diff --git a/cli/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cli/net/vnet/VirtualPortListCommand.java b/cli/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cli/net/vnet/VirtualPortListCommand.java
index 0524e31..7a0f2f0 100644
--- a/cli/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cli/net/vnet/VirtualPortListCommand.java
+++ b/cli/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cli/net/vnet/VirtualPortListCommand.java
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
 public class VirtualPortListCommand extends AbstractShellCommand {
 
     private static final String FMT_VIRTUAL_PORT =
-            "virtual portNumber=%s, physical deviceId=%s, portNumber=%s";
+            "virtual portNumber=%s, physical deviceId=%s, portNumber=%s, isEnabled=%s";
 
     @Argument(index = 0, name = "networkId", description = "Network ID",
             required = true, multiValued = false)
@@ -75,11 +75,12 @@
      */
     private void printVirtualPort(VirtualPort virtualPort) {
         if (virtualPort.realizedBy() == null) {
-            print(FMT_VIRTUAL_PORT, virtualPort.number(), "None", "None");
+            print(FMT_VIRTUAL_PORT, virtualPort.number(), "None", "None", virtualPort.isEnabled());
         } else {
             print(FMT_VIRTUAL_PORT, virtualPort.number(),
                   virtualPort.realizedBy().deviceId(),
-                  virtualPort.realizedBy().port());
+                  virtualPort.realizedBy().port(),
+                  virtualPort.isEnabled());
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/cli/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cli/net/vnet/VirtualPortStateCommand.java b/cli/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cli/net/vnet/VirtualPortStateCommand.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d11e249
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cli/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cli/net/vnet/VirtualPortStateCommand.java
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2017-present Open Networking Foundation
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package org.onosproject.cli.net.vnet;
+
+import org.apache.karaf.shell.commands.Argument;
+import org.apache.karaf.shell.commands.Command;
+import org.onosproject.cli.AbstractShellCommand;
+import org.onosproject.incubator.net.virtual.NetworkId;
+import org.onosproject.incubator.net.virtual.VirtualNetworkAdminService;
+import org.onosproject.incubator.net.virtual.VirtualNetworkService;
+import org.onosproject.incubator.net.virtual.VirtualPort;
+import org.onosproject.net.DeviceId;
+import org.onosproject.net.PortNumber;
+
+import java.util.Set;
+
+import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkNotNull;
+
+/**
+ * Administratively enables or disables state of an existing virtual port.
+ */
+@Command(scope = "onos", name = "vnet-port-state",
+        description = "Administratively enables or disables state of an existing virtual port.")
+public class VirtualPortStateCommand extends AbstractShellCommand {
+    @Argument(index = 0, name = "networkId", description = "Network ID",
+            required = true, multiValued = false)
+    Long networkId = null;
+
+    @Argument(index = 1, name = "deviceId", description = "Virtual Device ID",
+            required = true, multiValued = false)
+    String deviceId = null;
+
+    @Argument(index = 2, name = "portNum", description = "Virtual device port number",
+            required = true, multiValued = false)
+    Integer portNum = null;
+
+    @Argument(index = 3, name = "portState",
+            description = "Desired State. Either \"enable\" or \"disable\".",
+            required = true, multiValued = false)
+    String portState = null;
+
+    @Override
+    protected void execute() {
+        VirtualNetworkAdminService service = get(VirtualNetworkAdminService.class);
+
+        VirtualPort vPort = getVirtualPort(PortNumber.portNumber(portNum));
+        checkNotNull(vPort, "The virtual Port does not exist");
+
+        boolean isEnabled;
+        if ("enable".equals(portState)) {
+            isEnabled = true;
+        } else if ("disable".equals(portState)) {
+            isEnabled = false;
+        } else {
+            print("State must be enable or disable");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        service.updatePortState(NetworkId.networkId(networkId),
+                                DeviceId.deviceId(deviceId), vPort.number(), isEnabled);
+        print("Virtual port state updated.");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the virtual port matching the device and port identifier.
+     *
+     * @param aPortNumber port identifier
+     * @return matching virtual port, or null.
+     */
+    private VirtualPort getVirtualPort(PortNumber aPortNumber) {
+        VirtualNetworkService service = get(VirtualNetworkService.class);
+        Set<VirtualPort> ports = service.getVirtualPorts(NetworkId.networkId(networkId),
+                                                    DeviceId.deviceId(deviceId));
+        return ports.stream().filter(p -> p.number().equals(aPortNumber))
+                .findFirst().get();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/cli/src/main/resources/OSGI-INF/blueprint/shell-config.xml b/cli/src/main/resources/OSGI-INF/blueprint/shell-config.xml
index 9e176b6..a401a1f 100644
--- a/cli/src/main/resources/OSGI-INF/blueprint/shell-config.xml
+++ b/cli/src/main/resources/OSGI-INF/blueprint/shell-config.xml
@@ -816,6 +816,15 @@
             </completers>
         </command>
         <command>
+            <action class="org.onosproject.cli.net.vnet.VirtualPortStateCommand"/>
+            <completers>
+                <ref component-id="virtualNetworkCompleter"/>
+                <ref component-id="virtualDeviceCompleter"/>
+                <ref component-id="virtualPortCompleter"/>
+                <null/>
+            </completers>
+        </command>
+        <command>
             <action class="org.onosproject.cli.net.vnet.VirtualPortRemoveCommand"/>
             <completers>
                 <ref component-id="virtualNetworkCompleter"/>
diff --git a/incubator/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/DefaultVirtualPort.java b/incubator/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/DefaultVirtualPort.java
index 54f3d84..d5f3efb 100644
--- a/incubator/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/DefaultVirtualPort.java
+++ b/incubator/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/DefaultVirtualPort.java
@@ -35,13 +35,40 @@
     private final NetworkId networkId;
     private final ConnectPoint realizedBy;
 
