diff --git a/stress/config.py b/stress/config.py
index ca86ce5..25cb910 100755
--- a/stress/config.py
+++ b/stress/config.py
@@ -12,8 +12,6 @@
 #    See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 #    limitations under the License.
 
-import ConfigParser
-
 
 class StressConfig(object):
     """Provides configuration information for whitebox stress tests."""
@@ -21,33 +19,27 @@
     def __init__(self, conf):
         self.conf = conf
 
-    def get(self, item_name, default_value=None):
-        try:
-            return self.conf.get("stress", item_name)
-        except (ConfigParser.NoSectionError, ConfigParser.NoOptionError):
-            return default_value
-
     @property
     def host_private_key_path(self):
         """Path to ssh key for logging into compute nodes."""
-        return self.get("host_private_key_path", None)
+        return self.conf.compute.path_to_private_key
 
     @property
     def host_admin_user(self):
         """Username for logging into compute nodes."""
-        return self.get("host_admin_user", None)
+        return self.conf.compute.ssh_user
 
     @property
     def nova_logdir(self):
         """Directory containing log files on the compute nodes."""
-        return self.get("nova_logdir", None)
+        return self.conf.stress.nova_logdir
 
     @property
     def controller(self):
         """Controller host."""
-        return self.get("controller", None)
+        return self.conf.stress.controller
 
     @property
     def max_instances(self):
         """Maximum number of instances to create during test."""
-        return self.get("max_instances", 16)
+        return self.conf.stress.max_instances
diff --git a/stress/driver.py b/stress/driver.py
index 8dc88cf..f80e765 100644
--- a/stress/driver.py
+++ b/stress/driver.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 import datetime
 import random
 import time
+from urlparse import urlparse
 
 from config import StressConfig
 from state import ClusterState
@@ -162,7 +163,7 @@
                                    (default: 32)
                     `seed`       = random seed (default: None)
     """
-    stress_config = StressConfig(manager.config._conf)
+    stress_config = StressConfig(manager.config)
     # get keyword arguments
     duration = kwargs.get('duration', datetime.timedelta(seconds=10))
     seed = kwargs.get('seed', None)
@@ -173,7 +174,8 @@
     keypath = stress_config.host_private_key_path
     user = stress_config.host_admin_user
     logdir = stress_config.nova_logdir
-    computes = _get_compute_nodes(keypath, user, manager.config.identity.host)
+    host = urlparse(manager.config.identity.uri).hostname
+    computes = _get_compute_nodes(keypath, user, host)
     stress.utils.execute_on_all(keypath, user, computes,
                                 "rm -f %s/*.log" % logdir)
     random.seed(seed)
diff --git a/tempest/clients.py b/tempest/clients.py
index 7d314f3..ef07d9c 100644
--- a/tempest/clients.py
+++ b/tempest/clients.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 from tempest.services.compute.json.flavors_client import FlavorsClientJSON
 from tempest.services.compute.json.floating_ips_client import \
     FloatingIPsClientJSON
+from tempest.services.compute.json.hosts_client import HostsClientJSON
 from tempest.services.compute.json.images_client import ImagesClientJSON
 from tempest.services.compute.json.keypairs_client import KeyPairsClientJSON
 from tempest.services.compute.json.limits_client import LimitsClientJSON
@@ -211,6 +212,7 @@
             msg = "Unsupported interface type `%s'" % interface
             raise exceptions.InvalidConfiguration(msg)
         self.network_client = NetworkClient(*client_args)
+        self.hosts_client = HostsClientJSON(*client_args)
         self.account_client = AccountClient(*client_args)
         self.image_client = ImageClientJSON(*client_args)
         self.container_client = ContainerClient(*client_args)
diff --git a/tempest/config.py b/tempest/config.py
index c982dee..c0e25c7 100644
--- a/tempest/config.py
+++ b/tempest/config.py
@@ -382,6 +382,26 @@
     for opt in BotoConfig:
         conf.register_opt(opt, group='boto')
 
+stress_group = cfg.OptGroup(name='stress', title='Stress Test Options')
+
+StressGroup = [
+    cfg.StrOpt('nova_logdir',
+               default=None,
+               help='Directory containing log files on the compute nodes'),
+    cfg.IntOpt('max_instances',
+               default=16,
+               help='Maximum number of instances to create during test.'),
+    cfg.StrOpt('controller',
+               default=None,
+               help='Controller host.')
+]
+
+
+def register_stress_opts(conf):
+    conf.register_group(stress_group)
+    for opt in StressGroup:
+        conf.register_opt(opt, group='stress')
+
 
 @singleton
 class TempestConfig:
@@ -426,6 +446,7 @@
         register_object_storage_opts(cfg.CONF)
         register_boto_opts(cfg.CONF)
         register_compute_admin_opts(cfg.CONF)
+        register_stress_opts(cfg.CONF)
         self.compute = cfg.CONF.compute
         self.whitebox = cfg.CONF.whitebox
         self.identity = cfg.CONF.identity
@@ -435,6 +456,7 @@
         self.object_storage = cfg.CONF['object-storage']
         self.boto = cfg.CONF.boto
         self.compute_admin = cfg.CONF['compute-admin']
+        self.stress = cfg.CONF.stress
         if not self.compute_admin.username:
             self.compute_admin.username = self.identity.admin_username
             self.compute_admin.password = self.identity.admin_password
diff --git a/tempest/services/compute/json/servers_client.py b/tempest/services/compute/json/servers_client.py
index ecff7be..e8d1153 100644
--- a/tempest/services/compute/json/servers_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/compute/json/servers_client.py
@@ -195,108 +195,50 @@
         body = json.loads(body)
         return resp, body
 
