diff --git a/nimble/conf/__init__.py b/nimble/conf/__init__.py
index 41c1ea56..09b1e21f 100644
--- a/nimble/conf/__init__.py
+++ b/nimble/conf/__init__.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ from nimble.conf import engine
 from nimble.conf import ironic
 from nimble.conf import keystone
 from nimble.conf import neutron
+from nimble.conf import scheduler
 
 CONF = cfg.CONF
 
@@ -32,3 +33,4 @@ engine.register_opts(CONF)
 ironic.register_opts(CONF)
 keystone.register_opts(CONF)
 neutron.register_opts(CONF)
+scheduler.register_opts(CONF)
diff --git a/nimble/conf/engine.py b/nimble/conf/engine.py
index 33c2d5f5..2278acf3 100644
--- a/nimble/conf/engine.py
+++ b/nimble/conf/engine.py
@@ -34,6 +34,10 @@ opts = [
                default=60,
                help=_('Interval between syncing the node resources from '
                       'ironic, in seconds.')),
+    cfg.StrOpt('scheduler_driver',
+               default='nimble.engine.scheduler.filter_scheduler.'
+                       'FilterScheduler',
+               help='Default scheduler driver to use')
 ]
 
 
diff --git a/nimble/conf/opts.py b/nimble/conf/opts.py
index 40e044a6..c93338f6 100644
--- a/nimble/conf/opts.py
+++ b/nimble/conf/opts.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import nimble.conf.engine
 import nimble.conf.ironic
 import nimble.conf.keystone
 import nimble.conf.neutron
+import nimble.conf.scheduler
 
 _default_opt_lists = [
     nimble.conf.default.api_opts,
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ _opts = [
     ('ironic', nimble.conf.ironic.opts),
     ('keystone', nimble.conf.keystone.opts),
     ('neutron', nimble.conf.neutron.opts),
+    ('scheduler', nimble.conf.scheduler.opts),
 ]
 
 
diff --git a/nimble/conf/scheduler.py b/nimble/conf/scheduler.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..135fa0c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimble/conf/scheduler.py
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# Copyright 2016 Huawei Technologies Co.,LTD.
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+from oslo_config import cfg
+
+from nimble.common.i18n import _
+
+opts = [
+    cfg.StrOpt('scheduler_driver',
+               default='nimble.engine.scheduler.filter_scheduler.'
+                       'FilterScheduler',
+               help=_('Default scheduler driver to use')),
+    cfg.StrOpt('scheduler_node_manager',
+               default='nimble.engine.scheduler.node_manager.NodeManager',
+               help=_('The scheduler node manager class to use')),
+    cfg.IntOpt('scheduler_max_attempts',
+               default=3,
+               help=_('Maximum number of attempts to schedule a node')),
+    cfg.StrOpt('scheduler_json_config_location',
+               default='',
+               help=_('Absolute path to scheduler configuration JSON file.')),
+    cfg.ListOpt('scheduler_default_filters',
+                default=[
+                    'AvailabilityZoneFilter',
+                    'CapabilitiesFilter'
+                ],
+                help=_('Which filter class names to use for filtering nodes '
+                       'when not specified in the request.')),
+    cfg.ListOpt('scheduler_default_weighers',
+                default=[],
+                help=_('Which weigher class names to use for weighing '
+                       'nodes.')),
+    cfg.StrOpt('scheduler_weight_handler',
+               default='nimble.engine.scheduler.weights.'
+                       'OrderedNodeWeightHandler',
+               help=_('Which handler to use for selecting the node after '
+                      'weighing')),
+]
+
+
+def register_opts(conf):
+    conf.register_opts(opts, group='scheduler')
diff --git a/nimble/engine/base_manager.py b/nimble/engine/base_manager.py
index a81d16a0..7f63e779 100644
--- a/nimble/engine/base_manager.py
+++ b/nimble/engine/base_manager.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 
 from eventlet import greenpool
 from oslo_service import periodic_task
+from oslo_utils import importutils
 
 from nimble.common.i18n import _
 from nimble.common import rpc
@@ -34,6 +35,8 @@ class BaseEngineManager(periodic_task.PeriodicTasks):
         self.topic = topic
         self.node_cache = {}
         self.node_cache_time = 0
+        scheduler_driver = CONF.scheduler.scheduler_driver
+        self.scheduler_driver = importutils.import_object(scheduler_driver)
         self.notifier = rpc.get_notifier()
         self._started = False
 
@@ -52,8 +55,11 @@ class BaseEngineManager(periodic_task.PeriodicTasks):
         self._worker_pool = greenpool.GreenPool(
             size=CONF.engine.workers_pool_size)
 
+        self._started = True
+
     def del_host(self):
         self._worker_pool.waitall()
+        self._started = False
 
     def periodic_tasks(self, context, raise_on_error=False):
         return self.run_periodic_tasks(context, raise_on_error=raise_on_error)
diff --git a/nimble/engine/scheduler/__init__.py b/nimble/engine/scheduler/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/nimble/engine/scheduler/base_filter.py b/nimble/engine/scheduler/base_filter.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f8359cad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimble/engine/scheduler/base_filter.py
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2011-2012 OpenStack Foundation.
