diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/CentipedeTopologySimulator.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/CentipedeTopologySimulator.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5234d44
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/CentipedeTopologySimulator.java
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil;
+
+/**
+ * Linear topology with hosts on every device.
+ */
+public class CentipedeTopologySimulator extends LinearTopologySimulator {
+
+    /**
+     * Creates simulated hosts.
+     */
+    protected void createHosts() {
+        deviceIds.forEach(id -> createHosts(id, infrastructurePorts));
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/ConfiguredTopologySimulator.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/ConfiguredTopologySimulator.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ad57bf3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/ConfiguredTopologySimulator.java
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil;
+
+/**
+ * Topology simulator which operates on topology configured via the REST API
+ * config service.
+ */
+public class ConfiguredTopologySimulator extends TopologySimulator {
+
+    @Override
+    protected void createDevices() {
+        deviceService.getDevices()
+                .forEach(device -> deviceProviderService
+                        .deviceConnected(device.id(), description(device)));
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void createLinks() {
+        linkService.getLinks()
+                .forEach(link -> linkProviderService
+                        .linkDetected(description(link)));
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void createHosts() {
+        hostService.getHosts()
+                .forEach(host -> hostProviderService
+                        .hostDetected(host.id(), description(host)));
+    }
+}
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/LinearTopologySimulator.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/LinearTopologySimulator.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8e8c759
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/LinearTopologySimulator.java
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil;
+
+import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkArgument;
+
+/**
+ * Linear topology simulator.
+ */
+public class LinearTopologySimulator extends TopologySimulator {
+
+    @Override
+    protected void processTopoShape(String shape) {
+        super.processTopoShape(shape);
+        deviceCount = (topoShape.length == 1) ? deviceCount : Integer.parseInt(topoShape[1]);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void setUpTopology() {
+        checkArgument(deviceCount > 1, "There must be at least 2 devices");
+
+        prepareForDeviceEvents(deviceCount);
+        createDevices();
+        waitForDeviceEvents();
+
+        createLinks();
+        createHosts();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void createLinks() {
+        for (int i = 0, n = deviceCount - 1; i < n; i++) {
+            createLink(i, i + 1);
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void createHosts() {
+        createHosts(deviceIds.get(0), infrastructurePorts);
+        createHosts(deviceIds.get(deviceCount - 1), infrastructurePorts);
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/MeshTopologySimulator.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/MeshTopologySimulator.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d3f2d6a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/MeshTopologySimulator.java
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil;
+
+/**
+ * Full mesh topology with hosts at each device.
+ */
+public class MeshTopologySimulator extends TopologySimulator {
+
+    @Override
+    protected void processTopoShape(String shape) {
+        super.processTopoShape(shape);
+        // FIXME: implement this
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void setUpTopology() {
+        // FIXME: implement this
+        // checkArgument(FIXME, "There must be at least ...");
+        super.setUpTopology();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void createLinks() {
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void createHosts() {
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/NullFlowRuleProvider.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/NullFlowRuleProvider.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9b01d12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/NullFlowRuleProvider.java
@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil;
+
+import com.google.common.collect.Sets;
+import org.jboss.netty.util.HashedWheelTimer;
+import org.jboss.netty.util.Timeout;
+import org.jboss.netty.util.TimerTask;
+import org.onlab.util.Timer;
+import org.onosproject.core.ApplicationId;
+import org.onosproject.net.DeviceId;
+import org.onosproject.net.flow.CompletedBatchOperation;
+import org.onosproject.net.flow.DefaultFlowEntry;
+import org.onosproject.net.flow.FlowEntry;
+import org.onosproject.net.flow.FlowRule;
+import org.onosproject.net.flow.FlowRuleBatchEntry;
+import org.onosproject.net.flow.FlowRuleBatchOperation;
+import org.onosproject.net.flow.FlowRuleProvider;
+import org.onosproject.net.flow.FlowRuleProviderService;
+import org.slf4j.Logger;
+
+import java.util.Collections;
+import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
+import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentMap;
+import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
+
+import static org.slf4j.LoggerFactory.getLogger;
+
+/**
+ * Null provider to accept any flow and report them.
+ */
+class NullFlowRuleProvider extends NullProviders.AbstractNullProvider
+        implements FlowRuleProvider {
+
+    private final Logger log = getLogger(getClass());
+
+    private ConcurrentMap<DeviceId, Set<FlowEntry>> flowTable = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+
+    private FlowRuleProviderService providerService;
+
+    private HashedWheelTimer timer = Timer.getTimer();
+    private Timeout timeout;
+
+    /**
+     * Starts the flow rule provider simulation.
+     *
+     * @param providerService flow rule provider service
+     */
+    void start(FlowRuleProviderService providerService) {
+        this.providerService = providerService;
+        timeout = timer.newTimeout(new StatisticTask(), 5, TimeUnit.SECONDS);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Stops the flow rule provider simulation.
+     */
+    void stop() {
+        timeout.cancel();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void applyFlowRule(FlowRule... flowRules) {
+        // FIXME: invoke executeBatch
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void removeFlowRule(FlowRule... flowRules) {
+        // FIXME: invoke executeBatch
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void removeRulesById(ApplicationId id, FlowRule... flowRules) {
+        throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Cannot remove by appId from null provider");
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void executeBatch(FlowRuleBatchOperation batch) {
+        // TODO: consider checking mastership
+        Set<FlowEntry> entries =
+                flowTable.getOrDefault(batch.deviceId(),
+                                       Sets.newConcurrentHashSet());
+        for (FlowRuleBatchEntry fbe : batch.getOperations()) {
+            switch (fbe.operator()) {
+                case ADD:
+                    entries.add(new DefaultFlowEntry(fbe.target()));
+                    break;
+                case REMOVE:
+                    entries.remove(new DefaultFlowEntry(fbe.target()));
+                    break;
+                case MODIFY:
+                    FlowEntry entry = new DefaultFlowEntry(fbe.target());
+                    entries.remove(entry);
+                    entries.add(entry);
+                    break;
+                default:
+                    log.error("Unknown flow operation: {}", fbe);
+            }
+        }
+        flowTable.put(batch.deviceId(), entries);
+        CompletedBatchOperation op =
+                new CompletedBatchOperation(true, Collections.emptySet(),
+                                            batch.deviceId());
+        providerService.batchOperationCompleted(batch.id(), op);
+    }
+
+    // Periodically reports flow rule statistics.
