diff --git a/cmd/epp/runner/runner.go b/cmd/epp/runner/runner.go
index 699585ede..ad0760886 100644
--- a/cmd/epp/runner/runner.go
+++ b/cmd/epp/runner/runner.go
@@ -473,9 +473,22 @@ func (r *Runner) parseConfigurationPhaseOne(ctx context.Context) (*configapi.End
 	return rawConfig, nil
 }
 
+// Return a function that can be used in the EPP Handle to list pod names.
+func makePodListFunc(ds datastore.Datastore) func() []types.NamespacedName {
+	return func() []types.NamespacedName {
+		pods := ds.PodList(func(_ backendmetrics.PodMetrics) bool { return true })
+		names := make([]types.NamespacedName, 0, len(pods))
+
+		for _, p := range pods {
+			names = append(names, p.GetPod().NamespacedName)
+		}
+		return names
+	}
+}
+
 func (r *Runner) parseConfigurationPhaseTwo(ctx context.Context, rawConfig *configapi.EndpointPickerConfig, ds datastore.Datastore) (*config.Config, error) {
 	logger := log.FromContext(ctx)
-	handle := plugins.NewEppHandle(ctx, ds.PodList)
+	handle := plugins.NewEppHandle(ctx, makePodListFunc(ds))
 	cfg, err := loader.LoadConfigPhaseTwo(rawConfig, handle, logger)
 
 	if err != nil {
@@ -604,8 +617,7 @@ func setupDatalayer(logger logr.Logger) (datalayer.EndpointFactory, error) {
 	// create and register a metrics data source and extractor.
 	source := dlmetrics.NewDataSource(*modelServerMetricsScheme,
 		*modelServerMetricsPath,
-		*modelServerMetricsHttpsInsecureSkipVerify,
-		nil)
+		*modelServerMetricsHttpsInsecureSkipVerify)
 	extractor, err := dlmetrics.NewExtractor(*totalQueuedRequestsMetric,
 		*totalRunningRequestsMetric,
 		*kvCacheUsagePercentageMetric,
@@ -624,7 +636,7 @@ func setupDatalayer(logger logr.Logger) (datalayer.EndpointFactory, error) {
 	// TODO: this could be moved to the configuration loading functions once ported over.
 	sources := datalayer.GetSources()
 	for _, src := range sources {
-		logger.Info("data layer configuration", "source", src.Name(), "extractors", src.Extractors())
+		logger.Info("data layer configuration", "source", src.TypedName().String(), "extractors", src.Extractors())
 	}
 	factory := datalayer.NewEndpointFactory(sources, *refreshMetricsInterval)
 	return factory, nil
diff --git a/pkg/epp/datalayer/collector_test.go b/pkg/epp/datalayer/collector_test.go
index f0655a7c7..22408fcdf 100644
--- a/pkg/epp/datalayer/collector_test.go
+++ b/pkg/epp/datalayer/collector_test.go
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/types"
 
 	"sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/datalayer/mocks"
+	"sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/plugins"
 )
 
 // --- Test Stubs ---
@@ -35,7 +36,16 @@ type DummySource struct {
 	callCount int64
 }
 
-func (d *DummySource) Name() string                   { return "test-dummy-data-source" }
+const (
+	dummySource = "test-dummy-data-source"
+)
+
+func (d *DummySource) TypedName() plugins.TypedName {
+	return plugins.TypedName{
+		Type: dummySource,
+		Name: dummySource,
+	}
+}
 func (d *DummySource) Extractors() []string           { return []string{} }
 func (d *DummySource) AddExtractor(_ Extractor) error { return nil }
 func (d *DummySource) Collect(ctx context.Context, ep Endpoint) error {
diff --git a/pkg/epp/datalayer/config.go b/pkg/epp/datalayer/config.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ed4e91a03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/epp/datalayer/config.go
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2025 The Kubernetes Authors.
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package datalayer
+
+// Config defines the configuration of EPP data layer, as the set of DataSources and
+// Extractors defined on them.
+type Config struct {
+	Sources []DataSourceConfig // the data sources configured in the data layer
+}
+
+// DataSourceConfig defines the configuration of a specific DataSource
+type DataSourceConfig struct {
+	Plugin     DataSource  // the data source plugin instance
+	Extractors []Extractor // extractors defined for the data source
+}
diff --git a/pkg/epp/datalayer/datasource.go b/pkg/epp/datalayer/datasource.go
index 40fd365b9..5e0f35878 100644
--- a/pkg/epp/datalayer/datasource.go
+++ b/pkg/epp/datalayer/datasource.go
@@ -22,12 +22,13 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"reflect"
 	"sync"
+
+	"sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/plugins"
 )
 
