) {
@@ -63,8 +84,11 @@ result_t ProtocolHandler::sendAndWait(const MasterSymbolString& master, SlaveSym
   logInfo(lf_bus, "send message: %s", master.getStr().c_str());
 
   for (int sendRetries = m_config.failedSendRetries + 1; sendRetries > 0; sendRetries--) {
-    bool success = addRequest(&request, true);
-    result = success ? request.m_result : RESULT_ERR_TIMEOUT;
+    result = addRequest(&request, true);
+    bool success = result == RESULT_OK;
+    if (success) {
+      result = request.m_result;
+    }
     if (result == RESULT_OK) {
       break;
     }
@@ -103,7 +127,7 @@ bool ProtocolHandler::addSeenAddress(symbol_t address) {
     return false;
   }
   if (!isMaster(address)) {
-    if (!m_device->isReadOnly() && address == m_ownSlaveAddress) {
+    if (!m_config.readOnly && address == m_ownSlaveAddress) {
       if (!m_addressConflict) {
         m_addressConflict = true;
         logError(lf_bus, "own slave address %2.2x is used by another participant", address);
@@ -122,7 +146,7 @@ bool ProtocolHandler::addSeenAddress(symbol_t address) {
     return false;
   }
   bool ret = false;
-  if (!m_device->isReadOnly() && address == m_ownMasterAddress) {
+  if (!m_config.readOnly && address == m_ownMasterAddress) {
     if (!m_addressConflict) {
       m_addressConflict = true;
       logError(lf_bus, "own master address %2.2x is used by another participant", address);
diff --git a/src/lib/ebus/protocol.h b/src/lib/ebus/protocol.h
index eb743b45..2424ad07 100755
--- a/src/lib/ebus/protocol.h
+++ b/src/lib/ebus/protocol.h
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ namespace ebusd {
 
 /** settings for the eBUS protocol handler. */
 typedef struct ebus_protocol_config {
+  /** whether to allow read access to the device only. */
+  bool readOnly;
   /** the own master address. */
   symbol_t ownAddress;
   /** whether to answer queries for the own master/slave address. */
@@ -68,9 +70,19 @@ typedef struct ebus_protocol_config {
   unsigned int lockCount;
   /** whether to enable AUTO-SYN symbol generation. */
   bool generateSyn;
+  /** whether to send an initial escape symbol after connecting device. */
+  bool initialSend;
 } ebus_protocol_config_t;
 
 
+/** the possible protocol states. */
+enum ProtocolState {
+  ps_noSignal,   //!< no signal on the bus
+  ps_idle,       //!< idle (after @a SYN symbol)
+  ps_empty,      //!< idle, no more lock remaining, and no other request queued
+};
+
+
 class ProtocolHandler;
 
 /**
@@ -185,9 +197,9 @@ class ProtocolListener {
 
   /**
    * Called to notify a status update from the protocol.
-   * @param signal true when signal is acquired, false otherwise.
+   * @param state the current protocol state.
    */
-  virtual void notifyProtocolStatus(bool signal) = 0;  // abstract
+  virtual void notifyProtocolStatus(ProtocolState state) = 0;  // abstract
 
   /**
    * Called to notify a new valid seen address on the bus.
@@ -234,7 +246,7 @@ class ProtocolHandler : public WaitThread {
       m_reconnect(false),
       m_ownMasterAddress(config.ownAddress), m_ownSlaveAddress(getSlaveAddress(config.ownAddress)),
       m_addressConflict(false),
-      m_masterCount(device->isReadOnly()?0:1),
+      m_masterCount(config.readOnly ? 0 : 1),
       m_symbolLatencyMin(-1), m_symbolLatencyMax(-1), m_arbitrationDelayMin(-1),
       m_arbitrationDelayMax(-1), m_lastReceive(0),
       m_symPerSec(0), m_maxSymPerSec(0) {
@@ -266,6 +278,25 @@ class ProtocolHandler : public WaitThread {
    */
   static ProtocolHandler* create(const ebus_protocol_config_t config, Device* device, ProtocolListener* listener);
 
