diff --git a/gns3server/controller/base_gns3_vm.py b/gns3server/controller/base_gns3_vm.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8afbeb09
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gns3server/controller/base_gns3_vm.py
@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2016 GNS3 Technologies Inc.
+#
+# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+import asyncio
+
+
+class BaseGNS3VM:
+
+    def __init__(self, vmname, port):
+
+        self._vmname = vmname
+        self._ip_address = None
+        self._port = port
+        self._headless = False
+        self._running = False
+
+    @property
+    def vmname(self):
+        """
+        Returns the GNS3 VM name.
+
+        :returns: VM name
+        """
+
+        return self._vmname
+
+    @vmname.setter
+    def vmname(self, new_name):
+        """
+        Sets the GNS3 VM name
+
+        :param new_name: new VM name
+        """
+
+        self._vmname = new_name
+
+    @property
+    def port(self):
+        """
+        Returns the GNS3 VM port.
+
+        :returns: VM port
+        """
+
+        return self._port
+
+    @port.setter
+    def port(self, new_port):
+        """
+        Sets the GNS3 VM port
+
+        :param new_port: new VM port
+        """
+
+        self._port = new_port
+
+    @property
+    def ip_address(self):
+        """
+        Returns the GNS3 VM IP address.
+
+        :returns: VM IP address
+        """
+
+        return self._ip_address
+
+    @ip_address.setter
+    def ip_address(self, new_ip_address):
+        """
+        Sets the GNS3 VM IP address.
+
+        :param new_ip_address: new VM IP address
+        """
+
+        self._ip_address = new_ip_address
+
+    @property
+    def running(self):
+        """
+        Returns whether the GNS3 VM is running or not.
+
+        :returns: boolean
+        """
+
+        return self._running
+
+    @running.setter
+    def running(self, value):
+        """
+        Sets whether the GNS3 VM is running or not.
+
+        :param value: boolean
+        """
+
+        self._running = value
+
+    @property
+    def headless(self):
+        """
+        Returns whether the GNS3 VM is headless or not.
+
+        :returns: boolean
+        """
+
+        return self._headless
+
+    @headless.setter
+    def headless(self, value):
+        """
+        Sets whether the GNS3 VM is headless or not.
+
+        :param value: boolean
+        """
+
+        self._headless = value
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def start(self):
+        """
+        Starts the GNS3 VM.
+        """
+
+        raise NotImplementedError
+
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def stop(self, force=False):
+        """
+        Stops the GNS3 VM.
+        """
+
+        raise NotImplementedError
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def set_vcpus(self, vcpus):
+        """
+        Set the number of vCPU cores for the GNS3 VM.
+
+        :param vcpus: number of vCPU cores
+
+        :returns: boolean
+        """
+
+        raise NotImplementedError
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def set_ram(self, ram):
+        """
+        Set the RAM amount for the GNS3 VM.
+
+        :param ram: amount of memory
+
+        :returns: boolean
+        """
+
+        raise NotImplementedError
diff --git a/gns3server/controller/gns3_vm_error.py b/gns3server/controller/gns3_vm_error.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..29e4f85b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gns3server/controller/gns3_vm_error.py
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2016 GNS3 Technologies Inc.
+#
+# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+
+class GNS3VMError(Exception):
+
+    def __init__(self, message):
+        super().__init__(message)
+        self._message = message
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        return self._message
+
+    def __str__(self):
+        return self._message
diff --git a/gns3server/controller/virtualbox_gns3_vm.py b/gns3server/controller/virtualbox_gns3_vm.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..96045d75
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gns3server/controller/virtualbox_gns3_vm.py
@@ -0,0 +1,253 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2016 GNS3 Technologies Inc.