+    private class StatisticTask implements TimerTask {
+        @Override
+        public void run(Timeout to) throws Exception {
+            for (DeviceId devId : flowTable.keySet()) {
+                Set<FlowEntry> entries =
+                        flowTable.getOrDefault(devId, Collections.emptySet());
+                providerService.pushFlowMetrics(devId, entries);
+            }
+            timeout = timer.newTimeout(to.getTask(), 5, TimeUnit.SECONDS);
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/NullPacketProvider.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/NullPacketProvider.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a1baec9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/NullPacketProvider.java
@@ -0,0 +1,169 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil;
+
+import org.jboss.netty.util.HashedWheelTimer;
+import org.jboss.netty.util.Timeout;
+import org.jboss.netty.util.TimerTask;
+import org.onlab.packet.Ethernet;
+import org.onlab.packet.ICMP;
+import org.onlab.util.Timer;
+import org.onosproject.net.ConnectPoint;
+import org.onosproject.net.Device;
+import org.onosproject.net.PortNumber;
+import org.onosproject.net.device.DeviceAdminService;
+import org.onosproject.net.host.HostService;
+import org.onosproject.net.packet.DefaultInboundPacket;
+import org.onosproject.net.packet.DefaultPacketContext;
+import org.onosproject.net.packet.InboundPacket;
+import org.onosproject.net.packet.OutboundPacket;
+import org.onosproject.net.packet.PacketProvider;
+import org.onosproject.net.packet.PacketProviderService;
+import org.slf4j.Logger;
+
+import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
+import java.util.stream.Collectors;
+
+import static com.google.common.collect.ImmutableList.copyOf;
+import static java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit.SECONDS;
+import static org.onosproject.net.MastershipRole.MASTER;
+import static org.slf4j.LoggerFactory.getLogger;
+
+/**
+ * Provider which generates simulated packets and acts as a sink for outbound
+ * packets. To be used for benchmarking only.
+ */
+class NullPacketProvider extends NullProviders.AbstractNullProvider
+        implements PacketProvider {
+
+    private static final int INITIAL_DELAY = 5;
+    private final Logger log = getLogger(getClass());
+
+    // Arbitrary host src/dst
+    private static final int SRC_HOST = 2;
+    private static final int DST_HOST = 5;
+
+    // Time between event firing, in milliseconds
+    private int delay;
+
+    // TODO: use host service to pick legitimate hosts connected to devices
+    private HostService hostService;
+    private PacketProviderService providerService;
+
+    private List<Device> devices;
+    private int currentDevice = 0;
+
+    private HashedWheelTimer timer = Timer.getTimer();
+    private Timeout timeout;
+
+    /**
+     * Starts the packet generation process.
+     *
+     * @param packetRate      packets per second
+     * @param hostService     host service
+     * @param deviceService   device service
+     * @param providerService packet provider service
+     */
+    void start(int packetRate, HostService hostService,
+               DeviceAdminService deviceService,
+               PacketProviderService providerService) {
+        this.hostService = hostService;
+        this.providerService = providerService;
+
+        this.devices = copyOf(deviceService.getDevices()).stream()
+                .filter(d -> deviceService.getRole(d.id()) == MASTER)
+                .collect(Collectors.toList());
+
+        adjustRate(packetRate);
+        timeout = timer.newTimeout(new PacketDriverTask(), INITIAL_DELAY, SECONDS);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Adjusts packet rate.
+     *
+     * @param packetRate new packet rate
+     */
+    void adjustRate(int packetRate) {
+        delay = 1000 / packetRate;
+        log.info("Settings: packetRate={}, delay={}", packetRate, delay);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Stops the packet generation process.
+     */
+    void stop() {
+        if (timeout != null) {
+            timeout.cancel();
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void emit(OutboundPacket packet) {
+        // We don't have a network to emit to. Keep a counter here, maybe?
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Generates packet events at a given rate.
+     */
+    private class PacketDriverTask implements TimerTask {
+
+        // Filler echo request
+        ICMP icmp;
+        Ethernet eth;
+
+        public PacketDriverTask() {
+            icmp = new ICMP();
+            icmp.setIcmpType((byte) 8).setIcmpCode((byte) 0).setChecksum((short) 0);
+            eth = new Ethernet();
+            eth.setEtherType(Ethernet.TYPE_IPV4);
+            eth.setPayload(icmp);
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public void run(Timeout to) {
+            if (!devices.isEmpty()) {
+                sendEvent(devices.get(currentDevice));
+                currentDevice = (currentDevice + 1) % devices.size();
+                timeout = timer.newTimeout(to.getTask(), delay, TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS);
+            }
+        }
+
+        private void sendEvent(Device device) {
+            // Make it look like things came from ports attached to hosts
+            eth.setSourceMACAddress("00:00:10:00:00:0" + SRC_HOST)
+                    .setDestinationMACAddress("00:00:10:00:00:0" + DST_HOST);
+            InboundPacket inPkt = new DefaultInboundPacket(
+                    new ConnectPoint(device.id(), PortNumber.portNumber(SRC_HOST)),
+                    eth, ByteBuffer.wrap(eth.serialize()));
+            providerService.processPacket(new NullPacketContext(inPkt, null));
+        }
+    }
+
+     // Minimal PacketContext to make core and applications happy.
+    private final class NullPacketContext extends DefaultPacketContext {
+        private NullPacketContext(InboundPacket inPkt, OutboundPacket outPkt) {
+            super(System.currentTimeMillis(), inPkt, outPkt, false);
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public void send() {
+            // We don't send anything out.
+        }
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/NullProviders.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/NullProviders.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d8ccb3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/NullProviders.java
@@ -0,0 +1,418 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil;
+
+import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Activate;
+import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Component;
+import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Deactivate;
+import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Modified;
+import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Property;
+import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Reference;
+import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.ReferenceCardinality;
+import org.apache.felix.scr.annotations.Service;
+import org.onlab.osgi.DefaultServiceDirectory;
+import org.onosproject.cfg.ComponentConfigService;
+import org.onosproject.cluster.ClusterService;
+import org.onosproject.cluster.NodeId;
+import org.onosproject.mastership.MastershipAdminService;
+import org.onosproject.net.ConnectPoint;
+import org.onosproject.net.DeviceId;
+import org.onosproject.net.Host;
+import org.onosproject.net.MastershipRole;
+import org.onosproject.net.device.DeviceAdminService;
+import org.onosproject.net.device.DeviceProvider;
+import org.onosproject.net.device.DeviceProviderRegistry;
+import org.onosproject.net.device.DeviceProviderService;
+import org.onosproject.net.flow.FlowRuleProviderRegistry;
+import org.onosproject.net.flow.FlowRuleProviderService;
+import org.onosproject.net.host.HostProvider;
+import org.onosproject.net.host.HostProviderRegistry;
+import org.onosproject.net.host.HostProviderService;
+import org.onosproject.net.host.HostService;
+import org.onosproject.net.link.LinkProvider;
+import org.onosproject.net.link.LinkProviderRegistry;
+import org.onosproject.net.link.LinkProviderService;
+import org.onosproject.net.link.LinkService;
+import org.onosproject.net.packet.PacketProviderRegistry;
+import org.onosproject.net.packet.PacketProviderService;
+import org.onosproject.net.provider.AbstractProvider;
+import org.onosproject.net.provider.ProviderId;
+import org.osgi.service.component.ComponentContext;
+import org.slf4j.Logger;
+
+import java.util.Dictionary;
+import java.util.Properties;
+
+import static com.google.common.base.Strings.isNullOrEmpty;
+import static org.onlab.util.Tools.delay;
+import static org.onlab.util.Tools.get;
+import static org.onosproject.net.DeviceId.deviceId;
+import static org.onosproject.net.MastershipRole.MASTER;
+import static org.onosproject.net.MastershipRole.NONE;
+import static org.slf4j.LoggerFactory.getLogger;
+
+/**
+ * Provider of a fake network environment, i.e. devices, links, hosts, etc.
