diff --git a/apps/ifwd/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/ifwd/IntentReactiveForwarding.java b/apps/ifwd/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/ifwd/IntentReactiveForwarding.java
index 15c7bc3..fded98f 100644
--- a/apps/ifwd/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/ifwd/IntentReactiveForwarding.java
+++ b/apps/ifwd/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/ifwd/IntentReactiveForwarding.java
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 package org.onlab.onos.ifwd;
 
+import static org.slf4j.LoggerFactory.getLogger;
+
 import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Activate;
 import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Component;
 import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Deactivate;
@@ -26,8 +28,6 @@
 import org.onlab.packet.Ethernet;
 import org.slf4j.Logger;
 
-import static org.slf4j.LoggerFactory.getLogger;
-
 /**
  * WORK-IN-PROGRESS: Sample reactive forwarding application using intent framework.
  */
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 
     private ReactivePacketProcessor processor = new ReactivePacketProcessor();
 
-    private static long intentId = 1;
+    private static long intentId = 0x123000;
 
     @Activate
     public void activate() {
diff --git a/core/net/pom.xml b/core/net/pom.xml
index c075147..6518068 100644
--- a/core/net/pom.xml
+++ b/core/net/pom.xml
@@ -36,6 +36,12 @@
             <scope>test</scope>
         </dependency>
 
+	<dependency>
+	    <groupId>org.easymock</groupId>
+	    <artifactId>easymock</artifactId>
+	    <scope>test</scope>
+	</dependency>
+
         <!-- TODO Consider removing store dependency.
               Currently required for DistributedDeviceManagerTest. -->
         <dependency>
diff --git a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitor.java b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitor.java
index 6795cad..e6e348f 100644
--- a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitor.java
+++ b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitor.java
@@ -60,14 +60,15 @@
      *
      * @param deviceService device service used to find edge ports
      * @param packetService packet service used to send packets on the data plane
-     * @param hostService host service used to look up host information
+     * @param hostManager host manager used to look up host information and
+     * probe existing hosts
      */
     public HostMonitor(DeviceService deviceService, PacketService packetService,
-            HostManager hostService) {
+            HostManager hostManager) {
 
         this.deviceService = deviceService;
         this.packetService = packetService;
-        this.hostManager = hostService;
+        this.hostManager = hostManager;
 
         monitoredAddresses = Collections.newSetFromMap(
                 new ConcurrentHashMap<IpAddress, Boolean>());
diff --git a/core/net/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitorTest.java b/core/net/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitorTest.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d766251
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/net/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitorTest.java
@@ -0,0 +1,220 @@
+package org.onlab.onos.net.host.impl;
+
+import static org.easymock.EasyMock.createMock;
+import static org.easymock.EasyMock.expect;
+import static org.easymock.EasyMock.expectLastCall;
+import static org.easymock.EasyMock.replay;
+import static org.easymock.EasyMock.verify;
+import static org.junit.Assert.assertTrue;
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Arrays;
+import java.util.Collections;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Set;
+
+import org.junit.Test;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.ConnectPoint;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.Device;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.DeviceId;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.Host;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.MastershipRole;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.Port;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.PortNumber;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.device.DeviceListener;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.device.DeviceService;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.flow.instructions.Instruction;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.flow.instructions.Instructions.OutputInstruction;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.host.HostProvider;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.host.PortAddresses;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.packet.OutboundPacket;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.packet.PacketProcessor;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.packet.PacketService;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.provider.ProviderId;
+import org.onlab.packet.ARP;
+import org.onlab.packet.Ethernet;
+import org.onlab.packet.IpAddress;
+import org.onlab.packet.IpPrefix;
+import org.onlab.packet.MacAddress;
+
+import com.google.common.collect.HashMultimap;
+import com.google.common.collect.Lists;
+import com.google.common.collect.Multimap;
+
+public class HostMonitorTest {
+
+    private IpAddress targetIpAddress = IpAddress.valueOf("10.0.0.1");
+    private IpPrefix targetIpPrefix = IpPrefix.valueOf(targetIpAddress.toOctets());
+
+    private IpPrefix sourcePrefix = IpPrefix.valueOf("10.0.0.99/24");
+    private MacAddress sourceMac = MacAddress.valueOf(1L);
+
+    private HostMonitor hostMonitor;
+
+    @Test
+    public void testMonitorHostExists() throws Exception {
+        ProviderId id = new ProviderId("fake://", "id");
+
+        Host host = createMock(Host.class);
+        expect(host.providerId()).andReturn(id);
+        replay(host);
+
+        HostManager hostManager = createMock(HostManager.class);
+        expect(hostManager.getHostsByIp(targetIpPrefix))
+                .andReturn(Collections.singleton(host));
+        replay(hostManager);
+
+        HostProvider hostProvider = createMock(HostProvider.class);
+        expect(hostProvider.id()).andReturn(id).anyTimes();
+        hostProvider.triggerProbe(host);
+        expectLastCall().once();
+        replay(hostProvider);
+
+        hostMonitor = new HostMonitor(null, null, hostManager);
+
+        hostMonitor.registerHostProvider(hostProvider);
+        hostMonitor.addMonitoringFor(targetIpAddress);
+
+        hostMonitor.run(null);
+
+        verify(hostProvider);
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    public void testMonitorHostDoesNotExist() throws Exception {
+        HostManager hostManager = createMock(HostManager.class);
+
+        DeviceId devId = DeviceId.deviceId("fake");
+
+        Device device = createMock(Device.class);
+        expect(device.id()).andReturn(devId).anyTimes();
+        replay(device);
+
+        PortNumber portNum = PortNumber.portNumber(1L);
+
+        Port port = createMock(Port.class);
+        expect(port.number()).andReturn(portNum).anyTimes();
+        replay(port);
+
+        TestDeviceService deviceService = new TestDeviceService();
+        deviceService.addDevice(device, Collections.singleton(port));
+
+        ConnectPoint cp = new ConnectPoint(devId, portNum);
+        PortAddresses pa = new PortAddresses(cp, Collections.singleton(sourcePrefix),
+                sourceMac);
+
+        expect(hostManager.getHostsByIp(targetIpPrefix))
+                .andReturn(Collections.<Host>emptySet()).anyTimes();
+        expect(hostManager.getAddressBindingsForPort(cp))
+                .andReturn(pa).anyTimes();
+        replay(hostManager);
+
+        TestPacketService packetService = new TestPacketService();
+
+
+        // Run the test
+        hostMonitor = new HostMonitor(deviceService, packetService, hostManager);
+
+        hostMonitor.addMonitoringFor(targetIpAddress);
+        hostMonitor.run(null);
+
+
+        // Check that a packet was sent to our PacketService and that it has
+        // the properties we expect
+        assertTrue(packetService.packets.size() == 1);
+        OutboundPacket packet = packetService.packets.get(0);
+
+        // Check the output port is correct
+        assertTrue(packet.treatment().instructions().size() == 1);
+        Instruction instruction = packet.treatment().instructions().get(0);
+        assertTrue(instruction instanceof OutputInstruction);
+        OutputInstruction oi = (OutputInstruction) instruction;
+        assertTrue(oi.port().equals(portNum));
+
+        // Check the output packet is correct (well the important bits anyway)
+        Ethernet eth = new Ethernet();
+        eth.deserialize(packet.data().array(), 0, packet.data().array().length);
+        ARP arp = (ARP) eth.getPayload();
+        assertTrue(Arrays.equals(arp.getSenderProtocolAddress(), sourcePrefix.toOctets()));
+        assertTrue(Arrays.equals(arp.getSenderHardwareAddress(), sourceMac.toBytes()));
+        assertTrue(Arrays.equals(arp.getTargetProtocolAddress(), targetIpPrefix.toOctets()));
+    }
+
+    class TestPacketService implements PacketService {
+
+        List<OutboundPacket> packets = new ArrayList<>();
+
+        @Override
+        public void addProcessor(PacketProcessor processor, int priority) {
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public void removeProcessor(PacketProcessor processor) {
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public void emit(OutboundPacket packet) {
+            packets.add(packet);
+        }
+    }
+
+    class TestDeviceService implements DeviceService {
+
+        List<Device> devices = Lists.newArrayList();
+        Multimap<DeviceId, Port> devicePorts = HashMultimap.create();
+
+        void addDevice(Device device, Set<Port> ports) {
+            devices.add(device);
+            for (Port p : ports) {
+                devicePorts.put(device.id(), p);
+            }
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public int getDeviceCount() {
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public Iterable<Device> getDevices() {
+            return devices;
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public Device getDevice(DeviceId deviceId) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public MastershipRole getRole(DeviceId deviceId) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public List<Port> getPorts(DeviceId deviceId) {
+            List<Port> ports = Lists.newArrayList();
+            for (Port p : devicePorts.get(deviceId)) {
+                ports.add(p);
+            }
+            return ports;
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public Port getPort(DeviceId deviceId, PortNumber portNumber) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public boolean isAvailable(DeviceId deviceId) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public void addListener(DeviceListener listener) {
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public void removeListener(DeviceListener listener) {
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/ClusterCommunicationAdminService.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/ClusterCommunicationAdminService.java
index 5966f12..0bc31fa 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/ClusterCommunicationAdminService.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/ClusterCommunicationAdminService.java
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 import org.onlab.onos.cluster.ControllerNode;
 import org.onlab.onos.store.cluster.impl.ClusterNodesDelegate;
 
