implement base service that all other services inherit from
diff --git a/src/Makefile.am b/src/Makefile.am
index 136baf4..574075e 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/Makefile.am
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 libimobiledevice_la_SOURCES = idevice.c idevice.h \
 		       debug.c debug.h\
 		       userpref.c userpref.h\
+		       service.c service.h\
 		       property_list_service.c property_list_service.h\
 		       device_link_service.c device_link_service.h\
 		       lockdown.c lockdown.h\
@@ -31,4 +32,4 @@
 
 if WIN32
 libimobiledevice_la_LIBADD += -lole32
-endif
\ No newline at end of file
+endif
diff --git a/src/afc.c b/src/afc.c
index b5228aa..83ee2ca 100644
--- a/src/afc.c
+++ b/src/afc.c
@@ -69,9 +69,7 @@
  * Makes a connection to the AFC service on the device using the given
  * connection.
  *
- * @param connection An idevice_connection_t that must have been previously
- *     connected using idevice_connect(). Note that this connection will
- *     not be closed by calling afc_client_free().
+ * @param serviceclient A connected service client
  * @param client Pointer that will be set to a newly allocated afc_client_t
  *     upon successful return.
  * 
@@ -79,14 +77,14 @@
  *  invalid, or AFC_E_NO_MEM if there is a memory allocation problem.
  */
 
-afc_error_t afc_client_new_from_connection(idevice_connection_t connection, afc_client_t *client)
+afc_error_t afc_client_new_with_service_client(service_client_t serviceclient, afc_client_t *client)
 {
-	if (!connection)
+	if (!serviceclient)
 		return AFC_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
 	afc_client_t client_loc = (afc_client_t) malloc(sizeof(struct afc_client_private));
-	client_loc->connection = connection;
-	client_loc->own_connection = 0;
+	client_loc->parent = serviceclient;
+	client_loc->free_parent = 0;
 
 	/* allocate a packet */
 	client_loc->afc_packet = (AFCPacket *) malloc(sizeof(AFCPacket));
@@ -113,10 +111,6 @@
 
 /**
  * Makes a connection to the AFC service on the device.
- * This function calls afc_client_new_from_connection() after creating
- * a connection to the specified device and port.
- *
- * @see afc_client_new_from_connection
  * 
  * @param device The device to connect to.
  * @param service The service descriptor returned by lockdownd_start_service.
@@ -132,21 +126,16 @@
 	if (!device || service->port == 0)
 		return AFC_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
-	/* attempt connection */
-	idevice_connection_t connection = NULL;
-	if (idevice_connect(device, service->port, &connection) != IDEVICE_E_SUCCESS) {
+	service_client_t parent = NULL;
+	if (service_client_new(device, service, &parent) != SERVICE_E_SUCCESS) {
 		return AFC_E_MUX_ERROR;
 	}
 
-	/* enable SSL if requested */
-	if (service->ssl_enabled)
-		idevice_connection_enable_ssl(connection);
-
-	afc_error_t err = afc_client_new_from_connection(connection, client);
+	afc_error_t err = afc_client_new_with_service_client(parent, client);
 	if (err != AFC_E_SUCCESS) {
-		idevice_disconnect(connection);
+		service_client_free(parent);
 	} else {
-		(*client)->own_connection = 1;
+		(*client)->free_parent = 1;
 	}
 	return err;
 }
@@ -162,9 +151,9 @@
 	if (!client || !client->afc_packet)
 		return AFC_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
-	if (client->own_connection && client->connection) {
-		idevice_disconnect(client->connection);
-		client->connection = NULL;
+	if (client->free_parent && client->parent) {
+		service_client_free(client->parent);
+		client->parent = NULL;
 	}
 	free(client->afc_packet);
 #ifdef WIN32
@@ -196,7 +185,7 @@
 	uint32_t offset = 0;
 	uint32_t sent = 0;
 
-	if (!client || !client->connection || !client->afc_packet)
+	if (!client || !client->parent || !client->afc_packet)
 		return AFC_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
 	*bytes_sent = 0;
@@ -229,7 +218,7 @@
 		/* send AFC packet header */
 		AFCPacket_to_LE(client->afc_packet);
 		sent = 0;
-		idevice_connection_send(client->connection, (void*)client->afc_packet, sizeof(AFCPacket), &sent);
+		service_send(client->parent, (void*)client->afc_packet, sizeof(AFCPacket), &sent);
 		AFCPacket_from_LE(client->afc_packet);
 		if (sent == 0) {
 			/* FIXME: should this be handled as success?! */
@@ -239,7 +228,7 @@
 