-    def change_password(self, server_id, password):
-        """Changes the root password for the server."""
-        post_body = {
-            'changePassword': {
-                'adminPass': password,
-            }
-        }
+    def action(self, server_id, action_name, response_key, **kwargs):
+        post_body = json.dumps({action_name: kwargs})
+        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % str(server_id),
+                               post_body, self.headers)
+        if response_key is not None:
+            body = json.loads(body)[response_key]
+        return resp, body
 
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        return self.post('servers/%s/action' % str(server_id),
-                         post_body, self.headers)
+    def change_password(self, server_id, adminPass):
+        """Changes the root password for the server."""
+        return self.action(server_id, 'changePassword', None,
+                           adminPass=adminPass)
 
     def reboot(self, server_id, reboot_type):
         """Reboots a server."""
-        post_body = {
-            'reboot': {
-                'type': reboot_type,
-            }
-        }
+        return self.action(server_id, 'reboot', None, type=reboot_type)
 
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        return self.post('servers/%s/action' % str(server_id),
-                         post_body, self.headers)
-
-    def rebuild(self, server_id, image_ref, name=None, meta=None,
-                personality=None, adminPass=None, disk_config=None):
+    def rebuild(self, server_id, image_ref, **kwargs):
         """Rebuilds a server with a new image."""
-        post_body = {
-                'imageRef': image_ref,
-        }
+        kwargs['imageRef'] = image_ref
+        if 'disk_config' in kwargs:
+            kwargs['OS-DCF:diskConfig'] = kwargs['disk_config']
+            del kwargs['disk_config']
+        return self.action(server_id, 'rebuild', 'server', **kwargs)
 
-        if name is not None:
-            post_body['name'] = name
-
-        if adminPass is not None:
-            post_body['adminPass'] = adminPass
-
-        if meta is not None:
-            post_body['metadata'] = meta
-
-        if personality is not None:
-            post_body['personality'] = personality
-
-        if disk_config is not None:
-            post_body['OS-DCF:diskConfig'] = disk_config
-
-        post_body = json.dumps({'rebuild': post_body})
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % str(server_id),
-                               post_body, self.headers)
-        body = json.loads(body)
-        return resp, body['server']
-
-    def resize(self, server_id, flavor_ref, disk_config=None):
+    def resize(self, server_id, flavor_ref, **kwargs):
         """Changes the flavor of a server."""
-        post_body = {
-            'resize': {
-                'flavorRef': flavor_ref,
-            }
-        }
+        kwargs['flavorRef'] = flavor_ref
+        if 'disk_config' in kwargs:
+            kwargs['OS-DCF:diskConfig'] = kwargs['disk_config']
+            del kwargs['disk_config']
+        return self.action(server_id, 'resize', None, **kwargs)
 
-        if disk_config is not None:
-            post_body['resize']['OS-DCF:diskConfig'] = disk_config
-
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % str(server_id),
-                               post_body, self.headers)
-        return resp, body
-
-    def confirm_resize(self, server_id):
+    def confirm_resize(self, server_id, **kwargs):
         """Confirms the flavor change for a server."""
-        post_body = {
-            'confirmResize': None,
-        }
+        return self.action(server_id, 'confirmResize', None, **kwargs)
 
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % str(server_id),
-                               post_body, self.headers)
-        return resp, body
-
-    def revert_resize(self, server_id):
+    def revert_resize(self, server_id, **kwargs):
         """Reverts a server back to its original flavor."""
-        post_body = {
-            'revertResize': None,
-        }
+        return self.action(server_id, 'revertResize', None, **kwargs)
 
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % str(server_id),
-                               post_body, self.headers)
-        return resp, body
-
-    def create_image(self, server_id, image_name):
+    def create_image(self, server_id, name):
         """Creates an image of the given server."""
-        post_body = {
-            'createImage': {
-                'name': image_name,
-            }
-        }
-
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % str(server_id),
-                               post_body, self.headers)
-        return resp, body
+        return self.action(server_id, 'createImage', None, name=name)
 
     def list_server_metadata(self, server_id):
         resp, body = self.get("servers/%s/metadata" % str(server_id))
@@ -334,15 +276,11 @@
                                  (str(server_id), key))
         return resp, body
 
-    def stop(self, server_id):
-        post_body = json.dumps({'os-stop': None})
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                               post_body, self.headers)
+    def stop(self, server_id, **kwargs):
+        return self.action(server_id, 'os-stop', None, **kwargs)
 
-    def start(self, server_id):
-        post_body = json.dumps({'os-start': None})
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                               post_body, self.headers)
+    def start(self, server_id, **kwargs):
+        return self.action(server_id, 'os-start', None, **kwargs)
 
     def attach_volume(self, server_id, volume_id, device='/dev/vdz'):
         """Attaches a volume to a server instance."""
@@ -362,27 +300,13 @@
                                  (server_id, volume_id))
         return resp, body
 
-    def add_security_group(self, server_id, security_group_name):
+    def add_security_group(self, server_id, name):
         """Adds a security group to the server."""
-        post_body = {
-            'addSecurityGroup': {
-                'name': security_group_name
-            }
-        }
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        return self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                         post_body, self.headers)
+        return self.action(server_id, 'addSecurityGroup', None, name=name)
 
-    def remove_security_group(self, server_id, security_group_name):
+    def remove_security_group(self, server_id, name):
         """Removes a security group from the server."""
-        post_body = {
-            'removeSecurityGroup': {
-                'name': security_group_name
-            }
-        }
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        return self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                         post_body, self.headers)
+        return self.action(server_id, 'removeSecurityGroup', None, name=name)
 
     def live_migrate_server(self, server_id, dest_host, use_block_migration):
         """This should be called with administrator privileges ."""
@@ -408,96 +332,41 @@
         body = json.loads(body)
         return resp, body['servers']
 
-    def migrate_server(self, server_id):
+    def migrate_server(self, server_id, **kwargs):
         """Migrates a server to a new host."""
-        post_body = {'migrate': 'null'}
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                               post_body, self.headers)
-        return resp, body
+        return self.action(server_id, 'migrate', None, **kwargs)
 
