diff --git a/addr_linux.go b/addr_linux.go
index 0333d25..4d771d9 100644
--- a/addr_linux.go
+++ b/addr_linux.go
@@ -5,13 +5,13 @@ import (
 	"net"
 	"strings"
 	"syscall"
-	
+
 	"github.com/vishvananda/netlink/nl"
 )
 
 // AddrAdd will add an IP address to a link device.
 // Equivalent to: `ip addr del $addr dev $link`
-func AddrAdd(link *Link, addr *Addr) error {
+func AddrAdd(link Link, addr *Addr) error {
 
 	req := nl.NewNetlinkRequest(syscall.RTM_NEWADDR, syscall.NLM_F_CREATE|syscall.NLM_F_EXCL|syscall.NLM_F_ACK)
 	return addrHandle(link, addr, req)
@@ -19,21 +19,22 @@ func AddrAdd(link *Link, addr *Addr) error {
 
 // AddrDel will delete an IP address from a link device.
 // Equivalent to: `ip addr del $addr dev $link`
-func AddrDel(link *Link, addr *Addr) error {
+func AddrDel(link Link, addr *Addr) error {
 	req := nl.NewNetlinkRequest(syscall.RTM_DELADDR, syscall.NLM_F_ACK)
 	return addrHandle(link, addr, req)
 }
 
-func addrHandle(link *Link, addr *Addr, req *nl.NetlinkRequest) error {
-	if addr.Label != "" && !strings.HasPrefix(addr.Label, link.Name) {
+func addrHandle(link Link, addr *Addr, req *nl.NetlinkRequest) error {
+	base := link.Attrs()
+	if addr.Label != "" && !strings.HasPrefix(addr.Label, base.Name) {
 		return fmt.Errorf("label must begin with interface name")
 	}
-	ensureIndex(link)
+	ensureIndex(base)
 
 	family := nl.GetIPFamily(addr.IP)
 
 	msg := nl.NewIfAddrmsg(family)
-	msg.Index = uint32(link.Index)
+	msg.Index = uint32(base.Index)
 	prefixlen, _ := addr.Mask.Size()
 	msg.Prefixlen = uint8(prefixlen)
 	req.AddData(msg)
@@ -63,7 +64,7 @@ func addrHandle(link *Link, addr *Addr, req *nl.NetlinkRequest) error {
 // AddrList gets a list of IP addresses in the system.
 // Equivalent to: `ip addr show`.
 // The list can be filtered by link and ip family.
-func AddrList(link *Link, family int) ([]Addr, error) {
+func AddrList(link Link, family int) ([]Addr, error) {
 	req := nl.NewNetlinkRequest(syscall.RTM_GETADDR, syscall.NLM_F_DUMP)
 	msg := nl.NewIfInfomsg(family)
 	req.AddData(msg)
@@ -73,13 +74,18 @@ func AddrList(link *Link, family int) ([]Addr, error) {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	ensureIndex(link)
+	index := 0
+	if link != nil {
+		base := link.Attrs()
+		ensureIndex(base)
+		index = base.Index
+	}
 
 	res := make([]Addr, 0)
 	for _, m := range msgs {
 		msg := nl.DeserializeIfAddrmsg(m)
 
-		if link != nil && msg.Index != uint32(link.Index) {
+		if link != nil && msg.Index != uint32(index) {
 			// Ignore messages from other interfaces
 			continue
 		}
diff --git a/link.go b/link.go
index e13fa8e..dceba80 100644
--- a/link.go
+++ b/link.go
@@ -4,21 +4,119 @@ import (
 	"net"
 )
 
