diff --git a/brian_polling_manager/configuration.py b/brian_polling_manager/configuration.py
index bbb136dd4601b54c3863813d80a39eb4b2463f6d..38de9c9da94743a7be69f56ed0089cb0b0050363 100644
--- a/brian_polling_manager/configuration.py
+++ b/brian_polling_manager/configuration.py
@@ -29,14 +29,14 @@ _DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
         'interface-check': {
             'script': '/var/lib/sensu/bin/counter2influx.sh',
             'measurement': 'counters',
-            'interval': 300,
-            'subscriptions': ['interfacecounters'],
-            'output_metric_handlers': ['influx-db-handler'],
-            'namespace': 'default',
-            'round_robin': True,
             'command': ('{script} {measurement} '
                         '{community} {hostname} '
                         '{interface} {ifIndex}'),
+        },
+        'gws-direct-interface-check': {
+            'script': '/var/lib/sensu/bin/poll-gws-direct.sh',
+            'measurement': 'gwsd_counters',
+            'command': '{script} {measurement} {nren} {isp} {hostname} {tag}'
         }
     },
     'statedir': '/tmp/',
@@ -56,22 +56,9 @@ CONFIG_SCHEMA = {
             'properties': {
                 'script': {'type': 'string'},
                 'measurement': {'type': 'string'},
-                'interval': {'type': 'integer'},
-                'subscriptions': {
-                    'type': 'array',
-                    'items': {'type': 'string'}
-                },
-                'output_metric_handlers': {
-                    'type': 'array',
-                    'items': {'type': 'string'}
-                },
-                'namespace': {'type': 'string'},
-                'round_robin': {'type': 'boolean'},
                 'command': {'type': 'string'},
             },
-            'required': ['script', 'measurement', 'interval',
-                         'subscriptions', 'output_metric_handlers',
-                         'namespace', 'round_robin', 'command'],
+            'required': ['script', 'measurement', 'command'],
             'additionalProperties': False
         },
         'sensu': {
@@ -83,9 +70,13 @@ CONFIG_SCHEMA = {
                     'minItems': 1
                 },
                 'api-key': {'type': 'string'},
-                'interface-check': {'$ref': '#/definitions/influx-check'}
+                'interface-check': {'$ref': '#/definitions/influx-check'},
+                'gws-direct-interface-check':
+                    {'$ref': '#/definitions/influx-check'}
             },
-            'required': ['api-base', 'api-key', 'interface-check'],
+            'required': [
+                'api-base', 'api-key',
+                'interface-check', 'gws-direct-interface-check'],
             'additionalProperties': False
         },
         'statsd': {
@@ -118,6 +109,7 @@ CONFIG_SCHEMA = {
 
 class State(object):
 
+    GWS_DIRECT = 'gws-direct.json'
     INTERFACES = 'interfaces.json'
     STATE = 'state.json'
 
@@ -133,9 +125,10 @@ class State(object):
 
     def __init__(self, state_dir: str):
         assert os.path.isdir(state_dir)
-        self.filenames = {
+        self.cache_filenames = {
             'state': os.path.join(state_dir, State.STATE),
-            'cache': os.path.join(state_dir, State.INTERFACES)
+            'interfaces': os.path.join(state_dir, State.INTERFACES),
+            'gws-direct': os.path.join(state_dir, State.GWS_DIRECT)
         }
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -150,38 +143,58 @@ class State(object):
                 f'unable to open state file {filename}')
             return None
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _save_json(filename, new_data, schema):
+        try:
+            jsonschema.validate(new_data, schema)
+        except jsonschema.ValidationError:
+            logger.exception('invalid interface state data')
+            return
+
+        with open(filename, 'w') as f:
+            f.write(json.dumps(new_data))
+
     @property
     def last(self) -> int:
-        state = State._load_json(self.filenames['state'], State.STATE_SCHEMA)
+        state = State._load_json(
+            self.cache_filenames['state'], State.STATE_SCHEMA)
         return state['last'] if state else -1
 
     @last.setter
     def last(self, new_last: Union[float, None]):
         if not new_last or new_last < 0:
-            os.unlink(self.filenames['state'])
+            os.unlink(self.cache_filenames['state'])
         else:
-            state = {'last': new_last}
-            with open(self.filenames['state'], 'w') as f:
-                f.write(json.dumps(state))
+            State._save_json(
+                self.cache_filenames['state'],
+                {'last': new_last},
+                State.STATE_SCHEMA)
 
     @property
     def interfaces(self) -> list:
         return State._load_json(
-            self.filenames['cache'],
+            self.cache_filenames['interfaces'],
             inventory.INVENTORY_INTERFACES_SCHEMA)
 
     @interfaces.setter
     def interfaces(self, new_interfaces):
-        try:
-            jsonschema.validate(
-                new_interfaces,
-                inventory.INVENTORY_INTERFACES_SCHEMA)
-        except jsonschema.ValidationError:
-            logger.exception('invalid interface state data')
-            return
+        State._save_json(
+            self.cache_filenames['interfaces'],
+            new_interfaces,
+            inventory.INVENTORY_INTERFACES_SCHEMA)
 
