diff --git a/models/serialize.go b/models/serialize.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a0c2a01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/models/serialize.go
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+/*
+ Copyright 2017 the original author or authors.
+
+ 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.
+*/
+
+package models
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+)
+
+func (chassisHolder ChassisHolder) Serialize() ([]byte, error) {
+	return json.Marshal(chassisHolder)
+
+}
+
+func (chassisHolder *ChassisHolder) Deserialize(jsonData []byte) error {
+	err := json.Unmarshal(jsonData, chassisHolder)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	physicalChassis := &chassisHolder.PhysicalChassis
+	abstractChassis := &chassisHolder.AbstractChassis
+	//first handle abstract parent pointers
+	for i := 0; i < len(abstractChassis.Slots); i++ {
+		slot := &abstractChassis.Slots[i]
+		slot.Parent = abstractChassis
+		for j := 0; j < len(slot.Ports); j++ {
+			port := &slot.Ports[j]
+			port.Parent = slot
+			for k := 0; k < len(port.Onts); k++ {
+				port.Onts[k].Parent = port
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	//second handle physical parent pointers
+	for i := 0; i < len(physicalChassis.Linecards); i++ {
+		slot := physicalChassis.Linecards[i]
+		slot.Parent = physicalChassis
+		for j := 0; j < len(slot.Ports); j++ {
+			port := &slot.Ports[j]
+			port.Parent = &slot
+			for k := 0; k < len(port.Onts); k++ {
+				port.Onts[k].Parent = port
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	//finally handle abstract.Port -> physical.PonPort pointers
+
+	for i := 0; i < len(physicalChassis.Linecards); i++ {
+		slot := physicalChassis.Linecards[i]
+		for j := 0; j < len(slot.Ports); j++ {
+			absPort, _ := chassisHolder.AbstractChassis.NextPort()
+			absPort.PhysPort = &slot.Ports[j]
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}