 		/* send AFC packet data */
 		sent = 0;
-		idevice_connection_send(client->connection, data, offset, &sent);
+		service_send(client->parent, data, offset, &sent);
 		if (sent == 0) {
 			return AFC_E_SUCCESS;
 		}
@@ -251,7 +240,7 @@
 		debug_buffer(data + offset, length - offset);
 
 		sent = 0;
-		idevice_connection_send(client->connection, data + offset, length - offset, &sent);
+		service_send(client->parent, data + offset, length - offset, &sent);
 
 		*bytes_sent = sent;
 		return AFC_E_SUCCESS;
@@ -264,7 +253,7 @@
 		/* send AFC packet header */
 		AFCPacket_to_LE(client->afc_packet);
 		sent = 0;
-		idevice_connection_send(client->connection, (void*)client->afc_packet, sizeof(AFCPacket), &sent);
+		service_send(client->parent, (void*)client->afc_packet, sizeof(AFCPacket), &sent);
 		AFCPacket_from_LE(client->afc_packet);
 		if (sent == 0) {
 			return AFC_E_SUCCESS;
@@ -275,7 +264,7 @@
 			debug_info("packet data follows");
 
 			debug_buffer(data, length);
-			idevice_connection_send(client->connection, data, length, &sent);
+			service_send(client->parent, data, length, &sent);
 			*bytes_sent += sent;
 		}
 		return AFC_E_SUCCESS;
@@ -303,7 +292,7 @@
 	*bytes_recv = 0;
 
 	/* first, read the AFC header */
-	idevice_connection_receive(client->connection, (char*)&header, sizeof(AFCPacket), bytes_recv);
+	service_receive(client->parent, (char*)&header, sizeof(AFCPacket), bytes_recv);
 	AFCPacket_from_LE(&header);
 	if (*bytes_recv == 0) {
 		debug_info("Just didn't get enough.");
@@ -357,7 +346,7 @@
 
 	*dump_here = (char*)malloc(entire_len);
 	if (this_len > 0) {
-		idevice_connection_receive(client->connection, *dump_here, this_len, bytes_recv);
+		service_receive(client->parent, *dump_here, this_len, bytes_recv);
 		if (*bytes_recv <= 0) {
 			free(*dump_here);
 			*dump_here = NULL;
@@ -375,7 +364,7 @@
 
 	if (entire_len > this_len) {
 		while (current_count < entire_len) {
-			idevice_connection_receive(client->connection, (*dump_here)+current_count, entire_len - current_count, bytes_recv);
+			service_receive(client->parent, (*dump_here)+current_count, entire_len - current_count, bytes_recv);
 			if (*bytes_recv <= 0) {
 				debug_info("Error receiving data (recv returned %d)", *bytes_recv);
 				break;
@@ -625,7 +614,7 @@
 	uint32_t bytes = 0;
 	afc_error_t ret = AFC_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR;
 
-	if (!client || !path || !client->afc_packet || !client->connection)
+	if (!client || !path || !client->afc_packet || !client->parent)
 		return AFC_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
 	afc_lock(client);
@@ -668,7 +657,7 @@
 	uint32_t bytes = 0;
 	afc_error_t ret = AFC_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR;
 
-	if (!client || !from || !to || !client->afc_packet || !client->connection)
+	if (!client || !from || !to || !client->afc_packet || !client->parent)
 		return AFC_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
 	afc_lock(client);
@@ -800,7 +789,7 @@
 	/* set handle to 0 so in case an error occurs, the handle is invalid */
 	*handle = 0;
 
-	if (!client || !client->connection || !client->afc_packet)
+	if (!client || !client->parent || !client->afc_packet)
 		return AFC_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
 	afc_lock(client);
@@ -856,7 +845,7 @@
 	const uint32_t MAXIMUM_READ_SIZE = 1 << 16;
 	afc_error_t ret = AFC_E_SUCCESS;
 
-	if (!client || !client->afc_packet || !client->connection || handle == 0)
+	if (!client || !client->afc_packet || !client->parent || handle == 0)
 		return AFC_E_INVALID_ARG;
 	debug_info("called for length %i", length);
 
