diff --git a/ironic/cmd/api.py b/ironic/cmd/api.py
index 0ad81996de..ce531a79da 100644
--- a/ironic/cmd/api.py
+++ b/ironic/cmd/api.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from six.moves import socketserver
 from ironic.api import app
 from ironic.common.i18n import _LI
 from ironic.common import service as ironic_service
+from ironic.objects import base
 
 CONF = cfg.CONF
 
@@ -42,6 +43,9 @@ def main():
     # Parse config file and command line options, then start logging
     ironic_service.prepare_service(sys.argv)
 
+    # Enable object backporting via the conductor
+    base.IronicObject.indirection_api = base.IronicObjectIndirectionAPI()
+
     # Build and start the WSGI app
     host = CONF.api.host_ip
     port = CONF.api.port
diff --git a/ironic/common/exception.py b/ironic/common/exception.py
index afa140ddaf..5a46d67eab 100644
--- a/ironic/common/exception.py
+++ b/ironic/common/exception.py
@@ -350,10 +350,6 @@ class UnsupportedDriverExtension(Invalid):
                 '(disabled or not implemented).')
 
 
-class IncompatibleObjectVersion(IronicException):
-    message = _('Version %(objver)s of %(objname)s is not supported')
-
-
 class GlanceConnectionFailed(IronicException):
     message = _("Connection to glance host %(host)s:%(port)s failed: "
                 "%(reason)s")
diff --git a/ironic/conductor/manager.py b/ironic/conductor/manager.py
index 931515d53a..1354a39be6 100644
--- a/ironic/conductor/manager.py
+++ b/ironic/conductor/manager.py
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ from ironic.conductor import task_manager
 from ironic.conductor import utils
 from ironic.db import api as dbapi
 from ironic import objects
+from ironic.objects import base as objects_base
 
 MANAGER_TOPIC = 'ironic.conductor_manager'
 WORKER_SPAWN_lOCK = "conductor_worker_spawn"
@@ -211,7 +212,7 @@ class ConductorManager(periodic_task.PeriodicTasks):
     """Ironic Conductor manager main class."""
 
     # NOTE(rloo): This must be in sync with rpcapi.ConductorAPI's.
-    RPC_API_VERSION = '1.30'
+    RPC_API_VERSION = '1.31'
 
     target = messaging.Target(version=RPC_API_VERSION)
 
@@ -2030,6 +2031,108 @@ class ConductorManager(periodic_task.PeriodicTasks):
 
         return driver.raid.get_logical_disk_properties()
 
