diff --git a/clients/python/client-new.py b/clients/python/client-new.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0c08f7025
--- /dev/null
+++ b/clients/python/client-new.py
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+import math
+
+from villas.node.node import Node
+from villas.node.zeromq import ZeroMQNode
+
+
+def main():
+    zmq = ZeroMQInterface()
+
+    zmq_config = zmq.config
+    zmq_config['in']['signals'] = [
+        {
+            'name': 'a',
+            'type': 'float'
+        },
+        {
+            'name': 'b',
+            'type': 'float'
+        }
+    ]
+
+    hook_signals = [
+        {
+            'name': 'sum',
+            'type': 'float',
+            'expression': 'smp.data.a + smp.data.b'
+        },
+        {
+            'name': 'hyp',
+            'type': 'float',
+            'expression': 'math.sqrt(smp.data.a^2 + smp.data.b^2)'
+        },
+        {
+            'name': 'max',
+            'type': 'float',
+            'expression': 'math.max(smp.data.sine, smp.data[3])'
+        }
+    ]
+
+    config = {
+        'nodes': {
+            'zmq': zmq_config,
+            'sin_a': {
+                'type': 'signal'
+                'signal': 'sine',
+                'phase': 0
+            },
+            'sin_b': {
+                'type': 'signal'
+                'signal': 'sine',
+                'phase': math.pi / 2
+            }
+        },
+        'paths': [
+            {
+                'in': [
+                    'zmq.a',
+                    'zmq.b',
+                    'sin_a.sine',
+                    'sin_b.sine'
+                ],
+                'out': 'zmq',
+                'hooks': hook_signals
+            }
+        ]
+    }
+
+    node = Node(config)
+    node.start()
+
+    while x in range(0, 100):
+        smp = 
+
+        zmq.send(smp)
+
+        smp_recv = zmq.recv()
+
+        # assert smp_recv
+
+    node.stop()
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    main()
diff --git a/python/setup.py b/python/setup.py
index 0d5fb6a43..6887432e7 100644
--- a/python/setup.py
+++ b/python/setup.py
@@ -28,7 +28,9 @@ setup(
         'Programming Language :: Python :: 3'
     ],
     install_requires=[
-        'requests'
+        'requests',
+        'protobuf',
+        'pyzmq'
     ] + [
         'linuxfd'
     ] if sys.platform == 'linux' else [],
diff --git a/python/villas/node/node.py b/python/villas/node/node.py
index bf4c1ce2c..cbde39182 100644
--- a/python/villas/node/node.py
+++ b/python/villas/node/node.py
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class Node(object):
 
         self.log = open(self.log_filename, 'w+')
 
-        LOGGER.info("Starting VILLASnode instance with config: %s",
+        LOGGER.info("Starting VILLASnode instance with config: {}",
                     self.config_file.name)
 
         self.child = subprocess.Popen([self.executable, self.config_file.name],
diff --git a/python/villas/node/sample.py b/python/villas/node/sample.py
index 2f8e5914b..eac314a6f 100644
--- a/python/villas/node/sample.py
+++ b/python/villas/node/sample.py
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import re
+import villas.node.sample.villas_pb2
 from datetime import datetime
 from functools import total_ordering
 
-
 @total_ordering
 class Timestamp:
     """Parsing the VILLASnode human-readable timestamp format"""
@@ -75,6 +75,27 @@ class Sample:
 
     @classmethod
     def parse(cls, line):
+        return cls.decode(format='villas.human', line)
+
+    @classmethod
+    def decode(cls, format='protobuf', buffer):
+        if format == 'protobuf':
+            return cls.decode_protobuf(buffer)
+        elif format == 'villas.human':
+            return cls.decode_villas_human(buffer)
+        else:
+            raise NotImplementedError()
+
+    def encode(self, format='protobuf'):
+        if format == 'protobuf':
+            return cls.encode_protobuf()
+        elif format == 'villas.human':
+            return cls.encode_villas_human()
+        else:
+            raise NotImplementedError()
+
+    @classmethod
+    def decode_villas_human(self, buf):
         csv = line.split()
 
         ts = Timestamp.parse(csv[0])
@@ -97,6 +118,65 @@ class Sample:
 
         return Sample(ts, vs)
 