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+"""
+Filter support
+"""
+from oslo_log import log as logging
+import six
+
+from nimble.common.i18n import _LI
+from nimble.engine.scheduler import base_handler
+
+LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class BaseFilter(object):
+    """Base class for all filter classes."""
+    def _filter_one(self, obj, filter_properties):
+        """Return True if it passes the filter, False otherwise.
+
+        Override this in a subclass.
+        """
+        return True
+
+    def filter_all(self, filter_obj_list, filter_properties):
+        """Yield objects that pass the filter.
+
+        Can be overridden in a subclass, if you need to base filtering
+        decisions on all objects.  Otherwise, one can just override
+        _filter_one() to filter a single object.
+        """
+        for obj in filter_obj_list:
+            if self._filter_one(obj, filter_properties):
+                yield obj
+
+    # Set to true in a subclass if a filter only needs to be run once
+    # for each request rather than for each instance
+    run_filter_once_per_request = False
+
+    def run_filter_for_index(self, index):
+        """Return True if the filter needs to be run for n-th instances.
+
+        Only need to override this if a filter needs anything other than
+        "first only" or "all" behaviour.
+        """
+        return not (self.run_filter_once_per_request and index > 0)
+
+
+class BaseFilterHandler(base_handler.BaseHandler):
+    """Base class to handle loading filter classes.
+
+    This class should be subclassed where one needs to use filters.
+    """
+
+    def _log_filtration(self, full_filter_results,
+                        part_filter_results, filter_properties):
+        # Log the filtration history
+        rspec = filter_properties.get("request_spec", {})
+        msg_dict = {"inst_id": rspec.get("instance_id", ""),
+                    "str_results": six.text_type(full_filter_results),
+                    }
+        full_msg = ("Filtering removed all nodes for the request with "
+                    "instance ID "
+                    "'%(inst_id)s'. Filter results: %(str_results)s"
+                    ) % msg_dict
+        msg_dict["str_results"] = ', '.join(
+            _LI("%(cls_name)s: (start: %(start)s, end: %(end)s)") % {
+                "cls_name": value[0], "start": value[1], "end": value[2]}
+            for value in part_filter_results)
+        part_msg = _LI("Filtering removed all nodes for the request with "
+                       "instance ID "
+                       "'%(inst_id)s'. Filter results: %(str_results)s"
+                       ) % msg_dict
+        LOG.debug(full_msg)
+        LOG.info(part_msg)
+
+    def get_filtered_objects(self, filter_classes, objs,
+                             filter_properties, index=0):
+        """Get objects after filter
+
+        :param filter_classes: filters that will be used to filter the
+                               objects
+        :param objs: objects that will be filtered
+        :param filter_properties: client filter properties
+        :param index: This value needs to be increased in the caller
+                      function of get_filtered_objects when handling
+                      each resource.
+        """
+        list_objs = list(objs)
+        LOG.debug("Starting with %d node(s)", len(list_objs))
+        # The 'part_filter_results' list just tracks the number of hosts
+        # before and after the filter, unless the filter returns zero
+        # hosts, in which it records the host/nodename for the last batch
+        # that was removed. Since the full_filter_results can be very large,
+        # it is only recorded if the LOG level is set to debug.
+        part_filter_results = []
+        full_filter_results = []
+        for filter_cls in filter_classes:
+            cls_name = filter_cls.__name__
+            start_count = len(list_objs)
+            filter_class = filter_cls()
+
+            if filter_class.run_filter_for_index(index):
+                objs = filter_class.filter_all(list_objs, filter_properties)
+                if objs is None:
+                    LOG.info(_LI("Filter %s returned 0 nodes"), cls_name)
+                    full_filter_results.append((cls_name, None))
+                    list_objs = None
+                    break
+
+                list_objs = list(objs)
+                end_count = len(list_objs)
+                part_filter_results.append((cls_name, start_count, end_count))
+                remaining = [getattr(obj, "node", obj)
+                             for obj in list_objs]
+                full_filter_results.append((cls_name, remaining))
+
+                LOG.debug("Filter %(cls_name)s returned "
+                          "%(obj_len)d node(s)",
+                          {'cls_name': cls_name, 'obj_len': len(list_objs)})
+        if not list_objs:
+            self._log_filtration(full_filter_results,
+                                 part_filter_results, filter_properties)
+        return list_objs
diff --git a/nimble/engine/scheduler/base_handler.py b/nimble/engine/scheduler/base_handler.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bc8e1421
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimble/engine/scheduler/base_handler.py
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2011-2013 OpenStack Foundation.
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+"""
+A common base for handling extension classes.