+    def _object_dispatch(self, target, method, context, args, kwargs):
+        """Dispatch a call to an object method.
+
+        This ensures that object methods get called and any exception
+        that is raised gets wrapped in an ExpectedException for forwarding
+        back to the caller (without spamming the conductor logs).
+        """
+        try:
+            # NOTE(danms): Keep the getattr inside the try block since
+            # a missing method is really a client problem
+            return getattr(target, method)(context, *args, **kwargs)
+        except Exception:
+            # NOTE(danms): This is oslo.messaging fu. ExpectedException()
+            # grabs sys.exc_info here and forwards it along. This allows the
+            # caller to see the exception information, but causes us *not* to
+            # log it as such in this service. This is something that is quite
+            # critical so that things that conductor does on behalf of another
+            # node are not logged as exceptions in conductor logs. Otherwise,
+            # you'd have the same thing logged in both places, even though an
+            # exception here *always* means that the caller screwed up, so
+            # there's no reason to log it here.
+            raise messaging.ExpectedException()
+
+    def object_class_action_versions(self, context, objname, objmethod,
+                                     object_versions, args, kwargs):
+        """Perform an action on a VersionedObject class.
+
+        :param context: The context within which to perform the action
+        :param objname: The registry name of the object
+        :param objmethod: The name of the action method to call
+        :param object_versions: A dict of {objname: version} mappings
+        :param args: The positional arguments to the action method
+        :param kwargs: The keyword arguments to the action method
+        :returns: The result of the action method, which may (or may not)
+        be an instance of the implementing VersionedObject class.
+        """
+        objclass = objects_base.IronicObject.obj_class_from_name(
+            objname, object_versions[objname])
+        result = self._object_dispatch(objclass, objmethod, context,
+                                       args, kwargs)
+        # NOTE(danms): The RPC layer will convert to primitives for us,
+        # but in this case, we need to honor the version the client is
+        # asking for, so we do it before returning here.
+        if isinstance(result, objects_base.IronicObject):
+            result = result.obj_to_primitive(
+                target_version=object_versions[objname],
+                version_manifest=object_versions)
+        return result
+
+    def object_action(self, context, objinst, objmethod, args, kwargs):
+        """Perform an action on a VersionedObject instance.
+
+        :param context: The context within which to perform the action
+        :param objinst: The object instance on which to perform the action
+        :param objmethod: The name of the action method to call
+        :param args: The positional arguments to the action method
+        :param kwargs: The keyword arguments to the action method
+        :returns: A tuple with the updates made to the object and
+                  the result of the action method
+        """
+
+        oldobj = objinst.obj_clone()
+        result = self._object_dispatch(objinst, objmethod, context,
+                                       args, kwargs)
+        updates = dict()
+        # NOTE(danms): Diff the object with the one passed to us and
+        # generate a list of changes to forward back
+        for name, field in objinst.fields.items():
+            if not objinst.obj_attr_is_set(name):
+                # Avoid demand-loading anything
+                continue
+            if (not oldobj.obj_attr_is_set(name) or
+                    getattr(oldobj, name) != getattr(objinst, name)):
+                updates[name] = field.to_primitive(objinst, name,
+                                                   getattr(objinst, name))
+        # This is safe since a field named this would conflict with the
+        # method anyway
+        updates['obj_what_changed'] = objinst.obj_what_changed()
+        return updates, result
+
+    def object_backport_versions(self, context, objinst, object_versions):
+        """Perform a backport of an object instance.
+
+        The default behavior of the base VersionedObjectSerializer, upon
+        receiving an object with a version newer than what is in the local
+        registry, is to call this method to request a backport of the object.
+
+        :param context: The context within which to perform the backport
+        :param objinst: An instance of a VersionedObject to be backported
+        :param object_versions: A dict of {objname: version} mappings
+        :returns: The downgraded instance of objinst
+        """
+        target = object_versions[objinst.obj_name()]
+        LOG.debug('Backporting %(obj)s to %(ver)s with versions %(manifest)s',
+                  {'obj': objinst.obj_name(),
+                   'ver': target,
+                   'manifest': ','.join(
+                       ['%s=%s' % (name, ver)
+                        for name, ver in object_versions.items()])})
+        return objinst.obj_to_primitive(target_version=target,
+                                        version_manifest=object_versions)
+
 
 def get_vendor_passthru_metadata(route_dict):
     d = {}
diff --git a/ironic/conductor/rpcapi.py b/ironic/conductor/rpcapi.py
index 8cb2ef205d..830743023e 100644
--- a/ironic/conductor/rpcapi.py
+++ b/ironic/conductor/rpcapi.py
@@ -75,11 +75,14 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
     |           driver_vendor_passthru to a dictionary
     |    1.30 - Added set_target_raid_config and
     |           get_raid_logical_disk_properties
+    |    1.31 - Added Versioned Objects indirection API methods:
+    |           object_class_action_versions, object_action and
+    |           object_backport_versions
 
     """
 
     # NOTE(rloo): This must be in sync with manager.ConductorManager's.
-    RPC_API_VERSION = '1.30'
+    RPC_API_VERSION = '1.31'
 