-    public DefaultVirtualPort(NetworkId networkId, Device device,
-                              PortNumber portNumber, ConnectPoint realizedBy) {
-        super((Element) device, portNumber, false, DefaultAnnotations.builder().build());
+    /**
+     * Creates a virtual port.
+     *
+     * @param networkId  network identifier
+     * @param device     parent network element
+     * @param portNumber port number
+     * @param realizedBy underling port which realizes this virtual port
+     */
+    public DefaultVirtualPort(NetworkId networkId, Device device, PortNumber portNumber,
+                              ConnectPoint realizedBy) {
+        this(networkId, device, portNumber, false, realizedBy);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a virtual port.
+     *
+     * @param networkId  network identifier
+     * @param device     parent network element
+     * @param portNumber port number
+     * @param isEnabled  indicator whether the port is up and active
+     * @param realizedBy underling port which realizes this virtual port
+     */
+    public DefaultVirtualPort(NetworkId networkId, Device device, PortNumber portNumber,
+                              boolean isEnabled, ConnectPoint realizedBy) {
+        super((Element) device, portNumber, isEnabled, DefaultAnnotations.builder().build());
         this.networkId = networkId;
         this.realizedBy = realizedBy;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns network identifier.
+     *
+     * @return network identifier
+     */
     public NetworkId networkId() {
         return networkId;
     }
diff --git a/incubator/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/VirtualNetworkAdminService.java b/incubator/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/VirtualNetworkAdminService.java
index 3e476ee..6d8e887 100644
--- a/incubator/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/VirtualNetworkAdminService.java
+++ b/incubator/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/VirtualNetworkAdminService.java
@@ -166,6 +166,18 @@
                                   PortNumber portNumber, ConnectPoint realizedBy);
 
     /**
+     * Updates port state of an existing virtual port on the specified device.
+     *
+     * @param networkId  network identifier
+     * @param deviceId   virtual device identifier
+     * @param portNumber virtual port number
+     * @param isEnabled  indicator whether the port is up and active
+     * @throws org.onlab.util.ItemNotFoundException if no such network or device is found
+     */
+    void updatePortState(NetworkId networkId, DeviceId deviceId,
+                                  PortNumber portNumber, boolean isEnabled);
+
+    /**
      * Removes the specified virtual port.
      *
      * @param networkId  network identifier
diff --git a/incubator/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/VirtualNetworkStore.java b/incubator/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/VirtualNetworkStore.java
index a86817d..b38412e 100644
--- a/incubator/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/VirtualNetworkStore.java
+++ b/incubator/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/VirtualNetworkStore.java
@@ -166,6 +166,17 @@
                         PortNumber portNumber, ConnectPoint realizedBy);
 
     /**
+     * Updates port state of an existing virtual port.
+     *
+     * @param networkId  network identifier
+     * @param deviceId   device identifier
+     * @param portNumber port number
+     * @param isEnabled  indicator whether the port is up and active
+     */
+     void updatePortState(NetworkId networkId, DeviceId deviceId,
+                        PortNumber portNumber, boolean isEnabled);
+
+    /**
      * Removes the specified port from the given device and network.
      *
      * @param networkId  network identifier
diff --git a/incubator/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/VirtualNetworkAdminServiceAdapter.java b/incubator/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/VirtualNetworkAdminServiceAdapter.java
index b615b7d..26145cc 100644
--- a/incubator/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/VirtualNetworkAdminServiceAdapter.java
+++ b/incubator/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/VirtualNetworkAdminServiceAdapter.java
@@ -104,6 +104,11 @@
     }
 