-    def confirm_migration(self, server_id):
-        """Confirms the migration of a server."""
-        post_body = {'confirmResize': 'null'}
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                               post_body, self.headers)
-        return resp, body
-
-    def lock_server(self, server_id):
+    def lock_server(self, server_id, **kwargs):
         """Locks the given server."""
-        post_body = {'lock': 'null'}
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                               post_body, self.headers)
+        return self.action(server_id, 'lock', None, **kwargs)
 
-    def unlock_server(self, server_id):
+    def unlock_server(self, server_id, **kwargs):
         """UNlocks the given server."""
-        post_body = {'unlock': 'null'}
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                               post_body, self.headers)
+        return self.action(server_id, 'unlock', None, **kwargs)
 
-    def start_server(self, server_id):
-        """Starts the given server."""
-        post_body = {'os-start': 'null'}
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                               post_body, self.headers)
-
-    def stop_server(self, server_id):
-        """Stops the given server."""
-        post_body = {'os-stop': 'null'}
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                               post_body, self.headers)
-
-    def suspend_server(self, server_id):
+    def suspend_server(self, server_id, **kwargs):
         """Suspends the provded server."""
-        post_body = {'suspend': 'null'}
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                               post_body, self.headers)
+        return self.action(server_id, 'suspend', None, **kwargs)
 
-    def resume_server(self, server_id):
+    def resume_server(self, server_id, **kwargs):
         """Un-suspends the provded server."""
-        post_body = {'resume': 'null'}
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                               post_body, self.headers)
+        return self.action(server_id, 'resume', None, **kwargs)
 
-    def pause_server(self, server_id):
+    def pause_server(self, server_id, **kwargs):
         """Pauses the provded server."""
-        post_body = {'pause': 'null'}
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                               post_body, self.headers)
+        return self.action(server_id, 'pause', None, **kwargs)
 
-    def unpause_server(self, server_id):
+    def unpause_server(self, server_id, **kwargs):
         """Un-pauses the provded server."""
-        post_body = {'unpause': 'null'}
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                               post_body, self.headers)
+        return self.action(server_id, 'unpause', None, **kwargs)
 
-    def reset_state(self, server_id, new_state='error'):
+    def reset_state(self, server_id, state='error'):
         """Resets the state of a server to active/error."""
-        post_body = {
-            'os-resetState': {
-                'state': new_state
-            }
-        }
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                               post_body, self.headers)
-        return resp, body
+        return self.action(server_id, 'os-resetState', None, state=state)
 
     def get_console_output(self, server_id, length):
-        post_body = {'os-getConsoleOutput': {'length': length}}
-        url = "/servers/%s/action" % server_id
-        post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post(url, post_body, self.headers)
-        body = json.loads(body)
-        return resp, body['output']
+        return self.action(server_id, 'os-getConsoleOutput', 'output',
+                           length=length)
 
     def list_virtual_interfaces(self, server_id):
         """
diff --git a/tempest/services/compute/xml/servers_client.py b/tempest/services/compute/xml/servers_client.py
index 3abf0c3..efb28e6 100644
--- a/tempest/services/compute/xml/servers_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/compute/xml/servers_client.py
@@ -131,6 +131,17 @@
                 self._parse_links(body, json[sub])
         return json
 
+    def _parse_xml_virtual_interfaces(self, xml_dom):
+        """
+        Return server's virtual interfaces XML as JSON.
+        """
+        data = {"virtual_interfaces": []}
+        for iface in xml_dom.getchildren():
+            data["virtual_interfaces"].append(
+                {"id": iface.get("id"),
+                 "mac_address": iface.get("mac_address")})
+        return data
+
     def get_server(self, server_id):
         """Returns the details of an existing server."""
         resp, body = self.get("servers/%s" % str(server_id), self.headers)
@@ -309,34 +320,38 @@
 
         return resp, network
 
+    def action(self, server_id, action_name, response_key, **kwargs):
+        if 'xmlns' not in kwargs:
+            kwargs['xmlns'] = XMLNS_11
+        doc = Document((Element(action_name, **kwargs)))
+        resp, body = self.post("servers/%s/action" % server_id,
+                               str(doc), self.headers)
+        if response_key is not None:
+            body = xml_to_json(etree.fromstring(body))
+        return resp, body
+
     def change_password(self, server_id, password):
-        cpw = Element("changePassword",
-                      xmlns=XMLNS_11,
-                      adminPass=password)
-        return self.post("servers/%s/action" % server_id,
-                         str(Document(cpw)), self.headers)
+        return self.action(server_id, "changePassword", None,
+                           adminPass=password)
 
     def reboot(self, server_id, reboot_type):
-        reboot = Element("reboot",
-                         xmlns=XMLNS_11,
-                         type=reboot_type)
-        return self.post("servers/%s/action" % server_id,
-                         str(Document(reboot)), self.headers)
+        return self.action(server_id, "reboot", None, type=reboot_type)
 
-    def rebuild(self, server_id, image_ref, name=None, meta=None,
-                personality=None, adminPass=None, disk_config=None):
+    def rebuild(self, server_id, image_ref, **kwargs):
+        kwargs['imageRef'] = image_ref
+        if 'xmlns' not in kwargs:
+            kwargs['xmlns'] = XMLNS_11
+
+        attrs = kwargs.copy()
+        if 'metadata' in attrs:
+            del attrs['metadata']
         rebuild = Element("rebuild",
-                          xmlns=XMLNS_11,
-                          imageRef=image_ref)
+                          **attrs)
 
-        if name:
-            rebuild.add_attr("name", name)
-        if adminPass:
-            rebuild.add_attr("adminPass", adminPass)
-        if meta:
+        if 'metadata' in kwargs:
             metadata = Element("metadata")
             rebuild.append(metadata)
-            for k, v in meta.items():
+            for k, v in kwargs['metadata'].items():
                 meta = Element("meta", key=k)
                 meta.append(Text(v))
                 metadata.append(meta)
@@ -346,53 +361,31 @@
         server = self._parse_server(etree.fromstring(body))
         return resp, server
 