     def __init__(self, topic=None):
         super(ConductorAPI, self).__init__()
@@ -589,3 +592,74 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.30')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'get_raid_logical_disk_properties',
                           driver_name=driver_name)
+
+    def object_class_action_versions(self, context, objname, objmethod,
+                                     object_versions, args, kwargs):
+        """Perform an action on a VersionedObject class.
+
+        We want any conductor to handle this, so it is intentional that there
+        is no topic argument for this method.
+
+        :param context: The context within which to perform the action
+        :param objname: The registry name of the object
+        :param objmethod: The name of the action method to call
+        :param object_versions: A dict of {objname: version} mappings
+        :param args: The positional arguments to the action method
+        :param kwargs: The keyword arguments to the action method
+        :raises: NotImplemented when an operator makes an error during upgrade
+        :returns: The result of the action method, which may (or may not)
+            be an instance of the implementing VersionedObject class.
+        """
+        if not self.client.can_send_version('1.31'):
+            raise NotImplemented(_('Incompatible conductor version - '
+                                 'please upgrade ironic-conductor first'))
+        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=self.topic, version='1.31')
+        return cctxt.call(context, 'object_class_action_versions',
+                          objname=objname, objmethod=objmethod,
+                          object_versions=object_versions,
+                          args=args, kwargs=kwargs)
+
+    def object_action(self, context, objinst, objmethod, args, kwargs):
+        """Perform an action on a VersionedObject instance.
+
+        We want any conductor to handle this, so it is intentional that there
+        is no topic argument for this method.
+
+        :param context: The context within which to perform the action
+        :param objinst: The object instance on which to perform the action
+        :param objmethod: The name of the action method to call
+        :param args: The positional arguments to the action method
+        :param kwargs: The keyword arguments to the action method
+        :raises: NotImplemented when an operator makes an error during upgrade
+        :returns: A tuple with the updates made to the object and
+            the result of the action method
+        """
+        if not self.client.can_send_version('1.31'):
+            raise NotImplemented(_('Incompatible conductor version - '
+                                 'please upgrade ironic-conductor first'))
+        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=self.topic, version='1.31')
+        return cctxt.call(context, 'object_action', objinst=objinst,
+                          objmethod=objmethod, args=args, kwargs=kwargs)
+
+    def object_backport_versions(self, context, objinst, object_versions):
+        """Perform a backport of an object instance.
+
+        The default behavior of the base VersionedObjectSerializer, upon
+        receiving an object with a version newer than what is in the local
+        registry, is to call this method to request a backport of the object.
+
+        We want any conductor to handle this, so it is intentional that there
+        is no topic argument for this method.
+
+        :param context: The context within which to perform the backport
+        :param objinst: An instance of a VersionedObject to be backported
+        :param object_versions: A dict of {objname: version} mappings
+        :raises: NotImplemented when an operator makes an error during upgrade
+        :returns: The downgraded instance of objinst
+        """
+        if not self.client.can_send_version('1.31'):
+            raise NotImplemented(_('Incompatible conductor version - '
+                                 'please upgrade ironic-conductor first'))
+        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=self.topic, version='1.31')
+        return cctxt.call(context, 'object_backport_versions', objinst=objinst,
+                          object_versions=object_versions)
diff --git a/ironic/objects/base.py b/ironic/objects/base.py
index 14ef1aadfe..56bb71ed72 100644
--- a/ironic/objects/base.py
+++ b/ironic/objects/base.py
@@ -65,6 +65,36 @@ class IronicObject(object_base.VersionedObject):
                 self[field] = loaded_object[field]
 
 
+class IronicObjectIndirectionAPI(object_base.VersionedObjectIndirectionAPI):
+    def __init__(self):
+        super(IronicObjectIndirectionAPI, self).__init__()
+        # FIXME(xek): importing here due to a cyclical import error
+        from ironic.conductor import rpcapi as conductor_api
+        self._conductor = conductor_api.ConductorAPI()
+
+    def object_action(self, context, objinst, objmethod, args, kwargs):
+        return self._conductor.object_action(context, objinst, objmethod,
+                                             args, kwargs)
+
+    def object_class_action(self, context, objname, objmethod, objver,
+                            args, kwargs):
+        # NOTE(xek): This method is implemented for compatibility with
+        # oslo.versionedobjects 0.10.0 and older. It will be replaced by
+        # object_class_action_versions.
+        versions = object_base.obj_tree_get_versions(objname)
+        return self.object_class_action_versions(
+            context, objname, objmethod, versions, args, kwargs)
+
+    def object_class_action_versions(self, context, objname, objmethod,
+                                     object_versions, args, kwargs):
+        return self._conductor.object_class_action_versions(
+            context, objname, objmethod, object_versions, args, kwargs)
+
+    def object_backport_versions(self, context, objinst, object_versions):
+        return self._conductor.object_backport_versions(context, objinst,
+                                                        object_versions)
+
+
 class IronicObjectSerializer(object_base.VersionedObjectSerializer):
     # Base class to use for object hydration
     OBJ_BASE_CLASS = IronicObject
diff --git a/ironic/objects/chassis.py b/ironic/objects/chassis.py
index 226a5db4ae..8983ca0a7e 100644
--- a/ironic/objects/chassis.py
+++ b/ironic/objects/chassis.py
@@ -55,7 +55,11 @@ class Chassis(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         chassis.obj_reset_changes()
         return chassis
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def get(cls, context, chassis_id):
         """Find a chassis based on its id or uuid and return a Chassis object.
 