+ * To be used for benchmarking only.
+ */
+@Component(immediate = true)
+@Service(value = NullProviders.class)
+public class NullProviders {
+
+    private static final Logger log = getLogger(NullProviders.class);
+
+    static final String SCHEME = "null";
+    static final String PROVIDER_ID = "org.onosproject.provider.nil";
+
+    private static final String FORMAT =
+            "Settings: enabled={}, topoShape={}, deviceCount={}, " +
+                    "hostCount={}, packetRate={}, mutationRate={}";
+
+
+    @Reference(cardinality = ReferenceCardinality.MANDATORY_UNARY)
+    protected ClusterService clusterService;
+
+    @Reference(cardinality = ReferenceCardinality.MANDATORY_UNARY)
+    protected MastershipAdminService mastershipService;
+
+    @Reference(cardinality = ReferenceCardinality.MANDATORY_UNARY)
+    protected ComponentConfigService cfgService;
+
+    @Reference(cardinality = ReferenceCardinality.MANDATORY_UNARY)
+    protected DeviceAdminService deviceService;
+
+    @Reference(cardinality = ReferenceCardinality.MANDATORY_UNARY)
+    protected HostService hostService;
+
+    @Reference(cardinality = ReferenceCardinality.MANDATORY_UNARY)
+    protected LinkService linkService;
+
+
+    @Reference(cardinality = ReferenceCardinality.MANDATORY_UNARY)
+    protected DeviceProviderRegistry deviceProviderRegistry;
+
+    @Reference(cardinality = ReferenceCardinality.MANDATORY_UNARY)
+    protected HostProviderRegistry hostProviderRegistry;
+
+    @Reference(cardinality = ReferenceCardinality.MANDATORY_UNARY)
+    protected LinkProviderRegistry linkProviderRegistry;
+
+    @Reference(cardinality = ReferenceCardinality.MANDATORY_UNARY)
+    protected FlowRuleProviderRegistry flowRuleProviderRegistry;
+
+    @Reference(cardinality = ReferenceCardinality.MANDATORY_UNARY)
+    protected PacketProviderRegistry packetProviderRegistry;
+
+
+    private final NullDeviceProvider deviceProvider = new NullDeviceProvider();
+    private final NullLinkProvider linkProvider = new NullLinkProvider();
+    private final NullHostProvider hostProvider = new NullHostProvider();
+    private final NullFlowRuleProvider flowRuleProvider = new NullFlowRuleProvider();
+    private final NullPacketProvider packetProvider = new NullPacketProvider();
+    private final TopologyMutationDriver topologyMutationDriver = new TopologyMutationDriver();
+
+    private DeviceProviderService deviceProviderService;
+    private HostProviderService hostProviderService;
+    private LinkProviderService linkProviderService;
+    private FlowRuleProviderService flowRuleProviderService;
+    private PacketProviderService packetProviderService;
+
+    private TopologySimulator simulator;
+
+    @Property(name = "enabled", boolValue = false,
+            label = "Enables or disables the provider")
+    private boolean enabled = false;
+
+    private static final String DEFAULT_TOPO_SHAPE = "configured";
+    @Property(name = "topoShape", value = DEFAULT_TOPO_SHAPE,
+            label = "Topology shape: configured, linear, reroute, tree, spineleaf, mesh")
+    private String topoShape = DEFAULT_TOPO_SHAPE;
+
+    private static final int DEFAULT_DEVICE_COUNT = 10;
+    @Property(name = "deviceCount", intValue = DEFAULT_DEVICE_COUNT,
+            label = "Number of devices to generate")
+    private int deviceCount = DEFAULT_DEVICE_COUNT;
+
+    private static final int DEFAULT_HOST_COUNT = 5;
+    @Property(name = "hostCount", intValue = DEFAULT_HOST_COUNT,
+            label = "Number of host to generate per device")
+    private int hostCount = DEFAULT_HOST_COUNT;
+
+    private static final int DEFAULT_PACKET_RATE = 5;
+    @Property(name = "packetRate", intValue = DEFAULT_PACKET_RATE,
+            label = "Packet-in/s rate; 0 for no packets")
+    private int packetRate = DEFAULT_PACKET_RATE;
+
+    private static final double DEFAULT_MUTATION_RATE = 0;
+    @Property(name = "mutationRate", doubleValue = DEFAULT_MUTATION_RATE,
+            label = "Link event/s topology mutation rate; 0 for no mutations")
+    private double mutationRate = DEFAULT_MUTATION_RATE;
+
+    private static final String DEFAULT_MASTERSHIP = "random";
+    @Property(name = "mastership", value = DEFAULT_MASTERSHIP,
+            label = "Mastership given as 'random' or 'node1=dpid,dpid/node2=dpid,...'")
+    private String mastership = DEFAULT_MASTERSHIP;
+
+
+    @Activate
+    public void activate(ComponentContext context) {
+        cfgService.registerProperties(getClass());
+
+        deviceProviderService = deviceProviderRegistry.register(deviceProvider);
+        hostProviderService = hostProviderRegistry.register(hostProvider);
+        linkProviderService = linkProviderRegistry.register(linkProvider);
+        flowRuleProviderService = flowRuleProviderRegistry.register(flowRuleProvider);
+        packetProviderService = packetProviderRegistry.register(packetProvider);
+        log.info("Started");
+    }
+
+    @Deactivate
+    public void deactivate(ComponentContext context) {
+        cfgService.unregisterProperties(getClass(), false);
+        tearDown();
+
+        deviceProviderRegistry.unregister(deviceProvider);
+        hostProviderRegistry.unregister(hostProvider);
+        linkProviderRegistry.unregister(linkProvider);
+        flowRuleProviderRegistry.unregister(flowRuleProvider);
+        packetProviderRegistry.unregister(packetProvider);
+
+        deviceProviderService = null;
+        hostProviderService = null;
+        linkProviderService = null;
+        flowRuleProviderService = null;
+        packetProviderService = null;
+
+        log.info("Stopped");
+    }
+
+    @Modified
+    public void modified(ComponentContext context) {
+        Dictionary<?, ?> properties = context != null ? context.getProperties() : new Properties();
+
+        boolean newEnabled;
+        int newDeviceCount, newHostCount, newPacketRate;
+        double newMutationRate;
+        String newTopoShape, newMastership;
+        try {
+            String s = get(properties, "enabled");
+            newEnabled = isNullOrEmpty(s) ? enabled : Boolean.parseBoolean(s.trim());
+
+            newTopoShape = get(properties, "topoShape");
+            newMastership = get(properties, "mastership");
+
+            s = get(properties, "deviceCount");
+            newDeviceCount = isNullOrEmpty(s) ? deviceCount : Integer.parseInt(s.trim());
+
+            s = get(properties, "hostCount");
+            newHostCount = isNullOrEmpty(s) ? hostCount : Integer.parseInt(s.trim());
+
+            s = get(properties, "packetRate");
+            newPacketRate = isNullOrEmpty(s) ? packetRate : Integer.parseInt(s.trim());
+
+            s = get(properties, "mutationRate");
+            newMutationRate = isNullOrEmpty(s) ? mutationRate : Double.parseDouble(s.trim());
+
+        } catch (NumberFormatException e) {
+            log.warn(e.getMessage());
+            newEnabled = enabled;
+            newTopoShape = topoShape;
+            newDeviceCount = deviceCount;
+            newHostCount = hostCount;
+            newPacketRate = packetRate;
+            newMutationRate = mutationRate;
+            newMastership = mastership;
+        }
+
+        // Any change in the following parameters implies hard restart
+        if (newEnabled != enabled || !newTopoShape.equals(topoShape) ||
+                newDeviceCount != deviceCount || newHostCount != hostCount) {
+            enabled = newEnabled;
+            topoShape = newTopoShape;
+            deviceCount = newDeviceCount;
+            hostCount = newHostCount;
+            packetRate = newPacketRate;
+            mutationRate = newMutationRate;
+            restartSimulation();
+        }
+
+        // Any change in the following parameters implies just a rate change
+        if (newPacketRate != packetRate || newMutationRate != mutationRate) {
+            packetRate = newPacketRate;
+            mutationRate = newMutationRate;
+            adjustRates();
+        }
+
+        // Any change in mastership implies just reassignments.
