diff --git a/drivers/bus/fslmc/fslmc_vfio.h b/drivers/bus/fslmc/fslmc_vfio.h
index 5470a41..b442dc0 100644
--- a/drivers/bus/fslmc/fslmc_vfio.h
+++ b/drivers/bus/fslmc/fslmc_vfio.h
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@
 #ifndef _FSLMC_VFIO_H_
 #define _FSLMC_VFIO_H_
 
+#include <rte_vfio.h>
+
 #include "eal_vfio.h"
 
 #define DPAA2_MC_DPNI_DEVID	7
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/bsdapp/eal/eal.c b/lib/librte_eal/bsdapp/eal/eal.c
index d54a280..af15812 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/bsdapp/eal/eal.c
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/bsdapp/eal/eal.c
@@ -739,3 +739,44 @@ rte_eal_vfio_intr_mode(void)
 {
 	return RTE_INTR_MODE_NONE;
 }
+
+/* dummy forward declaration. */
+struct vfio_device_info;
+
+/* dummy prototypes. */
+int vfio_setup_device(const char *sysfs_base, const char *dev_addr,
+		int *vfio_dev_fd, struct vfio_device_info *device_info);
+int vfio_release_device(const char *sysfs_base, const char *dev_addr, int fd);
+int vfio_enable(const char *modname);
+int vfio_is_enabled(const char *modname);
+int vfio_noiommu_is_enabled(void);
+
+int vfio_setup_device(__rte_unused const char *sysfs_base,
+		      __rte_unused const char *dev_addr,
+		      __rte_unused int *vfio_dev_fd,
+		      __rte_unused struct vfio_device_info *device_info)
+{
+	return -1;
+}
+
+int vfio_release_device(__rte_unused const char *sysfs_base,
+			__rte_unused const char *dev_addr,
+			__rte_unused int fd)
+{
+	return -1;
+}
+
+int vfio_enable(__rte_unused const char *modname)
+{
+	return -1;
+}
+
+int vfio_is_enabled(__rte_unused const char *modname)
+{
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int vfio_noiommu_is_enabled(void)
+{
+	return 0;
+}
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/common/Makefile b/lib/librte_eal/common/Makefile
index 6f5b3f3..64ff811 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/common/Makefile
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/common/Makefile
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ INC += rte_hexdump.h rte_devargs.h rte_bus.h rte_dev.h rte_vdev.h
 INC += rte_pci_dev_feature_defs.h rte_pci_dev_features.h
 INC += rte_malloc.h rte_keepalive.h rte_time.h
 INC += rte_service.h rte_service_component.h
-INC += rte_bitmap.h
+INC += rte_bitmap.h rte_vfio.h
 