+    def encode_villas_human(self):
+        return bytes(self.__str__())
+
+    @classmethod
+    def decode_protobuf(cls, buffer):
+        msg = villas_pb2.Message()
+        msg.ParseFromString(buffer)
+
+        samples = []
+        for smp in msg:
+            if smp.HasField('timestamp'):
+                ts = Timestamp(
+                    smp.timestamp.sec,
+                    smp.timestamp.nsec
+                )
+            else:
+                ts = Timestamp.now()
+
+            if smp.HasField('sequence'):
+                ts.sequence = smp.sequence
+
+            values = []
+            for val in smp.values:
+                if val.HasField('f'):
+                    values.append(val.f)
+                elif val.HasField('i'):
+                    values.append(val.i)
+                elif val.HasField('b'):
+                    values.append(val.b)
+                elif val.HasField('z'):
+                    values.append(val.z)
+
+            sample = cls(ts, values)
+
+    def encode_protobuf(self):
+        msg = villas_pb2.Message()
+
+        smp = msg.samples.add()
+
+        ts = smp.timestamp.add()
+
+        ts.sec = self.ts.seconds
+        ts.nsec = self.ts.nanoseconds
+
+        for value in self.values:
+            val = smp.values.add()
+
+            if type(value) is int:
+                val.i = value
+            elif type(value) is float:
+                val.f = value
+            elif type(value) is bool:
+                val.b = value
+            elif type(value) is complex:
+                val.z.real = value.real
+                val.z.imag = value.imag
+        
+        return msg.SerializeToString()
+
     def __str__(self):
         return '%s\t%s' % (self.ts, "\t".join(map(str, self.values)))
 