+
+Used by BaseFilterHandler and BaseWeightHandler
+"""
+
+import inspect
+
+from stevedore import extension
+
+
+class BaseHandler(object):
+    """Base class to handle loading filter and weight classes."""
+    def __init__(self, modifier_class_type, modifier_namespace):
+        self.namespace = modifier_namespace
+        self.modifier_class_type = modifier_class_type
+        self.extension_manager = extension.ExtensionManager(modifier_namespace)
+
+    def _is_correct_class(self, cls):
+        """Return whether an object is a class of the correct type.
+
+        (or is not prefixed with an underscore)
+        """
+        return (inspect.isclass(cls) and
+                not cls.__name__.startswith('_') and
+                issubclass(cls, self.modifier_class_type))
+
+    def get_all_classes(self):
+        # We use a set, as some classes may have an entrypoint of their own,
+        # and also be returned by a function such as 'all_filters' for example
+        return [ext.plugin for ext in self.extension_manager if
+                self._is_correct_class(ext.plugin)]
diff --git a/nimble/engine/scheduler/base_weight.py b/nimble/engine/scheduler/base_weight.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b7811446
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimble/engine/scheduler/base_weight.py
@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2011-2012 OpenStack Foundation.
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+"""
+Pluggable Weighing support
+"""
+
+import abc
+
+import six
+
+from nimble.engine.scheduler import base_handler
+
+
+def normalize(weight_list, minval=None, maxval=None):
+    """Normalize the values in a list between 0 and 1.0.
+
+    The normalization is made regarding the lower and upper values present in
+    weight_list. If the minval and/or maxval parameters are set, these values
+    will be used instead of the minimum and maximum from the list.
+
+    If all the values are equal, they are normalized to 0.
+    """
+
+    if not weight_list:
+        return ()
+
+    if maxval is None:
+        maxval = max(weight_list)
+
+    if minval is None:
+        minval = min(weight_list)
+
+    maxval = float(maxval)
+    minval = float(minval)
+
+    if minval == maxval:
+        return [0] * len(weight_list)
+
+    range_ = maxval - minval
+    return ((i - minval) / range_ for i in weight_list)
+
+
+class WeighedObject(object):
+    """Object with weight information."""
+    def __init__(self, obj, weight):
+        self.obj = obj
+        self.weight = weight
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        return "<WeighedObject '%s': %s>" % (self.obj, self.weight)
+
+
+@six.add_metaclass(abc.ABCMeta)
+class BaseWeigher(object):
+    """Base class for pluggable weighers.
+
+    The attributes maxval and minval can be specified to set up the maximum
+    and minimum values for the weighed objects. These values will then be
+    taken into account in the normalization step, instead of taking the values
+    from the calculated weights.
+    """
+
+    minval = None
+    maxval = None
+
+    def weight_multiplier(self):
+        """How weighted this weigher should be.
+
+        Override this method in a subclass, so that the returned value is
+        read from a configuration option to permit operators specify a
+        multiplier for the weigher.
+        """
+        return 1.0
+
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def _weigh_object(self, obj, weight_properties):
+        """Override in a subclass to specify a weight for a specific object."""
+
+    def weigh_objects(self, weighed_obj_list, weight_properties):
+        """Weigh multiple objects.
+
+        Override in a subclass if you need access to all objects in order
+        to calculate weights. Do not modify the weight of an object here,
+        just return a list of weights.
+        """
+        # Calculate the weights
+        weights = []
+        for obj in weighed_obj_list:
+            weight = self._weigh_object(obj.obj, weight_properties)
+
+            # Record the min and max values if they are None. If they anything
+            # but none we assume that the weigher has set them
+            if self.minval is None:
+                self.minval = weight
+            if self.maxval is None:
+                self.maxval = weight
+
+            if weight < self.minval:
+                self.minval = weight
+            elif weight > self.maxval:
+                self.maxval = weight
+
+            weights.append(weight)
+
+        return weights
+
+
+class BaseWeightHandler(base_handler.BaseHandler):
+    object_class = WeighedObject
+
+    def get_weighed_objects(self, weigher_classes, obj_list,
+                            weighing_properties):
+        """Return a sorted (descending), normalized list of WeighedObjects."""
+
+        if not obj_list:
+            return []
+
+        weighed_objs = [self.object_class(obj, 0.0) for obj in obj_list]
+        for weigher_cls in weigher_classes:
+            weigher = weigher_cls()
+            weights = weigher.weigh_objects(weighed_objs, weighing_properties)
+
+            # Normalize the weights
+            weights = normalize(weights,
+                                minval=weigher.minval,
+                                maxval=weigher.maxval)
+
+            for i, weight in enumerate(weights):
+                obj = weighed_objs[i]
+                obj.weight += weigher.weight_multiplier() * weight
+
+        return sorted(weighed_objs, key=lambda x: x.weight, reverse=True)
diff --git a/nimble/engine/scheduler/driver.py b/nimble/engine/scheduler/driver.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6d26807b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimble/engine/scheduler/driver.py
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2010 OpenStack Foundation
+# Copyright 2010 United States Government as represented by the
+# Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+"""
+Scheduler base class that all Schedulers should inherit from
+"""
+
+from oslo_config import cfg
+from oslo_utils import importutils
+
+from nimble.common.i18n import _
+
+
+CONF = cfg.CONF
+
+
+class Scheduler(object):
+    """The base class that all Scheduler classes should inherit from."""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.node_manager = importutils.import_object(
+            CONF.scheduler.scheduler_node_manager)
+
+    def schedule(self, context, request_spec, filter_properties):
+        """Must override schedule method for scheduler to work."""
