# Managing data source state in the Discovery Framework

The Discovery Framework provides an extension point that allows you to define your own interaction model by creating a custom MDEX State Manager. In addition, in the Discovery Framework Power User's Guide, the section "About data source configuration," describes the default interaction model between related data sources.

- State Manager class summary
  This topic summarizes the State Manager class.
- Creating a new MDEX State Manager
  This topic describes the steps required to create an MDEX State Manager.
- Implementing an MDEX State Manager
  Your State Manager must implement the two methods described in this topic.
- Using the MDEX State Manager
  In order to use your MDEX State Manager, you must specify a new class for the Discovery Framework to pick up and use in place of the default State Manager implementation.