+  /**
+   * Format device/protocol infos in plain text.
+   * @param output the @a ostringstream to append the infos to.
+   * @param verbose whether to add verbose infos.
+   * @param noWait true to not wait for any response asynchronously and return immediately.
+   */
+  virtual void formatInfo(ostringstream* output, bool verbose, bool noWait);
+
+  /**
+   * Format device/protocol infos in JSON format.
+   * @param output the @a ostringstream to append the infos to.
+   */
+  virtual void formatInfoJson(ostringstream* output);
+
+  /**
+   * @return whether to allow read access to the device only.
+   */
+  bool isReadOnly() const { return m_config.readOnly; }
+
   /**
    * @return the own master address.
    */
@@ -286,7 +317,7 @@ class ProtocolHandler : public WaitThread {
    * @return @p true when the address is the own master or slave address (if not readonly).
    */
   bool isOwnAddress(symbol_t address) const {
-    return !m_device->isReadOnly() && (address == m_ownMasterAddress || address == m_ownSlaveAddress);
+    return !m_config.readOnly && (address == m_ownMasterAddress || address == m_ownSlaveAddress);
   }
 
   /**
@@ -324,9 +355,9 @@ class ProtocolHandler : public WaitThread {
    * Add a @a BusRequest to the internal queue and optionally wait for it to complete.
    * @param request the @a BusRequest to add.
    * @param wait true to wait for it to complete, false to return immediately.
-   * @return true when it was not waited for or when it was completed.
+   * @return the result code of adding the request (i.e. RESULT_OK when it was not waited for or when it was completed).
    */
-  virtual bool addRequest(BusRequest* request, bool wait);
+  virtual result_t addRequest(BusRequest* request, bool wait);
 
   /**
    * Send a message on the bus and wait for the answer.
diff --git a/src/lib/ebus/protocol_direct.cpp b/src/lib/ebus/protocol_direct.cpp
index 1b170b92..c66bd1cc 100644
--- a/src/lib/ebus/protocol_direct.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/ebus/protocol_direct.cpp
@@ -91,6 +91,9 @@ void DirectProtocolHandler::run() {
       result_t result = m_device->open();
       if (result == RESULT_OK) {
         logNotice(lf_bus, "re-opened %s", m_device->getName());
+        if (m_config.initialSend && !m_config.readOnly) {
+          m_device->send(ESC);
+        }
       } else {
         logError(lf_bus, "unable to open %s: %s", m_device->getName(), getResultCode(result));
         setState(bs_noSignal, result);
@@ -131,6 +134,10 @@ result_t DirectProtocolHandler::handleSymbol() {
     }
     if (!m_device->isArbitrating() && m_currentRequest == nullptr && m_remainLockCount == 0) {
       BusRequest* startRequest = m_nextRequests.peek();
+      if (startRequest == nullptr) {
+        m_listener->notifyProtocolStatus(ps_empty);
+        startRequest = m_nextRequests.peek();
+      }
       if (startRequest != nullptr) {  // initiate arbitration
         symbol_t master = startRequest->getMaster()[0];
         logDebug(lf_bus, "start request %2.2x", master);
@@ -220,7 +227,7 @@ result_t DirectProtocolHandler::handleSymbol() {
   // send symbol if necessary
   result_t result;
   struct timespec sentTime, recvTime;
-  if (sending) {
+  if (sending && !m_config.readOnly) {
     if (m_state != bs_sendSyn && (sendSymbol == ESC || sendSymbol == SYN)) {
       if (m_escape) {
         sendSymbol = (symbol_t)(sendSymbol == ESC ? 0x00 : 0x01);
@@ -254,7 +261,7 @@ result_t DirectProtocolHandler::handleSymbol() {
     clockGettime(&recvTime);
   }
   bool sentAutoSyn = false;
-  if (!sending && result == RESULT_ERR_TIMEOUT && m_generateSynInterval > 0
+  if (!sending && !m_config.readOnly && result == RESULT_ERR_TIMEOUT && m_generateSynInterval > 0
       && timeout >= m_generateSynInterval && (m_state == bs_noSignal || m_state == bs_skip)) {
     // check if acting as AUTO-SYN generator is required
     result = m_device->send(SYN);
@@ -671,7 +678,7 @@ result_t DirectProtocolHandler::setState(BusState state, result_t result, bool f
 
   if (state == bs_noSignal) {  // notify all requests
     if (m_state != bs_noSignal) {
-      m_listener->notifyProtocolStatus(false);
+      m_listener->notifyProtocolStatus(ps_idle);
     }
     m_response.clear();  // notify with empty response
     while ((m_currentRequest = m_nextRequests.pop()) != nullptr) {
@@ -686,7 +693,7 @@ result_t DirectProtocolHandler::setState(BusState state, result_t result, bool f
       }
     }
   } else if (m_state == bs_noSignal) {
-    m_listener->notifyProtocolStatus(true);
+    m_listener->notifyProtocolStatus(ps_noSignal);
   }
 
   m_escape = 0;