 // DataSource provides raw data to registered Extractors.
 type DataSource interface {
-	// Name of this data source.
-	Name() string
+	plugins.Plugin
 	// Extractors returns a list of registered Extractor names.
 	Extractors() []string
 	// AddExtractor adds an extractor to the data source. Multiple
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ type DataSource interface {
 
 // Extractor transforms raw data into structured attributes.
 type Extractor interface {
-	Name() string
+	plugins.Plugin
 	// ExpectedType defines the type expected by the extractor.
 	ExpectedInputType() reflect.Type
 	// Extract transforms the raw data source output into a concrete structured
@@ -65,22 +66,12 @@ func (dsr *DataSourceRegistry) Register(src DataSource) error {
 	if src == nil {
 		return errors.New("unable to register a nil data source")
 	}
-	if _, loaded := dsr.sources.LoadOrStore(src.Name(), src); loaded {
-		return fmt.Errorf("unable to register duplicate data source: %s", src.Name())
+	if _, loaded := dsr.sources.LoadOrStore(src.TypedName().Name, src); loaded {
+		return fmt.Errorf("unable to register duplicate data source: %s", src.TypedName().String())
 	}
 	return nil
 }
 
-// GetNamedSource fetches a source by name.
-func (dsr *DataSourceRegistry) GetNamedSource(name string) (DataSource, bool) {
-	if val, ok := dsr.sources.Load(name); ok {
-		if ds, ok := val.(DataSource); ok {
-			return ds, true
-		}
-	}
-	return nil, false
-}
-
 // GetSources returns all registered sources.
 func (dsr *DataSourceRegistry) GetSources() []DataSource {
 	var result []DataSource
@@ -100,21 +91,6 @@ func RegisterSource(src DataSource) error {
 	return defaultDataSources.Register(src)
 }
 
-// GetNamedSource returns a typed data source from the default registry.
-func GetNamedSource[T DataSource](name string) (T, bool) {
-	v, ok := defaultDataSources.GetNamedSource(name)
-	if !ok {
-		var zero T
-		return zero, false
-	}
-	src, ok := v.(T)
-	if !ok {
-		var zero T
-		return zero, false
-	}
-	return src, true
-}
-
 // GetSources returns the list of data sources registered in the default registry.
 func GetSources() []DataSource {
 	return defaultDataSources.GetSources()
diff --git a/pkg/epp/datalayer/datasource_test.go b/pkg/epp/datalayer/datasource_test.go
index e5cb41dfd..7ac262a5c 100644
--- a/pkg/epp/datalayer/datasource_test.go
+++ b/pkg/epp/datalayer/datasource_test.go
@@ -22,20 +22,26 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+
+	"sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/plugins"
+)
+
+const (
+	testType = "test-ds-type"
 )
 
 type mockDataSource struct {
-	name string
+	tn plugins.TypedName
 }
 
-func (m *mockDataSource) Name() string                                { return m.name }
+func (m *mockDataSource) TypedName() plugins.TypedName                { return m.tn }
 func (m *mockDataSource) Extractors() []string                        { return []string{} }
 func (m *mockDataSource) AddExtractor(_ Extractor) error              { return nil }
 func (m *mockDataSource) Collect(_ context.Context, _ Endpoint) error { return nil }
 
 func TestRegisterAndGetSource(t *testing.T) {
 	reg := DataSourceRegistry{}
-	ds := &mockDataSource{name: "test"}
+	ds := &mockDataSource{tn: plugins.TypedName{Type: testType, Name: testType}}
 
 	err := reg.Register(ds)
 	assert.NoError(t, err, "expected no error on first registration")
@@ -47,35 +53,25 @@ func TestRegisterAndGetSource(t *testing.T) {
 	err = reg.Register(nil)
 	assert.Error(t, err, "expected error on nil")
 