+// TODO: This service interface can be removed, once we properly start
+// using ClusterService
 /**
  * Service for administering communications manager.
  */
diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/ClusterMessage.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/ClusterMessage.java
index ee558dd..5d04a46 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/ClusterMessage.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/ClusterMessage.java
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 import org.onlab.onos.cluster.NodeId;
 
+// TODO: ClusterMessage should be aware about how to serialize the payload
+// TODO: Should payload type be made generic?
 /**
  * Base message for cluster-wide communications.
  */
diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/ClusterMessageHandler.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/ClusterMessageHandler.java
index 7ec27ec..4dd7bc2 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/ClusterMessageHandler.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/ClusterMessageHandler.java
@@ -10,4 +10,4 @@
      * @param message cluster message.
      */
     public void handle(ClusterMessage message);
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/MessageSubject.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/MessageSubject.java
index ee8d9c1..ee3e789 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/MessageSubject.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/MessageSubject.java
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 package org.onlab.onos.store.cluster.messaging;
 
+import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkNotNull;
+
+import java.util.Objects;
+
 /**
  * Representation of a message subject.
  * Cluster messages have associated subjects that dictate how they get handled
@@ -10,7 +14,7 @@
     private final String value;
 
     public MessageSubject(String value) {
-        this.value = value;
+        this.value = checkNotNull(value);
     }
 
     public String value() {
@@ -21,4 +25,24 @@
     public String toString() {
         return value;
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public int hashCode() {
+        return value.hashCode();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public boolean equals(Object obj) {
+        if (this == obj) {
+            return true;
+        }
+        if (obj == null) {
+            return false;
+        }
+        if (getClass() != obj.getClass()) {
+            return false;
+        }
+        MessageSubject that = (MessageSubject) obj;
+        return Objects.equals(this.value, that.value);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterCommunicationManager.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterCommunicationManager.java
index d4fd9c0..2e8937c 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterCommunicationManager.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterCommunicationManager.java
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 
     private ControllerNode localNode;
     private ClusterNodesDelegate nodesDelegate;
+    // FIXME: `members` should go away and should be using ClusterService
     private Map<NodeId, ControllerNode> members = new HashMap<>();
     private final Timer timer = new Timer("onos-controller-heatbeats");
     public static final long HEART_BEAT_INTERVAL_MILLIS = 1000L;
diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterMessageSubjects.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterMessageSubjects.java
index d1f75ae..11f6228 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterMessageSubjects.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/cluster/messaging/impl/ClusterMessageSubjects.java
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 import org.onlab.onos.store.cluster.messaging.MessageSubject;
 
 public final class ClusterMessageSubjects {
+    // avoid instantiation
     private ClusterMessageSubjects() {}
+
     public static final MessageSubject CLUSTER_MEMBERSHIP_EVENT = new MessageSubject("CLUSTER_MEMBERSHIP_EVENT");
 }
diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/common/impl/Timestamped.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/common/impl/Timestamped.java
index 2908b16..0598d6d 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/common/impl/Timestamped.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/common/impl/Timestamped.java
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 
 import org.onlab.onos.store.Timestamp;
 