-// Link represents a link device from netlink. The Type is a string
-// representing the type of device. Currently supported types include:
-// "dummy", "bridge", "vlan", "macvlan", and "veth". Some of the
-// members of Link only apply to some types of link devices.
-type Link struct {
-	Type         string
+// Link represents a link device from netlink. Shared link attributes
+// like name may be retrieved using the Attrs() method. Unique data
+// can be retrieved by casting the object to the proper type.
+type Link interface {
+	Attrs() *LinkAttrs
+	Type() string
+}
+
+// LinkAttrs represents data shared by most link types
+type LinkAttrs struct {
 	Index        int
 	MTU          int
 	Name         string
 	HardwareAddr net.HardwareAddr
 	Flags        net.Flags
-	Parent       *Link  // vlan and macvlan
-	Master       *Link  // bridge only
-	VlanId       int    // vlan only
-	PeerName     string // veth on create only
+	ParentIndex  int // index of the parent link device
+	MasterIndex  int // must be the index of a bridge
+}
+
+// Device links cannot be created via netlink. These links
+// are links created by udev like 'lo' and 'etho0'
+type Device struct {
+	LinkAttrs
+}
+
+func (device *Device) Attrs() *LinkAttrs {
+	return &device.LinkAttrs
+}
+
+func (device *Device) Type() string {
+	return "device"
+}
+
+// Dummy links are dummy ethernet devices
+type Dummy struct {
+	LinkAttrs
+}
+
+func (dummy *Dummy) Attrs() *LinkAttrs {
+	return &dummy.LinkAttrs
+}
+
+func (dummy *Dummy) Type() string {
+	return "dummy"
+}
+
+// Bridge links are simple linux bridges
+type Bridge struct {
+	LinkAttrs
+}
+
+func (bridge *Bridge) Attrs() *LinkAttrs {
+	return &bridge.LinkAttrs
+}
+
+func (bridge *Bridge) Type() string {
+	return "bridge"
+}
+
+// Vlan links have ParentIndex set in their Attrs()
+type Vlan struct {
+	LinkAttrs
+	VlanId int
+}
+
+func (vlan *Vlan) Attrs() *LinkAttrs {
+	return &vlan.LinkAttrs
+}
+
+func (vlan *Vlan) Type() string {
+	return "vlan"
+}
+
+// Macvlan links have ParentIndex set in their Attrs()
+type Macvlan struct {
+	LinkAttrs
+}
+
+func (macvlan *Macvlan) Attrs() *LinkAttrs {
+	return &macvlan.LinkAttrs
+}
+
+func (macvlan *Macvlan) Type() string {
+	return "macvlan"
+}
+
+// Veth devices must specify PeerName on create
+type Veth struct {
+	LinkAttrs
+	PeerName string // veth on create only
+}
+
+func (veth *Veth) Attrs() *LinkAttrs {
+	return &veth.LinkAttrs
+}
+
+func (veth *Veth) Type() string {
+	return "veth"
+}
+
+// Generic links represent types that are not currently understood
+// by this netlink library.
+type Generic struct {
+	LinkAttrs
+	LinkType string
+}
+
+func (generic *Generic) Attrs() *LinkAttrs {
+	return &generic.LinkAttrs
+}
+
+func (generic *Generic) Type() string {
+	return generic.LinkType
 }
 
 // iproute2 supported devices;
diff --git a/link_linux.go b/link_linux.go
index 30859b6..c09e150 100644
--- a/link_linux.go
+++ b/link_linux.go
@@ -9,25 +9,26 @@ import (
 	"github.com/vishvananda/netlink/nl"
 )
 
-func ensureIndex(link *Link) {
+func ensureIndex(link *LinkAttrs) {
 	if link != nil && link.Index == 0 {
 		newlink, _ := LinkByName(link.Name)
 		if newlink != nil {
-			link.Index = newlink.Index
+			link.Index = newlink.Attrs().Index
 		}
 	}
 }
 
 // LinkSetUp enables the link device.
 // Equivalent to: `ip link set $link up`
-func LinkSetUp(link *Link) error {
-	ensureIndex(link)
+func LinkSetUp(link Link) error {
+	base := link.Attrs()
+	ensureIndex(base)
 	req := nl.NewNetlinkRequest(syscall.RTM_NEWLINK, syscall.NLM_F_ACK)
 
 	msg := nl.NewIfInfomsg(syscall.AF_UNSPEC)
 	msg.Change = syscall.IFF_UP
 	msg.Flags = syscall.IFF_UP
-	msg.Index = int32(link.Index)
+	msg.Index = int32(base.Index)
 	req.AddData(msg)
 