     @Override
+    public void updatePortState(NetworkId networkId, DeviceId deviceId, PortNumber portNumber, boolean isEnabled) {
+
+    }
+
+    @Override
     public void removeVirtualPort(NetworkId networkId, DeviceId deviceId, PortNumber portNumber) {
 
     }
diff --git a/incubator/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/impl/VirtualNetworkManager.java b/incubator/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/impl/VirtualNetworkManager.java
index 20b6ceb..a5bd412 100644
--- a/incubator/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/impl/VirtualNetworkManager.java
+++ b/incubator/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/impl/VirtualNetworkManager.java
@@ -291,6 +291,16 @@
     }
 
     @Override
+    public void updatePortState(NetworkId networkId, DeviceId deviceId,
+                PortNumber portNumber, boolean isEnabled) {
+        checkNotNull(networkId, NETWORK_NULL);
+        checkNotNull(deviceId, DEVICE_NULL);
+        checkNotNull(portNumber, "Port description cannot be null");
+
+        store.updatePortState(networkId, deviceId, portNumber, isEnabled);
+    }
+
+    @Override
     public void removeVirtualPort(NetworkId networkId, DeviceId deviceId,
                                   PortNumber portNumber) {
         checkNotNull(networkId, NETWORK_NULL);
diff --git a/incubator/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/impl/VirtualNetworkDeviceManagerTest.java b/incubator/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/impl/VirtualNetworkDeviceManagerTest.java
index 5de6190..ff53d2e 100644
--- a/incubator/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/impl/VirtualNetworkDeviceManagerTest.java
+++ b/incubator/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/impl/VirtualNetworkDeviceManagerTest.java
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@
 import org.onosproject.net.DeviceId;
 import org.onosproject.net.MastershipRole;
 import org.onosproject.net.NetTestTools;
+import org.onosproject.net.Port;
 import org.onosproject.net.PortNumber;
 import org.onosproject.net.device.DeviceEvent;
 import org.onosproject.net.device.DeviceListener;
@@ -380,6 +381,21 @@
         Set<VirtualPort> virtualPorts = manager.getVirtualPorts(virtualNetwork.id(), device2.id());
         assertNotNull("The virtual port set should not be null", virtualPorts);
         assertEquals("The virtual port set size did not match.", 2, virtualPorts.size());
+        virtualPorts.forEach(vp -> assertFalse("Initial virtual port state should be disabled", vp.isEnabled()));
+
+        // verify change state of virtual port (disabled -> enabled)
+        manager.updatePortState(virtualNetwork.id(), device2.id(), PortNumber.portNumber(1), true);
+        Port changedPort = deviceService.getPort(device2.id(), PortNumber.portNumber(1));
+        assertNotNull("The changed virtual port should not be null", changedPort);
+        assertEquals("Virtual port state should be enabled", true, changedPort.isEnabled());
+        expectedEventTypes.add(DeviceEvent.Type.PORT_UPDATED);
+
+        // verify change state of virtual port (disabled -> disabled)
+        manager.updatePortState(virtualNetwork.id(), device2.id(), PortNumber.portNumber(2), false);
+        changedPort = deviceService.getPort(device2.id(), PortNumber.portNumber(2));
+        assertNotNull("The changed virtual port should not be null", changedPort);
+        assertEquals("Virtual port state should be disabled", false, changedPort.isEnabled());
+        // no VIRTUAL_PORT_UPDATED event is expected - the requested state (disabled) is same as previous state.
 
         // remove 2 virtual ports
         for (VirtualPort virtualPort : virtualPorts) {
diff --git a/incubator/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/impl/VirtualNetworkManagerTest.java b/incubator/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/impl/VirtualNetworkManagerTest.java
index 7f5a5fe..9ea8916 100644
--- a/incubator/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/impl/VirtualNetworkManagerTest.java
+++ b/incubator/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/incubator/net/virtual/impl/VirtualNetworkManagerTest.java
@@ -553,6 +553,12 @@
         manager.createVirtualLink(virtualNetwork1.id(), src, dst);
     }
 