+import com.google.common.base.MoreObjects;
+
 /**
  * Wrapper class to store Timestamped value.
  * @param <T>
@@ -70,6 +72,14 @@
         return Objects.equals(this.timestamp, that.timestamp);
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public String toString() {
+        return MoreObjects.toStringHelper(getClass())
+                    .add("timestamp", timestamp)
+                    .add("value", value)
+                    .toString();
+    }
+
     // Default constructor for serialization
     @Deprecated
     protected Timestamped() {
diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/device/impl/GossipDeviceStore.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/device/impl/GossipDeviceStore.java
index 85d9b07..8316769 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/device/impl/GossipDeviceStore.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/device/impl/GossipDeviceStore.java
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@
 
 import com.google.common.collect.FluentIterable;
 import com.google.common.collect.ImmutableList;
-
+import com.google.common.collect.Maps;
+import com.google.common.collect.Sets;
 import org.apache.commons.lang3.concurrent.ConcurrentException;
 import org.apache.commons.lang3.concurrent.ConcurrentInitializer;
 import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Activate;
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@
 import static org.onlab.onos.net.DefaultAnnotations.union;
 import static com.google.common.base.Verify.verify;
 
-// TODO: implement remove event handling and call *Internal
+// TODO: give me a better name
 /**
  * Manages inventory of infrastructure devices using gossip protocol to distribute
  * information.
@@ -79,14 +80,18 @@
     // collection of Description given from various providers
     private final ConcurrentMap<DeviceId,
                             ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions>>
-                                deviceDescs = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+                                deviceDescs = Maps.newConcurrentMap();
 
     // cache of Device and Ports generated by compositing descriptions from providers
-    private final ConcurrentMap<DeviceId, Device> devices = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
-    private final ConcurrentMap<DeviceId, ConcurrentMap<PortNumber, Port>> devicePorts = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+    private final ConcurrentMap<DeviceId, Device> devices = Maps.newConcurrentMap();
+    private final ConcurrentMap<DeviceId, ConcurrentMap<PortNumber, Port>> devicePorts = Maps.newConcurrentMap();
+
+    // to be updated under Device lock
+    private final Map<DeviceId, Timestamp> offline = Maps.newHashMap();
+    private final Map<DeviceId, Timestamp> removalRequest = Maps.newHashMap();
 
     // available(=UP) devices
-    private final Set<DeviceId> availableDevices = new HashSet<>();
+    private final Set<DeviceId> availableDevices = Sets.newConcurrentHashSet();
 
     @Reference(cardinality = ReferenceCardinality.MANDATORY_UNARY)
     protected ClockService clockService;
@@ -121,7 +126,8 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public synchronized DeviceEvent createOrUpdateDevice(ProviderId providerId, DeviceId deviceId,
+    public synchronized DeviceEvent createOrUpdateDevice(ProviderId providerId,
+                                     DeviceId deviceId,
                                      DeviceDescription deviceDescription) {
         Timestamp newTimestamp = clockService.getTimestamp(deviceId);
         final Timestamped<DeviceDescription> deltaDesc = new Timestamped<>(deviceDescription, newTimestamp);
@@ -133,22 +139,26 @@
         return event;
     }
 
-    private DeviceEvent createOrUpdateDeviceInternal(ProviderId providerId, DeviceId deviceId,
-                Timestamped<DeviceDescription> deltaDesc) {
+    private DeviceEvent createOrUpdateDeviceInternal(ProviderId providerId,
+                                    DeviceId deviceId,
+                                    Timestamped<DeviceDescription> deltaDesc) {
 
         // Collection of DeviceDescriptions for a Device
         ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> providerDescs
             = getDeviceDescriptions(deviceId);
 
-
-        DeviceDescriptions descs
-            = createIfAbsentUnchecked(providerDescs, providerId,
-                    new InitDeviceDescs(deltaDesc));
-
-        // update description
         synchronized (providerDescs) {
             // locking per device
 
+            if (isDeviceRemoved(deviceId, deltaDesc.timestamp())) {
+                log.debug("Ignoring outdated event: {}", deltaDesc);
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            DeviceDescriptions descs
+                = createIfAbsentUnchecked(providerDescs, providerId,
+                    new InitDeviceDescs(deltaDesc));
+
             final Device oldDevice = devices.get(deviceId);
             final Device newDevice;
 
@@ -163,18 +173,18 @@
             }
             if (oldDevice == null) {
                 // ADD
-                return createDevice(providerId, newDevice);
+                return createDevice(providerId, newDevice, deltaDesc.timestamp());
             } else {
                 // UPDATE or ignore (no change or stale)
-                return updateDevice(providerId, oldDevice, newDevice);
+                return updateDevice(providerId, oldDevice, newDevice, deltaDesc.timestamp());
             }
         }
     }
 
     // Creates the device and returns the appropriate event if necessary.
-    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=locking Device)
+    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=Device lock)
     private DeviceEvent createDevice(ProviderId providerId,
-                                    Device newDevice) {
+                                     Device newDevice, Timestamp timestamp) {
 
         // update composed device cache
         Device oldDevice = devices.putIfAbsent(newDevice.id(), newDevice);
@@ -183,16 +193,17 @@
                 providerId, oldDevice, newDevice);
 
         if (!providerId.isAncillary()) {
-            availableDevices.add(newDevice.id());
+            markOnline(newDevice.id(), timestamp);
         }
 
         return new DeviceEvent(DeviceEvent.Type.DEVICE_ADDED, newDevice, null);
     }
 
     // Updates the device and returns the appropriate event if necessary.
-    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=locking Device)
+    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=Device lock)
     private DeviceEvent updateDevice(ProviderId providerId,
-                                     Device oldDevice, Device newDevice) {
+                                     Device oldDevice,
+                                     Device newDevice, Timestamp newTimestamp) {
 
         // We allow only certain attributes to trigger update
         if (!Objects.equals(oldDevice.hwVersion(), newDevice.hwVersion()) ||
@@ -207,14 +218,14 @@
                         , newDevice);
             }
             if (!providerId.isAncillary()) {
-                availableDevices.add(newDevice.id());
+                markOnline(newDevice.id(), newTimestamp);
             }
             return new DeviceEvent(DeviceEvent.Type.DEVICE_UPDATED, newDevice, null);
         }
 
         // Otherwise merely attempt to change availability if primary provider
         if (!providerId.isAncillary()) {
-            boolean added = availableDevices.add(newDevice.id());
+            boolean added = markOnline(newDevice.id(), newTimestamp);
             return !added ? null :
                     new DeviceEvent(DEVICE_AVAILABILITY_CHANGED, newDevice, null);
         }
@@ -223,11 +234,29 @@
 