-    def resize(self, server_id, flavor_ref, disk_config=None):
-        resize = Element("resize",
-                         xmlns=XMLNS_11,
-                         flavorRef=flavor_ref)
+    def resize(self, server_id, flavor_ref, **kwargs):
+        if 'disk_config' in kwargs:
+            raise NotImplementedError("Sorry, disk_config not "
+                                      "supported via XML yet")
+        kwargs['flavorRef'] = flavor_ref
+        return self.action(server_id, 'resize', None, **kwargs)
 
-        if disk_config is not None:
-            raise Exception("Sorry, disk_config not supported via XML yet")
+    def confirm_resize(self, server_id, **kwargs):
+        return self.action(server_id, 'confirmResize', None, **kwargs)
 
-        return self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                         str(Document(resize)), self.headers)
+    def revert_resize(self, server_id, **kwargs):
+        return self.action(server_id, 'revertResize', None, **kwargs)
 
-    def confirm_resize(self, server_id):
-        conf = Element('confirmResize')
-        return self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                         str(Document(conf)), self.headers)
+    def create_image(self, server_id, name):
+        return self.action(server_id, 'createImage', None, name=name)
 
-    def revert_resize(self, server_id):
-        revert = Element('revertResize')
-        return self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                         str(Document(revert)), self.headers)
+    def add_security_group(self, server_id, name):
+        return self.action(server_id, 'addSecurityGroup', None, name=name)
 
-    def create_image(self, server_id, image_name):
-        metadata = Element('metadata')
-        image = Element('createImage',
-                        metadata,
-                        xmlns=XMLNS_11,
-                        name=image_name)
-        return self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                         str(Document(image)), self.headers)
-
-    def add_security_group(self, server_id, security_group_name):
-        secgrp = Element('addSecurityGroup', name=security_group_name)
-        return self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                         str(Document(secgrp)), self.headers)
-
-    def remove_security_group(self, server_id, security_group_name):
-        secgrp = Element('removeSecurityGroup', name=security_group_name)
-        return self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
-                         str(Document(secgrp)), self.headers)
+    def remove_security_group(self, server_id, name):
+        return self.action(server_id, 'removeSecurityGroup', None, name=name)
 
     def get_console_output(self, server_id, length):
-        post_body = Element("os-getConsoleOutput", length=length)
-        resp, body = self.post("/servers/%s/action" % server_id,
-                               headers=self.headers,
-                               body=str(Document(post_body)))
-        body = xml_to_json(etree.fromstring(body))
-        return resp, body
+        return self.action(server_id, 'os-getConsoleOutput', 'output',
+                           length=length)
 
     def list_virtual_interfaces(self, server_id):
         """
@@ -400,5 +393,5 @@
         """
         resp, body = self.get('/'.join(['servers', server_id,
                               'os-virtual-interfaces']), self.headers)
-        server = self._parse_server(etree.fromstring(body))
-        return resp, server
+        virt_int = self._parse_xml_virtual_interfaces(etree.fromstring(body))
+        return resp, virt_int
diff --git a/tempest/services/identity/json/identity_client.py b/tempest/services/identity/json/identity_client.py
index 68e7d4b..5b6eaa0 100644
--- a/tempest/services/identity/json/identity_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/identity/json/identity_client.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
         post_body = {
             'name': name,
             'description': kwargs.get('description', ''),
-            'enabled': kwargs.get('enabled', 'true'),
+            'enabled': kwargs.get('enabled', True),
         }
         post_body = json.dumps({'tenant': post_body})
         resp, body = self.post('tenants', post_body, self.headers)
diff --git a/tempest/services/image/json/image_client.py b/tempest/services/image/json/image_client.py
index e9276aa..f119664 100644
--- a/tempest/services/image/json/image_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/image/json/image_client.py
@@ -176,11 +176,21 @@
             url = '/' + url
             self.http.raw_request('DELETE', url)
 
-    def image_list(self, params=None):
+    def image_list(self, **kwargs):
         url = 'v1/images'
 
-        if params:
-            url += '?%s' % urllib.urlencode(params)
+        if len(kwargs) > 0:
+            url += '?%s' % urllib.urlencode(kwargs)
+
+        resp, body = self.get(url)
+        body = json.loads(body)
+        return resp, body['images']
+
+    def image_list_detail(self, **kwargs):
+        url = 'v1/images/detail'
+
+        if len(kwargs) > 0:
+            url += '?%s' % urllib.urlencode(kwargs)
 
         resp, body = self.get(url)
         body = json.loads(body)
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/base.py b/tempest/tests/compute/base.py
index 2e5b4fe..94fff13 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/base.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/base.py
@@ -173,36 +173,21 @@
         cls.clear_isolated_creds()
 
     @classmethod
-    def create_server(cls, image_id=None, flavor=None):
+    def create_server(cls, **kwargs):
         """Wrapper utility that returns a test server."""
-        server_name = rand_name(cls.__name__ + "-instance")
-
-        if not flavor:
-            flavor = cls.flavor_ref
-        if not image_id:
-            image_id = cls.image_ref
+        name = rand_name(cls.__name__ + "-instance")
+        if 'name' in kwargs:
+            name = kwargs.pop('name')
+        flavor = kwargs.get('flavor', cls.flavor_ref)
+        image_id = kwargs.get('image_id', cls.image_ref)
 
         resp, server = cls.servers_client.create_server(
-                                                server_name, image_id, flavor)
-        cls.servers_client.wait_for_server_status(server['id'], 'ACTIVE')
-        cls.servers.append(server)
-        return server
+            name, image_id, flavor, **kwargs)
 
