diff --git a/libretroshare/src/pqi/pqiassist.h b/libretroshare/src/pqi/pqiassist.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fffe090da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libretroshare/src/pqi/pqiassist.h
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+/*
+ * libretroshare/src/pqi: pqiassist.h
+ *
+ * 3P/PQI network interface for RetroShare.
+ *
+ * Copyright 2004-2007 by Robert Fernie.
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Library General Public
+ * License Version 2 as published by the Free Software Foundation.
+ *
+ * This library 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
+ * Library General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Library General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307
+ * USA.
+ *
+ * Please report all bugs and problems to "retroshare@lunamutt.com".
+ *
+ */
+
+
+#ifndef MRK_PQI_ASSIST_H
+#define MRK_PQI_ASSIST_H
+
+#include <string>
+#include <map>
+#include "pqi/pqinetwork.h"
+#include "pqi/pqimonitor.h"
+
+/**********
+ * This header file provides two interfaces for assisting 
+ * the connections to friends.
+ *
+ * pqiNetAssistFirewall - which will provides interfaces
+ * to functionality like upnp and apple's equivalent.
+ *
+ * pqiNetAssistConnect - which will provides interfaces
+ * to other networks (DHT) etc that can provide information.
+ * These classes would be expected to use the pqiMonitor
+ * callback system to notify the connectionMgr.
+ *
+ ***/
+
+class pqiNetAssist
+{
+	public:
+
+virtual	~pqiNetAssist() { return; }
+
+		/* External Interface */
+virtual void    enable(bool on) = 0;  
+virtual void    shutdown() = 0; /* blocking call */
+virtual void	restart() = 0;
+
+virtual bool    getEnabled() = 0;
+virtual bool    getActive() = 0;
+
+};
+
+class pqiNetAssistFirewall: public pqiNetAssist
+{
+	public:
+
+virtual	~pqiNetAssistFirewall() { return; }
+
+		/* the address that the listening port is on */
+virtual void    setInternalPort(unsigned short iport_in) = 0;
+virtual void    setExternalPort(unsigned short eport_in) = 0;
+ 
+	 	/* as determined by uPnP */
+virtual bool    getInternalAddress(struct sockaddr_in &addr) = 0;
+virtual bool    getExternalAddress(struct sockaddr_in &addr) = 0;
+
+};
+
+
+
+
+class pqiNetAssistConnect: public pqiNetAssist
+{
+	/* 
+	 */
+	public:
+	pqiNetAssistConnect(std::string id, pqiConnectCb *cb)
+	:mPeerId(id), mConnCb(cb) { return; }
+
+	/********** External DHT Interface ************************
+	 * These Functions are the external interface
+	 * for the DHT, and must be non-blocking and return quickly
+	 */
+
+virtual void	setBootstrapAllowed(bool on) = 0;
+virtual bool 	getBootstrapAllowed() = 0;
+
+	/* set key data */
+virtual bool 	setExternalInterface(struct sockaddr_in laddr,
+			struct sockaddr_in raddr, uint32_t type) = 0;
+
+	/* add / remove peers */
+virtual bool 	findPeer(std::string id) = 0;
+virtual bool 	dropPeer(std::string id) = 0;
+
+	/* post DHT key saying we should connect (callback when done) */
+virtual bool 	notifyPeer(std::string id) = 0; 
+
+	/* extract current peer status */
+virtual bool 	getPeerStatus(std::string id, 
+			struct sockaddr_in &laddr, struct sockaddr_in &raddr, 
+			uint32_t &type, uint32_t &mode) = 0;
+
+	/* stun */
+virtual bool	enableStun(bool on)		= 0;
+virtual bool 	addStun(std::string id)		= 0;
+
+	protected:
+	std::string  mPeerId;
+	pqiConnectCb *mConnCb;
+};
+
+#endif /* MRK_PQI_ASSIST_H */
+