 	_, err := req.Execute(syscall.NETLINK_ROUTE, 0)
@@ -36,14 +37,15 @@ func LinkSetUp(link *Link) error {
 
 // LinkSetUp disables link device.
 // Equivalent to: `ip link set $link down`
-func LinkSetDown(link *Link) error {
-	ensureIndex(link)
+func LinkSetDown(link Link) error {
+	base := link.Attrs()
+	ensureIndex(base)
 	req := nl.NewNetlinkRequest(syscall.RTM_NEWLINK, syscall.NLM_F_ACK)
 
 	msg := nl.NewIfInfomsg(syscall.AF_UNSPEC)
 	msg.Change = syscall.IFF_UP
 	msg.Flags = 0 & ^syscall.IFF_UP
-	msg.Index = int32(link.Index)
+	msg.Index = int32(base.Index)
 	req.AddData(msg)
 
 	_, err := req.Execute(syscall.NETLINK_ROUTE, 0)
@@ -52,14 +54,15 @@ func LinkSetDown(link *Link) error {
 
 // LinkSetMTU sets the mtu of the link device.
 // Equivalent to: `ip link set $link mtu $mtu`
-func LinkSetMTU(link *Link, mtu int) error {
-	ensureIndex(link)
+func LinkSetMTU(link Link, mtu int) error {
+	base := link.Attrs()
+	ensureIndex(base)
 	req := nl.NewNetlinkRequest(syscall.RTM_SETLINK, syscall.NLM_F_ACK)
 
 	msg := nl.NewIfInfomsg(syscall.AF_UNSPEC)
 	msg.Type = syscall.RTM_SETLINK
 	msg.Flags = syscall.NLM_F_REQUEST
-	msg.Index = int32(link.Index)
+	msg.Index = int32(base.Index)
 	msg.Change = nl.DEFAULT_CHANGE
 	req.AddData(msg)
 
@@ -76,32 +79,38 @@ func LinkSetMTU(link *Link, mtu int) error {
 	return err
 }
 
-// LinkSetMTU sets the master of the link device. This only works
-// for bridges.
+// LinkSetMaster sets the master of the link device.
 // Equivalent to: `ip link set $link master $master`
-func LinkSetMaster(link *Link, master *Link) error {
-	ensureIndex(link)
-	ensureIndex(master)
+func LinkSetMaster(link Link, master *Bridge) error {
+	index := 0
+	if master != nil {
+		masterBase := master.Attrs()
+		ensureIndex(masterBase)
+		index = masterBase.Index
+	}
+	return LinkSetMasterByIndex(link, index)
+}
+
+// LinkSetMasterByIndex sets the master of the link device.
+// Equivalent to: `ip link set $link master $master`
+func LinkSetMasterByIndex(link Link, masterIndex int) error {
+	base := link.Attrs()
+	ensureIndex(base)
 	req := nl.NewNetlinkRequest(syscall.RTM_SETLINK, syscall.NLM_F_ACK)
 
 	msg := nl.NewIfInfomsg(syscall.AF_UNSPEC)
 	msg.Type = syscall.RTM_SETLINK
 	msg.Flags = syscall.NLM_F_REQUEST
-	msg.Index = int32(link.Index)
+	msg.Index = int32(base.Index)
 	msg.Change = nl.DEFAULT_CHANGE
 	req.AddData(msg)
 
 	var (
 		b      = make([]byte, 4)
 		native = nl.NativeEndian()
-		index  = 0
 	)
 
-	if master != nil {
-		index = master.Index
-	}
-
-	native.PutUint32(b, uint32(index))
+	native.PutUint32(b, uint32(masterIndex))
 
 	data := nl.NewRtAttr(syscall.IFLA_MASTER, b)
 	req.AddData(data)
@@ -113,13 +122,15 @@ func LinkSetMaster(link *Link, master *Link) error {
 // LinkSetNsPid puts the device into a new network namespace. The
 // pid must be a pid of a running process.
 // Equivalent to: `ip link set $link netns $pid`
-func LinkSetNsPid(link *Link, nspid int) error {
+func LinkSetNsPid(link Link, nspid int) error {
+	base := link.Attrs()
+	ensureIndex(base)
 	req := nl.NewNetlinkRequest(syscall.RTM_SETLINK, syscall.NLM_F_ACK)
 
 	msg := nl.NewIfInfomsg(syscall.AF_UNSPEC)
 	msg.Type = syscall.RTM_SETLINK
 	msg.Flags = syscall.NLM_F_REQUEST
-	msg.Index = int32(link.Index)
+	msg.Index = int32(base.Index)
 	msg.Change = nl.DEFAULT_CHANGE
 	req.AddData(msg)
 