-        with open(self.filenames['cache'], 'w') as f:
-            f.write(json.dumps(new_interfaces))
+    @property
+    def gws_direct(self) -> list:
+        return State._load_json(
+            self.cache_filenames['gws-direct'],
+            inventory.GWS_DIRECT_SCHEMA)
+
+    @gws_direct.setter
+    def gws_direct(self, new_interfaces):
+        State._save_json(
+            self.cache_filenames['gws-direct'],
+            new_interfaces,
+            inventory.GWS_DIRECT_SCHEMA)
 
 
 def _setup_logging(filename=None):
diff --git a/brian_polling_manager/interfaces.py b/brian_polling_manager/interfaces.py
index f824c0d69d30262a4d87501f5b6291213b817131..ab6a15e2f8f03984d7c0c4c58a2f0fc8c8c3eb3a 100644
--- a/brian_polling_manager/interfaces.py
+++ b/brian_polling_manager/interfaces.py
@@ -11,100 +11,47 @@ def load_ifc_checks(sensu_params):
         name = check['metadata']['name']
         # check-* is the old-style name (add to the returned
         # data so it can be deleted)
-        return re.match(r'^(check|ifc)-([^-]+\.geant\.net)-(.+)$', name)
+        return re.match(r'^(check|ifc)-[^-]+\.geant\.net-.+$', name)
     ifc_checks = filter(_is_ifc_check, sensu.load_all_checks(sensu_params))
     return {c['metadata']['name']: c for c in ifc_checks}
 
 
-def _check_name(interface):
-    ifc_name = interface['name'].replace('/', '-')
-    return f'ifc-{interface["router"]}-{ifc_name}'
+class InterfaceCheck(sensu.AbstractCheck):
 
+    def __init__(self, ifc_check_params, interface):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.ifc_check_params = ifc_check_params
+        self.interface = interface
 
-def _make_check(check_params, interface):
-    command = check_params['command'].format(
-        script=check_params['script'],
-        measurement=check_params['measurement'],
-        community='0pBiFbD',  # TODO: add this to /poller/interfaces response
-        hostname=interface['router'],
-        interface=interface['name'],
-        ifIndex=interface['snmp-index']
-    )
+    @sensu.AbstractCheck.name.getter
+    def name(self):
+        ifc_name = self.interface['name'].replace('/', '-')
+        return f'ifc-{self.interface["router"]}-{ifc_name}'
 
-    return {
-        'command': command,
-        'interval': check_params['interval'],
-        'subscriptions': sorted(check_params['subscriptions']),
-        'proxy_entity_name': interface['router'],
-        'round_robin': check_params['round_robin'],
-        'output_metric_format': 'influxdb_line',
-        'output_metric_handlers': sorted(
-            check_params['output_metric_handlers']),
-        'metadata': {
-            'name': _check_name(interface),
-            'namespace': check_params['namespace']
-        },
-        'publish': True
-    }
+    @sensu.AbstractCheck.command.getter
+    def command(self):
+        return self.ifc_check_params['command'].format(
+            script=self.ifc_check_params['script'],
+            measurement=self.ifc_check_params['measurement'],
+            # TODO: add community string to /poller/interfaces response
+            # (cf. POL1-339)
+            community='0pBiFbD',
+            hostname=self.interface['router'],
+            interface=self.interface['name'],
+            ifIndex=self.interface['snmp-index'])
 
+    @sensu.AbstractCheck.proxy_entity_name.getter
+    def proxy_entity_name(self):
+        return self.interface['router']
 
-def _checks_match(a, b) -> bool:
-    if a['publish'] != b['publish']:
-        return False
-    if a['command'] != b['command']:
-        return False
-    if a['interval'] != b['interval']:
-        return False
-    if a['proxy_entity_name'] != b['proxy_entity_name']:
-        return False
-    if a['round_robin'] != b['round_robin']:
-        return False
-    if a['output_metric_format'] != b['output_metric_format']:
-        return False
-    if sorted(a['subscriptions']) != sorted(b['subscriptions']):
-        return False
-    if sorted(a['output_metric_handlers']) \
-            != sorted(b['output_metric_handlers']):
-        return False
-    if a['metadata']['name'] != b['metadata']['name']:
-        return False
-    if a['metadata']['namespace'] != b['metadata']['namespace']:
-        return False
-    return True
 
+def refresh(sensu_params, inventory_interfaces):
 
-def refresh(sensu_params, state):
+    required_checks = [
+        InterfaceCheck(sensu_params['interface-check'], ifc)
+        for ifc in inventory_interfaces]
 