@@ -933,7 +922,7 @@
 	char *out_buffer = NULL;
 	afc_error_t ret = AFC_E_SUCCESS;
 
-	if (!client || !client->afc_packet || !client->connection || !bytes_written || (handle == 0))
+	if (!client || !client->afc_packet || !client->parent || !bytes_written || (handle == 0))
 		return AFC_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
 	afc_lock(client);
@@ -1258,7 +1247,7 @@
 	uint64_t size_requested = htole64(newsize);
 	afc_error_t ret = AFC_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR;
 
-	if (!client || !path || !client->afc_packet || !client->connection)
+	if (!client || !path || !client->afc_packet || !client->parent)
 		return AFC_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
 	afc_lock(client);
@@ -1302,7 +1291,7 @@
 	uint64_t type = htole64(linktype);
 	afc_error_t ret = AFC_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR;
 
-	if (!client || !target || !linkname || !client->afc_packet || !client->connection)
+	if (!client || !target || !linkname || !client->afc_packet || !client->parent)
 		return AFC_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
 	afc_lock(client);
@@ -1350,7 +1339,7 @@
 	uint64_t mtime_loc = htole64(mtime);
 	afc_error_t ret = AFC_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR;
 
-	if (!client || !path || !client->afc_packet || !client->connection)
+	if (!client || !path || !client->afc_packet || !client->parent)
 		return AFC_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
 	afc_lock(client);
diff --git a/src/afc.h b/src/afc.h
index 0c242f5..bdb1f16 100644
--- a/src/afc.h
+++ b/src/afc.h
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 #endif
 
 #include "libimobiledevice/afc.h"
+#include "service.h"
 #include "endianness.h"
 
 #define AFC_MAGIC "CFA6LPAA"
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@
 } AFCFilePacket;
 
 struct afc_client_private {
-	idevice_connection_t connection;
+	service_client_t parent;
 	AFCPacket *afc_packet;
 	int file_handle;
 	int lock;
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@
 #else
 	pthread_mutex_t mutex;
 #endif
-	int own_connection;
+	int free_parent;
 };
 
 /* AFC Operations */
diff --git a/src/file_relay.c b/src/file_relay.c
index e72be66..39382fb 100644
--- a/src/file_relay.c
+++ b/src/file_relay.c
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@
 	free(ack);
 	err = FILE_RELAY_E_SUCCESS;
 
-	*connection = client->parent->connection;
+	*connection = client->parent->parent->connection;
 
 leave:
 	if (dict) {
diff --git a/src/house_arrest.c b/src/house_arrest.c
index e0d7771..ec76346 100644
--- a/src/house_arrest.c
+++ b/src/house_arrest.c
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@
 		return HOUSE_ARREST_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
 	house_arrest_error_t err = HOUSE_ARREST_E_SUCCESS;
-	if (client->parent && client->parent->connection) {
+	if (client->parent && client->parent->parent->connection) {
 		house_arrest_error(property_list_service_client_free(client->parent));
 	}
 	client->parent = NULL;
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@
 	if (!client || !client->parent || (client->mode == HOUSE_ARREST_CLIENT_MODE_AFC)) {
 		return AFC_E_INVALID_ARG;
 	}
-	afc_error_t err = afc_client_new_from_connection(client->parent->connection, afc_client);
+	afc_error_t err = afc_client_new_with_service_client(client->parent->parent, afc_client);
 	if (err == AFC_E_SUCCESS) {
 		client->mode = HOUSE_ARREST_CLIENT_MODE_AFC;
 	}
diff --git a/src/misagent.c b/src/misagent.c
index c624603..cb84188 100644
--- a/src/misagent.c
+++ b/src/misagent.c
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@
 		return MISAGENT_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
 	misagent_error_t err = MISAGENT_E_SUCCESS;
-	if (client->parent && client->parent->connection) {
+	if (client->parent && client->parent->parent) {
 		misagent_error(property_list_service_client_free(client->parent));
 	}
 	client->parent = NULL;
diff --git a/src/mobilebackup2.c b/src/mobilebackup2.c
index bcf5944..15ba469 100644
--- a/src/mobilebackup2.c
+++ b/src/mobilebackup2.c
@@ -279,13 +279,13 @@
 
 	*bytes = 0;
 