diff --git a/python/villas/node/villas_pb2.py b/python/villas/node/villas_pb2.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1b90101cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/villas/node/villas_pb2.py
@@ -0,0 +1,329 @@
+# Generated by the protocol buffer compiler.  DO NOT EDIT!
+# source: villas.proto
+
+import sys
+_b=sys.version_info[0]<3 and (lambda x:x) or (lambda x:x.encode('latin1'))
+from google.protobuf import descriptor as _descriptor
+from google.protobuf import message as _message
+from google.protobuf import reflection as _reflection
+from google.protobuf import symbol_database as _symbol_database
+from google.protobuf import descriptor_pb2
+# @@protoc_insertion_point(imports)
+
+_sym_db = _symbol_database.Default()
+
+
+
+
+DESCRIPTOR = _descriptor.FileDescriptor(
+  name='villas.proto',
+  package='villas.node',
+  syntax='proto2',
+  serialized_pb=_b('\n\x0cvillas.proto\x12\x0bvillas.node\"/\n\x07Message\x12$\n\x07samples\x18\x01 \x03(\x0b\x32\x13.villas.node.Sample\"\xbe\x01\n\x06Sample\x12,\n\x04type\x18\x01 \x02(\x0e\x32\x18.villas.node.Sample.Type:\x04\x44\x41TA\x12\x10\n\x08sequence\x18\x02 \x01(\x04\x12)\n\ttimestamp\x18\x04 \x01(\x0b\x32\x16.villas.node.Timestamp\x12\"\n\x06values\x18\x05 \x03(\x0b\x32\x12.villas.node.Value\"%\n\x04Type\x12\x08\n\x04\x44\x41TA\x10\x01\x12\t\n\x05START\x10\x02\x12\x08\n\x04STOP\x10\x03\"&\n\tTimestamp\x12\x0b\n\x03sec\x18\x01 \x02(\r\x12\x0c\n\x04nsec\x18\x02 \x02(\r\"Z\n\x05Value\x12\x0b\n\x01\x66\x18\x01 \x01(\x01H\x00\x12\x0b\n\x01i\x18\x02 \x01(\x03H\x00\x12\x0b\n\x01\x62\x18\x03 \x01(\x08H\x00\x12!\n\x01z\x18\x04 \x01(\x0b\x32\x14.villas.node.ComplexH\x00\x42\x07\n\x05value\"%\n\x07\x43omplex\x12\x0c\n\x04real\x18\x01 \x02(\x02\x12\x0c\n\x04imag\x18\x02 \x02(\x02')
+)
+
+
+
+_SAMPLE_TYPE = _descriptor.EnumDescriptor(
+  name='Type',
+  full_name='villas.node.Sample.Type',
+  filename=None,
+  file=DESCRIPTOR,
+  values=[
+    _descriptor.EnumValueDescriptor(
+      name='DATA', index=0, number=1,
+      options=None,
+      type=None),
+    _descriptor.EnumValueDescriptor(
+      name='START', index=1, number=2,
+      options=None,
+      type=None),
+    _descriptor.EnumValueDescriptor(
+      name='STOP', index=2, number=3,
+      options=None,
+      type=None),
+  ],
+  containing_type=None,
+  options=None,
+  serialized_start=232,
+  serialized_end=269,
+)
+_sym_db.RegisterEnumDescriptor(_SAMPLE_TYPE)
+
+
+_MESSAGE = _descriptor.Descriptor(
+  name='Message',
+  full_name='villas.node.Message',
+  filename=None,
+  file=DESCRIPTOR,
+  containing_type=None,
+  fields=[
+    _descriptor.FieldDescriptor(
+      name='samples', full_name='villas.node.Message.samples', index=0,
+      number=1, type=11, cpp_type=10, label=3,
+      has_default_value=False, default_value=[],
+      message_type=None, enum_type=None, containing_type=None,
+      is_extension=False, extension_scope=None,
+      options=None, file=DESCRIPTOR),
+  ],
+  extensions=[
+  ],
+  nested_types=[],
+  enum_types=[
+  ],
+  options=None,
+  is_extendable=False,
+  syntax='proto2',
+  extension_ranges=[],
+  oneofs=[
+  ],
+  serialized_start=29,
+  serialized_end=76,
+)
+
+
+_SAMPLE = _descriptor.Descriptor(
+  name='Sample',
+  full_name='villas.node.Sample',
+  filename=None,
+  file=DESCRIPTOR,
+  containing_type=None,
+  fields=[
+    _descriptor.FieldDescriptor(
+      name='type', full_name='villas.node.Sample.type', index=0,
+      number=1, type=14, cpp_type=8, label=2,
+      has_default_value=True, default_value=1,
+      message_type=None, enum_type=None, containing_type=None,
+      is_extension=False, extension_scope=None,
+      options=None, file=DESCRIPTOR),
+    _descriptor.FieldDescriptor(
+      name='sequence', full_name='villas.node.Sample.sequence', index=1,
+      number=2, type=4, cpp_type=4, label=1,
+      has_default_value=False, default_value=0,
+      message_type=None, enum_type=None, containing_type=None,
+      is_extension=False, extension_scope=None,
+      options=None, file=DESCRIPTOR),
+    _descriptor.FieldDescriptor(
+      name='timestamp', full_name='villas.node.Sample.timestamp', index=2,
+      number=4, type=11, cpp_type=10, label=1,
+      has_default_value=False, default_value=None,
+      message_type=None, enum_type=None, containing_type=None,
+      is_extension=False, extension_scope=None,
+      options=None, file=DESCRIPTOR),
+    _descriptor.FieldDescriptor(
+      name='values', full_name='villas.node.Sample.values', index=3,
+      number=5, type=11, cpp_type=10, label=3,
+      has_default_value=False, default_value=[],