+#
+# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+import logging
+import asyncio
+import socket
+
+from .base_gns3_vm import BaseGNS3VM
+from .gns3_vm_error import GNS3VMError
+
+from ..compute.virtualbox import (
+    VirtualBox,
+    VirtualBoxError
+)
+
+log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class VirtualBoxGNS3VM(BaseGNS3VM):
+
+    def __init__(self, vmname, port):
+
+        super().__init__(vmname, port)
+        self._virtualbox_manager = VirtualBox()
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def _execute(self, subcommand, args, timeout=60):
+
+        try:
+            return (yield from self._virtualbox_manager.execute(subcommand, args, timeout))
+        except VirtualBoxError as e:
+            raise GNS3VMError("Error while executing VBoxManage command: {}".format(e))
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def _get_state(self):
+        """
+        Returns the VM state (e.g. running, paused etc.)
+
+        :returns: state (string)
+        """
+
+        result = yield from self._execute("showvminfo", [self._vmname, "--machinereadable"])
+        for info in result.splitlines():
+            if '=' in info:
+                name, value = info.split('=', 1)
+                if name == "VMState":
+                    return value.strip('"')
+        return "unknown"
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def _look_for_interface(self, network_backend):
+        """
+        Look for an interface with a specific network backend.
+
+        :returns: interface number or -1 if none is found
+        """
+
+        result = yield from self._execute("showvminfo", [self._vmname, "--machinereadable"])
+        interface = -1
+        for info in result.splitlines():
+            if '=' in info:
+                name, value = info.split('=', 1)
+                if name.startswith("nic") and value.strip('"') == network_backend:
+                    try:
+                        interface = int(name[3:])
+                        break
+                    except ValueError:
+                        continue
+        return interface
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def _look_for_vboxnet(self, interface_number):
+        """
+        Look for the VirtualBox network name associated with a host only interface.
+
+        :returns: None or vboxnet name
+        """
+
+        result = yield from self._execute("showvminfo", [self._vmname, "--machinereadable"])
+        for info in result.splitlines():
+            if '=' in info:
+                name, value = info.split('=', 1)
+                if name == "hostonlyadapter{}".format(interface_number):
+                    return value.strip('"')
+        return None
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def _check_dhcp_server(self, vboxnet):
+        """
+        Check if the DHCP server associated with a vboxnet is enabled.
+
+        :param vboxnet: vboxnet name
+
+        :returns: boolean
+        """
+
+        properties = yield from self._execute("list", ["dhcpservers"])
+        flag_dhcp_server_found = False
+        for prop in properties.splitlines():
+            try:
+                name, value = prop.split(':', 1)
+            except ValueError:
+                continue
+            if name.strip() == "NetworkName" and value.strip().endswith(vboxnet):
+                flag_dhcp_server_found = True
+            if flag_dhcp_server_found and name.strip() == "Enabled":
+                if value.strip() == "Yes":
+                    return True
+        return False
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def _check_vbox_port_forwarding(self):
+        """
+        Checks if the NAT port forwarding rule exists.
+
+        :returns: boolean
+        """
+
+        result = yield from self._execute("showvminfo", [self._vmname, "--machinereadable"])
+        for info in result.splitlines():
+            if '=' in info:
+                name, value = info.split('=', 1)
+                if name.startswith("Forwarding") and value.strip('"').startswith("GNS3VM"):
+                    return True
+        return False
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def start(self):
+        """
+        Start the GNS3 VM.