 GENERIC_INC := rte_atomic.h rte_byteorder.h rte_cycles.h rte_prefetch.h
 GENERIC_INC += rte_spinlock.h rte_memcpy.h rte_cpuflags.h rte_rwlock.h
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/common/include/rte_vfio.h b/lib/librte_eal/common/include/rte_vfio.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a9b7057
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/common/include/rte_vfio.h
@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+/*-
+ *   BSD LICENSE
+ *
+ *   Copyright(c) 2017 6WIND S.A. All rights reserved.
+ *   All rights reserved.
+ *
+ *   Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ *   modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ *   are met:
+ *
+ *     * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *       notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *     * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *       notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in
+ *       the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ *       distribution.
+ *     * Neither the name of 6WIND nor the names of its
+ *       contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived
+ *       from this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ *   THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ *   "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ *   LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+ *   A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+ *   OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ *   SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ *   LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ *   DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ *   THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ *   (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+ *   OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+#ifndef _RTE_VFIO_H_
+#define _RTE_VFIO_H_
+
+#include <linux/vfio.h>
+
+#define VFIO_DIR "/dev/vfio"
+#define VFIO_CONTAINER_PATH "/dev/vfio/vfio"
+#define VFIO_GROUP_FMT "/dev/vfio/%u"
+#define VFIO_NOIOMMU_GROUP_FMT "/dev/vfio/noiommu-%u"
+#define VFIO_GET_REGION_ADDR(x) ((uint64_t) x << 40ULL)
+#define VFIO_GET_REGION_IDX(x) (x >> 40)
+#define VFIO_NOIOMMU_MODE      \
+	"/sys/module/vfio/parameters/enable_unsafe_noiommu_mode"
+
+/**
+ * Setup vfio_cfg for the device identified by its address.
+ * It discovers the configured I/O MMU groups or sets a new one for the device.
+ * If a new groups is assigned, the DMA mapping is performed.
+ *
+ * This function is only relevant to linux and will return
+ * an error on BSD.
+ *
+ * @param sysfs_base
+ *   sysfs path prefix.
+ *
+ * @param dev_addr
+ *   device location.
+ *
+ * @param vfio_dev_fd
+ *   VFIO fd.
+ *
+ * @param device_info
+ *   Device information.
+ *
+ * @return
+ *   0 on success.
+ *   <0 on failure.
+ *   >1 if the device cannot be managed this way.
+ */
+int vfio_setup_device(const char *sysfs_base, const char *dev_addr,
+		int *vfio_dev_fd, struct vfio_device_info *device_info);
+
+/**
+ * Release a device mapped to a VFIO-managed I/O MMU group.
+ *
+ * This function is only relevant to linux and will return
+ * an error on BSD.
+ *
+ * @param sysfs_base
+ *   sysfs path prefix.
+ *
+ * @param dev_addr
+ *   device location.
+ *
+ * @param fd
+ *   VFIO fd.
+ *
+ * @return
+ *   0 on success.
+ *   <0 on failure.
+ */
+int vfio_release_device(const char *sysfs_base, const char *dev_addr, int fd);
+
+/**
+ * Enable a VFIO-related kmod.
+ *
+ * This function is only relevant to linux and will return
+ * an error on BSD.
+ *
+ * @param modname
+ *   kernel module name.
+ *
+ * @return
+ *   0 on success.
+ *   <0 on failure.
+ */
+int vfio_enable(const char *modname);
+
+/**
+ * Check whether a VFIO-related kmod is enabled.
+ *
+ * This function is only relevant to linux and will return
+ * an error on BSD.
+ *
+ * @param modname
+ *   kernel module name.
+ *
+ * @return
+ *   !0 if true.
+ *   0 otherwise.
+ */
+int vfio_is_enabled(const char *modname);
+
+/**
+ * Whether VFIO NOIOMMU mode is enabled.
+ *
+ * This function is only relevant to linux and will return
+ * an error on BSD.
+ *
+ * @return
+ *   !0 if true.
+ *   0 otherwise.
+ */
+int vfio_noiommu_is_enabled(void);
+
+#endif /* _RTE_VFIO_H_ */
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal.c b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal.c
index 18a07b0..bee3bbe 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal.c
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal.c
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@
 #include <rte_version.h>
 #include <rte_atomic.h>
 #include <malloc_heap.h>
+#include <rte_vfio.h>
 
 #include "eal_private.h"
 #include "eal_thread.h"
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_interrupts.c b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_interrupts.c
index 3e9ac41..6df63d4 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_interrupts.c
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_interrupts.c
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@
 #include <rte_errno.h>
 #include <rte_spinlock.h>
 #include <rte_pause.h>
+#include <rte_vfio.h>
 
 #include "eal_private.h"
 #include "eal_vfio.h"
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_pci.c b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_pci.c
index b4dbf95..8682ee6 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_pci.c
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_pci.c
@@ -41,11 +41,11 @@
 #include <rte_malloc.h>
 #include <rte_devargs.h>
 #include <rte_memcpy.h>
+#include <rte_vfio.h>
 
 #include "eal_filesystem.h"
 #include "eal_private.h"
 #include "eal_pci_init.h"
-#include "eal_vfio.h"
 
 /**
  * @file
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_pci_init.h b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_pci_init.h
index ae2980d..a20783d 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_pci_init.h
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_pci_init.h
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 #ifndef EAL_PCI_INIT_H_
 #define EAL_PCI_INIT_H_
 
-#include "eal_vfio.h"
+#include <rte_vfio.h>
 
 /** IO resource type: */
 #define IORESOURCE_IO         0x00000100
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ void pci_uio_ioport_write(struct rte_pci_ioport *p,
 			  const void *data, size_t len, off_t offset);
 int pci_uio_ioport_unmap(struct rte_pci_ioport *p);
 
