diff --git a/doc/guides/rel_notes/release_18_02.rst b/doc/guides/rel_notes/release_18_02.rst
index 00b3224..be6ac99 100644
--- a/doc/guides/rel_notes/release_18_02.rst
+++ b/doc/guides/rel_notes/release_18_02.rst
@@ -151,6 +151,15 @@ New Features
   renamed the application from SW PMD specific ``eventdev_pipeline_sw_pmd``
   to PMD agnostic ``eventdev_pipeline``.
 
+* **Added new multi-process communication channel**
+
+  Added a generic channel in EAL for multi-process (primary/secondary) communication.
+  Consumers of this channel need to register an action with an action name to response
+  a message received; the actions will be identified by the action name and executed
+  in the context of a new dedicated thread for this channel. The list of new APIs:
+
+  * ``rte_mp_register`` and ``rte_mp_unregister`` are for action (un)registration.
+  * ``rte_mp_sendmsg`` is for sending a message without blocking for a response.
 
 API Changes
 -----------
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/bsdapp/eal/eal.c b/lib/librte_eal/bsdapp/eal/eal.c
index 04cbd81..fcc9828 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/bsdapp/eal/eal.c
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/bsdapp/eal/eal.c
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /*-
  *   BSD LICENSE
  *
- *   Copyright(c) 2010-2016 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.
+ *   Copyright(c) 2010-2018 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.
  *   Copyright(c) 2014 6WIND S.A.
  *   All rights reserved.
  *
@@ -603,6 +603,14 @@ rte_eal_init(int argc, char **argv)
 
 	rte_config_init();
 
+	if (rte_mp_channel_init() < 0) {
+		rte_eal_init_alert("failed to init mp channel\n");
+		if (rte_eal_process_type() == RTE_PROC_PRIMARY) {
+			rte_errno = EFAULT;
+			return -1;
+		}
+	}
+
 	if (rte_eal_memory_init() < 0) {
 		rte_eal_init_alert("Cannot init memory\n");
 		rte_errno = ENOMEM;
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/common/eal_common_proc.c b/lib/librte_eal/common/eal_common_proc.c
index 40fa982..aea0829 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/common/eal_common_proc.c
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/common/eal_common_proc.c
@@ -1,15 +1,51 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
- * Copyright(c) 2016 Intel Corporation
+ * Copyright(c) 2016-2018 Intel Corporation
  */
 
-#include <stdio.h>
+#include <dirent.h>
+#include <errno.h>
 #include <fcntl.h>
+#include <fnmatch.h>
+#include <inttypes.h>
+#include <libgen.h>
+#include <limits.h>
+#include <pthread.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <sys/types.h>
+#include <sys/socket.h>
+#include <sys/un.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+
+#include <rte_common.h>
+#include <rte_cycles.h>
 #include <rte_eal.h>
+#include <rte_errno.h>
+#include <rte_lcore.h>
+#include <rte_log.h>
 
+#include "eal_private.h"
 #include "eal_filesystem.h"
 #include "eal_internal_cfg.h"
 
+static int mp_fd = -1;
+static char mp_filter[PATH_MAX];   /* Filter for secondary process sockets */
+static char mp_dir_path[PATH_MAX]; /* The directory path for all mp sockets */
+static pthread_mutex_t mp_mutex_action = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
+
+struct action_entry {
+	TAILQ_ENTRY(action_entry) next;
+	char action_name[RTE_MP_MAX_NAME_LEN];
+	rte_mp_t action;
+};
+
+/** Double linked list of actions. */
+TAILQ_HEAD(action_entry_list, action_entry);
+
+static struct action_entry_list action_entry_list =
+	TAILQ_HEAD_INITIALIZER(action_entry_list);
+
 int
 rte_eal_primary_proc_alive(const char *config_file_path)
 {
@@ -31,3 +67,402 @@ rte_eal_primary_proc_alive(const char *config_file_path)
 