+        """
+
+        # get a NAT interface number
+        nat_interface_number = yield from self._look_for_interface("nat")
+        if nat_interface_number < 0:
+            raise GNS3VMError("The GNS3 VM must have a NAT interface configured in order to start")
+
+        hostonly_interface_number = yield from self._look_for_interface("hostonly")
+        if hostonly_interface_number < 0:
+            raise GNS3VMError("The GNS3 VM must have a host only interface configured in order to start")
+
+        vboxnet = yield from self._look_for_vboxnet(hostonly_interface_number)
+        if vboxnet is None:
+            raise GNS3VMError("VirtualBox host-only network could not be found for interface {}".format(hostonly_interface_number))
+
+        if not (yield from self._check_dhcp_server(vboxnet)):
+            raise GNS3VMError("DHCP must be enabled on VirtualBox host-only network: {}".format(vboxnet))
+
+        vm_state = yield from self._get_vbox_vm_state()
+        log.info('"{}" state is {}'.format(self._vmname, vm_state))
+        if vm_state in ("poweroff", "saved"):
+            # start the VM if it is not running
+            args = [self._vmname]
+            if self._headless:
+                args.extend(["--type", "headless"])
+            yield from self._execute("startvm", args)
+        log.info("GNS3 VM has been started")
+        self.running = True
+
+        ip_address = "127.0.0.1"
+        try:
+            # get a random port on localhost
+            with socket.socket() as s:
+                s.bind((ip_address, 0))
+                port = s.getsockname()[1]
+        except OSError as e:
+            raise GNS3VMError("Error while getting random port: {}".format(e))
+
+        if (yield from self._check_vbox_port_forwarding()):
+            # delete the GNS3VM NAT port forwarding rule if it exists
+            log.info("Removing GNS3VM NAT port forwarding rule from interface {}".format(nat_interface_number))
+            yield from self._execute("controlvm", [self._vmname, "natpf{}".format(nat_interface_number), "delete", "GNS3VM"])
+
+        # add a GNS3VM NAT port forwarding rule to redirect 127.0.0.1 with random port to port 3080 in the VM
+        log.info("Adding GNS3VM NAT port forwarding rule with port {} to interface {}".format(port, nat_interface_number))
+        yield from self._execute("controlvm", [self._vmname, "natpf{}".format(nat_interface_number),
+                                               "GNS3VM,tcp,{},{},,3080".format(ip_address, port)])
+
+        original_port = self.port
+        self.port = port
+
+        # TODO: retrieve interfaces on server
+        # # ask the server all a list of all its interfaces along with IP addresses
+        # status, json_data = self._waitForServer(vm_server, "interfaces", retry=120)
+        # if status == 401:
+        #     self.error.emit("Wrong user or password for the GNS3 VM".format(status), True)
+        #     return False
+        # if status != 200:
+        #     msg = "Server {} has replied with status code {} when retrieving the network interfaces".format(
+        #         vm_server.url(), status)
+        #     log.error(msg)
+        #     self.error.emit(msg, True)
+        #     return False
+
+        # find the ip address for the first hostonly interface
+        hostonly_ip_address_found = False
+        for interface in json_data:
+            if "name" in interface and interface["name"] == "eth{}".format(hostonly_interface_number - 1):
+                if "ip_address" in interface:
+                    self.ip_address = interface["ip_address"]
+                    self.port = original_port
+                    log.info("GNS3 VM IP address set to {}".format(interface["ip_address"]))
+                    hostonly_ip_address_found = True
+                    break
+
+        if not hostonly_ip_address_found:
+            raise GNS3VMError("Not IP address could be found in the GNS3 VM for eth{}".format(hostonly_interface_number - 1))
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def stop(self, force=False):
+        """
+        Stops the GNS3 VM.
+        """
+
+        yield from self._execute("controlvm", [self._vmname, "acpipowerbutton"], timeout=3)
+        log.info("GNS3 VM hsd been stopped")
+        self.running = False
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def set_vcpus(self, vcpus):
+        """
+        Set the number of vCPU cores for the GNS3 VM.
+
+        :param vcpus: number of vCPU cores
+        """
+
+        yield from self.execute("modifyvm", [self._vmname, "--cpus", str(vcpus)], timeout=3)
+        log.info("GNS3 VM vCPU count set to {}".format(vcpus))
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def set_ram(self, ram):
+        """
+        Set the RAM amount for the GNS3 VM.
