diff --git a/dragonflow/controller/apps/trunk.py b/dragonflow/controller/apps/trunk.py
index 843db814a..2cadd531f 100644
--- a/dragonflow/controller/apps/trunk.py
+++ b/dragonflow/controller/apps/trunk.py
@@ -379,10 +379,10 @@ class IPVlanNestedPortArpImpl(IPv4NestedPortMixin, BaseNestedPortImpl):
 
 class TrunkApp(df_base_app.DFlowApp):
 
-    def __init__(self, api, vswitch_api=None, nb_api=None,
+    def __init__(self, api, switch_backend=None, nb_api=None,
                  neutron_server_notifier=None):
         super(TrunkApp, self).__init__(
-            api, vswitch_api=vswitch_api,
+            api, switch_backend=switch_backend,
             nb_api=nb_api,
             neutron_server_notifier=neutron_server_notifier)
         # A dispatch table, to add the relevant openflow rules according to
diff --git a/dragonflow/controller/df_base_app.py b/dragonflow/controller/df_base_app.py
index 4f4562896..d762611c1 100644
--- a/dragonflow/controller/df_base_app.py
+++ b/dragonflow/controller/df_base_app.py
@@ -33,11 +33,11 @@ LOG = log.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
 class DFlowApp(object):
-    def __init__(self, api, vswitch_api=None, nb_api=None,
+    def __init__(self, api, switch_backend=None, nb_api=None,
                  neutron_server_notifier=None):
         self.api = api
         self.db_store = db_store.get_instance()
-        self.vswitch_api = vswitch_api
+        self.switch_backend = switch_backend
         self.nb_api = nb_api
         self.neutron_server_notifier = neutron_server_notifier
         # Though there is nothing to initialize in super class, call it
@@ -45,6 +45,10 @@ class DFlowApp(object):
         super(DFlowApp, self).__init__()
         self._register_events()
 
+    @property
+    def vswitch_api(self):
+        return self.switch_backend.vswitch_api
+
     def _register_events(self):
         '''Iterate all methods we decorated with @register_event and register
         them to the requested models.
@@ -75,7 +79,7 @@ class DFlowApp(object):
 
     @property
     def dfdp(self):
-        return self.api._new_dp
+        return self.switch_backend.datapath
 
     @property
     def parser(self):
diff --git a/dragonflow/switch/drivers/df_switch_driver.py b/dragonflow/switch/drivers/df_switch_driver.py
index 328dd6093..a6883a205 100644
--- a/dragonflow/switch/drivers/df_switch_driver.py
+++ b/dragonflow/switch/drivers/df_switch_driver.py
@@ -29,6 +29,19 @@ class DfSwitchDriver(object):
         self.db_change_callback = db_change_callback
         self.neutron_notifier = neutron_notifier
 
+    # TODO(snapiri): remove the need for the df_app argument
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def setup_datapath(self, df_app):
+        """Setup the datapath flow
+        This method needs to be called for every dragonflow application in the
+        packet flow to initialize its datapath
+        """
+
+    @property
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def datapath(self):
+        """Returns a datapath object"""
+
     @abc.abstractmethod
     def start(self):
         """Start running the switch backend"""
diff --git a/dragonflow/switch/drivers/ovs/__init__.py b/dragonflow/switch/drivers/ovs/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e69de29bb
diff --git a/dragonflow/controller/datapath.py b/dragonflow/switch/drivers/ovs/datapath.py
similarity index 98%
rename from dragonflow/controller/datapath.py
rename to dragonflow/switch/drivers/ovs/datapath.py
index 0d47944b6..f413f7eb2 100644
--- a/dragonflow/controller/datapath.py
+++ b/dragonflow/switch/drivers/ovs/datapath.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ class Datapath(object):
             }
         )
 