+    private VirtualPort getPort(NetworkId networkId, DeviceId deviceId, PortNumber portNumber) {
+        Set<VirtualPort> virtualPorts = manager.getVirtualPorts(networkId, deviceId);
+        return  virtualPorts.stream().filter(virtualPort -> virtualPort.number().equals(portNumber))
+                .findFirst().orElse(null);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Tests add, bind and remove of virtual ports.
      */
@@ -580,6 +586,21 @@
         Set<VirtualPort> virtualPorts = manager.getVirtualPorts(virtualNetwork1.id(), virtualDevice.id());
         assertNotNull("The virtual port set should not be null", virtualPorts);
         assertEquals("The virtual port set size did not match.", 2, virtualPorts.size());
+        virtualPorts.forEach(vp -> assertFalse("Initial virtual port state should be disabled", vp.isEnabled()));
+
+        // verify change state of virtual port (disabled -> enabled)
+        manager.updatePortState(virtualNetwork1.id(), virtualDevice.id(), PortNumber.portNumber(1), true);
+        VirtualPort changedPort = getPort(virtualNetwork1.id(), virtualDevice.id(), PortNumber.portNumber(1));
+        assertNotNull("The changed virtual port should not be null", changedPort);
+        assertEquals("Virtual port state should be enabled", true, changedPort.isEnabled());
+        expectedEventTypes.add(VirtualNetworkEvent.Type.VIRTUAL_PORT_UPDATED);
+
+        // verify change state of virtual port (disabled -> disabled)
+        manager.updatePortState(virtualNetwork1.id(), virtualDevice.id(), PortNumber.portNumber(2), false);
+        changedPort = getPort(virtualNetwork1.id(), virtualDevice.id(), PortNumber.portNumber(2));
+        assertNotNull("The changed virtual port should not be null", changedPort);
+        assertEquals("Virtual port state should be disabled", false, changedPort.isEnabled());
+        // no VIRTUAL_PORT_UPDATED event is expected - the requested state (disabled) is same as previous state.
 
         for (VirtualPort virtualPort : virtualPorts) {
             manager.removeVirtualPort(virtualNetwork1.id(),
diff --git a/incubator/store/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/store/virtual/impl/DistributedVirtualNetworkStore.java b/incubator/store/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/store/virtual/impl/DistributedVirtualNetworkStore.java
index e5d19a3..1eaf196 100644
--- a/incubator/store/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/store/virtual/impl/DistributedVirtualNetworkStore.java
+++ b/incubator/store/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/store/virtual/impl/DistributedVirtualNetworkStore.java
@@ -630,6 +630,37 @@
     }
 
     @Override
+    public void updatePortState(NetworkId networkId, DeviceId deviceId,
+                                PortNumber portNumber, boolean isEnabled) {
+        checkState(networkExists(networkId), "No network with NetworkId %s exists.", networkId);
+
+        VirtualDevice device = deviceIdVirtualDeviceMap.get(new VirtualDeviceId(networkId, deviceId));
+        checkNotNull(device, "No device %s exists in NetworkId: %s", deviceId, networkId);
+
+        Set<VirtualPort> virtualPortSet = networkIdVirtualPortSetMap.get(networkId);
+        checkNotNull(virtualPortSet, "No port has been created for NetworkId: %s", networkId);
+
+        Optional<VirtualPort> virtualPortOptional = virtualPortSet.stream().filter(
+                p -> p.element().id().equals(deviceId) &&
+                        p.number().equals(portNumber)).findFirst();
+        checkState(virtualPortOptional.isPresent(), "The virtual port has not been added.");
+
+        VirtualPort oldPort = virtualPortOptional.get();
+        if (oldPort.isEnabled() == isEnabled) {
+            log.debug("No change in port state - port not updated");
+            return;
+        }
+        VirtualPort newPort = new DefaultVirtualPort(networkId, device, portNumber, isEnabled,
+                oldPort.realizedBy());
+        virtualPortSet.remove(oldPort);
+        virtualPortSet.add(newPort);
+        networkIdVirtualPortSetMap.put(networkId, virtualPortSet);
+        notifyDelegate(new VirtualNetworkEvent(VirtualNetworkEvent.Type.VIRTUAL_PORT_UPDATED,
+                                               networkId, device, newPort));
+        log.debug("port state changed from {} to {}", oldPort.isEnabled(), isEnabled);
+    }
+
+    @Override
     public void removePort(NetworkId networkId, DeviceId deviceId, PortNumber portNumber) {
         checkState(networkExists(networkId), "The network has not been added.");
         VirtualDevice device = deviceIdVirtualDeviceMap.get(new VirtualDeviceId(networkId, deviceId));