@@ -69,7 +73,11 @@ class Chassis(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         else:
             raise exception.InvalidIdentity(identity=chassis_id)
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def get_by_id(cls, context, chassis_id):
         """Find a chassis based on its integer id and return a Chassis object.
 
@@ -80,7 +88,11 @@ class Chassis(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         chassis = Chassis._from_db_object(cls(context), db_chassis)
         return chassis
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def get_by_uuid(cls, context, uuid):
         """Find a chassis based on uuid and return a :class:`Chassis` object.
 
@@ -92,7 +104,11 @@ class Chassis(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         chassis = Chassis._from_db_object(cls(context), db_chassis)
         return chassis
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def list(cls, context, limit=None, marker=None,
              sort_key=None, sort_dir=None):
         """Return a list of Chassis objects.
@@ -112,7 +128,10 @@ class Chassis(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         return [Chassis._from_db_object(cls(context), obj)
                 for obj in db_chassis]
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def create(self, context=None):
         """Create a Chassis record in the DB.
 
@@ -133,7 +152,10 @@ class Chassis(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         db_chassis = self.dbapi.create_chassis(values)
         self._from_db_object(self, db_chassis)
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def destroy(self, context=None):
         """Delete the Chassis from the DB.
 
@@ -147,7 +169,10 @@ class Chassis(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         self.dbapi.destroy_chassis(self.uuid)
         self.obj_reset_changes()
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def save(self, context=None):
         """Save updates to this Chassis.
 
@@ -165,7 +190,10 @@ class Chassis(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         updated_chassis = self.dbapi.update_chassis(self.uuid, updates)
         self._from_db_object(self, updated_chassis)
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def refresh(self, context=None):
         """Loads and applies updates for this Chassis.
 
diff --git a/ironic/objects/conductor.py b/ironic/objects/conductor.py
index eaf98447c5..e0028e93a2 100644
--- a/ironic/objects/conductor.py
+++ b/ironic/objects/conductor.py
@@ -42,7 +42,11 @@ class Conductor(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         conductor.obj_reset_changes()
         return conductor
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def get_by_hostname(cls, context, hostname):
         """Get a Conductor record by its hostname.
 
@@ -58,7 +62,10 @@ class Conductor(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         raise NotImplementedError(
             _('Cannot update a conductor record directly.'))
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def refresh(self, context=None):
         """Loads and applies updates for this Conductor.
 
@@ -77,7 +84,10 @@ class Conductor(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
                                                  hostname=self.hostname)
         self.obj_refresh(current)
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def touch(self, context):
         """Touch this conductor's DB record, marking it as up-to-date."""
         self.dbapi.touch_conductor(self.hostname)
diff --git a/ironic/objects/node.py b/ironic/objects/node.py
index 483b654265..b358c3adf9 100644
--- a/ironic/objects/node.py
+++ b/ironic/objects/node.py
@@ -106,7 +106,11 @@ class Node(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         node.obj_reset_changes()
         return node
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def get(cls, context, node_id):
         """Find a node based on its id or uuid and return a Node object.
 
@@ -120,7 +124,11 @@ class Node(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         else:
             raise exception.InvalidIdentity(identity=node_id)
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def get_by_id(cls, context, node_id):
         """Find a node based on its integer id and return a Node object.
 