+      message_type=None, enum_type=None, containing_type=None,
+      is_extension=False, extension_scope=None,
+      options=None, file=DESCRIPTOR),
+  ],
+  extensions=[
+  ],
+  nested_types=[],
+  enum_types=[
+    _SAMPLE_TYPE,
+  ],
+  options=None,
+  is_extendable=False,
+  syntax='proto2',
+  extension_ranges=[],
+  oneofs=[
+  ],
+  serialized_start=79,
+  serialized_end=269,
+)
+
+
+_TIMESTAMP = _descriptor.Descriptor(
+  name='Timestamp',
+  full_name='villas.node.Timestamp',
+  filename=None,
+  file=DESCRIPTOR,
+  containing_type=None,
+  fields=[
+    _descriptor.FieldDescriptor(
+      name='sec', full_name='villas.node.Timestamp.sec', index=0,
+      number=1, type=13, cpp_type=3, label=2,
+      has_default_value=False, default_value=0,
+      message_type=None, enum_type=None, containing_type=None,
+      is_extension=False, extension_scope=None,
+      options=None, file=DESCRIPTOR),
+    _descriptor.FieldDescriptor(
+      name='nsec', full_name='villas.node.Timestamp.nsec', index=1,
+      number=2, type=13, cpp_type=3, label=2,
+      has_default_value=False, default_value=0,
+      message_type=None, enum_type=None, containing_type=None,
+      is_extension=False, extension_scope=None,
+      options=None, file=DESCRIPTOR),
+  ],
+  extensions=[
+  ],
+  nested_types=[],
+  enum_types=[
+  ],
+  options=None,
+  is_extendable=False,
+  syntax='proto2',
+  extension_ranges=[],
+  oneofs=[
+  ],
+  serialized_start=271,
+  serialized_end=309,
+)
+
+
+_VALUE = _descriptor.Descriptor(
+  name='Value',
+  full_name='villas.node.Value',
+  filename=None,
+  file=DESCRIPTOR,
+  containing_type=None,
+  fields=[
+    _descriptor.FieldDescriptor(
+      name='f', full_name='villas.node.Value.f', index=0,
+      number=1, type=1, cpp_type=5, label=1,
+      has_default_value=False, default_value=float(0),
+      message_type=None, enum_type=None, containing_type=None,
+      is_extension=False, extension_scope=None,
+      options=None, file=DESCRIPTOR),
+    _descriptor.FieldDescriptor(
+      name='i', full_name='villas.node.Value.i', index=1,
+      number=2, type=3, cpp_type=2, label=1,
+      has_default_value=False, default_value=0,
+      message_type=None, enum_type=None, containing_type=None,
+      is_extension=False, extension_scope=None,
+      options=None, file=DESCRIPTOR),
+    _descriptor.FieldDescriptor(
+      name='b', full_name='villas.node.Value.b', index=2,
+      number=3, type=8, cpp_type=7, label=1,
+      has_default_value=False, default_value=False,
+      message_type=None, enum_type=None, containing_type=None,
+      is_extension=False, extension_scope=None,
+      options=None, file=DESCRIPTOR),
+    _descriptor.FieldDescriptor(
+      name='z', full_name='villas.node.Value.z', index=3,
+      number=4, type=11, cpp_type=10, label=1,
+      has_default_value=False, default_value=None,
+      message_type=None, enum_type=None, containing_type=None,
+      is_extension=False, extension_scope=None,
+      options=None, file=DESCRIPTOR),
+  ],
+  extensions=[
+  ],
+  nested_types=[],
+  enum_types=[
+  ],
+  options=None,
+  is_extendable=False,
+  syntax='proto2',
+  extension_ranges=[],
+  oneofs=[
+    _descriptor.OneofDescriptor(
+      name='value', full_name='villas.node.Value.value',
+      index=0, containing_type=None, fields=[]),
+  ],
+  serialized_start=311,
+  serialized_end=401,
+)
+
+
+_COMPLEX = _descriptor.Descriptor(
+  name='Complex',
+  full_name='villas.node.Complex',
+  filename=None,
+  file=DESCRIPTOR,
+  containing_type=None,
+  fields=[
+    _descriptor.FieldDescriptor(
+      name='real', full_name='villas.node.Complex.real', index=0,
+      number=1, type=2, cpp_type=6, label=2,
+      has_default_value=False, default_value=float(0),
+      message_type=None, enum_type=None, containing_type=None,
+      is_extension=False, extension_scope=None,
+      options=None, file=DESCRIPTOR),
+    _descriptor.FieldDescriptor(
+      name='imag', full_name='villas.node.Complex.imag', index=1,
+      number=2, type=2, cpp_type=6, label=2,
+      has_default_value=False, default_value=float(0),
+      message_type=None, enum_type=None, containing_type=None,
+      is_extension=False, extension_scope=None,
+      options=None, file=DESCRIPTOR),
+  ],
+  extensions=[
+  ],
+  nested_types=[],
+  enum_types=[
+  ],
+  options=None,
+  is_extendable=False,
+  syntax='proto2',
+  extension_ranges=[],
+  oneofs=[
+  ],
+  serialized_start=403,
+  serialized_end=440,
+)
+
+_MESSAGE.fields_by_name['samples'].message_type = _SAMPLE