-    @classmethod
-    def create_server_with_extras(cls, name, image_id=None,
-                                  flavor=None, **kwargs):
-        # TODO(sdague) transitional function because many
-        # server tests were using extra args and resp so can't
-        # easily be ported to create_server. Will be merged
-        # later
-        if not flavor:
-            flavor = cls.flavor_ref
-        if not image_id:
-            image_id = cls.image_ref
+        if 'wait_until' in kwargs:
+            cls.servers_client.wait_for_server_status(
+                server['id'], kwargs['wait_until'])
 
-        resp, server = cls.servers_client.create_server(name,
-                                                        image_id, flavor,
-                                                        **kwargs)
         cls.servers.append(server)
         return resp, server
 
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions.py b/tempest/tests/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions.py
index ffff1f7..d9f9613 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions.py
@@ -114,42 +114,26 @@
         # Negative test:Deletion of a nonexistent floating IP
         # from project should fail
 
-        #Deleting the non existent floating IP
-        try:
-            resp, body = self.client.delete_floating_ip(self.non_exist_id)
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Should not be able to delete a nonexistent floating IP')
+        # Deleting the non existent floating IP
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.delete_floating_ip,
+                          self.non_exist_id)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_associate_nonexistant_floating_ip(self):
         # Negative test:Association of a non existent floating IP
         # to specific server should fail
-        #Associating non existent floating IP
-        try:
-            resp, body = \
-            self.client.associate_floating_ip_to_server("0.0.0.0",
-                                                        self.server_id)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Should not be able to associate'
-                      ' a nonexistent floating IP')
+        # Associating non existent floating IP
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.associate_floating_ip_to_server,
+                          "0.0.0.0", self.server_id)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_dissociate_nonexistant_floating_ip(self):
         # Negative test:Dissociation of a non existent floating IP should fail
-        #Dissociating non existent floating IP
-        try:
-            resp, body = \
-            self.client.disassociate_floating_ip_from_server("0.0.0.0",
-                                                             self.server_id)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Should not be able to dissociate'
-                      ' a nonexistent floating IP')
+        # Dissociating non existent floating IP
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.disassociate_floating_ip_from_server,
+                          "0.0.0.0", self.server_id)
 
     @attr(type='positive')
     def test_associate_already_associated_floating_ip(self):
@@ -171,38 +155,24 @@
         self.client.associate_floating_ip_to_server(self.floating_ip,
                                                     self.new_server_id)
 
-        #Make sure no longer associated with old server
-        try:
-            self.client.disassociate_floating_ip_from_server(
-                self.floating_ip,
-                self.server_id)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('The floating IP should be associated to the second '
-                      'server')
+        self.addCleanup(self.servers_client.delete_server, self.new_server_id)
         if (resp['status'] is not None):
-            #Dissociation of the floating IP associated in this method
-            resp, _ = \
-            self.client.disassociate_floating_ip_from_server(
-                self.floating_ip,
-                self.new_server_id)
-        #Deletion of server created in this method
-        resp, body = self.servers_client.delete_server(self.new_server_id)
+            self.addCleanup(self.client.disassociate_floating_ip_from_server,
+                            self.floating_ip,
+                            self.new_server_id)
+
+        # Make sure no longer associated with old server
+        self.assertRaises((exceptions.NotFound, exceptions.BadRequest),
+                          self.client.disassociate_floating_ip_from_server,
+                          self.floating_ip, self.server_id)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_associate_ip_to_server_without_passing_floating_ip(self):
         # Negative test:Association of empty floating IP to specific server
         # should raise NotFound exception
-        try:
-            resp, body =\
-            self.client.associate_floating_ip_to_server('',
-                                                        self.server_id)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Association of floating IP to specific server'
-                      ' with out passing floating IP  should raise BadRequest')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.associate_floating_ip_to_server,
+                          '', self.server_id)
 
 
 class FloatingIPsTestXML(FloatingIPsTestJSON):
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/floating_ips/test_list_floating_ips.py b/tempest/tests/compute/floating_ips/test_list_floating_ips.py
index 11b9465..b795909 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/floating_ips/test_list_floating_ips.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/floating_ips/test_list_floating_ips.py
@@ -90,14 +90,8 @@
             non_exist_id = rand_name('999')
             if non_exist_id not in floating_ip_id:
                 break
-        try:
-            resp, body = \
-            self.client.get_floating_ip_details(non_exist_id)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Should not be able to GET the details from a'
-                      'nonexistant floating IP')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.get_floating_ip_details, non_exist_id)
 
 
 class FloatingIPDetailsTestXML(FloatingIPDetailsTestJSON):
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_image_metadata.py b/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_image_metadata.py
index fa69395..311ee8e 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_image_metadata.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_image_metadata.py
@@ -111,68 +111,41 @@
     def test_list_nonexistant_image_metadata(self):
         # Negative test: List on nonexistant image
         # metadata should not happen
-        try:
-            resp, resp_metadata = self.client.list_image_metadata(999)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('List on nonexistant image metadata should'
-                      'not happen')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.list_image_metadata,
+                          999)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_update_nonexistant_image_metadata(self):
         # Negative test:An update should not happen for a nonexistant image
         meta = {'key1': 'alt1', 'key2': 'alt2'}
-        try:
-            resp, metadata = self.client.update_image_metadata(999, meta)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('An update shouldnt happen for nonexistant image')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.update_image_metadata, 999, meta)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_get_nonexistant_image_metadata_item(self):
         # Negative test: Get on nonexistant image should not happen
-        try:
-            resp, metadata = self.client.get_image_metadata_item(999, 'key2')
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Get on nonexistant image should not happen')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.get_image_metadata_item, 999, 'key2')
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_set_nonexistant_image_metadata(self):
         # Negative test: Metadata should not be set to a nonexistant image
         meta = {'key1': 'alt1', 'key2': 'alt2'}
-        try:
-            resp, meta = self.client.set_image_metadata(999, meta)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Metadata should not be set to a nonexistant image')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.set_image_metadata,
+                          999, meta)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_set_nonexistant_image_metadata_item(self):
         # Negative test: Metadata item should not be set to a
         # nonexistant image
         meta = {'key1': 'alt'}
-        try:
-            resp, body = self.client.set_image_metadata_item(999, 'key1', meta)
-            resp, metadata = self.client.list_image_metadata(999)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Metadata item should not be set to a nonexistant image')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.set_image_metadata_item, 999, 'key1',
+                          meta)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_delete_nonexistant_image_metadata_item(self):
         # Negative test: Shouldnt be able to delete metadata
-                          # item from nonexistant image
-        try:
-            resp, body = self.client.delete_image_metadata_item(999, 'key1')
-            resp, metadata = self.client.list_image_metadata(999)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Should not be able to delete metadata item from a'
-                      'nonexistant image')
+        # item from nonexistant image
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.delete_image_metadata_item, 999, 'key1')
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_images.py b/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_images.py
index d8d38aa..a61cef6 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_images.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_images.py
@@ -51,12 +51,6 @@
 