@@ -139,13 +150,15 @@ func LinkSetNsPid(link *Link, nspid int) error {
 // LinkSetNsPid puts the device into a new network namespace. The
 // fd must be an open file descriptor to a network namespace.
 // Similar to: `ip link set $link netns $ns`
-func LinkSetNsFd(link *Link, fd int) error {
+func LinkSetNsFd(link Link, fd int) error {
+	base := link.Attrs()
+	ensureIndex(base)
 	req := nl.NewNetlinkRequest(syscall.RTM_SETLINK, syscall.NLM_F_ACK)
 
 	msg := nl.NewIfInfomsg(syscall.AF_UNSPEC)
 	msg.Type = syscall.RTM_SETLINK
 	msg.Flags = syscall.NLM_F_REQUEST
-	msg.Index = int32(link.Index)
+	msg.Index = int32(base.Index)
 	msg.Change = nl.DEFAULT_CHANGE
 	req.AddData(msg)
 
@@ -165,12 +178,13 @@ func LinkSetNsFd(link *Link, fd int) error {
 // LinkAdd adds a new link device. The type and features of the device
 // are taken fromt the parameters in the link object.
 // Equivalent to: `ip link add $link`
-func LinkAdd(link *Link) error {
+func LinkAdd(link Link) error {
 	// TODO: set mtu and hardware address
 	// TODO: support extra data for macvlan
+	base := link.Attrs()
 
-	if link.Type == "" || link.Name == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Neither link.Name nor link.Type can be empty!")
+	if base.Name == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("LinkAttrs.Name cannot be empty!")
 	}
 
 	req := nl.NewNetlinkRequest(syscall.RTM_NEWLINK, syscall.NLM_F_CREATE|syscall.NLM_F_EXCL|syscall.NLM_F_ACK)
@@ -180,30 +194,29 @@ func LinkAdd(link *Link) error {
 
 	native := nl.NativeEndian()
 
-	if link.Parent != nil {
-		ensureIndex(link.Parent)
+	if base.ParentIndex != 0 {
 		b := make([]byte, 4)
-		native.PutUint32(b, uint32(link.Parent.Index))
+		native.PutUint32(b, uint32(base.ParentIndex))
 		data := nl.NewRtAttr(syscall.IFLA_LINK, b)
 		req.AddData(data)
 	}
 
-	nameData := nl.NewRtAttr(syscall.IFLA_IFNAME, nl.ZeroTerminated(link.Name))
+	nameData := nl.NewRtAttr(syscall.IFLA_IFNAME, nl.ZeroTerminated(base.Name))
 	req.AddData(nameData)
 
 	linkInfo := nl.NewRtAttr(syscall.IFLA_LINKINFO, nil)
-	nl.NewRtAttrChild(linkInfo, nl.IFLA_INFO_KIND, nl.NonZeroTerminated(link.Type))
+	nl.NewRtAttrChild(linkInfo, nl.IFLA_INFO_KIND, nl.NonZeroTerminated(link.Type()))
 
