diff --git a/src/python/loxi/__init__.py b/src/python/loxi/__init__.py
index e13e01d..f0a7c25 100644
--- a/src/python/loxi/__init__.py
+++ b/src/python/loxi/__init__.py
@@ -45,3 +45,17 @@
 
 def unimplemented(msg):
     raise Unimplemented(msg)
+
+class OFObject(object):
+    """
+    Superclass of all OpenFlow classes
+    """
+    def __init__(self, *args):
+        raise NotImplementedError("cannot instantiate abstract class")
+
+    def __ne__(self, other):
+        return not self.__eq__(other)
+
+    def show(self):
+        import loxi.pp
+        return loxi.pp.pp(self)