+        if (!newMastership.equals(mastership)) {
+            mastership = newMastership;
+            reassignMastership();
+        }
+
+        log.info(FORMAT, enabled, topoShape, deviceCount, hostCount,
+                 packetRate, mutationRate);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Severs the link between the specified end-points in both directions.
+     *
+     * @param one link endpoint
+     * @param two link endpoint
+     */
+    public void severLink(ConnectPoint one, ConnectPoint two) {
+        if (enabled) {
+            topologyMutationDriver.severLink(one, two);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Severs the link between the specified end-points in both directions.
+     *
+     * @param one link endpoint
+     * @param two link endpoint
+     */
+    public void repairLink(ConnectPoint one, ConnectPoint two) {
+        if (enabled) {
+            topologyMutationDriver.repairLink(one, two);
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Resets simulation based on the current configuration parameters.
+    private void restartSimulation() {
+        tearDown();
+        if (enabled) {
+            setUp();
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Sets up the topology simulation and all providers.
+    private void setUp() {
+        simulator = selectSimulator(topoShape);
+        simulator.init(topoShape, deviceCount, hostCount,
+                       new DefaultServiceDirectory(),
+                       deviceProviderService, hostProviderService,
+                       linkProviderService);
+        simulator.setUpTopology();
+        flowRuleProvider.start(flowRuleProviderService);
+        packetProvider.start(packetRate, hostService, deviceService,
+                             packetProviderService);
+        topologyMutationDriver.start(mutationRate, linkService, deviceService,
+                                     linkProviderService);
+    }
+
+    // Selects the simulator based on the specified name.
+    private TopologySimulator selectSimulator(String topoShape) {
+        if (topoShape.matches("linear([,].*|$)")) {
+            return new LinearTopologySimulator();
+        } else if (topoShape.matches("centipede([,].*|$)")) {
+            return new CentipedeTopologySimulator();
+        } else if (topoShape.matches("reroute([,].*|$)")) {
+            return new RerouteTopologySimulator();
+        } else if (topoShape.matches("tree([,].*|$)")) {
+            return new TreeTopologySimulator();
+        } else if (topoShape.matches("spineleaf([,].*|$)")) {
+            return new SpineLeafTopologySimulator();
+        } else if (topoShape.matches("mesh([,].*|$)")) {
+            return new MeshTopologySimulator();
+        } else {
+            return new ConfiguredTopologySimulator();
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Shuts down the topology simulator and all providers.
+    private void tearDown() {
+        if (simulator != null) {
+            topologyMutationDriver.stop();
+            packetProvider.stop();
+            flowRuleProvider.stop();
+            delay(500);
+            rejectMastership();
+            simulator.tearDownTopology();
+            simulator = null;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Changes packet and mutation rates.
+    private void adjustRates() {
+        packetProvider.adjustRate(packetRate);
+        topologyMutationDriver.adjustRate(mutationRate);
+    }
+
+    // Re-assigns mastership roles.
+    private void reassignMastership() {
+        if (mastership.equals(DEFAULT_MASTERSHIP)) {
+            mastershipService.balanceRoles();
+        } else {
+            NodeId localNode = clusterService.getLocalNode().id();
+            rejectMastership();
+            String[] nodeSpecs = mastership.split("/");
+            for (int i = 0; i < nodeSpecs.length; i++) {
+                String[] specs = nodeSpecs[i].split("=");
+                if (specs[0].equals(localNode.toString())) {
+                    String[] ids = specs[1].split(",");
+                    for (String id : ids) {
+                        mastershipService.setRole(localNode, deviceId(id), MASTER);
+                    }
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Rejects mastership of all devices.
+    private void rejectMastership() {
+        NodeId localNode = clusterService.getLocalNode().id();
+        deviceService.getDevices()
+                .forEach(device -> mastershipService.setRole(localNode, device.id(),
+                                                             NONE));
+    }
+
+    // Null provider base class.
+    abstract static class AbstractNullProvider extends AbstractProvider {
+        protected AbstractNullProvider() {
+            super(new ProviderId(SCHEME, PROVIDER_ID));
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Device provider facade.
+    private class NullDeviceProvider extends AbstractNullProvider implements DeviceProvider {
+        @Override
+        public void roleChanged(DeviceId deviceId, MastershipRole newRole) {
+            deviceProviderService.receivedRoleReply(deviceId, newRole, newRole);
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public boolean isReachable(DeviceId deviceId) {
+            return topoShape.equals("configured") || deviceService.isAvailable(deviceId);
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public void triggerProbe(DeviceId deviceId) {
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Host provider facade.
+    private class NullHostProvider extends AbstractNullProvider implements HostProvider {
+        @Override
+        public void triggerProbe(Host host) {
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Host provider facade.
+    private class NullLinkProvider extends AbstractNullProvider implements LinkProvider {
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/RerouteTopologySimulator.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/RerouteTopologySimulator.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11dc130
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/RerouteTopologySimulator.java
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil;
+
+import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkArgument;
+
+/**
+ * Re-routable linear topology simulator with an alternate path in the middle.