     @Override
     public DeviceEvent markOffline(DeviceId deviceId) {
-        ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> providerDescs
+        Timestamp timestamp = clockService.getTimestamp(deviceId);
+        return markOfflineInternal(deviceId, timestamp);
+    }
+
+    private DeviceEvent markOfflineInternal(DeviceId deviceId, Timestamp timestamp) {
+
+        Map<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> providerDescs
             = getDeviceDescriptions(deviceId);
 
         // locking device
         synchronized (providerDescs) {
+
+            // accept off-line if given timestamp is newer than
+            // the latest Timestamp from Primary provider
+            DeviceDescriptions primDescs = getPrimaryDescriptions(providerDescs);
+            Timestamp lastTimestamp = primDescs.getLatestTimestamp();
+            if (timestamp.compareTo(lastTimestamp) <= 0) {
+                // outdated event ignore
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            offline.put(deviceId, timestamp);
+
             Device device = devices.get(deviceId);
             if (device == null) {
                 return null;
@@ -236,15 +265,37 @@
             if (removed) {
                 // TODO: broadcast ... DOWN only?
                 return new DeviceEvent(DEVICE_AVAILABILITY_CHANGED, device, null);
-
             }
             return null;
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Marks the device as available if the given timestamp is not outdated,
+     * compared to the time the device has been marked offline.
+     *
+     * @param deviceId identifier of the device
+     * @param timestamp of the event triggering this change.
+     * @return true if availability change request was accepted and changed the state
+     */
+    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=Device lock)
+    private boolean markOnline(DeviceId deviceId, Timestamp timestamp) {
+        // accept on-line if given timestamp is newer than
+        // the latest offline request Timestamp
+        Timestamp offlineTimestamp = offline.get(deviceId);
+        if (offlineTimestamp == null ||
+            offlineTimestamp.compareTo(timestamp) < 0) {
+
+            offline.remove(deviceId);
+            return availableDevices.add(deviceId);
+        }
+        return false;
+    }
+
     @Override
-    public synchronized List<DeviceEvent> updatePorts(ProviderId providerId, DeviceId deviceId,
-            List<PortDescription> portDescriptions) {
+    public synchronized List<DeviceEvent> updatePorts(ProviderId providerId,
+                                       DeviceId deviceId,
+                                       List<PortDescription> portDescriptions) {
         Timestamp newTimestamp = clockService.getTimestamp(deviceId);
 
         List<Timestamped<PortDescription>> deltaDescs = new ArrayList<>(portDescriptions.size());
@@ -252,7 +303,8 @@
             deltaDescs.add(new Timestamped<PortDescription>(e, newTimestamp));
         }
 
-        List<DeviceEvent> events = updatePortsInternal(providerId, deviceId, deltaDescs);
+        List<DeviceEvent> events = updatePortsInternal(providerId, deviceId,
+                          new Timestamped<>(portDescriptions, newTimestamp));
         if (!events.isEmpty()) {
             // FIXME: broadcast deltaDesc, UP
             log.debug("broadcast deltaDesc");
@@ -261,8 +313,9 @@
 
     }
 
-    private List<DeviceEvent> updatePortsInternal(ProviderId providerId, DeviceId deviceId,
-                List<Timestamped<PortDescription>> deltaDescs) {
+    private List<DeviceEvent> updatePortsInternal(ProviderId providerId,
+                                DeviceId deviceId,
+                                Timestamped<List<PortDescription>> portDescriptions) {
 
         Device device = devices.get(deviceId);
         checkArgument(device != null, DEVICE_NOT_FOUND, deviceId);
@@ -270,30 +323,41 @@
         ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> descsMap = deviceDescs.get(deviceId);
         checkArgument(descsMap != null, DEVICE_NOT_FOUND, deviceId);
 
-        DeviceDescriptions descs = descsMap.get(providerId);
-        // every provider must provide DeviceDescription.
-        checkArgument(descs != null,
-                "Device description for Device ID %s from Provider %s was not found",
-                deviceId, providerId);
-
         List<DeviceEvent> events = new ArrayList<>();
         synchronized (descsMap) {
+
+            if (isDeviceRemoved(deviceId, portDescriptions.timestamp())) {
+                log.debug("Ignoring outdated events: {}", portDescriptions);
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            DeviceDescriptions descs = descsMap.get(providerId);
+            // every provider must provide DeviceDescription.
+            checkArgument(descs != null,
+                    "Device description for Device ID %s from Provider %s was not found",
+                    deviceId, providerId);
+
             Map<PortNumber, Port> ports = getPortMap(deviceId);
 
+            final Timestamp newTimestamp = portDescriptions.timestamp();
+
             // Add new ports
             Set<PortNumber> processed = new HashSet<>();
-            for (Timestamped<PortDescription> deltaDesc : deltaDescs) {
-                final PortNumber number = deltaDesc.value().portNumber();
+            for (PortDescription portDescription : portDescriptions.value()) {
+                final PortNumber number = portDescription.portNumber();
+                processed.add(number);
+
                 final Port oldPort = ports.get(number);
                 final Port newPort;
 
+
                 final Timestamped<PortDescription> existingPortDesc = descs.getPortDesc(number);
                 if (existingPortDesc == null ||
-                    deltaDesc == existingPortDesc ||
-                    deltaDesc.isNewer(existingPortDesc)) {
+                    newTimestamp.compareTo(existingPortDesc.timestamp()) >= 0) {
                     // on new port or valid update
                     // update description
-                    descs.putPortDesc(deltaDesc);
+                    descs.putPortDesc(new Timestamped<>(portDescription,
+                                            portDescriptions.timestamp()));
                     newPort = composePort(device, number, descsMap);
                 } else {
                     // outdated event, ignored.
@@ -303,7 +367,6 @@
                 events.add(oldPort == null ?
                                    createPort(device, newPort, ports) :
                                    updatePort(device, oldPort, newPort, ports));
-                processed.add(number);
             }
 
             events.addAll(pruneOldPorts(device, ports, processed));
@@ -313,7 +376,7 @@
 
     // Creates a new port based on the port description adds it to the map and
     // Returns corresponding event.
-    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=locking Device)
+    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=Device lock)
     private DeviceEvent createPort(Device device, Port newPort,
                                    Map<PortNumber, Port> ports) {
         ports.put(newPort.number(), newPort);
@@ -322,7 +385,7 @@
 