-	if link.Type == "vlan" {
+	if vlan, ok := link.(*Vlan); ok {
 		b := make([]byte, 2)
-		native.PutUint16(b, uint16(link.VlanId))
+		native.PutUint16(b, uint16(vlan.VlanId))
 		data := nl.NewRtAttrChild(linkInfo, nl.IFLA_INFO_DATA, nil)
 		nl.NewRtAttrChild(data, nl.IFLA_VLAN_ID, b)
-	} else if link.Type == "veth" {
+	} else if veth, ok := link.(*Veth); ok {
 		data := nl.NewRtAttrChild(linkInfo, nl.IFLA_INFO_DATA, nil)
 		peer := nl.NewRtAttrChild(data, nl.VETH_INFO_PEER, nil)
 		nl.NewIfInfomsgChild(peer, syscall.AF_UNSPEC)
-		nl.NewRtAttrChild(peer, syscall.IFLA_IFNAME, nl.ZeroTerminated(link.PeerName))
+		nl.NewRtAttrChild(peer, syscall.IFLA_IFNAME, nl.ZeroTerminated(veth.PeerName))
 	}
 
 	req.AddData(linkInfo)
@@ -213,9 +226,12 @@ func LinkAdd(link *Link) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	ensureIndex(base)
+
 	// can't set master during create, so set it afterwards
-	if link.Master != nil {
-		return LinkSetMaster(link, link.Master)
+	if base.MasterIndex != 0 {
+		// TODO: verify MasterIndex is actually a bridge?
+		return LinkSetMasterByIndex(link, base.MasterIndex)
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -223,13 +239,15 @@ func LinkAdd(link *Link) error {
 // LinkAdd adds a new link device. Either Index or Name must be set in
 // the link object for it to be deleted. The other values are ignored.
 // Equivalent to: `ip link del $link`
-func LinkDel(link *Link) error {
-	ensureIndex(link)
+func LinkDel(link Link) error {
+	base := link.Attrs()
+
+	ensureIndex(base)
 
 	req := nl.NewNetlinkRequest(syscall.RTM_DELLINK, syscall.NLM_F_ACK)
 
 	msg := nl.NewIfInfomsg(syscall.AF_UNSPEC)
-	msg.Index = int32(link.Index)
+	msg.Index = int32(base.Index)
 	req.AddData(msg)
 
 	_, err := req.Execute(syscall.NETLINK_ROUTE, 0)
@@ -237,28 +255,30 @@ func LinkDel(link *Link) error {
 }
 
 // LikByName finds a link by name and returns a pointer to the object.
-func LinkByName(name string) (*Link, error) {
+func LinkByName(name string) (Link, error) {
 	links, err := LinkList()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	for _, link := range links {
-		if link.Name == name {
-			return &link, nil
+		base := link.Attrs()
+		if base.Name == name {
+			return link, nil
 		}
 	}
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("Link %s not found", name)
 }
 
 // LikByName finds a link by index and returns a pointer to the object.
-func LinkByIndex(index int) (*Link, error) {
+func LinkByIndex(index int) (Link, error) {
 	links, err := LinkList()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	for _, link := range links {
-		if link.Index == index {
-			return &link, nil
+		base := link.Attrs()
+		if base.Index == index {
+			return link, nil
 		}
 	}
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("Link with index %d not found", index)
@@ -290,7 +310,9 @@ func LinkList() ([]Link, error) {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 
-		link := Link{Index: int(msg.Index), Flags: linkFlags(msg.Flags)}
+		base := LinkAttrs{Index: int(msg.Index), Flags: linkFlags(msg.Flags)}
+		var link Link
+		linkType := ""
 		for _, attr := range attrs {
 			switch attr.Attr.Type {
 			case syscall.IFLA_LINKINFO:
@@ -301,15 +323,27 @@ func LinkList() ([]Link, error) {
 				for _, info := range infos {
 					switch info.Attr.Type {
 					case nl.IFLA_INFO_KIND:
-						link.Type = string(info.Value[:len(info.Value)-1])
+						linkType = string(info.Value[:len(info.Value)-1])
+						switch linkType {
+						case "dummy":
+							link = &Dummy{}
+						case "bridge":
+							link = &Bridge{}
+						case "vlan":
+							link = &Vlan{}
+						case "veth":
+							link = &Veth{}
+						default:
+							link = &Generic{LinkType: linkType}
+						}
 					case nl.IFLA_INFO_DATA:
 						data, err := nl.ParseRouteAttr(info.Value)
 						if err != nil {
 							return nil, err
 						}
-						switch link.Type {
+						switch linkType {
 						case "vlan":
-							parseVlanData(&link, data, native)
+							parseVlanData(link, data, native)
 						}
 					}
 				}
@@ -321,29 +355,35 @@ func LinkList() ([]Link, error) {
 					}
 				}
 				if nonzero {
-					link.HardwareAddr = attr.Value[:]
+					base.HardwareAddr = attr.Value[:]
 				}
 			case syscall.IFLA_IFNAME:
-				link.Name = string(attr.Value[:len(attr.Value)-1])
+				base.Name = string(attr.Value[:len(attr.Value)-1])
 			case syscall.IFLA_MTU:
-				link.MTU = int(native.Uint32(attr.Value[0:4]))
+				base.MTU = int(native.Uint32(attr.Value[0:4]))
 			case syscall.IFLA_LINK:
-				link.Parent = &Link{Index: int(native.Uint32(attr.Value[0:4]))}
+				base.ParentIndex = int(native.Uint32(attr.Value[0:4]))
 			case syscall.IFLA_MASTER:
-				link.Master = &Link{Index: int(native.Uint32(attr.Value[0:4]))}
+				base.MasterIndex = int(native.Uint32(attr.Value[0:4]))
 			}
 		}
+		// Links that don't have IFLA_INFO_KIND are hardware devices
+		if link == nil {
+			link = &Device{}
+		}
+		*link.Attrs() = base
 		res = append(res, link)
 	}
 