-    ifc_checks = load_ifc_checks(sensu_params)
-
-    created = 0
-    updated = 0
-    interfaces = 0
-    for interface in state.interfaces:
-
-        interfaces += 1
-
-        expected_check = _make_check(
-            sensu_params['interface-check'], interface)
-
-        expected_name = _check_name(interface)
-        if expected_name not in ifc_checks:
-            created += 1
-            sensu.create_check(sensu_params, expected_check)
-        elif not _checks_match(ifc_checks[expected_name], expected_check):
-            updated += 1
-            sensu.update_check(sensu_params, expected_check)
-
-    wanted_checks = {_check_name(ifc) for ifc in state.interfaces}
-    extra_checks = set(ifc_checks.keys()) - wanted_checks
-    for name in extra_checks:
-        sensu.delete_check(sensu_params, name)
-
-    # cf. main.REFRESH_RESULT_SCHEMA
-    return {
-        'checks': len(ifc_checks),
-        'input': interfaces,
-        'created': created,
-        'updated': updated,
-        'deleted': len(extra_checks)
-    }
+    return sensu.refresh(
+        sensu_params,
+        required_checks,
+        load_ifc_checks(sensu_params))
diff --git a/brian_polling_manager/inventory.py b/brian_polling_manager/inventory.py
index b5211049129076e924420c21d2a7fd4ede1e0eee..7fd483f541f9e54b8e8387500cf373e6c36fbaa6 100644
--- a/brian_polling_manager/inventory.py
+++ b/brian_polling_manager/inventory.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import requests
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-# minimal inventory response schema
+# minimal inventory response schema for our purposes
 INVENTORY_VERSION_SCHEMA = {
     '$schema': 'http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#',
 
@@ -29,50 +29,23 @@ INVENTORY_VERSION_SCHEMA = {
     'additionalProperties': True
 }
 
+# minimal inventory response schema for our purposes
 INVENTORY_INTERFACES_SCHEMA = {
     '$schema': 'http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#',
 
     'definitions': {
-        'service': {
-            'type': 'object',
-            'properties': {
-                'id': {'type': 'integer'},
-                'name': {'type': 'string'},
-                'type': {'type': 'string'},
-                'status': {'type': 'string'},
-            },
-            'required': ['id', 'name', 'type', 'status'],
-            'additionalProperties': False
-        },
         'interface': {
             'type': 'object',
             'properties': {
                 'router': {'type': 'string'},
                 'name': {'type': 'string'},
-                'description': {'type': 'string'},
                 'snmp-index': {
                     'type': 'integer',
                     'minimum': 1
-                },
-                'bundle': {
-                    'type': 'array',
-                    'items': {'type': 'string'}
-                },
-                'bundle-parents': {
-                    'type': 'array',
-                    'items': {'type': 'string'}
-                },
-                'circuits': {
-                    'type': 'array',
-                    'items': {'$ref': '#/definitions/service'}
                 }
             },
-            'required': [
-                'router', 'name', 'description',
-                'snmp-index', 'bundle', 'bundle-parents',
-                'circuits'],
-            'additionalProperties': False
-        },
+            'required': ['router', 'name', 'snmp-index'],
+        }
     },
 
     'type': 'array',
@@ -80,33 +53,82 @@ INVENTORY_INTERFACES_SCHEMA = {
 }
 
 
-def _pick_one(things):
-    if not isinstance(things, (list, tuple, set)):
-        things = [things]
-    return random.choice(things)
+# minimal inventory response schema for our purposes
+GWS_DIRECT_SCHEMA = {
+    '$schema': 'http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#',
+
+    'definitions': {
+        'interface-counters': {
+            'type': 'object',
+            'properties': {
+                'nren': {'type': 'string'},
+                'isp': {
+                    'type': 'string',
+                    'enum': ['Cogent', 'Telia', 'Century Link']
+                },
+                'hostname': {'type': 'string'},
+                'tag': {'type': 'string'},
+            },
+            'required': ['nren', 'isp', 'hostname', 'tag']
+        }
+    },
 
+    'type': 'array',
+    'items': {'$ref': '#/definitions/interface-counters'}
+}
 
-def load_interfaces(base_urls):
+
+def _pick_one(haystack):
+    if not isinstance(haystack, (list, tuple, set)):
+        haystack = [haystack]
+    return random.choice(haystack)
+
+
+def _load_inventory_json(api_route, base_urls, schema):
     """
-    Load /poller/interfaces from inventory provider
-    and return a slightly reformatted dict.
+    Load & decode the specified inventory api data
 
+    :param api_route: the api-specific handler route
     :param base_urls: inventory provider base api url, or a list of them
-    :return: a dict like [<router>][<interface>] = inventory leaf data
+    :param schema: jsonschema to validate the response against
+    :return: the decoded json reponse
     """
     url = _pick_one(base_urls)
     logger.debug(f'using inventory base api url: {url}')
 
     rsp = requests.get(
-        f'{url}/poller/interfaces',
+        f'{url}/{api_route}',
         headers={'Accept': 'application/json'})
     rsp.raise_for_status()
 
     result = rsp.json()
-    jsonschema.validate(result, INVENTORY_INTERFACES_SCHEMA)
+    jsonschema.validate(result, schema)
     return result
 
