diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/device/DeviceStore.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/device/DeviceStore.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8db0d04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/device/DeviceStore.java
@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+package org.onlab.onos.net.device;
+
+import org.onlab.onos.net.Device;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.DeviceId;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.MastershipRole;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.Port;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.PortNumber;
+import org.onlab.onos.net.provider.ProviderId;
+
+import java.util.List;
+
+/**
+ * Manages inventory of infrastructure devices. It may do so using whatever
+ * means are appropriate.
+ */
+public interface DeviceStore {
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the number of devices known to the system.
+     *
+     * @return number of devices
+     */
+    int getDeviceCount();
+
+    /**
+     * Returns an iterable collection of all devices known to the system.
+     *
+     * @return device collection
+     */
+    Iterable<Device> getDevices();
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the device with the specified identifier.
+     *
+     * @param deviceId device identifier
+     * @return device
+     */
+    Device getDevice(DeviceId deviceId);
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a new infrastructure device, or updates an existing one using
+     * the supplied device description.
+     *
+     * @param providerId        provider identifier
+     * @param deviceId          device identifier
+     * @param deviceDescription device description
+     * @return ready to send event describing what occurred; null if no change
+     */
+    DeviceEvent createOrUpdateDevice(ProviderId providerId, DeviceId deviceId,
+                                     DeviceDescription deviceDescription);
+
+    /**
+     * Removes the specified infrastructure device.
+     *
+     * @param deviceId device identifier
+     * @return ready to send event describing what occurred; null if no change
+     */
+    DeviceEvent markOffline(DeviceId deviceId);
+
+    /**
+     * Updates the ports of the specified infrastructure device using the given
+     * list of port descriptions. The list is assumed to be comprehensive.
+     *
+     * @param deviceId         device identifier
+     * @param portDescriptions list of port descriptions
+     * @return ready to send events describing what occurred; empty list if no change
+     */
+    List<DeviceEvent> updatePorts(DeviceId deviceId,
+                                  List<PortDescription> portDescriptions);
+
+    /**
+     * Updates the port status of the specified infrastructure device using the
+     * given port description.
+     *
+     * @param deviceId        device identifier
+     * @param portDescription port description
+     * @return ready to send event describing what occurred; null if no change
+     */
+    DeviceEvent updatePortStatus(DeviceId deviceId,
+                                 PortDescription portDescription);
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the list of ports that belong to the specified device.
+     *
+     * @param deviceId device identifier
+     * @return list of device ports
+     */
+    List<Port> getPorts(DeviceId deviceId);
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the specified device port.
+     *
+     * @param deviceId   device identifier
+     * @param portNumber port number
+     * @return device port
+     */
+    Port getPort(DeviceId deviceId, PortNumber portNumber);
+
+    /**
+     * Indicates whether the specified device is available/online.
+     *
+     * @param deviceId device identifier
+     * @return true if device is available
+     */
+    boolean isAvailable(DeviceId deviceId);
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the mastership role determined for this device.
+     *
+     * @param deviceId device identifier
+     * @return mastership role
+     */
+    MastershipRole getRole(DeviceId deviceId);
+
+    /**
+     * Administratively sets the role of the specified device.
+     *
+     * @param deviceId device identifier
+     * @param role     mastership role to apply
+     * @return mastership role change event or null if no change
+     */
+    DeviceEvent setRole(DeviceId deviceId, MastershipRole role);
+
+    /**
+     * Administratively removes the specified device from the store.
+     *
+     * @param deviceId device to be removed
+     */
+    DeviceEvent removeDevice(DeviceId deviceId);
+}