+        raise NotImplementedError(_("Must implement schedule"))
diff --git a/nimble/engine/scheduler/filter_scheduler.py b/nimble/engine/scheduler/filter_scheduler.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d4197f4e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimble/engine/scheduler/filter_scheduler.py
@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+"""The FilterScheduler is for creating instances.
+
+You can customize this scheduler by specifying your own node Filters and
+Weighing Functions.
+"""
+
+from oslo_config import cfg
+from oslo_log import log as logging
+from oslo_serialization import jsonutils
+
+from nimble.common import exception
+from nimble.common.i18n import _, _LE, _LW
+from nimble.engine.scheduler import driver
+from nimble.engine.scheduler import scheduler_options
+
+CONF = cfg.CONF
+LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class FilterScheduler(driver.Scheduler):
+    """Scheduler that can be used for filtering and weighing."""
+    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        super(FilterScheduler, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+        self.options = scheduler_options.SchedulerOptions()
+        self.max_attempts = self._max_attempts()
+
+    def _get_configuration_options(self):
+        """Fetch options dictionary. Broken out for testing."""
+        return self.options.get_configuration()
+
+    def populate_filter_properties(self, request_spec, filter_properties):
+        """Stuff things into filter_properties.
+
+        Can be overridden in a subclass to add more data.
+        """
+        instance = request_spec['instance_properties']
+        filter_properties['availability_zone'] = \
+            instance.get('availability_zone')
+
+    def _add_retry_node(self, filter_properties, node):
+        """Add a retry entry for the selected Ironic node.
+
+        In the event that the request gets re-scheduled, this entry will signal
+        that the given node has already been tried.
+        """
+        retry = filter_properties.get('retry', None)
+        if not retry:
+            return
+        nodes = retry['nodes']
+        nodes.append(node)
+
+    def _max_attempts(self):
+        max_attempts = CONF.scheduler.scheduler_max_attempts
+        if max_attempts < 1:
+            raise exception.InvalidParameterValue(
+                err=_("Invalid value for 'scheduler_max_attempts', "
+                      "must be >=1"))
+        return max_attempts
+
+    def _log_instance_error(self, instance_id, retry):
+        """Log requests with exceptions from previous instance operations."""
+        exc = retry.pop('exc', None)  # string-ified exception from instance
+        if not exc:
+            return  # no exception info from a previous attempt, skip
+
+        nodes = retry.get('nodes', None)
+        if not nodes:
+            return  # no previously attempted nodes, skip
+
+        last_node = nodes[-1]
+        LOG.error(_LE("Error scheduling %(instance_id)s from last node: "
+                      "%(last_node)s : %(exc)s"),
+                  {'instance_id': instance_id,
+                   'last_node': last_node,
+                   'exc': exc})
+
+    def _populate_retry(self, filter_properties, properties):
+        """Populate filter properties with history of retries for request.
+
+        If maximum retries is exceeded, raise NoValidNode.
+        """
+        max_attempts = self.max_attempts
+        retry = filter_properties.pop('retry', {})
+
+        if max_attempts == 1:
+            # re-scheduling is disabled.
+            return
+
+        # retry is enabled, update attempt count:
+        if retry:
+            retry['num_attempts'] += 1
+        else:
+            retry = {
+                'num_attempts': 1,
+                'nodes': []  # list of Ironic nodes tried
+            }
+        filter_properties['retry'] = retry
+
+        instance_id = properties.get('instance_id')
+        self._log_instance_error(instance_id, retry)
+
+        if retry['num_attempts'] > max_attempts:
+            raise exception.NoValidNode(
+                reason=_("Exceeded max scheduling attempts %(max_attempts)d "
+                         "for instance %(instance_id)s") %
+                {'max_attempts': max_attempts,
+                 'instance_id': instance_id})
+
+    def _get_weighted_candidates(self, context, request_spec, node_cache,
+                                 filter_properties=None):
+        """Return a list of nodes that meet required specs.
+
+        Returned list is ordered by their fitness.
+        """
+        # Since Nimble is using mixed filters from Oslo and it's own, which
+        # takes 'resource_XX' and 'instance_XX' as input respectively, copying
+        # 'instance_type' to 'resource_type' will make both filters happy.