+
+        :param ram: amount of memory
+        """
+
+        yield from self._execute("modifyvm", [self._vmname, "--memory", str(ram)], timeout=3)
+        log.info("GNS3 VM RAM amount set to {}".format(ram))
diff --git a/gns3server/controller/vmware_gns3_vm.py b/gns3server/controller/vmware_gns3_vm.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..80beaff6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gns3server/controller/vmware_gns3_vm.py
@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2016 GNS3 Technologies Inc.
+#
+# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+import os
+import logging
+import asyncio
+
+from gns3server.compute.vmware import (
+    VMware,
+    VMwareError
+)
+
+from .base_gns3_vm import BaseGNS3VM
+from .gns3_vm_error import GNS3VMError
+log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class VMwareGNS3VM(BaseGNS3VM):
+
+    def __init__(self, vmname, port, vmx_path=None):
+
+        super().__init__(vmname, port)
+        self._vmx_path = vmx_path
+        self._vmware_manager = VMware()
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def _execute(self, subcommand, args, timeout=60):
+
+        try:
+            return (yield from self._vmware_manager.execute(subcommand, args, timeout))
+        except VMwareError as e:
+            raise GNS3VMError("Error while executing VMware command: {}".format(e))
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def start(self):
+        """
+        Starts the GNS3 VM.
+        """
+
+        # check we have a valid VMX file path
+        if not self._vmx_path:
+            raise GNS3VMError("GNS3 VM is not configured", True)
+        if not os.path.exists(self._vmx_path):
+            raise GNS3VMError("VMware VMX file {} doesn't exist".format(self._vmx_path), True)
+
+        # start the VM
+        args = [self._vmx_path]
+        if self._headless:
+            args.extend(["nogui"])
+        yield from self._execute("start", args)
+        log.info("GNS3 VM has been started")
+        self.running = True
+
+        # check if the VMware guest tools are installed
+        vmware_tools_state = yield from self._execute("checkToolsState", [self._vmx_path])
+        if vmware_tools_state not in ("installed", "running"):
+            raise GNS3VMError("VMware tools are not installed in {}".format(self.vmname))
+
+        # get the guest IP address (first adapter only)
+        guest_ip_address = yield from self._execute("getGuestIPAddress", [self._vmx_path, "-wait"], timeout=120)
+        self.ip_address = guest_ip_address
+        log.info("GNS3 VM IP address set to {}".format(guest_ip_address))
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def stop(self, force=False):
+        """
+        Stops the GNS3 VM.
+        """
+
+        if self._vmx_path is None:
+            raise GNS3VMError("No vm path configured, can't stop the VM")
+        yield from self._execute("stop", [self._vmx_path, "soft"])
+        log.info("GNS3 VM has been stopped")
+        self.running = False
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def set_vcpus(self, vcpus):
+        """
+        Set the number of vCPU cores for the GNS3 VM.
+
+        :param vcpus: number of vCPU cores
+        """
+
+        try:
+            pairs = VMware.parse_vmware_file(self._vmx_path)
+            pairs["numvcpus"] = str(vcpus)
+            VMware.write_vmx_file(self._vmx_path, pairs)
+            log.info("GNS3 VM vCPU count set to {}".format(vcpus))
+        except OSError as e:
+            raise GNS3VMError('Could not read/write VMware VMX file "{}": {}'.format(self._vmx_path, e))
+
+    @asyncio.coroutine
+    def set_ram(self, ram):
+        """
+        Set the RAM amount for the GNS3 VM.
+
+        :param ram: amount of memory
+        """
+
+        try:
+            pairs = VMware.parse_vmware_file(self._vmx_path)
+            pairs["memsize"] = str(ram)
+            VMware.write_vmx_file(self._vmx_path, pairs)
+            log.info("GNS3 VM RAM amount set to {}".format(ram))
+        except OSError as e:
+            raise GNS3VMError('Could not read/write VMware VMX file "{}": {}'.format(self._vmx_path, e))