 
+def load_interfaces(base_urls):
+    """
+    Load /poller/interfaces from inventory provider
+    and return a slightly reformatted dict.
+
+    :param base_urls: inventory provider base api url, or a list of them
+    :return: a list (INVENTORY_INTERFACES_SCHEMA)
+    """
+    return _load_inventory_json(
+        'poller/interfaces', base_urls, INVENTORY_INTERFACES_SCHEMA)
+
+
+def load_gws_direct_interfaces(base_urls):
+    """
+    Load /poller/gws/direct from inventory provider
+
+    :param base_urls: inventory provider base api url, or a list of them
+    :return: an interable of interface-specific check data
+    """
+    return _load_inventory_json(
+        'poller/gws/direct', base_urls, GWS_DIRECT_SCHEMA)
+
+
 def last_update_timestamp(base_urls) -> float:
     try:
         r = requests.get(
diff --git a/brian_polling_manager/main.py b/brian_polling_manager/main.py
index 5e92a164b9706344ec9d558fd37ed2fd2fdc4473..4fc22b306f19739192a94ff2b1303d76bf873a71 100644
--- a/brian_polling_manager/main.py
+++ b/brian_polling_manager/main.py
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ import click
 import jsonschema
 from statsd import StatsClient
 
-from brian_polling_manager import inventory, interfaces, configuration
+from brian_polling_manager \
+    import inventory, configuration, interfaces, gws_direct
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -51,7 +52,8 @@ REFRESH_RESULT_SCHEMA = {
     },
     'type': 'object',
     'properties': {
-        'interfaces': {'$ref': '#/definitions/refresh-result'}
+        'interfaces': {'$ref': '#/definitions/refresh-result'},
+        'gws_direct': {'$ref': '#/definitions/refresh-result'}
     },
     'required': ['interfaces'],
     'additionalProperties': False
@@ -76,24 +78,27 @@ def refresh(config, force=False):
     if force or not last or last != state.last:
         state.last = last
         state.interfaces = inventory.load_interfaces(config['inventory'])
-
+        state.gws_direct = inventory.load_gws_direct_interfaces(
+            config['inventory'])
     result = {
-        'interfaces': interfaces.refresh(config['sensu'], state)
+        'interfaces': interfaces.refresh(config['sensu'], state.interfaces),
+        'gws_direct': gws_direct.refresh(config['sensu'], state.gws_direct)
     }
+    jsonschema.validate(result, REFRESH_RESULT_SCHEMA)  # sanity
 
     statsd_config = config.get('statsd', None)
     if statsd_config:
-        statsd = StatsClient(
-            host=statsd_config['hostname'],
-            port=statsd_config['port'],
-            prefix=f'{statsd_config["prefix"]}_interfaces')
-        statsd.gauge('checks', result['interfaces']['checks'])
-        statsd.gauge('input', result['interfaces']['input'])
-        statsd.gauge('created', result['interfaces']['created'])
-        statsd.gauge('updated', result['interfaces']['updated'])
-        statsd.gauge('deleted', result['interfaces']['deleted'])
+        for key, counts in result.items():
+            statsd = StatsClient(
+                host=statsd_config['hostname'],
+                port=statsd_config['port'],
+                prefix=f'{statsd_config["prefix"]}_{key}')
+            statsd.gauge('checks', counts['checks'])
+            statsd.gauge('input', counts['input'])
+            statsd.gauge('created', counts['created'])
+            statsd.gauge('updated', counts['updated'])
+            statsd.gauge('deleted', counts['deleted'])
 
-    jsonschema.validate(result, REFRESH_RESULT_SCHEMA)  # sanity
     return result
 
 
diff --git a/brian_polling_manager/sensu.py b/brian_polling_manager/sensu.py
index 0c60d091320f7ddfbc8a94aa5423b34c7a1dc9f2..63be687b84bd64989ee790c229c2e790ebef79c4 100644
--- a/brian_polling_manager/sensu.py
+++ b/brian_polling_manager/sensu.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """
 Sensu api utilities
 """
+import copy
 import logging
 import random
 import requests
@@ -8,7 +9,14 @@ import requests
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+_cached_checks = None  # not using lru_cache, since params is a dict
+
+
 def load_all_checks(params, namespace='default'):
+    global _cached_checks
+    if _cached_checks is not None:
+        return _cached_checks
+
     url = random.choice(params['api-base'])
     r = requests.get(
         f'{url}/api/core/v2/namespaces/{namespace}/checks',
@@ -18,8 +26,8 @@ def load_all_checks(params, namespace='default'):
         })
     r.raise_for_status()
 