-	// Get by name
-	got, found := reg.GetNamedSource("test")
-	assert.True(t, found, "expected to find registered data source")
-	assert.Equal(t, "test", got.Name())
-
 	// Get all sources
 	all := reg.GetSources()
 	assert.Len(t, all, 1)
-	assert.Equal(t, "test", all[0].Name())
+	assert.Equal(t, testType, all[0].TypedName().Type)
 
 	// Default registry
 	err = RegisterSource(ds)
 	assert.NoError(t, err, "expected no error on registration")
 
-	// Get by name
-	got, found = GetNamedSource[*mockDataSource]("test")
-	assert.True(t, found, "expected to find registered data source")
-	assert.Equal(t, "test", got.Name())
-
 	// Get all sources
 	all = GetSources()
 	assert.Len(t, all, 1)
-	assert.Equal(t, "test", all[0].Name())
+	assert.Equal(t, testType, all[0].TypedName().Type)
 }
 
-func TestGetNamedSourceWhenNotFound(t *testing.T) {
+func TestGetSourceWhenNoneAreRegistered(t *testing.T) {
 	reg := DataSourceRegistry{}
-	_, found := reg.GetNamedSource("missing")
-	assert.False(t, found, "expected source to be missing")
+	found := reg.GetSources()
+	assert.Empty(t, found, "expected no sources to be returned")
 }
 
 func TestValidateExtractorType(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/datasource.go b/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/datasource.go
index 81723d4e0..d5940ac65 100644
--- a/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/datasource.go
+++ b/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/datasource.go
@@ -25,15 +25,17 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 
 	"sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/datalayer"
+	"sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/plugins"
 )
 
 const (
-	DataSourceName = "metrics-data-source"
+	DataSourceType = "metrics-data-source"
 )
 
 // DataSource is a Model Server Protocol (MSP) compliant metrics data source,
 // returning Prometheus formatted metrics for an endpoint.
 type DataSource struct {
+	tn            plugins.TypedName
 	metricsScheme string // scheme to use in metrics URL
 	metricsPath   string // path to use in metrics URL
 
@@ -42,10 +44,9 @@ type DataSource struct {
 }
 
 // NewDataSource returns a new MSP compliant metrics data source, configured with
-// the provided client factory. If ClientFactory is nil, a default factory is used.
-// The Scheme, port and path are command line options. It should be noted that
-// a port value of zero is set if the command line is unspecified.
-func NewDataSource(metricsScheme string, metricsPath string, skipCertVerification bool, cl Client) *DataSource {
+// the provided client configuration.
+// The Scheme, path and certificate validation setting are command line options.
+func NewDataSource(metricsScheme string, metricsPath string, skipCertVerification bool) *DataSource {
 	if metricsScheme == "https" {
 		httpsTransport := baseTransport.Clone()
 		httpsTransport.TLSClientConfig = &tls.Config{
@@ -54,33 +55,33 @@ func NewDataSource(metricsScheme string, metricsPath string, skipCertVerificatio
 		defaultClient.Transport = httpsTransport
 	}
 
-	if cl == nil {
-		cl = defaultClient
-	}
-
 	dataSrc := &DataSource{
+		tn: plugins.TypedName{
+			Type: DataSourceType,
+			Name: DataSourceType,
+		},
 		metricsScheme: metricsScheme,
 		metricsPath:   metricsPath,
-		client:        cl,
+		client:        defaultClient,
 	}
 	return dataSrc
 }
 
-// Name returns the metrics data source name.
-func (dataSrc *DataSource) Name() string {
-	return DataSourceName
+// TypedName returns the metrics data source type and name.
+func (dataSrc *DataSource) TypedName() plugins.TypedName {
+	return dataSrc.tn
 }
 
 // Extractors returns a list of registered Extractor names.
 func (dataSrc *DataSource) Extractors() []string {
-	names := []string{}
+	extractors := []string{}
 	dataSrc.extractors.Range(func(_, val any) bool {
 		if ex, ok := val.(datalayer.Extractor); ok {
-			names = append(names, ex.Name())
+			extractors = append(extractors, ex.TypedName().String())
 		}
 		return true // continue iteration
 	})
-	return names
+	return extractors
 }
 