     def tearDown(self):
         """Terminate test instances created after a test is executed."""
-        for server in self.servers:
-            resp, body = self.servers_client.delete_server(server['id'])
-            if resp['status'] == '204':
-                self.servers.remove(server)
-                self.servers_client.wait_for_server_termination(server['id'])
-
         for image_id in self.image_ids:
             self.client.delete_image(image_id)
             self.image_ids.remove(image_id)
@@ -65,11 +59,7 @@
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_image_from_deleted_server(self):
         # An image should not be created if the server instance is removed
-        server_name = rand_name('server')
-        resp, server = self.servers_client.create_server(server_name,
-                                                         self.image_ref,
-                                                         self.flavor_ref)
-        self.servers_client.wait_for_server_status(server['id'], 'ACTIVE')
+        resp, server = self.create_server(wait_until='ACTIVE')
 
         # Delete server before trying to create server
         self.servers_client.delete_server(server['id'])
@@ -114,7 +104,7 @@
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_image_when_server_is_terminating(self):
         # Return an error when creating image of server that is terminating
-        server = self.create_server()
+        resp, server = self.create_server(wait_until='ACTIVE')
         self.servers_client.delete_server(server['id'])
 
         snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
@@ -124,11 +114,7 @@
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_image_when_server_is_building(self):
         # Return error when creating an image of a server that is building
-        server_name = rand_name('test-vm-')
-        resp, server = self.servers_client.create_server(server_name,
-                                                         self.image_ref,
-                                                         self.flavor_ref)
-        self.servers.append(server)
+        resp, server = self.create_server(wait_until='BUILD')
         snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
         self.assertRaises(exceptions.Duplicate, self.client.create_image,
                           server['id'], snapshot_name)
@@ -137,7 +123,7 @@
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_image_when_server_is_rebooting(self):
         # Return error when creating an image of server that is rebooting
-        server = self.create_server()
+        resp, server = self.create_server()
         self.servers_client.reboot(server['id'], 'HARD')
 
         snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
@@ -147,40 +133,24 @@
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_image_specify_uuid_35_characters_or_less(self):
         # Return an error if Image ID passed is 35 characters or less
-        try:
-            snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
-            test_uuid = ('a' * 35)
-            self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.create_image,
-                              test_uuid, snapshot_name)
-        except Exception:
-            self.fail("Should return 404 Not Found if server uuid is 35"
-                      " characters or less")
+        snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
+        test_uuid = ('a' * 35)
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.create_image,
+                          test_uuid, snapshot_name)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_image_specify_uuid_37_characters_or_more(self):
         # Return an error if Image ID passed is 37 characters or more
-        try:
-            snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
-            test_uuid = ('a' * 37)
-            self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.create_image,
-                              test_uuid, snapshot_name)
-        except Exception:
-            self.fail("Should return 404 Not Found if server uuid is 37"
-                      " characters or more")
+        snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
+        test_uuid = ('a' * 37)
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.create_image,
+                          test_uuid, snapshot_name)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_delete_image_with_invalid_image_id(self):
         # An image should not be deleted with invalid image id
-        try:
-            # Delete an image with invalid image id
-            resp, _ = self.client.delete_image('!@$%^&*()')
-
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-
-        else:
-            self.fail("DELETE image request should rasie NotFound exception "
-                      "when requested with invalid image")
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.delete_image,
+                          '!@$%^&*()')
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_delete_non_existent_image(self):
@@ -193,44 +163,25 @@
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_delete_image_blank_id(self):
         # Return an error while trying to delete an image with blank Id
-
-        try:
-            self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.delete_image,
-                              '')
-        except Exception:
-            self.fail("Did not return HTTP 404 NotFound for blank image id")
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.delete_image, '')
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_delete_image_non_hex_string_id(self):
         # Return an error while trying to delete an image with non hex id
-
         image_id = '11a22b9-120q-5555-cc11-00ab112223gj'
-        try:
-            self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.delete_image,
-                              image_id)
-        except Exception:
-            self.fail("Did not return HTTP 404 NotFound for non hex image")
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.delete_image,
+                          image_id)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_delete_image_negative_image_id(self):
         # Return an error while trying to delete an image with negative id
-
-        try:
-            self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.delete_image,
-                              -1)
-        except Exception:
-            self.fail("Did not return HTTP 404 NotFound for negative image id")
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.delete_image, -1)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_delete_image_id_is_over_35_character_limit(self):
         # Return an error while trying to delete image with id over limit
-
-        try:
-            self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.delete_image,
-                              '11a22b9-120q-5555-cc11-00ab112223gj-3fac')
-        except Exception:
-            self.fail("Did not return HTTP 404 NotFound for image id that "
-                      "exceeds 35 character ID length limit")
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.delete_image,
+                          '11a22b9-120q-5555-cc11-00ab112223gj-3fac')
 
 
 class ImagesTestXML(ImagesTestJSON):
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_images_oneserver.py b/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_images_oneserver.py
index 34ea868..d89b6dd 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_images_oneserver.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_images_oneserver.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
         super(ImagesOneServerTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
         cls.client = cls.images_client
         cls.servers_client = cls.servers_client
-        cls.server = cls.create_server()
+        resp, cls.server = cls.create_server(wait_until='ACTIVE')
 
         cls.image_ids = []
 