 	return !!ret;
 }
+
+static struct action_entry *
+find_action_entry_by_name(const char *name)
+{
+	struct action_entry *entry;
+
+	TAILQ_FOREACH(entry, &action_entry_list, next) {
+		if (strncmp(entry->action_name, name, RTE_MP_MAX_NAME_LEN) == 0)
+			break;
+	}
+
+	return entry;
+}
+
+static int
+validate_action_name(const char *name)
+{
+	if (name == NULL) {
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "Action name cannot be NULL\n");
+		rte_errno = -EINVAL;
+		return -1;
+	}
+	if (strnlen(name, RTE_MP_MAX_NAME_LEN) == 0) {
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "Length of action name is zero\n");
+		rte_errno = -EINVAL;
+		return -1;
+	}
+	if (strnlen(name, RTE_MP_MAX_NAME_LEN) == RTE_MP_MAX_NAME_LEN) {
+		rte_errno = -E2BIG;
+		return -1;
+	}
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int
+rte_mp_action_register(const char *name, rte_mp_t action)
+{
+	struct action_entry *entry;
+
+	if (validate_action_name(name))
+		return -1;
+
+	entry = malloc(sizeof(struct action_entry));
+	if (entry == NULL) {
+		rte_errno = -ENOMEM;
+		return -1;
+	}
+	strcpy(entry->action_name, name);
+	entry->action = action;
+
+	pthread_mutex_lock(&mp_mutex_action);
+	if (find_action_entry_by_name(name) != NULL) {
+		pthread_mutex_unlock(&mp_mutex_action);
+		rte_errno = -EEXIST;
+		free(entry);
+		return -1;
+	}
+	TAILQ_INSERT_TAIL(&action_entry_list, entry, next);
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(&mp_mutex_action);
+	return 0;
+}
+
+void
+rte_mp_action_unregister(const char *name)
+{
+	struct action_entry *entry;
+
+	if (validate_action_name(name))
+		return;
+
+	pthread_mutex_lock(&mp_mutex_action);
+	entry = find_action_entry_by_name(name);
+	if (entry == NULL) {
+		pthread_mutex_unlock(&mp_mutex_action);
+		return;
+	}
+	TAILQ_REMOVE(&action_entry_list, entry, next);
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(&mp_mutex_action);
+	free(entry);
+}
+
+static int
+read_msg(struct rte_mp_msg *msg)
+{
+	int msglen;
+	struct iovec iov;
+	struct msghdr msgh;
+	char control[CMSG_SPACE(sizeof(msg->fds))];
+	struct cmsghdr *cmsg;
+	int buflen = sizeof(*msg) - sizeof(msg->fds);
+
+	memset(&msgh, 0, sizeof(msgh));
+	iov.iov_base = msg;
+	iov.iov_len  = buflen;
+
+	msgh.msg_iov = &iov;
+	msgh.msg_iovlen = 1;
+	msgh.msg_control = control;
+	msgh.msg_controllen = sizeof(control);
+
+	msglen = recvmsg(mp_fd, &msgh, 0);
+	if (msglen < 0) {
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "recvmsg failed, %s\n", strerror(errno));
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	if (msglen != buflen || (msgh.msg_flags & (MSG_TRUNC | MSG_CTRUNC))) {
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "truncted msg\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	/* read auxiliary FDs if any */
+	for (cmsg = CMSG_FIRSTHDR(&msgh); cmsg != NULL;
+		cmsg = CMSG_NXTHDR(&msgh, cmsg)) {
+		if ((cmsg->cmsg_level == SOL_SOCKET) &&
+			(cmsg->cmsg_type == SCM_RIGHTS)) {
+			memcpy(msg->fds, CMSG_DATA(cmsg), sizeof(msg->fds));
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static void
+process_msg(struct rte_mp_msg *msg)
+{
+	struct action_entry *entry;
+	rte_mp_t action = NULL;
+
+	RTE_LOG(DEBUG, EAL, "msg: %s\n", msg->name);
+	pthread_mutex_lock(&mp_mutex_action);
+	entry = find_action_entry_by_name(msg->name);
+	if (entry != NULL)
+		action = entry->action;
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(&mp_mutex_action);
+
+	if (!action)
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "Cannot find action: %s\n", msg->name);
+	else if (action(msg) < 0)
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "Fail to handle message: %s\n", msg->name);
+}
+
+static void *
+mp_handle(void *arg __rte_unused)
+{
+	struct rte_mp_msg msg;
+
+	while (1) {
+		if (read_msg(&msg) == 0)
+			process_msg(&msg);
+	}
+
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+static int
+open_socket_fd(void)
+{
+	struct sockaddr_un un;
+	const char *prefix = eal_mp_socket_path();
+
+	mp_fd = socket(AF_UNIX, SOCK_DGRAM, 0);
+	if (mp_fd < 0) {
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "failed to create unix socket\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	memset(&un, 0, sizeof(un));
+	un.sun_family = AF_UNIX;
+	if (rte_eal_process_type() == RTE_PROC_PRIMARY)
+		snprintf(un.sun_path, sizeof(un.sun_path), "%s", prefix);
+	else {
+		snprintf(un.sun_path, sizeof(un.sun_path), "%s_%d_%"PRIx64,
+			 prefix, getpid(), rte_rdtsc());
+	}
+	unlink(un.sun_path); /* May still exist since last run */
+	if (bind(mp_fd, (struct sockaddr *)&un, sizeof(un)) < 0) {
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "failed to bind %s: %s\n",
+			un.sun_path, strerror(errno));
+		close(mp_fd);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	RTE_LOG(INFO, EAL, "Multi-process socket %s\n", un.sun_path);
+	return mp_fd;
+}
+
+static int
+unlink_sockets(const char *filter)
+{
+	int dir_fd;
+	DIR *mp_dir;
+	struct dirent *ent;
+
+	mp_dir = opendir(mp_dir_path);
+	if (!mp_dir) {
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "Unable to open directory %s\n", mp_dir_path);
+		return -1;
+	}
+	dir_fd = dirfd(mp_dir);
+
+	while ((ent = readdir(mp_dir))) {
+		if (fnmatch(filter, ent->d_name, 0) == 0)
+			unlinkat(dir_fd, ent->d_name, 0);