+        instance_type = resource_type = request_spec.get("instance_type")
+
+        config_options = self._get_configuration_options()
+
+        if filter_properties is None:
+            filter_properties = {}
+        self._populate_retry(filter_properties,
+                             request_spec['instance_properties'])
+
+        request_spec_dict = jsonutils.to_primitive(request_spec)
+
+        filter_properties.update({'context': context,
+                                  'request_spec': request_spec_dict,
+                                  'config_options': config_options,
+                                  'instance_type': instance_type,
+                                  'resource_type': resource_type})
+
+        self.populate_filter_properties(request_spec,
+                                        filter_properties)
+
+        # Find our local list of acceptable nodes by filtering and
+        # weighing our options. we virtually consume resources on
+        # it so subsequent selections can adjust accordingly.
+
+        # Note: remember, we are using an iterator here. So only
+        # traverse this list once.
+        nodes = self.node_manager.get_all_node_states(node_cache)
+
+        # Filter local nodes based on requirements ...
+        nodes = self.node_manager.get_filtered_nodes(nodes,
+                                                     filter_properties)
+        if not nodes:
+            return []
+
+        LOG.debug("Filtered %s", nodes)
+        # weighted_node = WeightedNode() ... the best
+        # node for the job.
+        weighed_nodes = self.node_manager.get_weighed_nodes(nodes,
+                                                            filter_properties)
+        return weighed_nodes
+
+    def schedule(self, context, request_spec, node_cache,
+                 filter_properties=None):
+        weighed_nodes = self._get_weighted_candidates(context, request_spec,
+                                                      node_cache,
+                                                      filter_properties)
+        if not weighed_nodes:
+            LOG.warning(_LW('No weighed nodes found for instance '
+                            'with properties: %s'),
+                        filter_properties['request_spec'].get('instance_type'))
+            return None
+        return self._choose_top_node(weighed_nodes, request_spec)
+
+    def _choose_top_node(self, weighed_nodes, request_spec):
+        top_node = weighed_nodes[0]
+        node_state = top_node.obj
+        LOG.debug("Choosing %s", node_state.node)
+        return top_node
diff --git a/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/__init__.py b/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d256b46f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2011 OpenStack Foundation.
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+"""
+Scheduler node filters
+"""
+
+from nimble.engine.scheduler import base_filter
+
+
+class BaseNodeFilter(base_filter.BaseFilter):
+    """Base class for node filters."""
+    def _filter_one(self, obj, filter_properties):
+        """Return True if the object passes the filter, otherwise False."""
+        return self.node_passes(obj, filter_properties)
+
+    def node_passes(self, node_state, filter_properties):
+        """Return True if the NodeState passes the filter, otherwise False.
+
+        Override this in a subclass.
+        """
+        raise NotImplementedError()
+
+
+class NodeFilterHandler(base_filter.BaseFilterHandler):
+    def __init__(self, namespace):
+        super(NodeFilterHandler, self).__init__(BaseNodeFilter, namespace)
diff --git a/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/availability_zone_filter.py b/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/availability_zone_filter.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7b52e3bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/availability_zone_filter.py
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2011-2012 OpenStack Foundation.
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+from nimble.engine.scheduler import filters
+
+
+class AvailabilityZoneFilter(filters.BaseNodeFilter):
+    """Filters Nodes by availability zone."""
+
+    # Availability zones do not change within a request
+    run_filter_once_per_request = True
+
+    def node_passes(self, node_state, filter_properties):
+        spec = filter_properties.get('request_spec', {})
+        props = spec.get('resource_properties', {})
+        availability_zone = props.get('availability_zone')
+
+        if availability_zone:
+            return availability_zone == node_state.availability_zone
+        return True
diff --git a/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/capabilities_filter.py b/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/capabilities_filter.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fa03202e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/capabilities_filter.py
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2011 OpenStack Foundation.
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+from oslo_log import log as logging
+
+from nimble.engine.scheduler import filters
+from nimble.engine.scheduler.filters import extra_specs_ops
+
+LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class CapabilitiesFilter(filters.BaseNodeFilter):
+    """NodeFilter to work with resource instance type records."""
+
+    def _satisfies_extra_specs(self, capabilities, resource_type):
+        """Check if capabilities satisfy resource type requirements.
+
+        Check that the capabilities provided by the services satisfy
+        the extra specs associated with the resource type.