@@ -61,40 +61,28 @@
     @testtools.skip("Until Bug 1006725 is fixed")
     def test_create_image_specify_multibyte_character_image_name(self):
         # Return an error if the image name has multi-byte characters
-        try:
-            snapshot_name = rand_name('\xef\xbb\xbf')
-            self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
-                              self.client.create_image, self.server['id'],
-                              snapshot_name)
-        except Exception:
-            self.fail("Should return 400 Bad Request if multi byte characters"
-                      " are used for image name")
+        snapshot_name = rand_name('\xef\xbb\xbf')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.client.create_image, self.server['id'],
+                          snapshot_name)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     @testtools.skip("Until Bug 1005423 is fixed")
     def test_create_image_specify_invalid_metadata(self):
         # Return an error when creating image with invalid metadata
-        try:
-            snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
-            meta = {'': ''}
-            self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest, self.client.create_image,
-                              self.server['id'], snapshot_name, meta)
-
-        except Exception:
-            self.fail("Should raise 400 Bad Request if meta data is invalid")
+        snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
+        meta = {'': ''}
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest, self.client.create_image,
+                          self.server['id'], snapshot_name, meta)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     @testtools.skip("Until Bug 1005423 is fixed")
     def test_create_image_specify_metadata_over_limits(self):
         # Return an error when creating image with meta data over 256 chars
-        try:
-            snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
-            meta = {'a' * 260: 'b' * 260}
-            self.assertRaises(exceptions.OverLimit, self.client.create_image,
-                              self.server['id'], snapshot_name, meta)
-
-        except Exception:
-            self.fail("Should raise 413 Over Limit if meta data was too long")
+        snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
+        meta = {'a' * 260: 'b' * 260}
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.OverLimit, self.client.create_image,
+                          self.server['id'], snapshot_name, meta)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     @testtools.skipUnless(compute.MULTI_USER,
@@ -151,38 +139,28 @@
     def test_create_second_image_when_first_image_is_being_saved(self):
         # Disallow creating another image when first image is being saved
 
-        try:
-            # Create first snapshot
-            snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
-            resp, body = self.client.create_image(self.server['id'],
-                                                  snapshot_name)
-            self.assertEqual(202, resp.status)
-            image_id = parse_image_id(resp['location'])
-            self.image_ids.append(image_id)
+        # Create first snapshot
+        snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
+        resp, body = self.client.create_image(self.server['id'],
+                                              snapshot_name)
+        self.assertEqual(202, resp.status)
+        image_id = parse_image_id(resp['location'])
+        self.image_ids.append(image_id)
 
-            # Create second snapshot
-            alt_snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
-            self.client.create_image(self.server['id'],
-                                     alt_snapshot_name)
-        except exceptions.Duplicate:
-            self.client.wait_for_image_status(image_id, 'ACTIVE')
-
-        else:
-            self.fail("Should not allow creating an image when another image "
-                      "of the server is still being saved")
+        # Create second snapshot
+        alt_snapshot_name = rand_name('test-snap-')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.Duplicate, self.client.create_image,
+                          self.server['id'], alt_snapshot_name)
+        self.client.wait_for_image_status(image_id, 'ACTIVE')
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     @testtools.skip("Until Bug 1004564 is fixed")
     def test_create_image_specify_name_over_256_chars(self):
         # Return an error if snapshot name over 256 characters is passed
 
-        try:
-            snapshot_name = rand_name('a' * 260)
-            self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest, self.client.create_image,
-                              self.server['id'], snapshot_name)
-        except Exception:
-            self.fail("Should return 400 Bad Request if image name is over 256"
-                      " characters")
+        snapshot_name = rand_name('a' * 260)
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest, self.client.create_image,
+                          self.server['id'], snapshot_name)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_delete_image_that_is_not_yet_active(self):
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_list_image_filters.py b/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_list_image_filters.py
index 56f388d..472f7fb 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_list_image_filters.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/images/test_list_image_filters.py
@@ -30,16 +30,10 @@
         super(ListImageFiltersTest, cls).setUpClass()
         cls.client = cls.images_client
 
-        name = rand_name('server')
-        resp, cls.server1 = cls.servers_client.create_server(name,
-                                                             cls.image_ref,
-                                                             cls.flavor_ref)
-        name = rand_name('server')
-        resp, cls.server2 = cls.servers_client.create_server(name,
-                                                             cls.image_ref,
-                                                             cls.flavor_ref)
+        resp, cls.server1 = cls.create_server()
+        resp, cls.server2 = cls.create_server(wait_until='ACTIVE')
+        # NOTE(sdague) this is faster than doing the sync wait_util on both
         cls.servers_client.wait_for_server_status(cls.server1['id'], 'ACTIVE')
-        cls.servers_client.wait_for_server_status(cls.server2['id'], 'ACTIVE')
 
         # Create images to be used in the filter tests
         image1_name = rand_name('image')
@@ -71,8 +65,6 @@
         cls.client.delete_image(cls.image1_id)
         cls.client.delete_image(cls.image2_id)
         cls.client.delete_image(cls.image3_id)
-        cls.servers_client.delete_server(cls.server1['id'])
-        cls.servers_client.delete_server(cls.server2['id'])
         super(ListImageFiltersTest, cls).tearDownClass()
 