 	return res, nil
 }
 
-func parseVlanData(link *Link, data []syscall.NetlinkRouteAttr, native binary.ByteOrder) {
+func parseVlanData(link Link, data []syscall.NetlinkRouteAttr, native binary.ByteOrder) {
+	vlan, _ := link.(*Vlan)
 	for _, datum := range data {
 		switch datum.Attr.Type {
 		case nl.IFLA_VLAN_ID:
-			link.VlanId = int(native.Uint16(datum.Value[0:2]))
+			vlan.VlanId = int(native.Uint16(datum.Value[0:2]))
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/link_test.go b/link_test.go
index 837ab16..28ad9f8 100644
--- a/link_test.go
+++ b/link_test.go
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 )
 
-func testLinkAddDel(t *testing.T, link *Link) {
+func testLinkAddDel(t *testing.T, link Link) {
 	links, err := LinkList()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
@@ -16,34 +16,44 @@ func testLinkAddDel(t *testing.T, link *Link) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	l, err := LinkByName(link.Name)
+	base := link.Attrs()
 
+	result, err := LinkByName(base.Name)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	if l.Type != link.Type {
-		t.Fatal("Link.Type doesn't match")
-	}
+	rBase := result.Attrs()
 
-	if l.VlanId != link.VlanId {
-		t.Fatal("Link.VlanId id doesn't match")
-	}
-
-	if l.Parent == nil && link.Parent != nil {
-		t.Fatal("Created link doesn't have a Parent but it should")
-	} else if l.Parent != nil && link.Parent == nil {
-		t.Fatal("Created link has a Parent but it shouldn't")
-	} else if l.Parent != nil && link.Parent != nil {
-		if l.Parent.Index != link.Parent.Index {
-			t.Fatal("Link.Parent.Index doesn't match")
+	if vlan, ok := link.(*Vlan); ok {
+		other, ok := result.(*Vlan)
+		if !ok {
+			t.Fatal("Result of create is not a vlan")
+		}
+		if vlan.VlanId != other.VlanId {
+			t.Fatal("Link.VlanId id doesn't match")
 		}
 	}
 
-	if link.PeerName != "" {
-		_, err := LinkByName(link.PeerName)
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Fatal("Peer %s not created", link.PeerName)
+	if rBase.ParentIndex == 0 && base.ParentIndex != 0 {
+		t.Fatal("Created link doesn't have a Parent but it should")
+	} else if rBase.ParentIndex != 0 && base.ParentIndex == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("Created link has a Parent but it shouldn't")
+	} else if rBase.ParentIndex != 0 && base.ParentIndex != 0 {
+		if rBase.ParentIndex != base.ParentIndex {
+			t.Fatal("Link.ParentIndex doesn't match")
+		}
+	}
+
+	if veth, ok := link.(*Veth); ok {
+		if veth.PeerName != "" {
+			other, err := LinkByName(veth.PeerName)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal("Peer %s not created", veth.PeerName)
+			}
+			if _, ok = other.(*Veth); !ok {
+				t.Fatal("Peer %s is incorrect type", veth.PeerName)
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -65,25 +75,26 @@ func TestLinkAddDelDummy(t *testing.T) {
 	tearDown := setUpNetlinkTest(t)
 	defer tearDown()
 
