diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/AnnotationKeys.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/AnnotationKeys.java
index 31e489e..5af7f7a 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/AnnotationKeys.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/AnnotationKeys.java
@@ -89,6 +89,16 @@
     public static final String DRIVER = "driver";
 
     /**
+     * Annotation key for the device availability behavior. The value of this key
+     * is expected to be a boolean ({@code true} or {@code false}) and it is
+     * used to determine if the device can be marked online by the core when
+     * deemed appropriate (value is {@code false}, default behaviour if key is
+     * not present), or if marking online should be left to providers ({@code
+     * true}).
+     */
+    public static final String PROVIDER_MARK_ONLINE = "providerMarkOnline";
+
+    /**
      * Annotation key for durable links.
      */
     public static final String DURABLE = "durable";