+ */
+public class RerouteTopologySimulator extends LinearTopologySimulator {
+
+    @Override
+    protected void processTopoShape(String shape) {
+        super.processTopoShape(shape);
+        infrastructurePorts = 3;
+        deviceCount = (topoShape.length == 1) ? deviceCount : Integer.parseInt(topoShape[1]);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void setUpTopology() {
+        checkArgument(deviceCount > 2, "There must be at least 3 devices");
+        super.setUpTopology();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void createLinks() {
+        for (int i = 0, n = deviceCount - 2; i < n; i++) {
+            createLink(i, i + 1);
+        }
+        int middle = (deviceCount - 1) / 2;
+        int alternate = deviceCount - 1;
+        createLink(middle - 1, alternate);
+        createLink(middle, alternate);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void createHosts() {
+        createHosts(deviceIds.get(0), infrastructurePorts);
+        createHosts(deviceIds.get(deviceCount - 2), infrastructurePorts);
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/SpineLeafTopologySimulator.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/SpineLeafTopologySimulator.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..876fc5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/SpineLeafTopologySimulator.java
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil;
+
+/**
+ * Spine-leaf topology with hosts at the leaf devices.
+ */
+public class SpineLeafTopologySimulator extends TopologySimulator {
+
+    @Override
+    protected void processTopoShape(String shape) {
+        super.processTopoShape(shape);
+        // FIXME: implement this
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void setUpTopology() {
+        // checkArgument(FIXME, "There must be at least one spine tier");
+        super.setUpTopology();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void createLinks() {
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void createHosts() {
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/TopologyMutationDriver.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/TopologyMutationDriver.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ccf7e08
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/TopologyMutationDriver.java
@@ -0,0 +1,223 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil;
+
+import com.google.common.collect.Lists;
+import org.onosproject.net.ConnectPoint;
+import org.onosproject.net.device.DeviceService;
+import org.onosproject.net.link.DefaultLinkDescription;
+import org.onosproject.net.link.LinkDescription;
+import org.onosproject.net.link.LinkProviderService;
+import org.onosproject.net.link.LinkService;
+import org.slf4j.Logger;
+import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory;
+
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Random;
+import java.util.concurrent.ExecutorService;
+import java.util.stream.Collectors;
+
+import static java.util.concurrent.Executors.newSingleThreadScheduledExecutor;
+import static org.onlab.util.Tools.delay;
+import static org.onlab.util.Tools.groupedThreads;
+import static org.onosproject.net.Link.Type.DIRECT;
+import static org.onosproject.net.MastershipRole.MASTER;
+import static org.onosproject.provider.nil.TopologySimulator.description;
+
+/**
+ * Drives topology mutations at a specified rate of events per second.
+ */
+class TopologyMutationDriver implements Runnable {
+
+    private final Logger log = LoggerFactory.getLogger(getClass());
+
+    private static final int WAIT_DELAY = 2_000;
+    private static final int MAX_DOWN_LINKS = 5;
+
+    private final Random random = new Random();
+
+    private volatile boolean stopped = true;
+
+    private double mutationRate;
+    private int millis, nanos;
+
+    private LinkService linkService;
+    private DeviceService deviceService;
+    private LinkProviderService linkProviderService;
+
+    private List<LinkDescription> activeLinks;
+    private List<LinkDescription> inactiveLinks;
+
+    private final ExecutorService executor =
+            newSingleThreadScheduledExecutor(groupedThreads("onos/null", "topo-mutator"));
+
+    /**
+     * Starts the mutation process.
+     *
+     * @param mutationRate        link events per second
+     * @param linkService         link service
+     * @param deviceService       device service
+     * @param linkProviderService link provider service
+     */
+    void start(double mutationRate,
+               LinkService linkService, DeviceService deviceService,
+               LinkProviderService linkProviderService) {
+        stopped = false;
+        this.linkService = linkService;
+        this.deviceService = deviceService;
+        this.linkProviderService = linkProviderService;
+        activeLinks = reduceLinks();
+        inactiveLinks = Lists.newArrayList();
+        adjustRate(mutationRate);
+        executor.submit(this);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Adjusts the topology mutation rate.
+     *
+     * @param mutationRate new topology mutation rate
+     */
+    void adjustRate(double mutationRate) {
+        this.mutationRate = mutationRate;
+        if (mutationRate > 0) {
+            this.millis = (int) (1_000 / mutationRate / 2);
+            this.nanos = (int) (1_000_000 / mutationRate / 2) % 1_000_000;
+        } else {
+            this.millis = 0;
+            this.nanos = 0;
+        }
+        log.info("Settings: millis={}, nanos={}", millis, nanos);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Stops the mutation process.
+     */
+    void stop() {
+        stopped = true;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Severs the link between the specified end-points in both directions.
+     *
+     * @param one link endpoint
+     * @param two link endpoint
+     */
+    void severLink(ConnectPoint one, ConnectPoint two) {
+        LinkDescription link = new DefaultLinkDescription(one, two, DIRECT);
+        linkProviderService.linkVanished(link);
+        linkProviderService.linkVanished(reverse(link));
+
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Repairs the link between the specified end-points in both directions.
+     *
+     * @param one link endpoint
+     * @param two link endpoint
+     */
+    void repairLink(ConnectPoint one, ConnectPoint two) {
+        LinkDescription link = new DefaultLinkDescription(one, two, DIRECT);
+        linkProviderService.linkDetected(link);
+        linkProviderService.linkDetected(reverse(link));
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void run() {
+        delay(WAIT_DELAY);
+
+        while (!stopped) {
+            if (mutationRate > 0 && inactiveLinks.isEmpty()) {
+                primeInactiveLinks();
+            } else if (mutationRate <= 0 && !inactiveLinks.isEmpty()) {
+                repairInactiveLinks();
+            } else if (inactiveLinks.isEmpty()) {
+                delay(WAIT_DELAY);
+
+            } else {
+                activeLinks.add(repairLink());
+                pause();
+                inactiveLinks.add(severLink());
+                pause();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Primes the inactive links with a few random links.
+    private void primeInactiveLinks() {
+        for (int i = 0, n = Math.min(MAX_DOWN_LINKS, activeLinks.size()); i < n; i++) {
+            inactiveLinks.add(severLink());
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Repairs all inactive links.
+    private void repairInactiveLinks() {
+        while (!inactiveLinks.isEmpty()) {
+            repairLink();
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Picks a random active link and severs it.
+    private LinkDescription severLink() {
+        LinkDescription link = getRandomLink(activeLinks);
+        linkProviderService.linkVanished(link);
+        linkProviderService.linkVanished(reverse(link));
+        return link;
+    }
+
+    // Picks a random inactive link and repairs it.
+    private LinkDescription repairLink() {
+        LinkDescription link = getRandomLink(inactiveLinks);
+        linkProviderService.linkDetected(link);
+        linkProviderService.linkDetected(reverse(link));
+        return link;
+    }
+
+    // Produces a reverse of the specified link.
+    private LinkDescription reverse(LinkDescription link) {
+        return new DefaultLinkDescription(link.dst(), link.src(), link.type());
+    }
+
+    // Returns a random link from the specified list of links.