 // AddExtractor adds an extractor to the data source, validating it can process
@@ -89,8 +90,8 @@ func (dataSrc *DataSource) AddExtractor(extractor datalayer.Extractor) error {
 	if err := datalayer.ValidateExtractorType(PrometheusMetricType, extractor.ExpectedInputType()); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if _, loaded := dataSrc.extractors.LoadOrStore(extractor.Name(), extractor); loaded {
-		return fmt.Errorf("attempt to add extractor with duplicate name %s to %s", extractor.Name(), dataSrc.Name())
+	if _, loaded := dataSrc.extractors.LoadOrStore(extractor.TypedName().Name, extractor); loaded {
+		return fmt.Errorf("attempt to add duplicate extractor %s to %s", extractor.TypedName(), dataSrc.TypedName())
 	}
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/datasource_test.go b/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/datasource_test.go
index 016622a40..4d4db2a01 100644
--- a/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/datasource_test.go
+++ b/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/datasource_test.go
@@ -28,12 +28,12 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestDatasource(t *testing.T) {
-	source := NewDataSource("https", "/metrics", true, nil)
+	source := NewDataSource("https", "/metrics", true)
 	extractor, err := NewExtractor(defaultTotalQueuedRequestsMetric, "", "", "", "")
 	assert.Nil(t, err, "failed to create extractor")
 
-	name := source.Name()
-	assert.Equal(t, DataSourceName, name)
+	dsType := source.TypedName().Type
+	assert.Equal(t, DataSourceType, dsType)
 
 	err = source.AddExtractor(extractor)
 	assert.Nil(t, err, "failed to add extractor")
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func TestDatasource(t *testing.T) {
 
 	extractors := source.Extractors()
 	assert.Len(t, extractors, 1)
-	assert.Equal(t, extractor.Name(), extractors[0])
+	assert.Equal(t, extractor.TypedName().String(), extractors[0])
 
 	err = datalayer.RegisterSource(source)
 	assert.Nil(t, err, "failed to register")
diff --git a/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/extractor.go b/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/extractor.go
index f08ccf95e..9f450ee5b 100644
--- a/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/extractor.go
+++ b/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/extractor.go
@@ -30,11 +30,12 @@ import (
 
 	"sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/datalayer"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/metrics"
+	"sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/plugins"
 	logutil "sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/util/logging"
 )
 
 const (
-	extractorName = "model-server-protocol-metrics"
+	extractorType = "model-server-protocol-metrics"
 
 	// LoRA metrics based on MSP
 	LoraInfoRunningAdaptersMetricName = "running_lora_adapters"
@@ -48,6 +49,7 @@ const (
 // Extractor implements the metrics extraction based on the model
 // server protocol standard.
 type Extractor struct {
+	tn      plugins.TypedName
 	mapping *Mapping
 }
 
@@ -72,13 +74,17 @@ func NewExtractor(queueSpec, runningSpec, kvusageSpec, loraSpec, cacheInfoSpec s
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create extractor metrics Mapping - %w", err)
 	}
 	return &Extractor{
+		tn: plugins.TypedName{
+			Type: extractorType,
+			Name: extractorType,
+		},
 		mapping: mapping,
 	}, nil
 }
 
-// Name returns the name of the metrics.Extractor.
-func (ext *Extractor) Name() string {
-	return extractorName
+// TypedName returns the type and name of the metrics.Extractor.
+func (ext *Extractor) TypedName() plugins.TypedName {
+	return ext.tn
 }
 