@@ -131,7 +139,11 @@ class Node(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         node = Node._from_db_object(cls(context), db_node)
         return node
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def get_by_uuid(cls, context, uuid):
         """Find a node based on uuid and return a Node object.
 
@@ -142,7 +154,11 @@ class Node(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         node = Node._from_db_object(cls(context), db_node)
         return node
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def get_by_name(cls, context, name):
         """Find a node based on name and return a Node object.
 
@@ -153,7 +169,11 @@ class Node(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         node = Node._from_db_object(cls(context), db_node)
         return node
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def get_by_instance_uuid(cls, context, instance_uuid):
         """Find a node based on the instance uuid and return a Node object.
 
@@ -164,7 +184,11 @@ class Node(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         node = Node._from_db_object(cls(context), db_node)
         return node
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def list(cls, context, limit=None, marker=None, sort_key=None,
              sort_dir=None, filters=None):
         """Return a list of Node objects.
@@ -183,7 +207,11 @@ class Node(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
                                            sort_dir=sort_dir)
         return [Node._from_db_object(cls(context), obj) for obj in db_nodes]
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def reserve(cls, context, tag, node_id):
         """Get and reserve a node.
 
@@ -201,7 +229,11 @@ class Node(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         node = Node._from_db_object(cls(context), db_node)
         return node
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def release(cls, context, tag, node_id):
         """Release the reservation on a node.
 
@@ -213,7 +245,10 @@ class Node(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         """
         cls.dbapi.release_node(tag, node_id)
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def create(self, context=None):
         """Create a Node record in the DB.
 
@@ -234,7 +269,10 @@ class Node(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         db_node = self.dbapi.create_node(values)
         self._from_db_object(self, db_node)
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def destroy(self, context=None):
         """Delete the Node from the DB.
 
@@ -248,7 +286,10 @@ class Node(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         self.dbapi.destroy_node(self.uuid)
         self.obj_reset_changes()
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def save(self, context=None):
         """Save updates to this Node.
 
@@ -272,7 +313,10 @@ class Node(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         self.dbapi.update_node(self.uuid, updates)
         self.obj_reset_changes()
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def refresh(self, context=None):
         """Refresh the object by re-fetching from the DB.
 
@@ -286,7 +330,10 @@ class Node(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         current = self.__class__.get_by_uuid(self._context, self.uuid)
         self.obj_refresh(current)
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def touch_provisioning(self, context=None):
         """Touch the database record to mark the provisioning as alive."""
         self.dbapi.touch_node_provisioning(self.id)
diff --git a/ironic/objects/port.py b/ironic/objects/port.py
index c145d66edc..5e9cd8cd53 100644
--- a/ironic/objects/port.py
+++ b/ironic/objects/port.py
@@ -58,7 +58,11 @@ class Port(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         """Converts a list of database entities to a list of formal objects."""
         return [Port._from_db_object(cls(context), obj) for obj in db_objects]
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def get(cls, context, port_id):
         """Find a port based on its id or uuid and return a Port object.
 
@@ -76,7 +80,11 @@ class Port(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         else:
             raise exception.InvalidIdentity(identity=port_id)
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def get_by_id(cls, context, port_id):
         """Find a port based on its integer id and return a Port object.
 
@@ -89,7 +97,11 @@ class Port(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         port = Port._from_db_object(cls(context), db_port)
         return port
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def get_by_uuid(cls, context, uuid):
         """Find a port based on uuid and return a :class:`Port` object.
 
@@ -103,7 +115,11 @@ class Port(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         port = Port._from_db_object(cls(context), db_port)
         return port
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def get_by_address(cls, context, address):
         """Find a port based on address and return a :class:`Port` object.
 
@@ -117,7 +133,11 @@ class Port(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         port = Port._from_db_object(cls(context), db_port)
         return port
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def list(cls, context, limit=None, marker=None,
              sort_key=None, sort_dir=None):
         """Return a list of Port objects.
@@ -137,7 +157,11 @@ class Port(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
                                            sort_dir=sort_dir)
         return Port._from_db_object_list(db_ports, cls, context)
 
-    @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable_classmethod
+    @classmethod
     def list_by_node_id(cls, context, node_id, limit=None, marker=None,
                         sort_key=None, sort_dir=None):
         """Return a list of Port objects associated with a given node ID.
@@ -157,7 +181,10 @@ class Port(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
                                                   sort_dir=sort_dir)
         return Port._from_db_object_list(db_ports, cls, context)
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def create(self, context=None):
         """Create a Port record in the DB.
 