+	}
+
+	closedir(mp_dir);
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static void
+unlink_socket_by_path(const char *path)
+{
+	char *filename;
+	char *fullpath = strdup(path);
+
+	if (!fullpath)
+		return;
+	filename = basename(fullpath);
+	unlink_sockets(filename);
+	free(fullpath);
+	RTE_LOG(INFO, EAL, "Remove socket %s\n", path);
+}
+
+int
+rte_mp_channel_init(void)
+{
+	char thread_name[RTE_MAX_THREAD_NAME_LEN];
+	char *path;
+	pthread_t tid;
+
+	snprintf(mp_filter, PATH_MAX, ".%s_unix_*",
+		 internal_config.hugefile_prefix);
+
+	path = strdup(eal_mp_socket_path());
+	snprintf(mp_dir_path, PATH_MAX, "%s", dirname(path));
+	free(path);
+
+	if (rte_eal_process_type() == RTE_PROC_PRIMARY &&
+	    unlink_sockets(mp_filter)) {
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "failed to unlink mp sockets\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	if (open_socket_fd() < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	if (pthread_create(&tid, NULL, mp_handle, NULL) < 0) {
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "failed to create mp thead: %s\n",
+			strerror(errno));
+		close(mp_fd);
+		mp_fd = -1;
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	/* try best to set thread name */
+	snprintf(thread_name, RTE_MAX_THREAD_NAME_LEN, "rte_mp_handle");
+	rte_thread_setname(tid, thread_name);
+	return 0;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Return -1, as fail to send message and it's caused by the local side.
+ * Return 0, as fail to send message and it's caused by the remote side.
+ * Return 1, as succeed to send message.
+ *
+ */
+static int
+send_msg(const char *dst_path, struct rte_mp_msg *msg)
+{
+	int snd;
+	struct iovec iov;
+	struct msghdr msgh;
+	struct cmsghdr *cmsg;
+	struct sockaddr_un dst;
+	int fd_size = msg->num_fds * sizeof(int);
+	char control[CMSG_SPACE(fd_size)];
+
+	memset(&dst, 0, sizeof(dst));
+	dst.sun_family = AF_UNIX;
+	snprintf(dst.sun_path, sizeof(dst.sun_path), "%s", dst_path);
+
+	memset(&msgh, 0, sizeof(msgh));
+	memset(control, 0, sizeof(control));
+
+	iov.iov_base = msg;
+	iov.iov_len = sizeof(*msg) - sizeof(msg->fds);
+
+	msgh.msg_name = &dst;
+	msgh.msg_namelen = sizeof(dst);
+	msgh.msg_iov = &iov;
+	msgh.msg_iovlen = 1;
+	msgh.msg_control = control;
+	msgh.msg_controllen = sizeof(control);
+
+	cmsg = CMSG_FIRSTHDR(&msgh);
+	cmsg->cmsg_len = CMSG_LEN(fd_size);
+	cmsg->cmsg_level = SOL_SOCKET;
+	cmsg->cmsg_type = SCM_RIGHTS;
+	memcpy(CMSG_DATA(cmsg), msg->fds, fd_size);
+
+	do {
+		snd = sendmsg(mp_fd, &msgh, 0);
+	} while (snd < 0 && errno == EINTR);
+
+	if (snd < 0) {
+		rte_errno = errno;
+		/* Check if it caused by peer process exits */
+		if (errno == -ECONNREFUSED) {
+			/* We don't unlink the primary's socket here */
+			if (rte_eal_process_type() == RTE_PROC_PRIMARY)
+				unlink_socket_by_path(dst_path);
+			return 0;
+		}
+		if (errno == -ENOBUFS) {
+			RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "Peer cannot receive message %s\n",
+				dst_path);
+			return 0;
+		}
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "failed to send to (%s) due to %s\n",
+			dst_path, strerror(errno));
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	return 1;
+}
+
+static int
+mp_send(struct rte_mp_msg *msg)
+{
+	int ret = 0;
+	DIR *mp_dir;
+	struct dirent *ent;
+
+	if (rte_eal_process_type() == RTE_PROC_SECONDARY) {
+		if (send_msg(eal_mp_socket_path(), msg) < 0)
+			return -1;
+		else
+			return 0;
+	}
+
+	/* broadcast to all secondary processes */
+	mp_dir = opendir(mp_dir_path);
+	if (!mp_dir) {
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "Unable to open directory %s\n",
+				mp_dir_path);
+		rte_errno = errno;
+		return -1;
+	}
+	while ((ent = readdir(mp_dir))) {
+		if (fnmatch(mp_filter, ent->d_name, 0) != 0)
+			continue;
+
+		if (send_msg(ent->d_name, msg) < 0)
+			ret = -1;
+	}
+	closedir(mp_dir);
+
+	return ret;
+}
+
+static bool
+check_input(const struct rte_mp_msg *msg)
+{
+	if (msg == NULL) {
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "Msg cannot be NULL\n");
+		rte_errno = -EINVAL;
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	if (validate_action_name(msg->name))
+		return false;
+
+	if (msg->len_param > RTE_MP_MAX_PARAM_LEN) {
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "Message data is too long\n");
+		rte_errno = -E2BIG;
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	if (msg->num_fds > RTE_MP_MAX_FD_NUM) {
+		RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "Cannot send more than %d FDs\n",
+			RTE_MP_MAX_FD_NUM);
+		rte_errno = -E2BIG;
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	return true;
+}
+
+int
+rte_mp_sendmsg(struct rte_mp_msg *msg)
+{
+	if (!check_input(msg))
+		return -1;
+
+	RTE_LOG(DEBUG, EAL, "sendmsg: %s\n", msg->name);
+	return mp_send(msg);
+}
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/common/eal_filesystem.h b/lib/librte_eal/common/eal_filesystem.h
index e8959eb..4708dd5 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/common/eal_filesystem.h
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/common/eal_filesystem.h
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
- * Copyright(c) 2010-2014 Intel Corporation
+ * Copyright(c) 2010-2018 Intel Corporation
  */
 
