diff --git a/core/global-io.hpp b/core/global-io.hpp
index ab0e17c..0fb2fbe 100644
--- a/core/global-io.hpp
+++ b/core/global-io.hpp
@@ -35,14 +35,25 @@
 getGlobalIoService();
 
 void
+setMainIoService(boost::asio::io_service* mainIo);
+
+void
 setRibIoService(boost::asio::io_service* ribIo);
 
+/** \brief run a function on the main io_service instance
+ */
+void
+runOnMainIoService(const std::function<void()>& f);
+
 /** \brief run a function on the RIB io_service instance
  */
 void
 runOnRibIoService(const std::function<void()>& f);
 
 boost::asio::io_service&
+getMainIoService();
+
+boost::asio::io_service&
 getRibIoService();
 
 #ifdef WITH_TESTS