-    def set_up(self, ryu_base, vswitch_api, nb_api, notifier):
+    def set_up(self, ryu_base, switch_backend, nb_api, neutron_notifier):
         """
         Instantiate the application classes.
         Instantiate the applications (Including table and register allocation)
@@ -102,9 +102,9 @@ class Datapath(object):
             self.log_datapath_allocation(vertex.name, dp_alloc)
             self._dp_allocs[vertex.name] = dp_alloc
             app = app_class(api=ryu_base,
-                            vswitch_api=vswitch_api,
+                            switch_backend=switch_backend,
                             nb_api=nb_api,
-                            neutron_server_notifier=notifier,
+                            neutron_server_notifier=neutron_notifier,
                             dp_alloc=dp_alloc,
                             **(vertex.params or {})
                             )
diff --git a/dragonflow/switch/drivers/df_ovs_driver.py b/dragonflow/switch/drivers/ovs/df_ovs_driver.py
similarity index 88%
rename from dragonflow/switch/drivers/df_ovs_driver.py
rename to dragonflow/switch/drivers/ovs/df_ovs_driver.py
index 1d8b3477d..f0cea5e83 100644
--- a/dragonflow/switch/drivers/df_ovs_driver.py
+++ b/dragonflow/switch/drivers/ovs/df_ovs_driver.py
@@ -18,11 +18,13 @@ from ryu.base import app_manager
 from ryu import cfg as ryu_cfg
 
 from dragonflow import conf as cfg
-from dragonflow.controller import ryu_base_app
+from dragonflow.controller import datapath_layout
 from dragonflow.db.models import l2
 from dragonflow.db.models import switch
 from dragonflow.ovsdb import vswitch_impl
 from dragonflow.switch.drivers import df_switch_driver
+from dragonflow.switch.drivers.ovs import datapath
+from dragonflow.switch.drivers.ovs import ryu_base_app
 
 
 class DfOvsDriver(df_switch_driver.DfSwitchDriver):
@@ -34,6 +36,8 @@ class DfOvsDriver(df_switch_driver.DfSwitchDriver):
         self.open_flow_app = None
         self.open_flow_service = None
         self.neutron_notifier = None
+        self._datapath = datapath.Datapath(
+            datapath_layout.get_datapath_layout())
 
     def initialize(self, db_change_callback, neutron_notifier):
         super(DfOvsDriver, self).initialize(db_change_callback,
@@ -41,7 +45,7 @@ class DfOvsDriver(df_switch_driver.DfSwitchDriver):
         self.open_flow_app = self.app_mgr.instantiate(
             ryu_base_app.RyuDFAdapter,
             nb_api=self.nb_api,
-            vswitch_api=self.vswitch_api,
+            switch_backend=self,
             neutron_server_notifier=self.neutron_notifier,
             db_change_callback=self.db_change_callback
         )
@@ -49,6 +53,14 @@ class DfOvsDriver(df_switch_driver.DfSwitchDriver):
         self.open_flow_service = self.app_mgr.instantiate(
             of_service.OfctlService)
 
+    def setup_datapath(self, df_app):
+        self._datapath.set_up(df_app, self,
+                              self.nb_api, self.neutron_notifier)
+
+    @property
+    def datapath(self):
+        return self._datapath
+
     def start(self):
         self.vswitch_api.initialize(self.db_change_callback)
         # both set_controller and del_controller will delete flows.
diff --git a/dragonflow/controller/ryu_base_app.py b/dragonflow/switch/drivers/ovs/ryu_base_app.py
similarity index 94%
rename from dragonflow/controller/ryu_base_app.py
rename to dragonflow/switch/drivers/ovs/ryu_base_app.py
index 138ba9f0f..746bf281b 100644
--- a/dragonflow/controller/ryu_base_app.py
+++ b/dragonflow/switch/drivers/ovs/ryu_base_app.py
@@ -27,8 +27,6 @@ from ryu import utils
 
 from dragonflow.common import profiler as df_profiler
 from dragonflow.controller.common import constants
-from dragonflow.controller import datapath as new_dp
-from dragonflow.controller import datapath_layout as new_dp_layout
 from dragonflow.controller import dispatcher
 
 
@@ -39,19 +37,19 @@ class RyuDFAdapter(ofp_handler.OFPHandler):
     OFP_VERSIONS = [ofproto_v1_3.OFP_VERSION]
     OF_AUTO_PORT_DESC_STATS_REQ_VER = 0x04
 