+        """
+
+        if not resource_type:
+            return True
+
+        extra_specs = resource_type.get('extra_specs', [])
+        if not extra_specs:
+            return True
+
+        for key, req in extra_specs.items():
+
+            # Either not scoped format, or in capabilities scope
+            scope = key.split(':')
+
+            # Ignore scoped (such as vendor-specific) capabilities
+            if len(scope) > 1 and scope[0] != "capabilities":
+                continue
+            # Strip off prefix if spec started with 'capabilities:'
+            elif scope[0] == "capabilities":
+                del scope[0]
+
+            cap = capabilities
+            for index in range(len(scope)):
+                try:
+                    cap = cap[scope[index]]
+                except (TypeError, KeyError):
+                    LOG.debug("Node doesn't provide capability '%(cap)s' " %
+                              {'cap': scope[index]})
+                    return False
+
+            # Make all capability values a list so we can handle lists
+            cap_list = [cap] if not isinstance(cap, list) else cap
+
+            # Loop through capability values looking for any match
+            for cap_value in cap_list:
+                if extra_specs_ops.match(cap_value, req):
+                    break
+            else:
+                # Nothing matched, so bail out
+                LOG.debug('Instance type extra spec requirement '
+                          '"%(key)s=%(req)s" does not match reported '
+                          'capability "%(cap)s"',
+                          {'key': key, 'req': req, 'cap': cap})
+                return False
+        return True
+
+    def node_passes(self, node_state, filter_properties):
+        """Return a list of nodes that can create resource_type."""
+        resource_type = filter_properties.get('resource_type')
+        if not self._satisfies_extra_specs(node_state.capabilities,
+                                           resource_type):
+            LOG.debug("%(node_state)s fails resource_type extra_specs "
+                      "requirements", {'node_state': node_state})
+            return False
+        return True
diff --git a/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/extra_specs_ops.py b/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/extra_specs_ops.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..24b48a31
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/extra_specs_ops.py
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2011 OpenStack Foundation.
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+import operator
+
+from oslo_utils import strutils
+
+# 1. The following operations are supported:
+#   =, s==, s!=, s>=, s>, s<=, s<, <in>, <is>, <or>, ==, !=, >=, <=
+# 2. Note that <or> is handled in a different way below.
+# 3. If the first word in the extra_specs is not one of the operators,
+#   it is ignored.
+_op_methods = {'=': lambda x, y: float(x) >= float(y),
+               '<in>': lambda x, y: y in x,
+               '<is>': lambda x, y: (strutils.bool_from_string(x) is
+                                     strutils.bool_from_string(y)),
+               '==': lambda x, y: float(x) == float(y),
+               '!=': lambda x, y: float(x) != float(y),
+               '>=': lambda x, y: float(x) >= float(y),
+               '<=': lambda x, y: float(x) <= float(y),
+               's==': operator.eq,
+               's!=': operator.ne,
+               's<': operator.lt,
+               's<=': operator.le,
+               's>': operator.gt,
+               's>=': operator.ge}
+
+
+def match(value, req):
+    if req is None:
+        if value is None:
+            return True
+        else:
+            return False
+    words = req.split()
+
+    op = method = None
+    if words:
+        op = words.pop(0)
+        method = _op_methods.get(op)
+
+    if op != '<or>' and not method:
+        return value == req
+
+    if value is None:
+        return False
+
+    if op == '<or>':  # Ex: <or> v1 <or> v2 <or> v3
+        while True:
+            if words.pop(0) == value:
+                return True
+            if not words:
+                break
+            op = words.pop(0)  # remove a keyword <or>
+            if not words:
+                break
+        return False
+
+    try:
+        if words and method(value, words[0]):
+            return True
+    except ValueError:
+        pass
+
+    return False
diff --git a/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/json_filter.py b/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/json_filter.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c0780ee8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimble/engine/scheduler/filters/json_filter.py
@@ -0,0 +1,149 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2011 OpenStack Foundation.
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+import operator
+
+from oslo_serialization import jsonutils
+import six
+
+from nimble.engine.scheduler import filters
+
+
+class JsonFilter(filters.BaseNodeFilter):
+    """Node Filter to allow simple JSON-based grammar for selecting nodes."""
+    def _op_compare(self, args, op):
+        """Compare first item of args with the rest using specified operator.
+
+        Returns True if the specified operator can successfully
+        compare the first item in the args with all the rest. Will
+        return False if only one item is in the list.
+        """
+        if len(args) < 2:
+            return False
+        if op is operator.contains:
+            bad = args[0] not in args[1:]
+        else:
+            bad = [arg for arg in args[1:]
+                   if not op(args[0], arg)]
+        return not bool(bad)
+
+    def _equals(self, args):
+        """First term is == all the other terms."""
+        return self._op_compare(args, operator.eq)
+
+    def _less_than(self, args):
+        """First term is < all the other terms."""
+        return self._op_compare(args, operator.lt)
+
+    def _greater_than(self, args):
+        """First term is > all the other terms."""
+        return self._op_compare(args, operator.gt)
+
+    def _in(self, args):
+        """First term is in set of remaining terms."""
+        return self._op_compare(args, operator.contains)
+
+    def _less_than_equal(self, args):
+        """First term is <= all the other terms."""
+        return self._op_compare(args, operator.le)
+
+    def _greater_than_equal(self, args):
+        """First term is >= all the other terms."""
+        return self._op_compare(args, operator.ge)
+
+    def _not(self, args):
+        """Flip each of the arguments."""
+        return [not arg for arg in args]
+
+    def _or(self, args):
+        """True if any arg is True."""