     // Checks if the specified port requires update and if so, it replaces the
     // existing entry in the map and returns corresponding event.
-    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=locking Device)
+    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=Device lock)
     private DeviceEvent updatePort(Device device, Port oldPort,
                                    Port newPort,
                                    Map<PortNumber, Port> ports) {
@@ -337,7 +400,7 @@
 
     // Prunes the specified list of ports based on which ports are in the
     // processed list and returns list of corresponding events.
-    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=locking Device)
+    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=Device lock)
     private List<DeviceEvent> pruneOldPorts(Device device,
                                             Map<PortNumber, Port> ports,
                                             Set<PortNumber> processed) {
@@ -389,13 +452,19 @@
         ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> descsMap = deviceDescs.get(deviceId);
         checkArgument(descsMap != null, DEVICE_NOT_FOUND, deviceId);
 
-        DeviceDescriptions descs = descsMap.get(providerId);
-        // assuming all providers must to give DeviceDescription
-        checkArgument(descs != null,
-                "Device description for Device ID %s from Provider %s was not found",
-                deviceId, providerId);
-
         synchronized (descsMap) {
+
+            if (isDeviceRemoved(deviceId, deltaDesc.timestamp())) {
+                log.debug("Ignoring outdated event: {}", deltaDesc);
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            DeviceDescriptions descs = descsMap.get(providerId);
+            // assuming all providers must to give DeviceDescription
+            checkArgument(descs != null,
+                    "Device description for Device ID %s from Provider %s was not found",
+                    deviceId, providerId);
+
             ConcurrentMap<PortNumber, Port> ports = getPortMap(deviceId);
             final PortNumber number = deltaDesc.value().portNumber();
             final Port oldPort = ports.get(number);
@@ -443,19 +512,51 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public DeviceEvent removeDevice(DeviceId deviceId) {
-        ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> descs = getDeviceDescriptions(deviceId);
+    public synchronized DeviceEvent removeDevice(DeviceId deviceId) {
+        Timestamp timestamp = clockService.getTimestamp(deviceId);
+        DeviceEvent event = removeDeviceInternal(deviceId, timestamp);
+        // TODO: broadcast removal event
+        return event;
+    }
+
+    private DeviceEvent removeDeviceInternal(DeviceId deviceId,
+                                             Timestamp timestamp) {
+
+        Map<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> descs = getDeviceDescriptions(deviceId);
         synchronized (descs) {
+            // accept removal request if given timestamp is newer than
+            // the latest Timestamp from Primary provider
+            DeviceDescriptions primDescs = getPrimaryDescriptions(descs);
+            Timestamp lastTimestamp = primDescs.getLatestTimestamp();
+            if (timestamp.compareTo(lastTimestamp) <= 0) {
+                // outdated event ignore
+                return null;
+            }
+            removalRequest.put(deviceId, timestamp);
+
             Device device = devices.remove(deviceId);
             // should DEVICE_REMOVED carry removed ports?
-            devicePorts.get(deviceId).clear();
-            availableDevices.remove(deviceId);
+            Map<PortNumber, Port> ports = devicePorts.get(deviceId);
+            if (ports != null) {
+                ports.clear();
+            }
+            markOfflineInternal(deviceId, timestamp);
             descs.clear();
             return device == null ? null :
                 new DeviceEvent(DEVICE_REMOVED, device, null);
         }
     }
 
+    private boolean isDeviceRemoved(DeviceId deviceId, Timestamp timestampToCheck) {
+        Timestamp removalTimestamp = removalRequest.get(deviceId);
+        if (removalTimestamp != null &&
+            removalTimestamp.compareTo(timestampToCheck) >= 0) {
+            // removalRequest is more recent
+            return true;
+        }
+        return false;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns a Device, merging description given from multiple Providers.
      *
@@ -472,7 +573,7 @@
 
         DeviceDescriptions desc = providerDescs.get(primary);
 
-        DeviceDescription base = desc.getDeviceDesc().value();
+        final DeviceDescription base = desc.getDeviceDesc().value();
         Type type = base.type();
         String manufacturer = base.manufacturer();
         String hwVersion = base.hwVersion();
@@ -545,7 +646,7 @@
      * @return primary ProviderID, or randomly chosen one if none exists
      */
     private ProviderId pickPrimaryPID(
-            ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> providerDescs) {
+            Map<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> providerDescs) {
         ProviderId fallBackPrimary = null;
         for (Entry<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> e : providerDescs.entrySet()) {
             if (!e.getKey().isAncillary()) {
@@ -558,6 +659,12 @@
         return fallBackPrimary;
     }
 
+    private DeviceDescriptions getPrimaryDescriptions(
+                            Map<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> providerDescs) {
+        ProviderId pid = pickPrimaryPID(providerDescs);
+        return providerDescs.get(pid);
+    }
+
     public static final class InitDeviceDescs
         implements ConcurrentInitializer<DeviceDescriptions> {
 
@@ -586,6 +693,16 @@
             this.portDescs = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
         }
 
+        Timestamp getLatestTimestamp() {
+            Timestamp latest = deviceDesc.get().timestamp();
+            for (Timestamped<PortDescription> desc : portDescs.values()) {
+                if (desc.timestamp().compareTo(latest) > 0) {
+                    latest = desc.timestamp();
+                }
+            }
+            return latest;
+        }
+
         public Timestamped<DeviceDescription> getDeviceDesc() {
             return deviceDesc.get();
         }
diff --git a/core/store/trivial/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/trivial/impl/SimpleDeviceStore.java b/core/store/trivial/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/trivial/impl/SimpleDeviceStore.java
index 0880ac9..514a22e 100644
--- a/core/store/trivial/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/trivial/impl/SimpleDeviceStore.java
+++ b/core/store/trivial/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/trivial/impl/SimpleDeviceStore.java
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 import com.google.common.collect.FluentIterable;
 import com.google.common.collect.ImmutableList;
+import com.google.common.collect.Maps;
+import com.google.common.collect.Sets;
 
 import org.apache.commons.lang3.concurrent.ConcurrentException;
 import org.apache.commons.lang3.concurrent.ConcurrentInitializer;
@@ -32,7 +34,6 @@
 import org.slf4j.Logger;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
-import java.util.Collection;
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.Iterator;
@@ -48,6 +49,7 @@
 import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkArgument;
 import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkNotNull;
 import static com.google.common.base.Predicates.notNull;
+import static com.google.common.base.Verify.verify;
 import static org.onlab.onos.net.device.DeviceEvent.Type.*;
 import static org.slf4j.LoggerFactory.getLogger;
 import static org.apache.commons.lang3.concurrent.ConcurrentUtils.createIfAbsentUnchecked;
@@ -71,14 +73,14 @@
     // collection of Description given from various providers
     private final ConcurrentMap<DeviceId,
                             ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions>>
-                                deviceDescs = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+                                deviceDescs = Maps.newConcurrentMap();
 