 /**
@@ -38,6 +38,23 @@ eal_runtime_config_path(void)
 	return buffer;
 }
 
+/** Path of primary/secondary communication unix socket file. */
+#define MP_SOCKET_PATH_FMT "%s/.%s_unix"
+static inline const char *
+eal_mp_socket_path(void)
+{
+	static char buffer[PATH_MAX]; /* static so auto-zeroed */
+	const char *directory = default_config_dir;
+	const char *home_dir = getenv("HOME");
+
+	if (getuid() != 0 && home_dir != NULL)
+		directory = home_dir;
+	snprintf(buffer, sizeof(buffer) - 1, MP_SOCKET_PATH_FMT,
+		 directory, internal_config.hugefile_prefix);
+
+	return buffer;
+}
+
 /** Path of hugepage info file. */
 #define HUGEPAGE_INFO_FMT "%s/.%s_hugepage_info"
 
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/common/eal_private.h b/lib/librte_eal/common/eal_private.h
index c46dd8f..0b28770 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/common/eal_private.h
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/common/eal_private.h
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
- * Copyright(c) 2010-2014 Intel Corporation
+ * Copyright(c) 2010-2018 Intel Corporation
  */
 
 #ifndef _EAL_PRIVATE_H_
@@ -195,4 +195,14 @@ int rte_eal_hugepage_attach(void);
  */
 struct rte_bus *rte_bus_find_by_device_name(const char *str);
 