@@ -175,7 +202,10 @@ class Port(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         db_port = self.dbapi.create_port(values)
         self._from_db_object(self, db_port)
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def destroy(self, context=None):
         """Delete the Port from the DB.
 
@@ -191,7 +221,10 @@ class Port(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         self.dbapi.destroy_port(self.uuid)
         self.obj_reset_changes()
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def save(self, context=None):
         """Save updates to this Port.
 
@@ -212,7 +245,10 @@ class Port(base.IronicObject, object_base.VersionedObjectDictCompat):
         updated_port = self.dbapi.update_port(self.uuid, updates)
         self._from_db_object(self, updated_port)
 
-    @object_base.remotable
+    # NOTE(xek): We don't want to enable RPC on this call just yet. Remotable
+    # methods can be used in the future to replace current explicit RPC calls.
+    # Implications of calling new remote procedures should be thought through.
+    # @object_base.remotable
     def refresh(self, context=None):
         """Loads updates for this Port.
 
diff --git a/ironic/tests/conductor/test_manager.py b/ironic/tests/conductor/test_manager.py
index d49faaea30..39fb5b6890 100644
--- a/ironic/tests/conductor/test_manager.py
+++ b/ironic/tests/conductor/test_manager.py
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ from oslo_db import exception as db_exception
 import oslo_messaging as messaging
 from oslo_utils import strutils
 from oslo_utils import uuidutils
+from oslo_versionedobjects import base as ovo_base
+from oslo_versionedobjects import fields
 