-    def __init__(self, vswitch_api, nb_api,
+    def __init__(self, switch_backend, nb_api,
                  db_change_callback,
                  neutron_server_notifier=None):
         super(RyuDFAdapter, self).__init__()
         self.dispatcher = dispatcher.AppDispatcher(cfg.CONF.df.apps_list)
-        self.vswitch_api = vswitch_api
+        self.vswitch_api = switch_backend.vswitch_api
         self.nb_api = nb_api
+        self.switch_backend = switch_backend
         self.neutron_server_notifier = neutron_server_notifier
         self._datapath = None
         self.table_handlers = {}
         self.first_connect = True
         self.db_change_callback = db_change_callback
-        self._new_dp = new_dp.Datapath(new_dp_layout.get_datapath_layout())
 
     @property
     def datapath(self):
@@ -60,7 +58,7 @@ class RyuDFAdapter(ofp_handler.OFPHandler):
     def start(self):
         super(RyuDFAdapter, self).start()
         self.load(self,
-                  vswitch_api=self.vswitch_api,
+                  switch_backend=self.switch_backend,
                   nb_api=self.nb_api,
                   neutron_server_notifier=self.neutron_server_notifier)
         self.wait_until_ready()
@@ -111,9 +109,7 @@ class RyuDFAdapter(ofp_handler.OFPHandler):
 
         self.get_sw_async_msg_config()
 
-        self._new_dp.set_up(
-            self, self.vswitch_api, self.nb_api, self.neutron_server_notifier)
-
+        self.switch_backend.setup_datapath(self)
         self.dispatcher.dispatch('switch_features_handler', ev)
 
         if not self.first_connect:
diff --git a/dragonflow/tests/fullstack/test_base.py b/dragonflow/tests/fullstack/test_base.py
index 1b6b92f9a..abdd8cec7 100644
--- a/dragonflow/tests/fullstack/test_base.py
+++ b/dragonflow/tests/fullstack/test_base.py
@@ -21,9 +21,9 @@ from oslo_log import log
 from dragonflow.common import utils as df_utils
 from dragonflow import conf as cfg
 from dragonflow.controller.common import constants as ctrl_const
-from dragonflow.controller import datapath
 from dragonflow.db import api_nb
 from dragonflow.db import db_common
+from dragonflow.switch.drivers.ovs import datapath
 from dragonflow.tests import base
 from dragonflow.tests.common import app_testing_objects as test_objects
 from dragonflow.tests.common import clients
diff --git a/dragonflow/tests/fullstack/test_ryu_base_app.py b/dragonflow/tests/fullstack/test_ryu_base_app.py
index 3f887ce9a..8704031bd 100644
--- a/dragonflow/tests/fullstack/test_ryu_base_app.py
+++ b/dragonflow/tests/fullstack/test_ryu_base_app.py
@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@ from ryu.base import app_manager
 from ryu import cfg as ryu_cfg
 
 from dragonflow import conf as cfg
-from dragonflow.controller import ryu_base_app
 from dragonflow.ovsdb import vswitch_impl
+from dragonflow.switch.drivers.ovs import ryu_base_app
 from dragonflow.tests.common import constants as const
 from dragonflow.tests.fullstack import test_base
 
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ class TestRyuBaseApp(test_base.DFTestBase):
         app_mgr = app_manager.AppManager.get_instance()
         self.open_flow_app = app_mgr.instantiate(
             ryu_base_app.RyuDFAdapter,
-            vswitch_api=mock.Mock(),
+            switch_backend=mock.Mock(),
             nb_api=mock.Mock(),
             db_change_callback=self._db_change_callback)
         self.open_flow_app.load = mock.Mock()
diff --git a/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_app_base.py b/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_app_base.py
index c7802b713..33c0c7e4a 100644
--- a/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_app_base.py
+++ b/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_app_base.py
@@ -21,10 +21,8 @@ from oslo_config import cfg
 from oslo_log import fixture as log_fixture
 
 from dragonflow.common import constants
-from dragonflow.controller import datapath
 from dragonflow.controller import datapath_layout
 from dragonflow.controller import df_local_controller
-from dragonflow.controller import ryu_base_app
 from dragonflow.controller import topology
 from dragonflow.db import api_nb
 from dragonflow.db import db_store
@@ -34,6 +32,8 @@ from dragonflow.db.models import l2
 from dragonflow.db.models import l3
 from dragonflow.db.models import secgroups
 from dragonflow.db.models import switch
+from dragonflow.switch.drivers.ovs import datapath
+from dragonflow.switch.drivers.ovs import ryu_base_app
 from dragonflow.tests import base as tests_base
 