+/**
+ * Create the unix channel for primary/secondary communication.
+ *
+ * @return
+ *   0 on success;
+ *   (<0) on failure.
+ */
+
+int rte_mp_channel_init(void);
+
 #endif /* _EAL_PRIVATE_H_ */
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/common/include/rte_eal.h b/lib/librte_eal/common/include/rte_eal.h
index 2aba2c8..1d42e9c 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/common/include/rte_eal.h
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/common/include/rte_eal.h
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
- * Copyright(c) 2010-2016 Intel Corporation
+ * Copyright(c) 2010-2018 Intel Corporation
  */
 
 #ifndef _RTE_EAL_H_
@@ -186,6 +186,81 @@ int rte_eal_init(int argc, char **argv);
  */
 int rte_eal_primary_proc_alive(const char *config_file_path);
 
+#define RTE_MP_MAX_FD_NUM	8    /* The max amount of fds */
+#define RTE_MP_MAX_NAME_LEN	64   /* The max length of action name */
+#define RTE_MP_MAX_PARAM_LEN	256  /* The max length of param */
+struct rte_mp_msg {
+	char name[RTE_MP_MAX_NAME_LEN];
+	int len_param;
+	int num_fds;
+	uint8_t param[RTE_MP_MAX_PARAM_LEN];
+	int fds[RTE_MP_MAX_FD_NUM];
+};
+
+/**
+ * Action function typedef used by other components.
+ *
+ * As we create  socket channel for primary/secondary communication, use
+ * this function typedef to register action for coming messages.
+ */
+typedef int (*rte_mp_t)(const struct rte_mp_msg *msg);
+
+/**
+ * @warning
+ * @b EXPERIMENTAL: this API may change without prior notice
+ *
+ * Register an action function for primary/secondary communication.
+ *
+ * Call this function to register an action, if the calling component wants
+ * to response the messages from the corresponding component in its primary
+ * process or secondary processes.
+ *
+ * @param name
+ *   The name argument plays as the nonredundant key to find the action.
+ *
+ * @param action
+ *   The action argument is the function pointer to the action function.
+ *
+ * @return
+ *  - 0 on success.
+ *  - (<0) on failure.
+ */
+int rte_mp_action_register(const char *name, rte_mp_t action);
+
+/**
+ * @warning
+ * @b EXPERIMENTAL: this API may change without prior notice
+ *
+ * Unregister an action function for primary/secondary communication.
+ *
+ * Call this function to unregister an action  if the calling component does
+ * not want to response the messages from the corresponding component in its
+ * primary process or secondary processes.
+ *
+ * @param name
+ *   The name argument plays as the nonredundant key to find the action.
+ *
+ */
+void rte_mp_action_unregister(const char *name);
+
+/**
+ * @warning
+ * @b EXPERIMENTAL: this API may change without prior notice
+ *
+ * Send a message to the peer process.
+ *
+ * This function will send a message which will be responsed by the action
+ * identified by name in the peer process.
+ *
+ * @param msg
+ *   The msg argument contains the customized message.
+ *
+ * @return
+ *  - On success, return 0.
+ *  - On failure, return -1, and the reason will be stored in rte_errno.
+ */
+int rte_mp_sendmsg(struct rte_mp_msg *msg);
+
 /**
  * Usage function typedef used by the application usage function.
  *
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal.c b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal.c
index 229eec9..53e29e4 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal.c
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/eal.c
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /*-
  *   BSD LICENSE
  *
- *   Copyright(c) 2010-2016 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.
+ *   Copyright(c) 2010-2018 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.
  *   Copyright(c) 2012-2014 6WIND S.A.
  *   All rights reserved.
  *
@@ -852,6 +852,14 @@ rte_eal_init(int argc, char **argv)
 		return -1;
 	}
 
+	if (rte_mp_channel_init() < 0) {
+		rte_eal_init_alert("failed to init mp channel\n");
+		if (rte_eal_process_type() == RTE_PROC_PRIMARY) {
+			rte_errno = EFAULT;
+			return -1;
+		}
+	}
+
 #ifdef VFIO_PRESENT
 	if (rte_eal_vfio_setup() < 0) {
 		rte_eal_init_alert("Cannot init VFIO\n");
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/rte_eal_version.map b/lib/librte_eal/rte_eal_version.map
index 7088b72..8fd60de 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/rte_eal_version.map
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/rte_eal_version.map
@@ -217,6 +217,9 @@ EXPERIMENTAL {
 	rte_eal_devargs_remove;
 	rte_eal_hotplug_add;
 	rte_eal_hotplug_remove;
+	rte_mp_action_register;
+	rte_mp_action_unregister;
+	rte_mp_sendmsg;
 	rte_service_attr_get;
 	rte_service_attr_reset_all;
 	rte_service_component_register;
