Abstract We have developed a prototype data acquisition and device control system for experiment instruments at the Material and Life science Facility (MLF)/Japan-Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). The system employs distributed computing via Ethernet, client/server architecture, modular structure and a state machine. Communication between client and server software utilizes socket protocols over TCP/IP. We have deployed this prototype software in the network distributed control system by improving the data acquisition software used at KENS, introducing the system for the SWAN at KENS/KEK. It was kept in working order throughout 2 weeks of machine operation.