Add configuration options for monitoring

**Feature request**
It would be great to have serialization for controllers.

**Use case**
Many users need this functionality for production deployments.

**Implementation idea**
Add a new config option `enable_serialization` with default `false`.

The issue names no files or tests; start by locating controller configuration handling and any existing serialization or monitoring entry points. Done means the new enable_serialization option defaults to false and provides the requested controller serialization behavior, with the option and behavior verified.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.