-	idevice_connection_t conn = client->parent->parent->connection;
+	service_client_t raw = client->parent->parent->parent;
 
 	int bytes_loc = 0;
 	uint32_t sent = 0;
 	do {
 		bytes_loc = 0;
-		idevice_connection_send(conn, data+sent, length-sent, (uint32_t*)&bytes_loc);
+		service_send(raw, data+sent, length-sent, (uint32_t*)&bytes_loc);
 		if (bytes_loc <= 0)
 			break;
 		sent += bytes_loc;
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@
 	if (!client || !client->parent || !data || (length == 0) || !bytes)
 		return MOBILEBACKUP2_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
-	idevice_connection_t conn = client->parent->parent->connection;
+	service_client_t raw = client->parent->parent->parent;
 
 	*bytes = 0;
 
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@
 	uint32_t received = 0;
 	do {
 		bytes_loc = 0;
-		idevice_connection_receive(conn, data+received, length-received, (uint32_t*)&bytes_loc);
+		service_receive(raw, data+received, length-received, (uint32_t*)&bytes_loc);
 		if (bytes_loc <= 0) break;
 		received += bytes_loc;
 	} while (received < length);
diff --git a/src/property_list_service.c b/src/property_list_service.c
index 15adbc8..025a9bc 100644
--- a/src/property_list_service.c
+++ b/src/property_list_service.c
@@ -25,27 +25,28 @@
 #include <string.h>
 
 #include "property_list_service.h"
-#include "idevice.h"
 #include "debug.h"
 #include "endianness.h"
 
 /**
- * Convert an idevice_error_t value to an property_list_service_error_t value.
+ * Convert a service_error_t value to a property_list_service_error_t value.
  * Used internally to get correct error codes.
  *
- * @param err An idevice_error_t error code
+ * @param err A service_error_t error code
  *
  * @return A matching property_list_service_error_t error code,
  *     PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR otherwise.
  */
-static property_list_service_error_t idevice_to_property_list_service_error(idevice_error_t err)
+static property_list_service_error_t service_to_property_list_service_error(service_error_t err)
 {
 	switch (err) {
-		case IDEVICE_E_SUCCESS:
+		case SERVICE_E_SUCCESS:
 			return PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_E_SUCCESS;
-		case IDEVICE_E_INVALID_ARG:
+		case SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG:
 			return PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG;
-		case IDEVICE_E_SSL_ERROR:
+		case SERVICE_E_MUX_ERROR:
+			return PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_E_MUX_ERROR;
+		case SERVICE_E_SSL_ERROR:
 			return PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_E_SSL_ERROR;
 		default:
 			break;
@@ -70,19 +71,15 @@
 	if (!device || (service->port == 0) || !client || *client)
 		return PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
-	/* Attempt connection */
-	idevice_connection_t connection = NULL;
-	if (idevice_connect(device, service->port, &connection) != IDEVICE_E_SUCCESS) {
-		return PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_E_MUX_ERROR;
+	service_client_t parent = NULL;
+	service_error_t rerr = service_client_new(device, service, &parent);
+	if (rerr != SERVICE_E_SUCCESS) {
+		return service_to_property_list_service_error(rerr);
 	}
 
 	/* create client object */
 	property_list_service_client_t client_loc = (property_list_service_client_t)malloc(sizeof(struct property_list_service_client_private));
-	client_loc->connection = connection;
-
-	/* enable SSL if requested */
-	if (service->ssl_enabled == 1)
-		property_list_service_enable_ssl(client_loc);
+	client_loc->parent = parent;
 
 	/* all done, return success */
 	*client = client_loc;
@@ -103,7 +100,7 @@
 	if (!client)
 		return PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG;
 
-	property_list_service_error_t err = idevice_to_property_list_service_error(idevice_disconnect(client->connection));
+	property_list_service_error_t err = service_to_property_list_service_error(service_client_free(client->parent));
 	free(client);
 	return err;
 }
@@ -130,7 +127,7 @@
 	uint32_t nlen = 0;
 	int bytes = 0;
 
-	if (!client || (client && !client->connection) || !plist) {
+	if (!client || (client && !client->parent) || !plist) {
 		return PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG;
 	}
 