-    for check in r.json():
-        yield check
+    _cached_checks = r.json()
+    return _cached_checks
 
 
 def create_check(params, check, namespace='default'):
@@ -60,3 +68,188 @@ def delete_check(params, check, namespace='default'):
         f'{url}/api/core/v2/namespaces/{namespace}/checks/{name}',
         headers={'Authorization': f'Key {params["api-key"]}'})
     r.raise_for_status()
+
+
+def checks_match(a, b) -> bool:
+    if a['publish'] != b['publish']:
+        return False
+    if a['command'] != b['command']:
+        return False
+    if a['interval'] != b['interval']:
+        return False
+    if a['proxy_entity_name'] != b['proxy_entity_name']:
+        return False
+    if a['round_robin'] != b['round_robin']:
+        return False
+    if a['output_metric_format'] != b['output_metric_format']:
+        return False
+    if sorted(a['subscriptions']) != sorted(b['subscriptions']):
+        return False
+    if sorted(a['output_metric_handlers']) \
+            != sorted(b['output_metric_handlers']):
+        return False
+    if a['metadata']['name'] != b['metadata']['name']:
+        return False
+    if a['metadata']['namespace'] != b['metadata']['namespace']:
+        return False
+    return True
+
+
+class AbstractCheck(object):
+    """
+    not explicitly using abc.ABC ... more readable than stacks of decorators
+    """
+
+    INTERVAL_S = 300
+    SUBSCRIPTIONS = ['interfacecounters']
+    METRIC_FORMAT = 'influxdb_line'
+    METRIC_HANDLERS = ['influx-db-handler']
+    NAMESPACE = 'default'
+
+    CHECK_DICT_SCHEMA = {
+        # for unit tests
+        '$schema': 'http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#',
+
+        'definitions': {
+            'metadata': {
+                'type': 'object',
+                'properties': {
+                    'name': {'type': 'string'},
+                    'namespace': {'type': 'string'}
+                },
+                'required': ['name', 'namespace']
+            }
+        },
+
+        'type': 'object',
+        'properties': {
+            'command': {'type': 'string'},
+            'interval': {'type': 'integer'},
+            'subscriptions': {
+                'type': 'array',
+                'items': {'type': 'string'},
+                'minItems': 1
+            },
+            'proxy_entity_name': {'type': 'string'},
+            'round_robin': {'type': 'boolean'},
+            'output_metric_format': {'type': 'string'},
+            'output_metric_handlers': {
+                'type': 'array',
+                'items': {'type': 'string'},
+                'minItems': 1
+            },
+            'metadata': {'$ref': '#/definitions/metadata'},
+            'publish': {'type': 'boolean'}
+        },
+        'required': [
+            'command', 'interval', 'subscriptions',
+            'proxy_entity_name', 'round_robin',
+            'output_metric_format', 'output_metric_handlers',
+            'metadata', 'publish']
+    }
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.publish = True
+        self.round_robin = True
+        self.interval = AbstractCheck.INTERVAL_S
+        self.subscriptions = copy.copy(AbstractCheck.SUBSCRIPTIONS)
+        self.output_metric_handlers = copy.copy(AbstractCheck.METRIC_HANDLERS)
+        self.output_metric_format = AbstractCheck.METRIC_FORMAT
+        self.namespace = AbstractCheck.NAMESPACE
+
+    @property
+    def name(self):
+        # overridden implementation must return a string
+        assert False, 'property StandardCheck.name must be overridden'
+
+    @property
+    def command(self):
+        # overridden implementation must return a string
+        assert False, 'property StandardCheck.command must be overridden'
+
+    @property
+    def proxy_entity_name(self):
+        # overridden implementation must return a string
+        assert False, \
+            'property StandardCheck.proxy_entity_name must be overridden'
+
+    def to_dict(self):
+        return {
+            'command': self.command,
+            'interval': self.interval,
+            'subscriptions': sorted(self.subscriptions),
+            'proxy_entity_name': self.proxy_entity_name,
+            'round_robin': self.round_robin,
+            'output_metric_format': self.output_metric_format,
+            'output_metric_handlers': sorted(self.output_metric_handlers),
+            'metadata': {
+                'name': self.name,
+                'namespace': self.namespace
+            },
+            'publish': self.publish
+        }
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def match_check_dicts(a, b) -> bool:
+        if a['publish'] != b['publish']:
+            return False
+        if a['command'] != b['command']:
+            return False
+        if a['interval'] != b['interval']:
+            return False
+        if a['proxy_entity_name'] != b['proxy_entity_name']:
+            return False
+        if a['round_robin'] != b['round_robin']:
+            return False
+        if a['output_metric_format'] != b['output_metric_format']:
+            return False
+        if sorted(a['subscriptions']) != sorted(b['subscriptions']):
+            return False
+        if sorted(a['output_metric_handlers']) \
+                != sorted(b['output_metric_handlers']):
+            return False
+        if a['metadata']['name'] != b['metadata']['name']:
+            return False
+        if a['metadata']['namespace'] != b['metadata']['namespace']:
+            return False
+        return True
+
+
+def refresh(sensu_params, required_checks, current_checks):
+    """
+    update any current_checks that are not present in required_checks
+    remove any extras
+
+    :param sensu_params:
+    :param required_checks: list of AbstractCheck instances
+    :param current_checks: dict of {name:check_dict} from sensu
+    :return: dict with change counts
+    """
+
+    # cf. main.REFRESH_RESULT_SCHEMA
+    result = {
+        'checks': len(current_checks),
+        'input': len(required_checks),
+        'created': 0,
+        'updated': 0,
+        'deleted': None
+    }
+
+    for expected_check in required_checks:
+
+        if expected_check.name not in current_checks:
+            create_check(sensu_params, expected_check.to_dict())
+            result['created'] += 1
+        elif not AbstractCheck.match_check_dicts(
+                current_checks[expected_check.name],
+                expected_check.to_dict()):
+            update_check(sensu_params, expected_check.to_dict())
+            result['updated'] += 1
+
+    wanted_checks = {check.name for check in required_checks}
+    extra_checks = set(current_checks.keys()) - wanted_checks
+    for name in extra_checks:
+        delete_check(sensu_params, name)
+
+    result['deleted'] = len(extra_checks)
+    return result
diff --git a/test/conftest.py b/test/conftest.py
index 2553e8fcafecbeb13bf967ab4ae92e28ebe5f704..fc4dd7766d6622b9d1154397113b1517fd22ca1e 100644
--- a/test/conftest.py
+++ b/test/conftest.py
@@ -36,14 +36,15 @@ def config():
                 'interface-check': {
                     'script': '/var/lib/sensu/bin/counter2influx.sh',
                     'measurement': 'counters',
-                    'interval': 300,
-                    'subscriptions': ['interfacecounters'],
-                    'output_metric_handlers': ['influx-db-handler'],
-                    'namespace': 'default',
-                    'round_robin': True,
                     'command': ('{script} {measurement} '
                                 '{community} {hostname} '
                                 '{interface} {ifIndex}'),
+                },
+                'gws-direct-interface-check': {
+                    'script': '/var/lib/sensu/bin/poll-gws-direct.sh',
+                    'measurement': 'gwsd_counters',
+                    'command': ('{script} {measurement} '
+                                '{nren} {isp} {hostname} {tag}')
                 }
             },
             'statedir': state_dir_name,
@@ -169,6 +170,12 @@ def mocked_inventory():
         url=re.compile(r'.*inventory.+/poller/interfaces.*'),
         body=_load_test_data('interfaces.json'))
 