     // cache of Device and Ports generated by compositing descriptions from providers
-    private final ConcurrentMap<DeviceId, Device> devices = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
-    private final ConcurrentMap<DeviceId, ConcurrentMap<PortNumber, Port>> devicePorts = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+    private final ConcurrentMap<DeviceId, Device> devices = Maps.newConcurrentMap();
+    private final ConcurrentMap<DeviceId, ConcurrentMap<PortNumber, Port>> devicePorts = Maps.newConcurrentMap();
 
     // available(=UP) devices
-    private final Set<DeviceId> availableDevices = new HashSet<>();
+    private final Set<DeviceId> availableDevices = Sets.newConcurrentHashSet();
 
 
     @Activate
@@ -88,6 +90,10 @@
 
     @Deactivate
     public void deactivate() {
+        deviceDescs.clear();
+        devices.clear();
+        devicePorts.clear();
+        availableDevices.clear();
         log.info("Stopped");
     }
 
@@ -107,45 +113,54 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public synchronized DeviceEvent createOrUpdateDevice(ProviderId providerId, DeviceId deviceId,
+    public DeviceEvent createOrUpdateDevice(ProviderId providerId,
+                                     DeviceId deviceId,
                                      DeviceDescription deviceDescription) {
+
         ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> providerDescs
             = getDeviceDescriptions(deviceId);
 
-        Device oldDevice = devices.get(deviceId);
+        synchronized (providerDescs) {
+            // locking per device
 
-        DeviceDescriptions descs
-            = createIfAbsentUnchecked(providerDescs, providerId,
-                    new InitDeviceDescs(deviceDescription));
+            DeviceDescriptions descs
+                = createIfAbsentUnchecked(providerDescs, providerId,
+                        new InitDeviceDescs(deviceDescription));
 
-        // update description
-        descs.putDeviceDesc(deviceDescription);
-        Device newDevice = composeDevice(deviceId, providerDescs);
+            Device oldDevice = devices.get(deviceId);
+            // update description
+            descs.putDeviceDesc(deviceDescription);
+            Device newDevice = composeDevice(deviceId, providerDescs);
 
-        if (oldDevice == null) {
-            // ADD
-            return createDevice(providerId, newDevice);
-        } else {
-            // UPDATE or ignore (no change or stale)
-            return updateDevice(providerId, oldDevice, newDevice);
+            if (oldDevice == null) {
+                // ADD
+                return createDevice(providerId, newDevice);
+            } else {
+                // UPDATE or ignore (no change or stale)
+                return updateDevice(providerId, oldDevice, newDevice);
+            }
         }
     }
 
     // Creates the device and returns the appropriate event if necessary.
+    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=Device lock)
     private DeviceEvent createDevice(ProviderId providerId, Device newDevice) {
 
         // update composed device cache
-        synchronized (this) {
-            devices.putIfAbsent(newDevice.id(), newDevice);
-            if (!providerId.isAncillary()) {
-                availableDevices.add(newDevice.id());
-            }
+        Device oldDevice = devices.putIfAbsent(newDevice.id(), newDevice);
+        verify(oldDevice == null,
+                "Unexpected Device in cache. PID:%s [old=%s, new=%s]",
+                providerId, oldDevice, newDevice);
+
+        if (!providerId.isAncillary()) {
+            availableDevices.add(newDevice.id());
         }
 
         return new DeviceEvent(DeviceEvent.Type.DEVICE_ADDED, newDevice, null);
     }
 
     // Updates the device and returns the appropriate event if necessary.
+    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=Device lock)
     private DeviceEvent updateDevice(ProviderId providerId, Device oldDevice, Device newDevice) {
 
         // We allow only certain attributes to trigger update
@@ -153,70 +168,87 @@
             !Objects.equals(oldDevice.swVersion(), newDevice.swVersion()) ||
             !AnnotationsUtil.isEqual(oldDevice.annotations(), newDevice.annotations())) {
 
-            synchronized (this) {
-                devices.replace(newDevice.id(), oldDevice, newDevice);
-                if (!providerId.isAncillary()) {
-                    availableDevices.add(newDevice.id());
-                }
+            boolean replaced = devices.replace(newDevice.id(), oldDevice, newDevice);
+            if (!replaced) {
+                verify(replaced,
+                        "Replacing devices cache failed. PID:%s [expected:%s, found:%s, new=%s]",
+                        providerId, oldDevice, devices.get(newDevice.id())
+                        , newDevice);
+            }
+            if (!providerId.isAncillary()) {
+                availableDevices.add(newDevice.id());
             }
             return new DeviceEvent(DeviceEvent.Type.DEVICE_UPDATED, newDevice, null);
         }
 
         // Otherwise merely attempt to change availability if primary provider
         if (!providerId.isAncillary()) {
-            synchronized (this) {
             boolean added = availableDevices.add(newDevice.id());
             return !added ? null :
                     new DeviceEvent(DEVICE_AVAILABILITY_CHANGED, newDevice, null);
-            }
         }
         return null;
     }
 
     @Override
     public DeviceEvent markOffline(DeviceId deviceId) {
-        synchronized (this) {
+        ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> providerDescs
+            = getDeviceDescriptions(deviceId);
+
+        // locking device
+        synchronized (providerDescs) {
             Device device = devices.get(deviceId);
-            boolean removed = (device != null) && availableDevices.remove(deviceId);
-            return !removed ? null :
-                    new DeviceEvent(DEVICE_AVAILABILITY_CHANGED, device, null);
+            if (device == null) {
+                return null;
+            }
+            boolean removed = availableDevices.remove(deviceId);
+            if (removed) {
+                // TODO: broadcast ... DOWN only?
+                return new DeviceEvent(DEVICE_AVAILABILITY_CHANGED, device, null);
+            }
+            return null;
         }
     }
 