 // ExpectedType defines the type expected by the metrics.Extractor - a
diff --git a/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/extractor_test.go b/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/extractor_test.go
index bb408f6db..45638d9fb 100644
--- a/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/extractor_test.go
+++ b/pkg/epp/datalayer/metrics/extractor_test.go
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ func TestExtractorExtract(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to create extractor: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	if name := extractor.Name(); name == "" {
-		t.Error("empty extractor name")
+	if exType := extractor.TypedName().Type; exType == "" {
+		t.Error("empty extractor type")
 	}
 
 	if inputType := extractor.ExpectedInputType(); inputType != PrometheusMetricType {
diff --git a/pkg/epp/plugins/handle.go b/pkg/epp/plugins/handle.go
index c074e9076..c6e9c0dbe 100644
--- a/pkg/epp/plugins/handle.go
+++ b/pkg/epp/plugins/handle.go
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 
-	backendmetrics "sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/backend/metrics"
+	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/types"
 )
 
 // Handle provides plugins a set of standard data and tools to work with
@@ -30,8 +30,8 @@ type Handle interface {
 
 	HandlePlugins
 
-	// PodList lists pods matching the given predicate.
-	PodList(predicate func(backendmetrics.PodMetrics) bool) []backendmetrics.PodMetrics
+	// PodList lists pods.
+	PodList() []types.NamespacedName
 }
 
 // HandlePlugins defines a set of APIs to work with instantiated plugins
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ type HandlePlugins interface {
 }
 
 // PodListFunc is a function type that filters and returns a list of pod metrics
-type PodListFunc func(predicate func(backendmetrics.PodMetrics) bool) []backendmetrics.PodMetrics
+type PodListFunc func() []types.NamespacedName
 
 // eppHandle is an implementation of the interface plugins.Handle
 type eppHandle struct {
@@ -93,9 +93,9 @@ func (h *eppHandlePlugins) GetAllPluginsWithNames() map[string]Plugin {
 	return h.plugins
 }
 
-// PodList lists pods matching the given predicate.
-func (h *eppHandle) PodList(predicate func(backendmetrics.PodMetrics) bool) []backendmetrics.PodMetrics {
-	return h.podList(predicate)
+// PodList lists pods.
+func (h *eppHandle) PodList() []types.NamespacedName {
+	return h.podList()
 }
 
 func NewEppHandle(ctx context.Context, podList PodListFunc) Handle {
diff --git a/pkg/epp/scheduling/framework/plugins/multi/prefix/plugin.go b/pkg/epp/scheduling/framework/plugins/multi/prefix/plugin.go
index 2947785d2..2a1a3a8b2 100644
--- a/pkg/epp/scheduling/framework/plugins/multi/prefix/plugin.go
+++ b/pkg/epp/scheduling/framework/plugins/multi/prefix/plugin.go
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ import (
 	k8stypes "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/types"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/log"
 
-	backendmetrics "sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/backend/metrics"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/metrics"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/plugins"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/requestcontrol"
@@ -307,10 +306,10 @@ func (m *Plugin) CleanUpInactivePods(ctx context.Context, handle plugins.Handle)
 		case <-ctx.Done():
 			return
 		case <-ticker.C:
-			activePodMetrics := handle.PodList(func(_ backendmetrics.PodMetrics) bool { return true })
-			activePods := make(map[ServerID]struct{}, len(activePodMetrics))
-			for _, pm := range activePodMetrics {
-				activePods[ServerID(pm.GetPod().NamespacedName)] = struct{}{}
+			podNames := handle.PodList()
+			activePods := make(map[ServerID]struct{}, len(podNames))
+			for _, nsn := range podNames {
+				activePods[ServerID(nsn)] = struct{}{}
 			}
 
 			for _, pod := range m.indexer.Pods() {
diff --git a/test/utils/handle.go b/test/utils/handle.go
index 273539f81..15dfe10a0 100644
--- a/test/utils/handle.go
+++ b/test/utils/handle.go
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ package utils
 import (
 	"context"
 
-	backendmetrics "sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/backend/metrics"
+	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/types"
+
 	"sigs.k8s.io/gateway-api-inference-extension/pkg/epp/plugins"
 )
 
@@ -34,8 +35,8 @@ func (h *testHandle) Context() context.Context {
 	return h.ctx
 }
 
-func (h *testHandle) PodList(predicate func(backendmetrics.PodMetrics) bool) []backendmetrics.PodMetrics {
-	return []backendmetrics.PodMetrics{}
+func (h *testHandle) PodList() []types.NamespacedName {
+	return []types.NamespacedName{}
 }
 
 type testHandlePlugins struct {