+    # mocked api for returning all checks
+    responses.add(
+        method=responses.GET,
+        url=re.compile(r'.*inventory.+/poller/gws/direct'),
+        body=_load_test_data('gws-direct.json'))
+
     bogus_version = {'latch': {'timestamp': 10000 * random.random()}}
     # mocked api for returning all checks
     responses.add(
diff --git a/test/data/checks.json b/test/data/checks.json
index 6ff1cee3be38169120c93b88181119e626d559e2..5e0232bb0c1d89a9c3a06518cd781c8069cb1f10 100644
--- a/test/data/checks.json
+++ b/test/data/checks.json
@@ -1,4 +1,95 @@
 [
+  {
+    "command": "/var/lib/sensu/bin/poll-gws-direct.sh gwsd_counters ARNES Cogent 88.200.0.63 a",
+    "handlers": [],
+    "high_flap_threshold": 0,
+    "interval": 300,
+    "low_flap_threshold": 0,
+    "publish": true,
+    "runtime_assets": null,
+    "subscriptions": [
+      "interfacecounters"
+    ],
+    "proxy_entity_name": "88.200.0.63",
+    "check_hooks": null,
+    "stdin": false,
+    "subdue": null,
+    "ttl": 0,
+    "timeout": 0,
+    "round_robin": true,
+    "output_metric_format": "influxdb_line",
+    "output_metric_handlers": [
+      "influx-db-handler"
+    ],
+    "env_vars": null,
+    "metadata": {
+      "name": "gwsd-06D560CF",
+      "namespace": "default",
+      "created_by": "admin"
+    },
+    "secrets": null
+  },
+  {
+    "command": "/var/lib/sensu/bin/poll-gws-direct.sh gwsd_counters ARNES Cogent 88.200.0.63 x-to-be-deleted",
+    "handlers": [],
+    "high_flap_threshold": 0,
+    "interval": 300,
+    "low_flap_threshold": 0,
+    "publish": true,
+    "runtime_assets": null,
+    "subscriptions": [
+      "interfacecounters"
+    ],
+    "proxy_entity_name": "88.200.0.63",
+    "check_hooks": null,
+    "stdin": false,
+    "subdue": null,
+    "ttl": 0,
+    "timeout": 0,
+    "round_robin": true,
+    "output_metric_format": "influxdb_line",
+    "output_metric_handlers": [
+      "influx-db-handler"
+    ],
+    "env_vars": null,
+    "metadata": {
+      "name": "gwsd-AAAAA",
+      "namespace": "default",
+      "created_by": "admin"
+    },
+    "secrets": null
+  },
+
+  {
+    "command": "/var/lib/sensu/bin/poll-gws-direct.sh gwsd_counters ARNES Cogent 88.200.0.63 to-be-updated",
+    "handlers": [],
+    "high_flap_threshold": 0,
+    "interval": 300,
+    "low_flap_threshold": 0,
+    "publish": true,
+    "runtime_assets": null,
+    "subscriptions": [
+      "interfacecounters"
+    ],
+    "proxy_entity_name": "88.200.0.63",
+    "check_hooks": null,
+    "stdin": false,
+    "subdue": null,
+    "ttl": 0,
+    "timeout": 0,
+    "round_robin": true,
+    "output_metric_format": "influxdb_line",
+    "output_metric_handlers": [
+      "influx-db-handler"
+    ],
+    "env_vars": null,
+    "metadata": {
+      "name": "gwsd-0B3898D4",
+      "namespace": "default",
+      "created_by": "admin"
+    },
+    "secrets": null
+  },
   {
     "command": "/var/lib/sensu/bin/counter2influx.sh counters 0pBiFbD mx1.ams.nl.geant.net ae1 1211",
     "handlers": [],
diff --git a/test/data/gws-direct.json b/test/data/gws-direct.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..445a34058ddfa9818bda2f3ff51a80a919e87117
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/data/gws-direct.json
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+[{"nren": "ARNES", "isp": "Cogent", "hostname": "88.200.0.63", "tag": "a", "counters": [{"field": "discards_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.13.533", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}, {"field": "discards_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.19.533", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}, {"field": "errors_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.14.533", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}, {"field": "errors_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.20.533", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}]}, {"nren": "ARNES", "isp": "Cogent", "hostname": "88.200.0.63", "tag": "b", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.531", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.531", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}]}, {"nren": "ARNES", "isp": "Cogent", "hostname": "88.200.0.63", "tag": "c", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.525", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.525", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}]}, {"nren": "ARNES", "isp": "Cogent", "hostname": "88.200.0.63", "tag": "d", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.553", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.553", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}]}, {"nren": "ARNES", "isp": "Cogent", "hostname": "88.200.0.63", "tag": "e", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.563", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.563", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}]}, {"nren": "ARNES", "isp": "Telia", "hostname": "62.40.124.6", "tag": "a", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.611", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.611", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}]}, {"nren": "ARNES", "isp": "Telia", "hostname": "62.40.124.6", "tag": "b", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.589", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.589", "community": "gn2nocT3st"}]}, {"nren": "CARNET", "isp": "Cogent", "hostname": "62.40.124.10", "tag": "a", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.35", "community": "atlas1453"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.35", "community": "atlas1453"}]}, {"nren": "CARNET", "isp": "Telia", "hostname": "62.40.125.150", "tag": "a", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.48", "community": "atlas1453"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.48", "community": "atlas1453"}]}, {"nren": "KIFU", "isp": "Cogent", "hostname": "195.111.97.108", "tag": "a", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.155", "community": "atlas1453"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.155", "community": "atlas1453"}]}, {"nren": "KIFU", "isp": "Telia", "hostname": "195.111.97.108", "tag": "a", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.148", "community": "atlas1453"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.148", "community": "atlas1453"}]}, {"nren": "RedIRIS", "isp": "Telia", "hostname": "130.206.206.250", "tag": "a", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.1487", "community": "atlas1453"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.1487", "community": "atlas1453"}]}, {"nren": "RedIRIS", "isp": "Telia", "hostname": "130.206.206.250", "tag": "b", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.1488", "community": "atlas1453"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.1488", "community": "atlas1453"}]}, {"nren": "RedIRIS", "isp": "Telia", "hostname": "130.206.206.250", "tag": "c", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.1489", "community": "atlas1453"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.1489", "community": "atlas1453"}]}, {"nren": "RedIRIS", "isp": "Telia", "hostname": "130.206.206.250", "tag": "d", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.760", "community": "atlas1453"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.760", "community": "atlas1453"}]}, {"nren": "RedIRIS", "isp": "Telia", "hostname": "130.206.206.250", "tag": "e", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.796", "community": "atlas1453"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.796", "community": "atlas1453"}]}, {"nren": "RoEduNet", "isp": "Cogent", "hostname": "149.6.50.10", "tag": "a", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.531", "community": "dante"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.531", "community": "dante"}]}, {"nren": "RoEduNet", "isp": "Century Link", "hostname": "212.162.45.194", "tag": "a", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.9", "community": "dante"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.9", "community": "dante"}]}, {"nren": "EENet", "isp": "Telia", "hostname": "193.40.133.2", "tag": "a", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.263", "community": "geant-mon-telia"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.263", "community": "geant-mon-telia"}]}, {"nren": "PSNC", "isp": "Century Link", "hostname": "212.191.126.6", "tag": "a", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.675", "community": "atlas1453"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.675", "community": "atlas1453"}]}, {"nren": "PSNC", "isp": "Century Link", "hostname": "212.191.126.7", "tag": "a", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.677", "community": "atlas1453"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.677", "community": "atlas1453"}]}, {"nren": "FCCN", "isp": "Cogent", "hostname": "193.136.5.43", "tag": "a", "counters": [{"field": "traffic_in", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.47", "community": "geantcom"}, {"field": "traffic_out", "oid": "1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.47", "community": "geantcom"}]}]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/test_sensu_checks.py b/test/test_sensu_checks.py
index 7a5a8178cfd72ff4d3d6a1899b1d1012e45f5df4..b72dd0578a020747bf5a648f1933a5c2a5cf6148 100644
--- a/test/test_sensu_checks.py
+++ b/test/test_sensu_checks.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import copy
 import random
 