+    private LinkDescription getRandomLink(List<LinkDescription> links) {
+        return links.remove(random.nextInt(links.size()));
+    }
+
+    // Reduces the given list of links to just a single link in each original pair.
+    private List<LinkDescription> reduceLinks() {
+        List<LinkDescription> links = Lists.newArrayList();
+        linkService.getLinks().forEach(link -> links.add(description(link)));
+        return links.stream()
+                .filter(this::isOurLink)
+                .filter(this::isRightDirection)
+                .collect(Collectors.toList());
+    }
+
+    // Returns true if the specified link is ours.
+    private boolean isOurLink(LinkDescription linkDescription) {
+        return deviceService.getRole(linkDescription.src().deviceId()) == MASTER;
+    }
+
+    // Returns true if the link source is greater than the link destination.
+    private boolean isRightDirection(LinkDescription link) {
+        return link.src().deviceId().toString().compareTo(link.dst().deviceId().toString()) > 0;
+    }
+
+    // Pauses the current thread for the pre-computed time of millis & nanos.
+    private void pause() {
+        delay(millis, nanos);
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/TopologySimulator.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/TopologySimulator.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e7a9ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/TopologySimulator.java
@@ -0,0 +1,360 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil;
+
+import com.google.common.collect.Lists;
+import org.onlab.osgi.ServiceDirectory;
+import org.onlab.packet.ChassisId;
+import org.onlab.packet.IpAddress;
+import org.onlab.packet.MacAddress;
+import org.onlab.packet.VlanId;
+import org.onosproject.cluster.ClusterService;
+import org.onosproject.cluster.NodeId;
+import org.onosproject.mastership.MastershipService;
+import org.onosproject.net.ConnectPoint;
+import org.onosproject.net.Device;
+import org.onosproject.net.DeviceId;
+import org.onosproject.net.Host;
+import org.onosproject.net.HostId;
+import org.onosproject.net.HostLocation;
+import org.onosproject.net.Link;
+import org.onosproject.net.Port;
+import org.onosproject.net.PortNumber;
+import org.onosproject.net.device.DefaultDeviceDescription;
+import org.onosproject.net.device.DefaultPortDescription;
+import org.onosproject.net.device.DeviceAdminService;
+import org.onosproject.net.device.DeviceDescription;
+import org.onosproject.net.device.DeviceEvent;
+import org.onosproject.net.device.DeviceListener;
+import org.onosproject.net.device.DeviceProviderService;
+import org.onosproject.net.device.PortDescription;
+import org.onosproject.net.host.DefaultHostDescription;
+import org.onosproject.net.host.HostDescription;
+import org.onosproject.net.host.HostProviderService;
+import org.onosproject.net.host.HostService;
+import org.onosproject.net.link.DefaultLinkDescription;
+import org.onosproject.net.link.LinkProviderService;
+import org.onosproject.net.link.LinkService;
+import org.slf4j.Logger;
+import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory;
+
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.concurrent.CountDownLatch;
+import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
+
+import static org.onlab.util.Tools.toHex;
+import static org.onosproject.net.HostId.hostId;
+import static org.onosproject.net.Link.Type.DIRECT;
+import static org.onosproject.net.PortNumber.portNumber;
+import static org.onosproject.net.device.DeviceEvent.Type.*;
+import static org.onosproject.provider.nil.NullProviders.SCHEME;
+
+/**
+ * Abstraction of a provider capable to simulate some network topology.
+ */
+public abstract class TopologySimulator {
+
+    protected final Logger log = LoggerFactory.getLogger(getClass());
+
+    protected String[] topoShape;
+    protected int deviceCount;
+    protected int hostCount;
+
+    protected ServiceDirectory directory;
+    protected NodeId localNode;
+
+    protected ClusterService clusterService;
+    protected MastershipService mastershipService;
+
+    protected DeviceAdminService deviceService;
+    protected HostService hostService;
+    protected LinkService linkService;
+
+    protected DeviceProviderService deviceProviderService;
+    protected HostProviderService hostProviderService;
+    protected LinkProviderService linkProviderService;
+
+    protected int maxWaitSeconds = 1;
+    protected int infrastructurePorts = 2;
+    protected CountDownLatch deviceLatch;
+
+    protected final List<DeviceId> deviceIds = Lists.newArrayList();
+
+    private DeviceListener deviceEventCounter = new DeviceEventCounter();
+
+    /**
+     * Initializes a new topology simulator with access to the specified service
+     * directory and various provider services.
+     *
+     * @param topoShape             topology shape specifier
+     * @param deviceCount           number of devices in the topology
+     * @param hostCount             number of hosts per device
+     * @param directory             service directory
+     * @param deviceProviderService device provider service
+     * @param hostProviderService   host provider service
+     * @param linkProviderService   link provider service
+     */
+    protected void init(String topoShape, int deviceCount, int hostCount,
+                        ServiceDirectory directory,
+                        DeviceProviderService deviceProviderService,
+                        HostProviderService hostProviderService,
+                        LinkProviderService linkProviderService) {
+        this.deviceCount = deviceCount;
+        this.hostCount = hostCount;
+        this.directory = directory;
+
+        this.clusterService = directory.get(ClusterService.class);
+        this.mastershipService = directory.get(MastershipService.class);
+
+        this.deviceService = directory.get(DeviceAdminService.class);
+        this.hostService = directory.get(HostService.class);
+        this.linkService = directory.get(LinkService.class);
+        this.deviceProviderService = deviceProviderService;
+        this.hostProviderService = hostProviderService;
+        this.linkProviderService = linkProviderService;
+
+        localNode = clusterService.getLocalNode().id();
+
+        processTopoShape(topoShape);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Processes the topology shape specifier.
+     *
+     * @param shape topology shape specifier
+     */
+    protected void processTopoShape(String shape) {
+        this.topoShape = shape.split(",");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Sets up network topology simulation.
+     */
+    public void setUpTopology() {
+        prepareForDeviceEvents(deviceCount);
+        createDevices();
+        waitForDeviceEvents();
+
+        createLinks();
+        createHosts();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates simulated devices.
+     */
+    protected void createDevices() {
+        for (int i = 0; i < deviceCount; i++) {
+            createDevice(i + 1);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates simulated links.
+     */
+    protected abstract void createLinks();
+
+    /**
+     * Creates simulated hosts.
+     */
+    protected abstract void createHosts();
+
+    /**
+     * Creates simulated device.
+     *
+     * @param i index of the device id in the list.
+     */
+    protected void createDevice(int i) {
+        DeviceId id = DeviceId.deviceId(SCHEME + ":" + toHex(i));
+        DeviceDescription desc =
+                new DefaultDeviceDescription(id.uri(), Device.Type.SWITCH,
+                                             "ON.Lab", "0.1", "0.1", "1234",
+                                             new ChassisId(i));
+        deviceProviderService.deviceConnected(id, desc);
+        deviceProviderService.updatePorts(id, buildPorts(hostCount + infrastructurePorts));
+        deviceIds.add(id);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates simulated link between two devices.
