storing, in a configuration database by a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) controller, a virtual port group object for a virtual port group, the virtual port group identified by a virtual port group name of the virtual port group object, the virtual port group object comprising one or more references to interface objects representing logical interfaces and physical interfaces in a network controlled in part by the SDN controller;

receiving, by the SDN controller for the network, an indication of an interface action and an interface identifier that identifies the virtual port group by the virtual port group name, the interface action to be performed on the virtual port group;

determining, by at least one virtual port group support function of the SDN controller, a plurality of logical and physical interfaces affected by the interface action, the plurality of logical and physical interfaces having interface objects referenced by the virtual port group object for the virtual port group;

converting, by the at least one virtual port group support function of the SDN controller, the interface action to a corresponding one or more interface-specific interface actions for each interface of the plurality of logical and physical interfaces that are affected by the interface action; and

applying the corresponding one or more interface-specific interface actions to each interface of the plurality of logical and physical interfaces that are affected by the interface action.