 from ironic.common import boot_devices
 from ironic.common import driver_factory
@@ -41,6 +43,7 @@ from ironic.db import api as dbapi
 from ironic.drivers import base as drivers_base
 from ironic.drivers.modules import fake
 from ironic import objects
+from ironic.objects import base as obj_base
 from ironic.tests import base as tests_base
 from ironic.tests.conductor import utils as mgr_utils
 from ironic.tests.db import base as tests_db_base
@@ -4354,3 +4357,105 @@ class ManagerCheckDeployingStatusTestCase(_ServiceSetUpMixin,
             'provision_updated_at',
             callback_method=conductor_utils.cleanup_after_timeout,
             err_handler=manager.provisioning_error_handler)
+
+
+class TestIndirectionApiConductor(tests_db_base.DbTestCase):
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        super(TestIndirectionApiConductor, self).setUp()
+        self.conductor = manager.ConductorManager('test-host', 'test-topic')
+
+    def _test_object_action(self, is_classmethod, raise_exception,
+                            return_object=False):
+        @obj_base.IronicObjectRegistry.register
+        class TestObject(obj_base.IronicObject):
+            context = self.context
+
+            def foo(self, context, raise_exception=False, return_object=False):
+                if raise_exception:
+                    raise Exception('test')
+                elif return_object:
+                    return obj
+                else:
+                    return 'test'
+
+            @classmethod
+            def bar(cls, context, raise_exception=False, return_object=False):
+                if raise_exception:
+                    raise Exception('test')
+                elif return_object:
+                    return obj
+                else:
+                    return 'test'
+
+        obj = TestObject(self.context)
+        if is_classmethod:
+            versions = ovo_base.obj_tree_get_versions(TestObject.obj_name())
+            result = self.conductor.object_class_action_versions(
+                self.context, TestObject.obj_name(), 'bar', versions,
+                tuple(), {'raise_exception': raise_exception,
+                          'return_object': return_object})
+        else:
+            updates, result = self.conductor.object_action(
+                self.context, obj, 'foo', tuple(),
+                {'raise_exception': raise_exception,
+                 'return_object': return_object})
+        if return_object:
+            self.assertEqual(obj, result)
+        else:
+            self.assertEqual('test', result)
+
+    def test_object_action(self):
+        self._test_object_action(False, False)
+
+    def test_object_action_on_raise(self):
+        self.assertRaises(messaging.ExpectedException,
+                          self._test_object_action, False, True)
+
+    def test_object_action_on_object(self):
+        self._test_object_action(False, False, True)
+
+    def test_object_class_action(self):
+        self._test_object_action(True, False)
+
+    def test_object_class_action_on_raise(self):
+        self.assertRaises(messaging.ExpectedException,
+                          self._test_object_action, True, True)
+
+    def test_object_class_action_on_object(self):
+        self._test_object_action(True, False, False)
+
+    def test_object_action_copies_object(self):
+        @obj_base.IronicObjectRegistry.register
+        class TestObject(obj_base.IronicObject):
+            fields = {'dict': fields.DictOfStringsField()}
+
+            def touch_dict(self, context):
+                self.dict['foo'] = 'bar'
+                self.obj_reset_changes()
+
+        obj = TestObject(self.context)
+        obj.dict = {}
+        obj.obj_reset_changes()
+        updates, result = self.conductor.object_action(
+            self.context, obj, 'touch_dict', tuple(), {})
+        # NOTE(danms): If conductor did not properly copy the object, then
+        # the new and reference copies of the nested dict object will be
+        # the same, and thus 'dict' will not be reported as changed
+        self.assertIn('dict', updates)
+        self.assertEqual({'foo': 'bar'}, updates['dict'])
+
+    def test_object_backport_versions(self):
+        fake_backported_obj = 'fake-backported-obj'
+        obj_name = 'fake-obj'
+        test_obj = mock.Mock()
+        test_obj.obj_name.return_value = obj_name
+        test_obj.obj_to_primitive.return_value = fake_backported_obj
+        fake_version_manifest = {obj_name: '1.0'}
+
+        result = self.conductor.object_backport_versions(
+            self.context, test_obj, fake_version_manifest)
+
+        self.assertEqual(result, fake_backported_obj)
+        test_obj.obj_to_primitive.assert_called_once_with(
+            target_version='1.0', version_manifest=fake_version_manifest)
diff --git a/ironic/tests/conductor/test_rpcapi.py b/ironic/tests/conductor/test_rpcapi.py
index dda8728a56..30380b8b31 100644
--- a/ironic/tests/conductor/test_rpcapi.py
+++ b/ironic/tests/conductor/test_rpcapi.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import copy
 
 import mock
 from oslo_config import cfg
+from oslo_messaging import _utils as messaging_utils
 
 from ironic.common import boot_devices
 from ironic.common import exception
@@ -145,6 +146,10 @@ class RPCAPITestCase(base.DbTestCase):
         self.fake_args = None
         self.fake_kwargs = None
 
+        def _fake_can_send_version_method(version):
+            return messaging_utils.version_is_compatible(
+                rpcapi.RPC_API_VERSION, version)
+
         def _fake_prepare_method(*args, **kwargs):
             for kwd in kwargs:
                 self.assertEqual(kwargs[kwd], target[kwd])
@@ -156,16 +161,21 @@ class RPCAPITestCase(base.DbTestCase):
             if expected_retval:
                 return expected_retval
 
-        with mock.patch.object(rpcapi.client, "prepare") as mock_prepared:
-            mock_prepared.side_effect = _fake_prepare_method
+        with mock.patch.object(rpcapi.client,
+                               "can_send_version") as mock_can_send_version:
+            mock_can_send_version.side_effect = _fake_can_send_version_method
+            with mock.patch.object(rpcapi.client, "prepare") as mock_prepared:
+                mock_prepared.side_effect = _fake_prepare_method
 