+     *
+     * @param i index of one simulated device
+     * @param j index of another simulated device
+     */
+    protected void createLink(int i, int j) {
+        ConnectPoint one = new ConnectPoint(deviceIds.get(i), PortNumber.portNumber(1));
+        ConnectPoint two = new ConnectPoint(deviceIds.get(j), PortNumber.portNumber(2));
+        linkProviderService.linkDetected(new DefaultLinkDescription(one, two, DIRECT));
+        linkProviderService.linkDetected(new DefaultLinkDescription(two, one, DIRECT));
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates simularted hosts for the specified device.
+     *
+     * @param deviceId   device identifier
+     * @param portOffset port offset where to start attaching hosts
+     */
+    protected void createHosts(DeviceId deviceId, int portOffset) {
+        String s = deviceId.toString();
+        byte dByte = Byte.parseByte(s.substring(s.length() - 1), 16);
+        // TODO: this limits the simulation to 256 devices & 256 hosts/device.
+        byte[] macBytes = new byte[]{0, 0, 0, 0, dByte, 0};
+        byte[] ipBytes = new byte[]{(byte) 192, (byte) 168, dByte, 0};
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < hostCount; i++) {
+            int port = portOffset + i + 1;
+            macBytes[5] = (byte) (i + 1);
+            ipBytes[3] = (byte) (i + 1);
+            HostId id = hostId(MacAddress.valueOf(macBytes), VlanId.NONE);
+            IpAddress ip = IpAddress.valueOf(IpAddress.Version.INET, ipBytes);
+            hostProviderService.hostDetected(id, description(id, ip, deviceId, port));
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Prepares to count device added/available/removed events.
+     *
+     * @param count number of events to count
+     */
+    protected void prepareForDeviceEvents(int count) {
+        deviceLatch = new CountDownLatch(count);
+        deviceService.addListener(deviceEventCounter);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Waits for all expected device added/available/removed events.
+     */
+    protected void waitForDeviceEvents() {
+        try {
+            deviceLatch.await(maxWaitSeconds, TimeUnit.SECONDS);
+        } catch (InterruptedException e) {
+            log.warn("Device events did not arrive in time");
+        }
+        deviceService.removeListener(deviceEventCounter);
+    }
+
+
+    /**
+     * Tears down network topology simulation.
+     */
+    public void tearDownTopology() {
+        removeHosts();
+        removeLinks();
+        removeDevices();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Removes any hosts previously advertised by this provider.
+     */
+    protected void removeHosts() {
+        hostService.getHosts()
+                .forEach(host -> hostProviderService.hostVanished(host.id()));
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Removes any links previously advertised by this provider.
+     */
+    protected void removeLinks() {
+        linkService.getLinks()
+                .forEach(link -> linkProviderService.linkVanished(description(link)));
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Removes any devices previously advertised by this provider.
+     */
+    protected void removeDevices() {
+        prepareForDeviceEvents(deviceService.getDeviceCount());
+        deviceService.getDevices()
+                .forEach(device -> deviceService.removeDevice(device.id()));
+        waitForDeviceEvents();
+    }
+
+
+    /**
+     * Produces a device description from the given device.
+     *
+     * @param device device to copy
+     * @return device description
+     */
+    static DeviceDescription description(Device device) {
+        return new DefaultDeviceDescription(device.id().uri(), device.type(),
+                                            device.manufacturer(),
+                                            device.hwVersion(), device.swVersion(),
+                                            device.serialNumber(), device.chassisId());
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Produces a link description from the given link.
+     *
+     * @param link link to copy
+     * @return link description
+     */
+    static DefaultLinkDescription description(Link link) {
+        return new DefaultLinkDescription(link.src(), link.dst(), link.type());
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Produces a host description from the given host.
+     *
+     * @param host host to copy
+     * @return host description
+     */
+    static DefaultHostDescription description(Host host) {
+        return new DefaultHostDescription(host.mac(), host.vlan(), host.location(),
+                                          host.ipAddresses());
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Generates a host description from the given id and location information.
+     *
+     * @param hostId   host identifier
+     * @param ip       host IP
+     * @param deviceId edge device
+     * @param port     edge port
+     * @return host description
+     */
+    static HostDescription description(HostId hostId, IpAddress ip,
+                                       DeviceId deviceId, int port) {
+        HostLocation location = new HostLocation(deviceId, portNumber(port), 0L);
+        return new DefaultHostDescription(hostId.mac(), hostId.vlanId(), location, ip);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Generates a list of a configured number of ports.
+     *
+     * @param portCount number of ports
+     * @return list of ports
+     */
+    protected List<PortDescription> buildPorts(int portCount) {
+        List<PortDescription> ports = Lists.newArrayList();
+        for (int i = 0; i < portCount; i++) {
+            ports.add(new DefaultPortDescription(PortNumber.portNumber(i), true,
+                                                 Port.Type.COPPER, 0));
+        }
+        return ports;
+    }
+
+    // Counts down number of device added/available/removed events.
+    private class DeviceEventCounter implements DeviceListener {
+        @Override
+        public void event(DeviceEvent event) {
+            DeviceEvent.Type type = event.type();
+            if (type == DEVICE_ADDED || type == DEVICE_REMOVED ||
+                    type == DEVICE_AVAILABILITY_CHANGED) {
+                deviceLatch.countDown();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/TreeTopologySimulator.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/TreeTopologySimulator.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bed1390
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/TreeTopologySimulator.java
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil;
+
+import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkArgument;
+
+/**
+ * Tree topology with hosts at the leaf devices.
+ */
+public class TreeTopologySimulator extends TopologySimulator {
+
+    private int[] tierMultiplier;
+    private int[] tierDeviceCount;
+    private int[] tierOffset;
+
+    @Override
+    protected void processTopoShape(String shape) {
+        super.processTopoShape(shape);
+        tierOffset = new int[topoShape.length];
+        tierMultiplier = new int[topoShape.length];
+        tierDeviceCount = new int[topoShape.length];
+
+        deviceCount = 1;
+
+        tierOffset[0] = 0;
+        tierMultiplier[0] = 1;
+        tierDeviceCount[0] = deviceCount;
+
+        for (int i = 1; i < topoShape.length; i++) {
+            tierOffset[i] = deviceCount;
+            tierMultiplier[i] = Integer.parseInt(topoShape[i]);
+            tierDeviceCount[i] = tierDeviceCount[i - 1] * tierMultiplier[i];
+            deviceCount = deviceCount + tierDeviceCount[i];
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void setUpTopology() {
+        checkArgument(tierDeviceCount.length > 0, "There must be at least one tree tier");
+        super.setUpTopology();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void createLinks() {
+        for (int t = 1; t < tierOffset.length; t++) {
+            int child = tierOffset[t];
+            for (int parent = tierOffset[t - 1]; parent < tierOffset[t]; parent++) {
+                for (int i = 0; i < tierMultiplier[t]; i++) {
+                    createLink(parent, child);
+                    child++;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void createHosts() {
+        for (int i = tierOffset[tierOffset.length - 1]; i < deviceCount; i++) {
+            createHosts(deviceIds.get(i), hostCount);
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/cli/NullControlCommand.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/cli/NullControlCommand.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..261f46d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/cli/NullControlCommand.java
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil.cli;
+
+import org.apache.karaf.shell.commands.Argument;
+import org.apache.karaf.shell.commands.Command;
+import org.onosproject.cfg.ComponentConfigService;
+import org.onosproject.cli.AbstractShellCommand;
+import org.onosproject.provider.nil.NullProviders;
+
+import static org.onosproject.cli.StartStopCompleter.START;
+
+/**
+ * Starts or stops topology simulation.