-#ifdef VFIO_PRESENT
+#ifdef RTE_EAL_VFIO
 
 /* access config space */
 int pci_vfio_read_config(const struct rte_intr_handle *intr_handle,
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_pci_vfio.c b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_pci_vfio.c
index d407c87..8fa101b 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_pci_vfio.c
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_pci_vfio.c
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
 #include <rte_pci.h>
 #include <rte_eal_memconfig.h>
 #include <rte_malloc.h>
+#include <rte_vfio.h>
 
 #include "eal_filesystem.h"
 #include "eal_pci_init.h"
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_vfio.c b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_vfio.c
index 3f56967..5bbcdf9 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_vfio.c
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_vfio.c
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 #include <rte_log.h>
 #include <rte_memory.h>
 #include <rte_eal_memconfig.h>
+#include <rte_vfio.h>
 
 #include "eal_filesystem.h"
 #include "eal_vfio.h"
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_vfio.h b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_vfio.h
index 4bab363..8eb12db 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_vfio.h
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_vfio.h
@@ -144,15 +144,6 @@ struct vfio_config {
 	struct vfio_group vfio_groups[VFIO_MAX_GROUPS];
 };
 
-#define VFIO_DIR "/dev/vfio"
-#define VFIO_CONTAINER_PATH "/dev/vfio/vfio"
-#define VFIO_GROUP_FMT "/dev/vfio/%u"
-#define VFIO_NOIOMMU_GROUP_FMT "/dev/vfio/noiommu-%u"
-#define VFIO_GET_REGION_ADDR(x) ((uint64_t) x << 40ULL)
-#define VFIO_GET_REGION_IDX(x) (x >> 40)
-#define VFIO_NOIOMMU_MODE      \
-	"/sys/module/vfio/parameters/enable_unsafe_noiommu_mode"
-
 /* DMA mapping function prototype.
  * Takes VFIO container fd as a parameter.
  * Returns 0 on success, -1 on error.
@@ -192,27 +183,10 @@ vfio_get_group_fd(int iommu_group_no);
 int
 clear_group(int vfio_group_fd);
 
-/**
- * Setup vfio_cfg for the device identified by its address. It discovers
- * the configured I/O MMU groups or sets a new one for the device. If a new
- * groups is assigned, the DMA mapping is performed.
- * Returns 0 on success, a negative value on failure and a positive value in
- * case the given device cannot be managed this way.
- */
-int vfio_setup_device(const char *sysfs_base, const char *dev_addr,
-		int *vfio_dev_fd, struct vfio_device_info *device_info);
-
-int vfio_release_device(const char *sysfs_base, const char *dev_addr, int fd);
-
-int vfio_enable(const char *modname);
-int vfio_is_enabled(const char *modname);
-
 int pci_vfio_is_enabled(void);
 
 int vfio_mp_sync_setup(void);
 
-int vfio_noiommu_is_enabled(void);
-
 #define SOCKET_REQ_CONTAINER 0x100
 #define SOCKET_REQ_GROUP 0x200
 #define SOCKET_CLR_GROUP 0x300
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_vfio_mp_sync.c b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_vfio_mp_sync.c
index 537beeb..05d63e8 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_vfio_mp_sync.c
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal_vfio_mp_sync.c
@@ -52,9 +52,11 @@
 #include <rte_pci.h>
 #include <rte_eal_memconfig.h>
 #include <rte_malloc.h>
+#include <rte_vfio.h>
 
 #include "eal_filesystem.h"
 #include "eal_pci_init.h"
+#include "eal_vfio.h"
 #include "eal_thread.h"
 
 /**
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/rte_eal_version.map b/lib/librte_eal/rte_eal_version.map
index 9f06d23..262211a 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/rte_eal_version.map
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/rte_eal_version.map
@@ -252,5 +252,10 @@ DPDK_17.11 {
 	rte_memcpy_ptr;
 	rte_pci_get_iommu_class;
 	rte_pci_match;
+	vfio_enable;
+	vfio_is_enabled;
+	vfio_noiommu_is_enabled;
+	vfio_release_device;
+	vfio_setup_device;
 
 } DPDK_17.08;