-            with mock.patch.object(rpcapi.client, rpc_method) as mock_method:
-                mock_method.side_effect = _fake_rpc_method
-                retval = getattr(rpcapi, method)(self.context, **kwargs)
-                self.assertEqual(retval, expected_retval)
-                expected_args = [self.context, method, expected_msg]
-                for arg, expected_arg in zip(self.fake_args, expected_args):
-                    self.assertEqual(arg, expected_arg)
+                with mock.patch.object(rpcapi.client,
+                                       rpc_method) as mock_method:
+                    mock_method.side_effect = _fake_rpc_method
+                    retval = getattr(rpcapi, method)(self.context, **kwargs)
+                    self.assertEqual(retval, expected_retval)
+                    expected_args = [self.context, method, expected_msg]
+                    for arg, expected_arg in zip(self.fake_args,
+                                                 expected_args):
+                        self.assertEqual(arg, expected_arg)
 
     def test_update_node(self):
         self._test_rpcapi('update_node',
@@ -306,3 +316,29 @@ class RPCAPITestCase(base.DbTestCase):
                           version='1.30',
                           node_id=self.fake_node['uuid'],
                           target_raid_config='config')
+
+    def test_object_action(self):
+        self._test_rpcapi('object_action',
+                          'call',
+                          version='1.31',
+                          objinst='fake-object',
+                          objmethod='foo',
+                          args=tuple(),
+                          kwargs=dict())
+
+    def test_object_class_action_versions(self):
+        self._test_rpcapi('object_class_action_versions',
+                          'call',
+                          version='1.31',
+                          objname='fake-object',
+                          objmethod='foo',
+                          object_versions={'fake-object': '1.0'},
+                          args=tuple(),
+                          kwargs=dict())
+
+    def test_object_backport_versions(self):
+        self._test_rpcapi('object_backport_versions',
+                          'call',
+                          version='1.31',
+                          objinst='fake-object',
+                          object_versions={'fake-object': '1.0'})
diff --git a/ironic/tests/objects/test_objects.py b/ironic/tests/objects/test_objects.py
index c001b906d0..1cb67fe262 100644
--- a/ironic/tests/objects/test_objects.py
+++ b/ironic/tests/objects/test_objects.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import datetime
 import gettext
 import iso8601
 
+import mock
 from oslo_context import context
 from oslo_versionedobjects import base as object_base
 from oslo_versionedobjects import exception as object_exception
@@ -439,3 +440,48 @@ class TestObjectSerializer(test_base.TestCase):
             self.assertEqual(1, len(thing2))
             for item in thing2:
                 self.assertIsInstance(item, MyObj)
+
+    @mock.patch('ironic.objects.base.IronicObject.indirection_api')
+    def _test_deserialize_entity_newer(self, obj_version, backported_to,
+                                       mock_indirection_api,
+                                       my_version='1.6'):
+        ser = base.IronicObjectSerializer()
+        mock_indirection_api.object_backport_versions.return_value \
+            = 'backported'
+
+        @base.IronicObjectRegistry.register
+        class MyTestObj(MyObj):
+            VERSION = my_version
+
+        obj = MyTestObj(self.context)
+        obj.VERSION = obj_version
+        primitive = obj.obj_to_primitive()
+        result = ser.deserialize_entity(self.context, primitive)
+        if backported_to is None:
+            self.assertFalse(
+                mock_indirection_api.object_backport_versions.called)
+        else:
+            self.assertEqual('backported', result)
+            versions = object_base.obj_tree_get_versions('MyTestObj')
+            mock_indirection_api.object_backport_versions.assert_called_with(
+                self.context, primitive, versions)
+
+    def test_deserialize_entity_newer_version_backports(self):
+        "Test object with unsupported (newer) version"
+        self._test_deserialize_entity_newer('1.25', '1.6')
+
+    def test_deserialize_entity_same_revision_does_not_backport(self):
+        "Test object with supported revision"
+        self._test_deserialize_entity_newer('1.6', None)
+
+    def test_deserialize_entity_newer_revision_does_not_backport_zero(self):
+        "Test object with supported revision"
+        self._test_deserialize_entity_newer('1.6.0', None)
+
+    def test_deserialize_entity_newer_revision_does_not_backport(self):
+        "Test object with supported (newer) revision"
+        self._test_deserialize_entity_newer('1.6.1', None)
+
+    def test_deserialize_entity_newer_version_passes_revision(self):
+        "Test object with unsupported (newer) version and revision"
+        self._test_deserialize_entity_newer('1.7', '1.6.1', my_version='1.6.1')