+        return any(args)
+
+    def _and(self, args):
+        """True if all args are True."""
+        return all(args)
+
+    commands = {
+        '=': _equals,
+        '<': _less_than,
+        '>': _greater_than,
+        'in': _in,
+        '<=': _less_than_equal,
+        '>=': _greater_than_equal,
+        'not': _not,
+        'or': _or,
+        'and': _and,
+    }
+
+    def _parse_string(self, string, node_state):
+        """Parse capability lookup strings.
+
+        Strings prefixed with $ are capability lookups in the
+        form '$variable' where 'variable' is an attribute in the
+        NodeState class.  If $variable is a dictionary, you may
+        use: $variable.dictkey
+        """
+        if not string:
+            return None
+        if not string.startswith("$"):
+            return string
+
+        path = string[1:].split(".")
+        obj = getattr(node_state, path[0], None)
+        if obj is None:
+            return None
+        for item in path[1:]:
+            obj = obj.get(item)
+            if obj is None:
+                return None
+        return obj
+
+    def _process_filter(self, query, node_state):
+        """Recursively parse the query structure."""
+        if not query:
+            return True
+        cmd = query[0]
+        method = self.commands[cmd]
+        cooked_args = []
+        for arg in query[1:]:
+            if isinstance(arg, list):
+                arg = self._process_filter(arg, node_state)
+            elif isinstance(arg, six.string_types):
+                arg = self._parse_string(arg, node_state)
+            if arg is not None:
+                cooked_args.append(arg)
+        result = method(self, cooked_args)
+        return result
+
+    def node_passes(self, node_state, filter_properties):
+        """Return a list of nodes that can fulfill query requirements."""
+        try:
+            query = filter_properties['scheduler_hints']['query']
+        except KeyError:
+            query = None
+        if not query:
+            return True
+
+        # NOTE(comstud): Not checking capabilities or service for
+        # enabled/disabled so that a provided json filter can decide
+
+        result = self._process_filter(jsonutils.loads(query), node_state)
+        if isinstance(result, list):
+            # If any succeeded, include the node
+            result = any(result)
+        if result:
+            # Filter it out.
+            return True
+        return False
diff --git a/nimble/engine/scheduler/node_manager.py b/nimble/engine/scheduler/node_manager.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b37eb1a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimble/engine/scheduler/node_manager.py
@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2011 OpenStack Foundation
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+"""
+Manage nodes.
+"""
+
+from oslo_config import cfg
+from oslo_log import log as logging
+from oslo_utils import importutils
+
+from nimble.common import exception
+from nimble.engine.scheduler import filters
+
+
+CONF = cfg.CONF
+LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class NodeState(object):
+    """Mutable and immutable information tracked for a Ironic node."""
+
+    def __init__(self, node):
+        self.node = node.uuid
+        self.capabilities = node.capabilities
+        self.availability_zone = node.extra.get('availability_zone', None)
+        self.instance_type = node.extra.get('instance_type', None)
+
+
+class NodeManager(object):
+    """Base NodeManager class."""
+
+    node_state_cls = NodeState
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.filter_handler = filters.NodeFilterHandler('nimble.engine.'
+                                                        'scheduler.filters')
+        self.filter_classes = self.filter_handler.get_all_classes()
+        self.weight_handler = importutils.import_object(
+            CONF.scheduler.scheduler_weight_handler,
+            'nimble.engine.scheduler.weights')
+        self.weight_classes = self.weight_handler.get_all_classes()
+
+    def _choose_node_filters(self, filter_cls_names):
+        """Return a list of available filter names.
+
+        This function checks input filter names against a predefined set
+        of acceptable filterss (all loaded filters).  If input is None,
+        it uses CONF.scheduler_default_filters instead.
+        """
+        if filter_cls_names is None:
+            filter_cls_names = CONF.scheduler.scheduler_default_filters
+        if not isinstance(filter_cls_names, (list, tuple)):
+            filter_cls_names = [filter_cls_names]
+        good_filters = []
+        bad_filters = []
+        for filter_name in filter_cls_names:
+            found_class = False
+            for cls in self.filter_classes:
+                if cls.__name__ == filter_name:
+                    found_class = True
+                    good_filters.append(cls)
+                    break
+            if not found_class:
+                bad_filters.append(filter_name)
+        if bad_filters:
+            raise exception.SchedulerNodeFilterNotFound(
+                filter_name=", ".join(bad_filters))
+        return good_filters
+
+    def _choose_node_weighers(self, weight_cls_names):
+        """Return a list of available weigher names.
+
+        This function checks input weigher names against a predefined set
+        of acceptable weighers (all loaded weighers).  If input is None,
+        it uses CONF.scheduler_default_weighers instead.