@@ -146,9 +143,9 @@
 
 	nlen = htobe32(length);
 	debug_info("sending %d bytes", length);
-	idevice_connection_send(client->connection, (const char*)&nlen, sizeof(nlen), (uint32_t*)&bytes);
+	service_send(client->parent, (const char*)&nlen, sizeof(nlen), (uint32_t*)&bytes);
 	if (bytes == sizeof(nlen)) {
-		idevice_connection_send(client->connection, content, length, (uint32_t*)&bytes);
+		service_send(client->parent, content, length, (uint32_t*)&bytes);
 		if (bytes > 0) {
 			debug_info("sent %d bytes", bytes);
 			debug_plist(plist);
@@ -222,11 +219,11 @@
 	uint32_t pktlen = 0;
 	uint32_t bytes = 0;
 
-	if (!client || (client && !client->connection) || !plist) {
+	if (!client || (client && !client->parent) || !plist) {
 		return PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG;
 	}
 
-	idevice_connection_receive_timeout(client->connection, (char*)&pktlen, sizeof(pktlen), &bytes, timeout);
+	service_receive_with_timeout(client->parent, (char*)&pktlen, sizeof(pktlen), &bytes, timeout);
 	debug_info("initial read=%i", bytes);
 	if (bytes < 4) {
 		debug_info("initial read failed!");
@@ -240,7 +237,7 @@
 			content = (char*)malloc(pktlen);
 
 			while (curlen < pktlen) {
-				idevice_connection_receive(client->connection, content+curlen, pktlen-curlen, &bytes);
+				service_receive(client->parent, content+curlen, pktlen-curlen, &bytes);
 				if (bytes <= 0) {
 					res = PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_E_MUX_ERROR;
 					break;
@@ -332,9 +329,9 @@
  */
 property_list_service_error_t property_list_service_enable_ssl(property_list_service_client_t client)
 {
-	if (!client || !client->connection)
+	if (!client || !client->parent)
 		return PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG;
-	return idevice_to_property_list_service_error(idevice_connection_enable_ssl(client->connection));
+	return service_to_property_list_service_error(service_enable_ssl(client->parent));
 }
 
 /**
@@ -349,8 +346,8 @@
  */
 property_list_service_error_t property_list_service_disable_ssl(property_list_service_client_t client)
 {
-	if (!client || !client->connection)
+	if (!client || !client->parent)
 		return PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG;
-	return idevice_to_property_list_service_error(idevice_connection_disable_ssl(client->connection));
+	return service_to_property_list_service_error(service_disable_ssl(client->parent));
 }
 
diff --git a/src/property_list_service.h b/src/property_list_service.h
index 8b15c09..c18fd76 100644
--- a/src/property_list_service.h
+++ b/src/property_list_service.h
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #define __PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_H
 
 #include <libimobiledevice/lockdown.h>
+#include "service.h"
 #include "idevice.h"
 
 /* Error Codes */
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@
 #define PROPERTY_LIST_SERVICE_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR       -256
 
 struct property_list_service_client_private {
-	idevice_connection_t connection;
+	service_client_t parent;
 };
 
