diff --git a/common/include/device.hpp b/common/include/device.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2bfcac7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/include/device.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "common/pldm/package_parser.hpp"
+#include "device_config.hpp"
+#include "software.hpp"
+
+#include <sdbusplus/async/context.hpp>
+#include <xyz/openbmc_project/Association/Definitions/aserver.hpp>
+#include <xyz/openbmc_project/Software/Activation/aserver.hpp>
+#include <xyz/openbmc_project/Software/Update/aserver.hpp>
+#include <xyz/openbmc_project/Software/Version/aserver.hpp>
+
+#include <string>
+
+using ActivationInterface =
+    sdbusplus::common::xyz::openbmc_project::software::Activation;
+
+class SoftwareManager;
+
+class Device
+{
+  public:
+    Device(sdbusplus::async::context& ctx, bool dryRun,
+           const DeviceConfig& deviceConfig, SoftwareManager* parent);
+
+    virtual ~Device() = default;
+    Device(const Device&) = delete;
+    Device& operator=(const Device&) = delete;
+    Device(Device&&) = delete;
+    Device& operator=(Device&&) = delete;
+
+    // we provide the pointer to the dbus interface so the device specific
+    // implementation can give percentage progress updates
+    // @param image                raw fw image without pldm header
+    // @param image_size           size of 'image'
+    // @param activationProgress   dbus interface for progress reporting
+    // @returns                    true if update was applied successfully.
+    //                             Should also return true if update was applied
+    //                             successfully, but the host failed to power
+    //                             on.
+    virtual sdbusplus::async::task<bool> updateDevice(
+        const uint8_t* image, size_t image_size,
+        std::unique_ptr<SoftwareActivationProgress>& activationProgress) = 0;
+
+    // @returns                    the object path of the inventory item which
+    //                             can be associated with this device.
+    virtual sdbusplus::async::task<std::string>
+        getInventoryItemObjectPath() = 0;
+
+    // Returns the apply times for updates which are supported by the device
+    // Override this if your device deviates from the default set of apply
+    // times.
+    virtual std::set<RequestedApplyTimes> allowedApplyTimes();
+
+    // @param image                the memory fd with the pldm package
+    // @param applyTime            when the update should be applied
+    // @param swid                 the software id to use
+    // @returns                    true if update was successfull
+    sdbusplus::async::task<bool> startUpdateAsync(
+        sdbusplus::message::unix_fd image, RequestedApplyTimes applyTime,
+        std::unique_ptr<Software> softwareUpdate);
+
+    // Value of 'Type' field for the configuration in EM exposes record
+    std::string getEMConfigType() const;
+
+    // software instance, identified by its swid
+    // The specific derived class also owns its dbus interfaces,
+    // which are destroyed when the instance is deleted.
+    std::unique_ptr<Software> softwareCurrent;
+
+  protected:
+    // Resets the device, in whichever way is appropriate for the device.
+    // The reset must be capable to apply the firmware update which was done
+    // by 'deviceSpecificUpdateFunction', in case that function did not already
+    // apply it. This method is optional to implement for that reason.
+    virtual void resetDevice();
+
+    // The common configuration that all devices share.
+    // We get this from EM configuration.
+    DeviceConfig config;
+
+    SoftwareManager* parent;
+    bool dryRun;
+
+    sdbusplus::async::context& ctx;
+
+  private:
+    // @param pldm_pkg             raw pldm package
+    // @param pldm_pkg_size        size of 'pldm_pkg'
+    // @param applyTime            when the update should be applied
+    // @returns                    the return value of the device specific
+    // update function
+    sdbusplus::async::task<bool> continueUpdateWithMappedPackage(
+        void* pldm_pkg,
+        const std::shared_ptr<pldm::fw_update::PackageParser>& packageParser,
+        sdbusplus::common::xyz::openbmc_project::software::ApplyTime::
+            RequestedApplyTimes applyTime,
+        const std::unique_ptr<Software>& softwareUpdate);
+
+    friend SoftwareUpdate;
+    friend Software;
+};