+        """
+        if weight_cls_names is None:
+            weight_cls_names = CONF.scheduler.scheduler_default_weighers
+        if not isinstance(weight_cls_names, (list, tuple)):
+            weight_cls_names = [weight_cls_names]
+
+        good_weighers = []
+        bad_weighers = []
+        for weigher_name in weight_cls_names:
+            found_class = False
+            for cls in self.weight_classes:
+                if cls.__name__ == weigher_name:
+                    good_weighers.append(cls)
+                    found_class = True
+                    break
+            if not found_class:
+                bad_weighers.append(weigher_name)
+        if bad_weighers:
+            raise exception.SchedulerNodeWeigherNotFound(
+                weigher_name=", ".join(bad_weighers))
+        return good_weighers
+
+    def get_filtered_nodes(self, nodes, filter_properties,
+                           filter_class_names=None):
+        """Filter nodes and return only ones passing all filters."""
+        filter_classes = self._choose_node_filters(filter_class_names)
+        return self.filter_handler.get_filtered_objects(filter_classes,
+                                                        nodes,
+                                                        filter_properties)
+
+    def get_weighed_nodes(self, nodes, weight_properties,
+                          weigher_class_names=None):
+        """Weigh the nodes."""
+        weigher_classes = self._choose_node_weighers(weigher_class_names)
+        return self.weight_handler.get_weighed_objects(weigher_classes,
+                                                       nodes,
+                                                       weight_properties)
+
+    def get_all_node_states(self, node_cache):
+        """Returns a list of all the nodes the NodeManager knows about."""
+
+        node_states = []
+        for node in node_cache:
+            node_state = self.node_state_cls(node)
+            node_states.append(node_state)
+
+        return node_states
diff --git a/nimble/engine/scheduler/scheduler_options.py b/nimble/engine/scheduler/scheduler_options.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..998fa60b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimble/engine/scheduler/scheduler_options.py
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2011 OpenStack Foundation
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+"""
+SchedulerOptions monitors a local .json file for changes and loads
+it if needed. This file is converted to a data structure and passed
+into the filtering and weighing functions which can use it for
+dynamic configuration.
+"""
+
+import datetime
+import json
+import os
+
+from oslo_config import cfg
+from oslo_log import log as logging
+from oslo_utils import timeutils
+
+from nimble.common.i18n import _LE
+
+
+CONF = cfg.CONF
+LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class SchedulerOptions(object):
+    """SchedulerOptions monitors a local .json file for changes.
+
+    The file is reloaded if needed and converted to a data structure and
+    passed into the filtering and weighing functions which can use it
+    for dynamic configuration.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        super(SchedulerOptions, self).__init__()
+        self.data = {}
+        self.last_modified = None
+        self.last_checked = None
+
+    def _get_file_handle(self, filename):
+        """Get file handle. Broken out for testing."""
+        return open(filename)
+
+    def _get_file_timestamp(self, filename):
+        """Get the last modified datetime. Broken out for testing."""
+        try:
+            return os.path.getmtime(filename)
+        except os.error:
+            LOG.exception(_LE("Could not stat scheduler options file "
+                              "%(filename)s."),
+                          {'filename': filename})
+            raise
+
+    def _load_file(self, handle):
+        """Decode the JSON file. Broken out for testing."""
+        try:
+            return json.load(handle)
+        except ValueError:
+            LOG.exception(_LE("Could not decode scheduler options."))
+            return {}
+
+    def _get_time_now(self):
+        """Get current UTC. Broken out for testing."""
+        return timeutils.utcnow()
+
+    def get_configuration(self, filename=None):
+        """Check the json file for changes and load it if needed."""
+        if not filename:
+            filename = CONF.scheduler.scheduler_json_config_location
+        if not filename:
+            return self.data
+        if self.last_checked:
+            now = self._get_time_now()
+            if now - self.last_checked < datetime.timedelta(minutes=5):
+                return self.data
+
+        last_modified = self._get_file_timestamp(filename)
+        if (not last_modified or not self.last_modified or
+                last_modified > self.last_modified):
+            self.data = self._load_file(self._get_file_handle(filename))
+            self.last_modified = last_modified
+        if not self.data:
+            self.data = {}
+
+        return self.data
diff --git a/nimble/engine/scheduler/weights/__init__.py b/nimble/engine/scheduler/weights/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b2dbca5c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nimble/engine/scheduler/weights/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2011 OpenStack Foundation.
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+"""
+Scheduler node weights
+"""
+
+from nimble.engine.scheduler import base_weight
+
+
+class WeighedNode(base_weight.WeighedObject):
+    def to_dict(self):
+        return {
+            'weight': self.weight,
+            'node': self.obj.node,
+        }
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        return ("WeighedNode [node: %s, weight: %s]" %
+                (self.obj.node, self.weight))
+
+
+class BaseNodeWeigher(base_weight.BaseWeigher):
+    """Base class for node weights."""
+    pass
+
+
+class OrderedNodeWeightHandler(base_weight.BaseWeightHandler):
+    object_class = WeighedNode
+
+    def __init__(self, namespace):
+        super(OrderedNodeWeightHandler, self).__init__(BaseNodeWeigher,
+                                                       namespace)