 typedef struct property_list_service_client_private *property_list_service_client_t;
diff --git a/src/service.c b/src/service.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..929beff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/service.c
@@ -0,0 +1,276 @@
+/* 
+ * service.c
+ * generic service implementation.
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2013 Nikias Bassen. All Rights Reserved.
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ * 
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ * 
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA 
+ */
+#ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
+#include <config.h>
+#endif
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include "service.h"
+#include "idevice.h"
+#include "debug.h"
+
+/**
+ * Convert an idevice_error_t value to an service_error_t value.
+ * Used internally to get correct error codes.
+ *
+ * @param err An idevice_error_t error code
+ *
+ * @return A matching service_error_t error code,
+ *     SERVICE_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR otherwise.
+ */
+static service_error_t idevice_to_service_error(idevice_error_t err)
+{
+	switch (err) {
+		case IDEVICE_E_SUCCESS:
+			return SERVICE_E_SUCCESS;
+		case IDEVICE_E_INVALID_ARG:
+			return SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG;
+		case IDEVICE_E_SSL_ERROR:
+			return SERVICE_E_SSL_ERROR;
+		default:
+			break;
+	}
+	return SERVICE_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new service for the specified service descriptor.
+ * 
+ * @param device The device to connect to.
+ * @param service The service descriptor returned by lockdownd_start_service. 
+ * @param client Pointer that will be set to a newly allocated
+ *     service_client_t upon successful return.
+ *
+ * @return SERVICE_E_SUCCESS on success,
+ *     SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG when one of the arguments is invalid,
+ *     or SERVICE_E_MUX_ERROR when connecting to the device failed.
+ */
+service_error_t service_client_new(idevice_t device, lockdownd_service_descriptor_t service, service_client_t *client)
+{
+	if (!device || (service->port == 0) || !client || *client)
+		return SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG;
+
+	/* Attempt connection */
+	idevice_connection_t connection = NULL;
+	if (idevice_connect(device, service->port, &connection) != IDEVICE_E_SUCCESS) {
+		return SERVICE_E_MUX_ERROR;
+	}
+
+	/* create client object */
+	service_client_t client_loc = (service_client_t)malloc(sizeof(struct service_client_private));
+	client_loc->connection = connection;
+
+	/* enable SSL if requested */
+	if (service->ssl_enabled == 1)
+		service_enable_ssl(client_loc);
+
+	/* all done, return success */
+	*client = client_loc;
+	return SERVICE_E_SUCCESS;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Starts a new service on the specified device with given name and
+ * connects to it.
+ *
+ * @param device The device to connect to.
+ * @param service_name The name of the service to start.
+ * @param client Pointer that will point to a newly allocated service_client_t
+ *     upon successful return. Must be freed using service_client_free() after
+ *     use.
+ *
+ * @return SERVICE_E_SUCCESS on success, or a SERVICE_E_* error code
+ *     otherwise.
+ */
+service_error_t service_start_service(idevice_t device, const char* service_name, service_client_t *client)
+{
+	*client = NULL;
+
+	lockdownd_client_t lckd = NULL;
+	if (LOCKDOWN_E_SUCCESS != lockdownd_client_new_with_handshake(device, &lckd, NULL)) {
+		debug_info("Could not create a lockdown client.");
+		return SERVICE_E_START_SERVICE_ERROR;
+	}
+
+	lockdownd_service_descriptor_t service = NULL;
+	lockdownd_start_service(lckd, service_name, &service);
+	lockdownd_client_free(lckd);
+
+	if (service->port <= 0) {
+		debug_info("Could not start service %s!", service_name);
+		return SERVICE_E_START_SERVICE_ERROR;
+	}
+
+	service_error_t res = service_client_new(device, service, client);
+	if (res != SERVICE_E_SUCCESS) {
+		debug_info("Could not connect to service %s! Port: %i, error: %i", service_name, service->port, res);
+		return res;
+	}
+
+	if (service) {
+		lockdownd_service_descriptor_free(service);
+		service = NULL;
+	}
+
+	return SERVICE_E_SUCCESS;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Frees a service instance.
+ *
+ * @param client The service instance to free.
+ *
+ * @return SERVICE_E_SUCCESS on success,
+ *     SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG when client is invalid, or a
+ *     SERVICE_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR when another error occured.
+ */
+service_error_t service_client_free(service_client_t client)
+{
+	if (!client)
+		return SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG;
+
+	service_error_t err = idevice_to_service_error(idevice_disconnect(client->connection));
+	free(client);
+	return err;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Sends data using the given service client.
+ *
+ * @param client The service client to use for sending.
+ * @param data Data to send
+ * @param size Size of the data to send
+ * @param sent Number of bytes sent (can be NULL to ignore)
+ *
+ * @return SERVICE_E_SUCCESS on success,
+ *      SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG when one or more parameters are
+ *      invalid, or SERVICE_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR when an unspecified
+ *      error occurs.
+ */
+service_error_t service_send(service_client_t client, const char* data, uint32_t size, uint32_t *sent)
+{
+	service_error_t res = SERVICE_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR;
+	int bytes = 0;
+
+	if (!client || (client && !client->connection) || !data || (size == 0)) {
+		return SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG;