+ */
+@Command(scope = "onos", name = "null-simulation",
+        description = "Starts or stops topology simulation")
+public class NullControlCommand extends AbstractShellCommand {
+
+    @Argument(index = 0, name = "cmd", description = "Control command: start/stop",
+            required = true, multiValued = false)
+    String cmd = null;
+
+    @Argument(index = 1, name = "topoShape",
+            description = "Topology shape: e.g. configured, linear, reroute, centipede, tree, spineleaf, mesh",
+            required = false, multiValued = false)
+    String topoShape = null;
+
+    @Override
+    protected void execute() {
+        ComponentConfigService service = get(ComponentConfigService.class);
+        if (topoShape != null) {
+            service.setProperty(NullProviders.class.getName(), "topoShape", topoShape);
+        }
+        service.setProperty(NullProviders.class.getName(), "enabled",
+                            cmd.equals(START) ? "true" : "false");
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/cli/NullLinkCommand.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/cli/NullLinkCommand.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6018b8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/cli/NullLinkCommand.java
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil.cli;
+
+import org.apache.karaf.shell.commands.Argument;
+import org.apache.karaf.shell.commands.Command;
+import org.onosproject.cli.AbstractShellCommand;
+import org.onosproject.net.ConnectPoint;
+import org.onosproject.net.DeviceId;
+import org.onosproject.net.PortNumber;
+import org.onosproject.provider.nil.NullProviders;
+
+import static org.onosproject.cli.UpDownCompleter.DOWN;
+import static org.onosproject.cli.UpDownCompleter.UP;
+import static org.onosproject.cli.net.AddPointToPointIntentCommand.getDeviceId;
+import static org.onosproject.cli.net.AddPointToPointIntentCommand.getPortNumber;
+import static org.onosproject.net.DeviceId.deviceId;
+import static org.onosproject.net.PortNumber.portNumber;
+
+/**
+ * Servers or repairs a simulated link.
+ */
+@Command(scope = "onos", name = "null-link",
+        description = "Severs or repairs a simulated link")
+public class NullLinkCommand extends AbstractShellCommand {
+
+    @Argument(index = 0, name = "one", description = "One link end-point as device/port",
+            required = true, multiValued = false)
+    String one = null;
+
+    @Argument(index = 1, name = "two", description = "Another link end-point as device/port",
+            required = true, multiValued = false)
+    String two = null;
+
+    @Argument(index = 2, name = "cmd", description = "up/down",
+            required = true, multiValued = false)
+    String cmd = null;
+
+
+    @Override
+    protected void execute() {
+        NullProviders service = get(NullProviders.class);
+
+        try {
+            DeviceId oneId = deviceId(getDeviceId(one));
+            PortNumber onePort = portNumber(getPortNumber(one));
+            ConnectPoint onePoint = new ConnectPoint(oneId, onePort);
+
+            DeviceId twoId = deviceId(getDeviceId(two));
+            PortNumber twoPort = portNumber(getPortNumber(two));
+            ConnectPoint twoPoint = new ConnectPoint(twoId, twoPort);
+
+            if (cmd.equals(UP)) {
+                service.repairLink(onePoint, twoPoint);
+            } else if (cmd.equals(DOWN)) {
+                service.severLink(onePoint, twoPoint);
+            } else {
+                error("Illegal command %s; must be up or down", cmd);
+            }
+        } catch (NumberFormatException e) {
+            error("Invalid port number specified", e);
+        }
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/cli/TopologyShapeCompleter.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/cli/TopologyShapeCompleter.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fad29b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/cli/TopologyShapeCompleter.java
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.provider.nil.cli;
+
+import com.google.common.collect.ImmutableList;
+import org.onosproject.cli.AbstractChoicesCompleter;
+
+import java.util.List;
+
+/**
+ * Topology shape completer.
+ */
+public class TopologyShapeCompleter extends AbstractChoicesCompleter {
+    @Override
+    public List<String> choices() {
+        return ImmutableList.of("configured", "linear", "reroute", "centipede",
+                                "tree", "spineleaf", "mesh");
+    }
+}
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/cli/package-info.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/cli/package-info.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f876ced
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/cli/package-info.java
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Null provider CLI commands and completers.
+ */
+package org.onosproject.provider.nil.cli;
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/package-info.java b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/package-info.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8d309f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/java/org/onosproject/provider/nil/package-info.java
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+ *
+ * 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.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Set of null south-bound providers which permit simulating a network
+ * topology using fake devices, links, hosts, etc.
+ */
+package org.onosproject.provider.nil;
diff --git a/providers/null/src/main/resources/OSGI-INF/blueprint/shell-config.xml b/providers/null/src/main/resources/OSGI-INF/blueprint/shell-config.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f96f10c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/providers/null/src/main/resources/OSGI-INF/blueprint/shell-config.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+<!--
+  ~ Copyright 2015 Open Networking Laboratory
+  ~
+  ~ 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.
+  -->
+<blueprint xmlns="http://www.osgi.org/xmlns/blueprint/v1.0.0">
+
+    <command-bundle xmlns="http://karaf.apache.org/xmlns/shell/v1.1.0">
+        <command>
+            <action class="org.onosproject.provider.nil.cli.NullControlCommand"/>
+            <completers>
+                <ref component-id="startStopCompleter"/>
+                <ref component-id="topoShapeCompleter"/>
+                <null/>
+            </completers>
+        </command>
+        <command>
+            <action class="org.onosproject.provider.nil.cli.NullLinkCommand"/>
+            <completers>
+                <ref component-id="linkSrcCompleter"/>
+                <ref component-id="linkDstCompleter"/>
+                <ref component-id="upDownCompleter"/>
+                <null/>
+            </completers>
+        </command>
+    </command-bundle>
+
+    <bean id="startStopCompleter" class="org.onosproject.cli.StartStopCompleter"/>
+    <bean id="upDownCompleter" class="org.onosproject.cli.UpDownCompleter"/>
+    <bean id="topoShapeCompleter" class="org.onosproject.provider.nil.cli.TopologyShapeCompleter"/>
+    <bean id="linkSrcCompleter" class="org.onosproject.cli.net.LinkSrcCompleter"/>
+    <bean id="linkDstCompleter" class="org.onosproject.cli.net.LinkDstCompleter"/>
+
+</blueprint>