diff --git a/src/allmydata/interfaces.py b/src/allmydata/interfaces.py
index 93063d3c5..8fb0aba79 100644
--- a/src/allmydata/interfaces.py
+++ b/src/allmydata/interfaces.py
@@ -420,12 +420,18 @@ class IStorageBroker(Interface):
         repeatable way, to distribute load over many peers.
         """
 
-class IServer(Interface):
+class IDisplayableServer(Interface):
+    def get_nickname():
+        pass
+    def get_name():
+        pass
+    def get_longname():
+        pass
+
+class IServer(IDisplayableServer):
     """I live in the client, and represent a single server."""
     def start_connecting(tub, trigger_cb):
         pass
-    def get_nickname():
-        pass
     def get_rref():
         pass
 
diff --git a/src/allmydata/storage_client.py b/src/allmydata/storage_client.py
index 6d2a72dd9..d4397d693 100644
--- a/src/allmydata/storage_client.py
+++ b/src/allmydata/storage_client.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ the foolscap-based server implemented in src/allmydata/storage/*.py .
 import re, time
 from zope.interface import implements
 from foolscap.api import eventually
-from allmydata.interfaces import IStorageBroker, IServer
+from allmydata.interfaces import IStorageBroker, IDisplayableServer, IServer
 from allmydata.util import log, base32
 from allmydata.util.assertutil import precondition
 from allmydata.util.rrefutil import add_version_to_remote_reference
@@ -139,6 +139,24 @@ class StorageFarmBroker:
             return self.servers[serverid].get_nickname()
         return None
 
+    def get_stub_server(self, serverid):
+        if serverid in self.servers:
+            return self.servers[serverid]
+        return StubServer(serverid)
+
+class StubServer:
+    implements(IDisplayableServer)
+    def __init__(self, serverid):
+        self.serverid = serverid # binary tubid
+    def get_serverid(self):
+        return self.serverid
+    def get_name(self):
+        return base32.b2a(self.serverid)[:8]
+    def get_longname(self):
+        return base32.b2a(self.serverid)
+    def get_nickname(self):
+        return "?"
+
 class NativeStorageServer:
     """I hold information about a storage server that we want to connect to.
     If we are connected, I hold the RemoteReference, their host address, and