 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ class DFAppTestBase(tests_base.BaseTestCase):
         self.vswitch_api = switch_backend.vswitch_api = mock.MagicMock()
         kwargs = dict(
             nb_api=self.controller.nb_api,
-            vswitch_api=self.vswitch_api
+            switch_backend=switch_backend
         )
         switch_backend.open_flow_app = ryu_base_app.RyuDFAdapter(
                 db_change_callback=self.controller.db_change_callback,
diff --git a/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_datapath.py b/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_datapath.py
index c8cf9e5ee..d0b9ac6ff 100644
--- a/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_datapath.py
+++ b/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_datapath.py
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ import mock
 import testscenarios
 
 from dragonflow.controller import app_base
-from dragonflow.controller import datapath
 from dragonflow.controller import datapath_layout
+from dragonflow.switch.drivers.ovs import datapath
 from dragonflow.tests import base as tests_base
 
 load_tests = testscenarios.load_tests_apply_scenarios
diff --git a/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_df_local_controller.py b/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_df_local_controller.py
index 17d0d01cf..16d9f1753 100644
--- a/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_df_local_controller.py
+++ b/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_df_local_controller.py
@@ -14,12 +14,12 @@ import mock
 from oslo_config import cfg
 
 from dragonflow.controller import df_local_controller
-from dragonflow.controller import ryu_base_app
 from dragonflow.db import db_store
 from dragonflow.db import field_types as df_fields
 from dragonflow.db import model_framework
 from dragonflow.db.models import core
 from dragonflow.db.models import mixins
+from dragonflow.switch.drivers.ovs import ryu_base_app
 from dragonflow.tests.common import utils
 from dragonflow.tests.unit import test_app_base
 
diff --git a/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_model_framework.py b/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_model_framework.py
index 6c8e04a85..64bbd55a9 100644
--- a/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_model_framework.py
+++ b/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_model_framework.py
@@ -326,7 +326,7 @@ class TestModelFramework(tests_base.BaseTestCase):
 
         TestApp(
             api=mock.MagicMock(),
-            vswitch_api=mock.MagicMock(),
+            switch_backend=mock.MagicMock(),
             nb_api=mock.MagicMock(),
         )
 
diff --git a/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_ryu_base_app.py b/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_ryu_base_app.py
index 2c7faaefe..885c1d066 100644
--- a/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_ryu_base_app.py
+++ b/dragonflow/tests/unit/test_ryu_base_app.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ import mock
 import testtools
 
 from dragonflow import conf as cfg
-from dragonflow.controller import ryu_base_app
+from dragonflow.switch.drivers.ovs import ryu_base_app
 from dragonflow.tests import base as tests_base
 
 
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ class TestRyuDFAdapter(tests_base.BaseTestCase):
             group='df',
         )
         self.ryu_df_adapter = ryu_base_app.RyuDFAdapter(
-            vswitch_api=mock.Mock(),
+            switch_backend=mock.Mock(),
             nb_api=mock.Mock(),
             db_change_callback=mock.Mock())
         self.mock_app = mock.Mock(spec=[
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index 801750942..9ad22c214 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ dragonflow.nb_db_driver =
 dragonflow.neutron_notifier_driver =
     nb_api_neutron_notifier_driver = dragonflow.db.pubsub_drivers.nb_api_neutron_notifier:NbApiNeutronNotifier
 dragonflow.switch_backend_driver =
-    vswitch_backend_driver = dragonflow.switch.drivers.df_ovs_driver:DfOvsDriver
+    vswitch_backend_driver = dragonflow.switch.drivers.ovs.df_ovs_driver:DfOvsDriver
 neutron.service_plugins =
     df-l3-agentless = dragonflow.neutron.services.l3_router_plugin:DFL3AgentlessRouterPlugin
     df-l3 = dragonflow.neutron.services.l3_router_plugin:DFL3RouterPlugin