-	testLinkAddDel(t, &Link{Name: "foo", Type: "dummy"})
+	testLinkAddDel(t, &Dummy{LinkAttrs{Name: "foo"}})
 }
 
 func TestLinkAddDelBridge(t *testing.T) {
 	tearDown := setUpNetlinkTest(t)
 	defer tearDown()
 
-	testLinkAddDel(t, &Link{Name: "foo", Type: "bridge"})
+	testLinkAddDel(t, &Bridge{LinkAttrs{Name: "foo"}})
 }
 
 func TestLinkAddDelVlan(t *testing.T) {
 	tearDown := setUpNetlinkTest(t)
 	defer tearDown()
 
-	parent := &Link{Name: "foo", Type: "dummy"}
+	parent := &Dummy{LinkAttrs{Name: "foo"}}
 	if err := LinkAdd(parent); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	testLinkAddDel(t, &Link{Name: "bar", Type: "vlan", Parent: parent, VlanId: 900})
+
+	testLinkAddDel(t, &Vlan{LinkAttrs{Name: "bar", ParentIndex: parent.Attrs().Index}, 900})
 
 	if err := LinkDel(parent); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
@@ -94,11 +105,12 @@ func TestLinkAddDelMacvlan(t *testing.T) {
 	tearDown := setUpNetlinkTest(t)
 	defer tearDown()
 
-	parent := &Link{Name: "foo", Type: "dummy"}
+	parent := &Dummy{LinkAttrs{Name: "foo"}}
 	if err := LinkAdd(parent); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	testLinkAddDel(t, &Link{Name: "bar", Type: "macvlan", Parent: parent})
+
+	testLinkAddDel(t, &Macvlan{LinkAttrs{Name: "bar", ParentIndex: parent.Attrs().Index}})
 
 	if err := LinkDel(parent); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
@@ -109,18 +121,18 @@ func TestLinkAddDelVeth(t *testing.T) {
 	tearDown := setUpNetlinkTest(t)
 	defer tearDown()
 
-	testLinkAddDel(t, &Link{Name: "foo", Type: "veth", PeerName: "bar"})
+	testLinkAddDel(t, &Veth{LinkAttrs{Name: "foo"}, "bar"})
 }
 
 func TestLinkAddDelBridgeMaster(t *testing.T) {
 	tearDown := setUpNetlinkTest(t)
 	defer tearDown()
 
-	master := &Link{Name: "foo", Type: "bridge"}
+	master := &Bridge{LinkAttrs{Name: "foo"}}
 	if err := LinkAdd(master); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	testLinkAddDel(t, &Link{Name: "bar", Type: "dummy", Master: master})
+	testLinkAddDel(t, &Dummy{LinkAttrs{Name: "bar", MasterIndex: master.Attrs().Index}})
 
 	if err := LinkDel(master); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
@@ -131,17 +143,17 @@ func TestLinkSetUnsetResetMaster(t *testing.T) {
 	tearDown := setUpNetlinkTest(t)
 	defer tearDown()
 
-	master := &Link{Name: "foo", Type: "bridge"}
+	master := &Bridge{LinkAttrs{Name: "foo"}}
 	if err := LinkAdd(master); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	newmaster := &Link{Name: "bar", Type: "bridge"}
+	newmaster := &Bridge{LinkAttrs{Name: "bar"}}
 	if err := LinkAdd(newmaster); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	slave := &Link{Name: "baz", Type: "dummy"}
+	slave := &Dummy{LinkAttrs{Name: "baz"}}
 	if err := LinkAdd(slave); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -155,7 +167,7 @@ func TestLinkSetUnsetResetMaster(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	if link.Master == nil || link.Master.Index != master.Index {
+	if link.Attrs().MasterIndex != master.Attrs().Index {
 		t.Fatal("Master not set properly")
 	}
 