     @Override
-    public synchronized List<DeviceEvent> updatePorts(ProviderId providerId, DeviceId deviceId,
-                                  List<PortDescription> portDescriptions) {
+    public List<DeviceEvent> updatePorts(ProviderId providerId,
+                                      DeviceId deviceId,
+                                      List<PortDescription> portDescriptions) {
 
-        // TODO: implement multi-provider
         Device device = devices.get(deviceId);
         checkArgument(device != null, DEVICE_NOT_FOUND, deviceId);
 
         ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> descsMap = deviceDescs.get(deviceId);
         checkArgument(descsMap != null, DEVICE_NOT_FOUND, deviceId);
 
-        DeviceDescriptions descs = descsMap.get(providerId);
-        checkArgument(descs != null,
-                "Device description for Device ID %s from Provider %s was not found",
-                deviceId, providerId);
-
-
         List<DeviceEvent> events = new ArrayList<>();
-        synchronized (this) {
-            ConcurrentMap<PortNumber, Port> ports = getPortMap(deviceId);
+        synchronized (descsMap) {
+            DeviceDescriptions descs = descsMap.get(providerId);
+            // every provider must provide DeviceDescription.
+            checkArgument(descs != null,
+                    "Device description for Device ID %s from Provider %s was not found",
+                    deviceId, providerId);
+
+            Map<PortNumber, Port> ports = getPortMap(deviceId);
 
             // Add new ports
             Set<PortNumber> processed = new HashSet<>();
             for (PortDescription portDescription : portDescriptions) {
-                PortNumber number = portDescription.portNumber();
-                Port oldPort = ports.get(number);
+                final PortNumber number = portDescription.portNumber();
+                processed.add(portDescription.portNumber());
+
+                final Port oldPort = ports.get(number);
+                final Port newPort;
+
+// event suppression hook?
+
                 // update description
                 descs.putPortDesc(portDescription);
-                Port newPort = composePort(device, number, descsMap);
+                newPort = composePort(device, number, descsMap);
 
                 events.add(oldPort == null ?
-                                   createPort(device, newPort, ports) :
-                                   updatePort(device, oldPort, newPort, ports));
-                processed.add(portDescription.portNumber());
+                        createPort(device, newPort, ports) :
+                        updatePort(device, oldPort, newPort, ports));
             }
 
             events.addAll(pruneOldPorts(device, ports, processed));
@@ -226,17 +258,19 @@
 
     // Creates a new port based on the port description adds it to the map and
     // Returns corresponding event.
+    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=Device lock)
     private DeviceEvent createPort(Device device, Port newPort,
-                                   ConcurrentMap<PortNumber, Port> ports) {
+                                   Map<PortNumber, Port> ports) {
         ports.put(newPort.number(), newPort);
         return new DeviceEvent(PORT_ADDED, device, newPort);
     }
 
     // Checks if the specified port requires update and if so, it replaces the
     // existing entry in the map and returns corresponding event.
+    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=Device lock)
     private DeviceEvent updatePort(Device device, Port oldPort,
                                    Port newPort,
-                                   ConcurrentMap<PortNumber, Port> ports) {
+                                   Map<PortNumber, Port> ports) {
         if (oldPort.isEnabled() != newPort.isEnabled() ||
             !AnnotationsUtil.isEqual(oldPort.annotations(), newPort.annotations())) {
 
@@ -248,6 +282,7 @@
 
     // Prunes the specified list of ports based on which ports are in the
     // processed list and returns list of corresponding events.
+    // Guarded by deviceDescs value (=Device lock)
     private List<DeviceEvent> pruneOldPorts(Device device,
                                             Map<PortNumber, Port> ports,
                                             Set<PortNumber> processed) {
@@ -264,12 +299,6 @@
         return events;
     }
 
-    private ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> getDeviceDescriptions(
-            DeviceId deviceId) {
-        return createIfAbsentUnchecked(deviceDescs, deviceId,
-                NewConcurrentHashMap.<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions>ifNeeded());
-    }
-
     // Gets the map of ports for the specified device; if one does not already
     // exist, it creates and registers a new one.
     private ConcurrentMap<PortNumber, Port> getPortMap(DeviceId deviceId) {
@@ -277,8 +306,14 @@
                 NewConcurrentHashMap.<PortNumber, Port>ifNeeded());
     }
 
+    private ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> getDeviceDescriptions(
+            DeviceId deviceId) {
+        return createIfAbsentUnchecked(deviceDescs, deviceId,
+                NewConcurrentHashMap.<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions>ifNeeded());
+    }
+
     @Override
-    public synchronized DeviceEvent updatePortStatus(ProviderId providerId, DeviceId deviceId,
+    public DeviceEvent updatePortStatus(ProviderId providerId, DeviceId deviceId,
                                  PortDescription portDescription) {
         Device device = devices.get(deviceId);
         checkArgument(device != null, DEVICE_NOT_FOUND, deviceId);
@@ -286,19 +321,22 @@
         ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> descsMap = deviceDescs.get(deviceId);
         checkArgument(descsMap != null, DEVICE_NOT_FOUND, deviceId);
 
-        DeviceDescriptions descs = descsMap.get(providerId);
-        // assuming all providers must to give DeviceDescription
-        checkArgument(descs != null,
-                "Device description for Device ID %s from Provider %s was not found",
-                deviceId, providerId);
+        synchronized (descsMap) {
+            DeviceDescriptions descs = descsMap.get(providerId);
+            // assuming all providers must to give DeviceDescription
+            checkArgument(descs != null,
+                    "Device description for Device ID %s from Provider %s was not found",
+                    deviceId, providerId);
 
-        synchronized (this) {
             ConcurrentMap<PortNumber, Port> ports = getPortMap(deviceId);
             final PortNumber number = portDescription.portNumber();
-            Port oldPort = ports.get(number);
+            final Port oldPort = ports.get(number);
+            final Port newPort;
+
             // update description
             descs.putPortDesc(portDescription);
-            Port newPort = composePort(device, number, descsMap);
+            newPort = composePort(device, number, descsMap);
+
             if (oldPort == null) {
                 return createPort(device, newPort, ports);
             } else {
@@ -333,7 +371,7 @@
         synchronized (descs) {
             Device device = devices.remove(deviceId);
             // should DEVICE_REMOVED carry removed ports?
-            ConcurrentMap<PortNumber, Port> ports = devicePorts.get(deviceId);
+            Map<PortNumber, Port> ports = devicePorts.get(deviceId);
             if (ports != null) {
                 ports.clear();
             }
@@ -360,14 +398,14 @@
 