+import jsonschema
 import responses
 
 from brian_polling_manager import sensu, inventory, interfaces
@@ -8,7 +9,7 @@ from brian_polling_manager import sensu, inventory, interfaces
 
 @responses.activate
 def test_load_checks(config, mocked_sensu):
-    checks = list(sensu.load_all_checks(config['sensu']))
+    checks = sensu.load_all_checks(config['sensu'])
     assert len(checks) > 0  # test data has checks in it
 
 
@@ -19,9 +20,9 @@ def test_check_lifecycle(config, mocked_sensu, mocked_inventory):
         inventory.load_interfaces(config['inventory']))
     test_interface['name'] = 'xyz'
 
-    new_check = interfaces._make_check(
+    new_check = interfaces.InterfaceCheck(
         config['sensu']['interface-check'],
-        test_interface)
+        test_interface).to_dict()
 
     # create the new check
     check_name = new_check['metadata']['name']
@@ -38,3 +39,84 @@ def test_check_lifecycle(config, mocked_sensu, mocked_inventory):
     # delete the check and confirm the correct call was made
     sensu.delete_check(config['sensu'], check_name)
     assert check_name not in mocked_sensu
+
+
+class DummyCheck(sensu.AbstractCheck):
+
+    def __init__(self, name, command, proxy_entity_name):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._name = name
+        self._command = command
+        self._proxy_entity_name = proxy_entity_name
+
+    @sensu.AbstractCheck.name.getter
+    def name(self):
+        return self._name
+
+    @sensu.AbstractCheck.command.getter
+    def command(self):
+        return self._command
+
+    @sensu.AbstractCheck.proxy_entity_name.getter
+    def proxy_entity_name(self):
+        return self._proxy_entity_name
+
+
+def test_check_dict_schema():
+    c = DummyCheck(name='x', command='y', proxy_entity_name='z')
+    jsonschema.validate(c.to_dict(), sensu.AbstractCheck.CHECK_DICT_SCHEMA)
+
+
+def test_check_compare():
+    a = DummyCheck(name='x', command='y', proxy_entity_name='z')
+    b = DummyCheck(name='x', command='y', proxy_entity_name='z')
+    assert sensu.checks_match(a.to_dict(), b.to_dict())
+
+
+def test_checks_differ():
+    a = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='1')
+    b = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='2')
+    assert not sensu.checks_match(a.to_dict(), b.to_dict())
+
+    a = DummyCheck(name='x', command='1', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    b = DummyCheck(name='x', command='2', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    assert not sensu.checks_match(a.to_dict(), b.to_dict())
+
+    a = DummyCheck(name='1', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    b = DummyCheck(name='2', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    assert not sensu.checks_match(a.to_dict(), b.to_dict())
+
+    a = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    b = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    a.publish = not a.publish
+    assert not sensu.checks_match(a.to_dict(), b.to_dict())
+
+    a = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    b = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    a.interval += 1
+    assert not sensu.checks_match(a.to_dict(), b.to_dict())
+
+    a = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    b = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    a.round_robin = not a.round_robin
+    assert not sensu.checks_match(a.to_dict(), b.to_dict())
+
+    a = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    b = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    a.output_metric_format = a.output_metric_format + 'x'
+    assert not sensu.checks_match(a.to_dict(), b.to_dict())
+
+    a = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    b = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    a.subscriptions.append('x')
+    assert not sensu.checks_match(a.to_dict(), b.to_dict())
+
+    a = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    b = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    a.output_metric_handlers.append('x')
+    assert not sensu.checks_match(a.to_dict(), b.to_dict())
+
+    a = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    b = DummyCheck(name='x', command='x', proxy_entity_name='x')
+    a.namespace = a.namespace + 'x'
+    assert not sensu.checks_match(a.to_dict(), b.to_dict())