diff --git a/artiq/coredevice/comm_tcp.py b/artiq/coredevice/comm_tcp.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d2c9367e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/artiq/coredevice/comm_tcp.py
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+import logging
+import socket
+
+from artiq.coredevice.comm_generic import CommGeneric
+from artiq.language.db import *
+
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class Comm(CommGeneric, AutoDB):
+    class DBKeys:
+        host = Argument()
+        port = Argument(1381)
+
+    def open(self):
+        if hasattr(self, "socket"):
+            return
+        self.socket = socket.create_connection((self.host, self.port))
+        logger.debug("connected to host %s on port %d", self.host, self.port)
+
+    def close(self):
+        if not hasattr(self, "socket"):
+            return
+        self.socket.close()
+        del self.socket
+        logger.debug("disconnected")
+
+    def read(self, length):
+        r = bytes()
+        while len(r) < length:
+            r += self.socket.recv(min(8192, length - len(r)))
+        return r
+
+    def write(self, data):
+        self.socket.sendall(data)