+	}
+
+	debug_info("sending %d bytes", size);
+	res = idevice_to_service_error(idevice_connection_send(client->connection, data, size, (uint32_t*)&bytes));
+	if (bytes <= 0) {
+		debug_info("ERROR: sending to device failed.");
+	}
+	if (sent) {
+		*sent = (uint32_t)bytes;
+	}
+
+	return res;
+}
+ 
+/**
+ * Receives data using the given service client with specified timeout.
+ *
+ * @param client The service client to use for receiving
+ * @param data Buffer that will be filled with the data received
+ * @param size Number of bytes to receive
+ * @param received Number of bytes received (can be NULL to ignore)
+ * @param timeout Maximum time in milliseconds to wait for data.
+ *
+ * @return SERVICE_E_SUCCESS on success,
+ *      SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG when one or more parameters are
+ *      invalid, SERVICE_E_MUX_ERROR when a communication error
+ *      occurs, or SERVICE_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR when an unspecified
+ *      error occurs.
+ */
+service_error_t service_receive_with_timeout(service_client_t client, char* data, uint32_t size, uint32_t *received, unsigned int timeout)
+{
+	service_error_t res = SERVICE_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR;
+	int bytes = 0;
+
+	if (!client || (client && !client->connection) || !data || (size == 0)) {
+		return SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG;
+	}
+
+	res = idevice_to_service_error(idevice_connection_receive_timeout(client->connection, data, size, (uint32_t*)&bytes, timeout));
+	if (bytes <= 0) {
+		debug_info("could not read data");
+	}
+	if (received) {
+		*received = (uint32_t)bytes;
+	}
+
+	return res;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Receives data using the given service client.
+ *
+ * @param client The service client to use for receiving
+ * @param data Buffer that will be filled with the data received
+ * @param size Number of bytes to receive
+ * @param received Number of bytes received (can be NULL to ignore)
+ *
+ * @return SERVICE_E_SUCCESS on success,
+ *      SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG when one or more parameters are
+ *      invalid, SERVICE_E_MUX_ERROR when a communication error
+ *      occurs, or SERVICE_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR when an unspecified
+ *      error occurs.
+ */
+service_error_t service_receive(service_client_t client, char* data, uint32_t size, uint32_t *received)
+{
+	return service_receive_with_timeout(client, data, size, received, 10000);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Enable SSL for the given service client.
+ *
+ * @param client The connected service client for that SSL should be enabled.
+ *
+ * @return SERVICE_E_SUCCESS on success,
+ *     SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG if client or client->connection is
+ *     NULL, SERVICE_E_SSL_ERROR when SSL could not be enabled,
+ *     or SERVICE_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR otherwise.
+ */
+service_error_t service_enable_ssl(service_client_t client)
+{
+	if (!client || !client->connection)
+		return SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG;
+	return idevice_to_service_error(idevice_connection_enable_ssl(client->connection));
+}
+
+/**
+ * Disable SSL for the given service client.
+ *
+ * @param client The connected service client for that SSL should be disabled.
+ *
+ * @return SERVICE_E_SUCCESS on success,
+ *     SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG if client or client->connection is
+ *     NULL, or SERVICE_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR otherwise.
+ */
+service_error_t service_disable_ssl(service_client_t client)
+{
+	if (!client || !client->connection)
+		return SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG;
+	return idevice_to_service_error(idevice_connection_disable_ssl(client->connection));
+}
+
diff --git a/src/service.h b/src/service.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e498ed7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/service.h
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+/* 
+ * service.h
+ * Definitions for the generic service implementation
+ * 
+ * Copyright (c) 2013 Nikias Bassen, All Rights Reserved.
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ * 
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ * 
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA 
+ */
+#ifndef SERVICE_H
+#define SERVICE_H
+
+#include "libimobiledevice/lockdown.h"
+#include "idevice.h"
+
+/* Error Codes */
+#define SERVICE_E_SUCCESS                0
+#define SERVICE_E_INVALID_ARG           -1
+#define SERVICE_E_MUX_ERROR             -3
+#define SERVICE_E_SSL_ERROR             -4
+#define SERVICE_E_START_SERVICE_ERROR   -5
+#define SERVICE_E_UNKNOWN_ERROR       -256
+
+struct service_client_private {
+	idevice_connection_t connection;
+};
+
+typedef struct service_client_private *service_client_t;
+
+typedef int16_t service_error_t;
+
+/* creation and destruction */
+service_error_t service_client_new(idevice_t device, lockdownd_service_descriptor_t service, service_client_t *client);
+service_error_t service_start_service(idevice_t device, const char* service_name, service_client_t *client);
+service_error_t service_client_free(service_client_t client);
+
+/* sending */
+service_error_t service_send(service_client_t client, const char *data, uint32_t size, uint32_t *sent);
+
+/* receiving */
+service_error_t service_receive_with_timeout(service_client_t client, char *data, uint32_t size, uint32_t *received, unsigned int timeout);
+service_error_t service_receive(service_client_t client, char *data, uint32_t size, uint32_t *received);
+
+/* misc */
+service_error_t service_enable_ssl(service_client_t client);
+service_error_t service_disable_ssl(service_client_t client);
+
+#endif