@@ -168,7 +180,7 @@ func TestLinkSetUnsetResetMaster(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	if link.Master == nil || link.Master.Index != newmaster.Index {
+	if link.Attrs().MasterIndex != newmaster.Attrs().Index {
 		t.Fatal("Master not reset properly")
 	}
 
@@ -181,7 +193,7 @@ func TestLinkSetUnsetResetMaster(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	if link.Master != nil {
+	if link.Attrs().MasterIndex != 0 {
 		t.Fatal("Master not unset properly")
 	}
 	if err := LinkDel(slave); err != nil {
@@ -213,7 +225,7 @@ func TestLinkSetNs(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	defer newns.Close()
 
-	link := &Link{Name: "foo", Type: "veth", PeerName: "bar"}
+	link := &Veth{LinkAttrs{Name: "foo"}, "bar"}
 	if err := LinkAdd(link); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
diff --git a/route.go b/route.go
index 4d40ed6..57bf0e9 100644
--- a/route.go
+++ b/route.go
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ const (
 // gateway. Advanced route parameters and non-main routing tables are
 // currently not supported.
 type Route struct {
-	Link  *Link
+	Link  Link
 	Scope Scope
 	Dst   *net.IPNet
 	Src   net.IP
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ type Route struct {
 }
 
 func (r Route) String() string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("{%s Dst: %s Src: %s Gw: %s}", r.Link.Name, r.Dst.String(),
+	base := r.Link.Attrs()
+	return fmt.Sprintf("{%s Dst: %s Src: %s Gw: %s}", base.Name, r.Dst.String(),
 		r.Src, r.Gw)
 }
diff --git a/route_linux.go b/route_linux.go
index 5af6dd6..b499d60 100644
--- a/route_linux.go
+++ b/route_linux.go
@@ -90,7 +90,8 @@ func routeHandle(route *Route, req *nl.NetlinkRequest) error {
 		b      = make([]byte, 4)
 		native = nl.NativeEndian()
 	)
-	native.PutUint32(b, uint32(route.Link.Index))
+	base := route.Link.Attrs()
+	native.PutUint32(b, uint32(base.Index))
 
 	req.AddData(nl.NewRtAttr(syscall.RTA_OIF, b))
 
@@ -101,7 +102,7 @@ func routeHandle(route *Route, req *nl.NetlinkRequest) error {
 // RouteList gets a list of routes in the system.
 // Equivalent to: `ip route show`.
 // The list can be filtered by link and ip family.
-func RouteList(link *Link, family int) ([]Route, error) {
+func RouteList(link Link, family int) ([]Route, error) {
 	req := nl.NewNetlinkRequest(syscall.RTM_GETROUTE, syscall.NLM_F_DUMP)
 	msg := nl.NewIfInfomsg(family)
 	req.AddData(msg)
@@ -111,6 +112,13 @@ func RouteList(link *Link, family int) ([]Route, error) {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	index := 0
+	if link != nil {
+		base := link.Attrs()
+		ensureIndex(base)
+		index = base.Index
+	}
+
 	native := nl.NativeEndian()
 	res := make([]Route, 0)
 	for _, m := range msgs {
@@ -144,12 +152,12 @@ func RouteList(link *Link, family int) ([]Route, error) {
 					Mask: net.CIDRMask(int(msg.Dst_len), 8*len(attr.Value)),
 				}
 			case syscall.RTA_OIF:
-				index := int(native.Uint32(attr.Value[0:4]))
-				if link != nil && index != link.Index {
+				routeIndex := int(native.Uint32(attr.Value[0:4]))
+				if link != nil && routeIndex != index {
 					// Ignore routes from other interfaces
 					continue
 				}
-				resLink, _ := LinkByIndex(index)
+				resLink, _ := LinkByIndex(routeIndex)
 				route.Link = resLink
 			}
 		}