+_SAMPLE.fields_by_name['type'].enum_type = _SAMPLE_TYPE
+_SAMPLE.fields_by_name['timestamp'].message_type = _TIMESTAMP
+_SAMPLE.fields_by_name['values'].message_type = _VALUE
+_SAMPLE_TYPE.containing_type = _SAMPLE
+_VALUE.fields_by_name['z'].message_type = _COMPLEX
+_VALUE.oneofs_by_name['value'].fields.append(
+  _VALUE.fields_by_name['f'])
+_VALUE.fields_by_name['f'].containing_oneof = _VALUE.oneofs_by_name['value']
+_VALUE.oneofs_by_name['value'].fields.append(
+  _VALUE.fields_by_name['i'])
+_VALUE.fields_by_name['i'].containing_oneof = _VALUE.oneofs_by_name['value']
+_VALUE.oneofs_by_name['value'].fields.append(
+  _VALUE.fields_by_name['b'])
+_VALUE.fields_by_name['b'].containing_oneof = _VALUE.oneofs_by_name['value']
+_VALUE.oneofs_by_name['value'].fields.append(
+  _VALUE.fields_by_name['z'])
+_VALUE.fields_by_name['z'].containing_oneof = _VALUE.oneofs_by_name['value']
+DESCRIPTOR.message_types_by_name['Message'] = _MESSAGE
+DESCRIPTOR.message_types_by_name['Sample'] = _SAMPLE
+DESCRIPTOR.message_types_by_name['Timestamp'] = _TIMESTAMP
+DESCRIPTOR.message_types_by_name['Value'] = _VALUE
+DESCRIPTOR.message_types_by_name['Complex'] = _COMPLEX
+_sym_db.RegisterFileDescriptor(DESCRIPTOR)
+
+Message = _reflection.GeneratedProtocolMessageType('Message', (_message.Message,), dict(
+  DESCRIPTOR = _MESSAGE,
+  __module__ = 'villas_pb2'
+  # @@protoc_insertion_point(class_scope:villas.node.Message)
+  ))
+_sym_db.RegisterMessage(Message)
+
+Sample = _reflection.GeneratedProtocolMessageType('Sample', (_message.Message,), dict(
+  DESCRIPTOR = _SAMPLE,
+  __module__ = 'villas_pb2'
+  # @@protoc_insertion_point(class_scope:villas.node.Sample)
+  ))
+_sym_db.RegisterMessage(Sample)
+
+Timestamp = _reflection.GeneratedProtocolMessageType('Timestamp', (_message.Message,), dict(
+  DESCRIPTOR = _TIMESTAMP,
+  __module__ = 'villas_pb2'
+  # @@protoc_insertion_point(class_scope:villas.node.Timestamp)
+  ))
+_sym_db.RegisterMessage(Timestamp)
+
+Value = _reflection.GeneratedProtocolMessageType('Value', (_message.Message,), dict(
+  DESCRIPTOR = _VALUE,
+  __module__ = 'villas_pb2'
+  # @@protoc_insertion_point(class_scope:villas.node.Value)
+  ))
+_sym_db.RegisterMessage(Value)
+
+Complex = _reflection.GeneratedProtocolMessageType('Complex', (_message.Message,), dict(
+  DESCRIPTOR = _COMPLEX,
+  __module__ = 'villas_pb2'
+  # @@protoc_insertion_point(class_scope:villas.node.Complex)
+  ))
+_sym_db.RegisterMessage(Complex)
+
+
+# @@protoc_insertion_point(module_scope)
diff --git a/python/villas/node/zeromq.py b/python/villas/node/zeromq.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..db7882780
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/villas/node/zeromq.py
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+import zmq
+import zmq.asyncio
+
+class Interface:
+
+    def __init__(self, format):
+        self.format = format
+
+
+class ZeroMQInterface(Interface):
+
+    def __init__(self, format):
+        super().__init__(format)
+
+        self.context = zmq.Context()
+        self.socket = context.socket(zmq.REP)
+
+    @property
+    def config(self):
+        return {
+            'type': 'zeromq',
+            'pattern': 'pubsub',
+            'ipv6': False,
+
+            'curve': { # Z85 encoded Curve25519 keys
+                'enabled': False,
+                'public_key': 'Veg+Q.V-c&1k>yVh663gQ^7fL($y47gybE-nZP1L'
+                'secret_key': 'HPY.+mFuB[jGs@(zZr6$IZ1H1dZ7Ji*j>oi@O?Pc'
+            }
+
+            'in': {
+                'subscribe': '',
+                'filter': self.filter
+            },
+            'out': {
+                'publish': [
+                    ''
+                ],
+                'filter': self.filter
+            }
+        }
+
+    def connect(self, addr):
+        self.socket.connect(addr)
+
+    def bind(self, addr):
+        self.socket.bind(addr)
+
+    def send(self, sample):
+        buffer = sample.encode(self.format, sample)
+
+        self.socket.send(buffer)
+
+    def recv(self):
+        buffer = self.socket.recv()
+
+        return Sample.decode(self.format, buffer)
+
+
+class AsyncZeroMQNode(ZeroMQNode):
+
+    def __init__(self, format):
+        Interface.__init__(self, format)
+
+        self.context = zmq.asyncio.Context()
+        self.socket = context.socket(zmq.REP)
+
+    async def send(self, sample):
+        buffer = sample.encode(self.format, sample)
+
+        await self.socket.send(buffer)
+
+    async def recv(self):
+        buffer = await self.socket.recv()
+
+        return Sample.decode(self.format, buffer)