         DeviceDescriptions desc = providerDescs.get(primary);
 
-        // base
-        Type type = desc.getDeviceDesc().type();
-        String manufacturer = desc.getDeviceDesc().manufacturer();
-        String hwVersion = desc.getDeviceDesc().hwVersion();
-        String swVersion = desc.getDeviceDesc().swVersion();
-        String serialNumber = desc.getDeviceDesc().serialNumber();
+        final DeviceDescription base = desc.getDeviceDesc();
+        Type type = base.type();
+        String manufacturer = base.manufacturer();
+        String hwVersion = base.hwVersion();
+        String swVersion = base.swVersion();
+        String serialNumber = base.serialNumber();
         DefaultAnnotations annotations = DefaultAnnotations.builder().build();
-        annotations = merge(annotations, desc.getDeviceDesc().annotations());
+        annotations = merge(annotations, base.annotations());
 
         for (Entry<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> e : providerDescs.entrySet()) {
             if (e.getKey().equals(primary)) {
@@ -386,7 +424,14 @@
                             hwVersion, swVersion, serialNumber, annotations);
     }
 
-    // probably want composePort"s" also
+    /**
+     * Returns a Port, merging description given from multiple Providers.
+     *
+     * @param device device the port is on
+     * @param number port number
+     * @param providerDescs Collection of Descriptions from multiple providers
+     * @return Port instance
+     */
     private Port composePort(Device device, PortNumber number,
                 ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, DeviceDescriptions> providerDescs) {
 
@@ -441,7 +486,9 @@
 
     public static final class InitDeviceDescs
         implements ConcurrentInitializer<DeviceDescriptions> {
+
         private final DeviceDescription deviceDesc;
+
         public InitDeviceDescs(DeviceDescription deviceDesc) {
             this.deviceDesc = checkNotNull(deviceDesc);
         }
@@ -456,8 +503,6 @@
      * Collection of Description of a Device and it's Ports given from a Provider.
      */
     private static class DeviceDescriptions {
-        //        private final DeviceId id;
-        //        private final ProviderId pid;
 
         private final AtomicReference<DeviceDescription> deviceDesc;
         private final ConcurrentMap<PortNumber, PortDescription> portDescs;
@@ -475,10 +520,6 @@
             return portDescs.get(number);
         }
 
-        public Collection<PortDescription> getPortDescs() {
-            return Collections.unmodifiableCollection(portDescs.values());
-        }
-
         /**
          * Puts DeviceDescription, merging annotations as necessary.
          *
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 8248c68..ad4ddcb 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -129,6 +129,12 @@
                 <version>1.9.13</version>
             </dependency>
 
+	    <dependency>
+	        <groupId>org.easymock</groupId>
+	        <artifactId>easymock</artifactId>
+	        <version>3.2</version>
+	        <scope>test</scope>
+	    </dependency>
 
             <!-- Web related -->
             <dependency>
diff --git a/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/Endpoint.java b/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/Endpoint.java
index 8ed86ae..d6a87b5 100644
--- a/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/Endpoint.java
+++ b/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/Endpoint.java
@@ -68,4 +68,4 @@
         }
         return true;
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/InternalMessage.java b/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/InternalMessage.java
index e6c027e..96cbe79 100644
--- a/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/InternalMessage.java
+++ b/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/InternalMessage.java
@@ -86,4 +86,4 @@
             return message;
         }
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/KryoSerializer.java b/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/KryoSerializer.java
index 8a90c07..6df0b23 100644
--- a/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/KryoSerializer.java
+++ b/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/KryoSerializer.java
@@ -45,12 +45,12 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public <T> T deserialize(ByteBuffer buffer) {
+    public <T> T decode(ByteBuffer buffer) {
         return serializerPool.deserialize(buffer);
     }
 
     @Override
-    public void serialize(Object obj, ByteBuffer buffer) {
+    public void encode(Object obj, ByteBuffer buffer) {
         serializerPool.serialize(obj, buffer);
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/MessageDecoder.java b/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/MessageDecoder.java
index 3ed3216..a0d34a5 100644
--- a/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/MessageDecoder.java
+++ b/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/MessageDecoder.java
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
             checkState(serializerVersion == MessageEncoder.SERIALIZER_VERSION, "Unexpected serializer version");
             checkpoint(DecoderState.READ_CONTENT);
         case READ_CONTENT:
-            InternalMessage message = serializer.deserialize(buffer.readBytes(contentLength).nioBuffer());
+            InternalMessage message = serializer.decode(buffer.readBytes(contentLength).nioBuffer());
             message.setMessagingService(messagingService);
             out.add(message);
             checkpoint(DecoderState.READ_HEADER_VERSION);
diff --git a/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/Serializer.java b/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/Serializer.java
index 56494b2..46550d4 100644
--- a/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/Serializer.java
+++ b/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/Serializer.java
@@ -24,20 +24,18 @@
     public byte[] encode(Object data);
 
     /**
-     * Serializes the specified object into bytes using one of the
-     * pre-registered serializers.
+     * Encodes the specified POJO into a byte buffer.
      *
-     * @param obj object to be serialized
+     * @param data POJO to be encoded
      * @param buffer to write serialized bytes
      */
-    public void serialize(final Object obj, ByteBuffer buffer);
+    public void encode(final Object data, ByteBuffer buffer);
 
     /**
-     * Deserializes the specified bytes into an object using one of the
-     * pre-registered serializers.
+     * Decodes the specified byte buffer to a POJO.
      *
-     * @param buffer bytes to be deserialized
-     * @return deserialized object
+     * @param buffer bytes to be decoded
+     * @return POJO
      */
-    public <T> T deserialize(final ByteBuffer buffer);
+    public <T> T decode(final ByteBuffer buffer);
 }
diff --git a/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/package-info.java b/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/package-info.java
index b1b90a3..fee7b04 100644
--- a/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/package-info.java
+++ b/utils/netty/src/main/java/org/onlab/netty/package-info.java
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 /**
  * Asynchronous messaging APIs implemented using the Netty framework.
  */
-package org.onlab.netty;
\ No newline at end of file
+package org.onlab.netty;