     @attr(type='negative')
@@ -233,9 +225,4 @@
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_get_nonexistant_image(self):
         # Negative test: GET on non existant image should fail
-        try:
-            resp, image = self.client.get_image(999)
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('GET on non existant image should fail')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.get_image, 999)
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/keypairs/test_keypairs.py b/tempest/tests/compute/keypairs/test_keypairs.py
index aefc5ff..b48b439 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/keypairs/test_keypairs.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/keypairs/test_keypairs.py
@@ -134,48 +134,32 @@
         # Keypair should not be created with a non RSA public key
         k_name = rand_name('keypair-')
         pub_key = "ssh-rsa JUNK nova@ubuntu"
-        try:
-            resp, _ = self.client.create_keypair(k_name, pub_key)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Expected BadRequest for invalid public key')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.client.create_keypair, k_name, pub_key)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     @testtools.skip("Skipped until the Bug #1086980 is resolved")
     def test_keypair_delete_nonexistant_key(self):
         # Non-existant key deletion should throw a proper error
         k_name = rand_name("keypair-non-existant-")
-        try:
-            resp, _ = self.client.delete_keypair(k_name)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('nonexistent key')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.delete_keypair,
+                          k_name)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_keypair_with_empty_public_key(self):
         # Keypair should not be created with an empty public key
         k_name = rand_name("keypair-")
         pub_key = ' '
-        try:
-            resp, _ = self.client.create_keypair(k_name, pub_key)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Expected BadRequest for empty public key')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest, self.client.create_keypair,
+                          k_name, pub_key)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_keypair_when_public_key_bits_exceeds_maximum(self):
         # Keypair should not be created when public key bits are too long
         k_name = rand_name("keypair-")
         pub_key = 'ssh-rsa ' + 'A' * 2048 + ' openstack@ubuntu'
-        try:
-            resp, _ = self.client.create_keypair(k_name, pub_key)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Expected BadRequest for too long public key')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest, self.client.create_keypair,
+                          k_name, pub_key)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_keypair_with_duplicate_name(self):
@@ -184,47 +168,30 @@
         resp, _ = self.client.create_keypair(k_name)
         self.assertEqual(200, resp.status)
         #Now try the same keyname to ceate another key
-        try:
-            resp, _ = self.client.create_keypair(k_name)
-            #Expect a HTTP 409 Conflict Error
-        except exceptions.Duplicate:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('duplicate name')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.Duplicate, self.client.create_keypair,
+                          k_name)
         resp, _ = self.client.delete_keypair(k_name)
         self.assertEqual(202, resp.status)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_keypair_with_empty_name_string(self):
         # Keypairs with name being an empty string should not be created
-        try:
-            resp, _ = self.client.create_keypair('')
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('empty string')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest, self.client.create_keypair,
+                          '')
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_keypair_with_long_keynames(self):
         # Keypairs with name longer than 255 chars should not be created
         k_name = 'keypair-'.ljust(260, '0')
-        try:
-            resp, _ = self.client.create_keypair(k_name)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('too long')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest, self.client.create_keypair,
+                          k_name)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_keypair_invalid_name(self):
         # Keypairs with name being an invalid name should not be created
         k_name = 'key_/.\@:'
-        try:
-            resp, _ = self.client.create_keypair(k_name)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('invalid name')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest, self.client.create_keypair,
+                          k_name)
 
 
 class KeyPairsTestXML(KeyPairsTestJSON):
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/security_groups/test_security_group_rules.py b/tempest/tests/compute/security_groups/test_security_group_rules.py
index 5063fd3..32ac52b 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/security_groups/test_security_group_rules.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/security_groups/test_security_group_rules.py
@@ -135,21 +135,14 @@
     def test_security_group_rules_create_with_invalid_id(self):
         # Negative test: Creation of Security Group rule should FAIL
         # with invalid Parent group id
-        #Adding rules to the invalid Security Group id
+        # Adding rules to the invalid Security Group id
         parent_group_id = rand_name('999')
         ip_protocol = 'tcp'
         from_port = 22
         to_port = 22
-        try:
-            resp, rule =\
-            self.client.create_security_group_rule(parent_group_id,
-                                                   ip_protocol,
-                                                   from_port, to_port)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Security Group rule should not be created '
-                      'with invalid parent group id')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.create_security_group_rule,
+                          parent_group_id, ip_protocol, from_port, to_port)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_security_group_rules_create_with_invalid_ip_protocol(self):
@@ -165,18 +158,11 @@
         ip_protocol = rand_name('999')
         from_port = 22
         to_port = 22
-        try:
-            resp, rule =\
-            self.client.create_security_group_rule(parent_group_id,
-                                                   ip_protocol,
-                                                   from_port, to_port)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Security Group rule should not be created '
-                      'with invalid ip_protocol')
-        #Deleting the Security Group created in this method
-        resp, _ = self.client.delete_security_group(securitygroup['id'])
+
+        self.addCleanup(self.client.delete_security_group, securitygroup['id'])
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.client.create_security_group_rule,
+                          parent_group_id, ip_protocol, from_port, to_port)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_security_group_rules_create_with_invalid_from_port(self):
@@ -192,18 +178,10 @@
         ip_protocol = 'tcp'
         from_port = rand_name('999')
         to_port = 22
-        try:
-            resp, rule =\
-            self.client.create_security_group_rule(parent_group_id,
-                                                   ip_protocol,
-                                                   from_port, to_port)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Security Group rule should not be created'
-                      'with invalid from_port')
-        #Deleting the Security Group created in this method
-        resp, _ = self.client.delete_security_group(securitygroup['id'])
+        self.addCleanup(self.client.delete_security_group, securitygroup['id'])
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.client.create_security_group_rule,
+                          parent_group_id, ip_protocol, from_port, to_port)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_security_group_rules_create_with_invalid_to_port(self):
@@ -219,30 +197,18 @@
         ip_protocol = 'tcp'
         from_port = 22
         to_port = rand_name('999')
-        try:
-            resp, rule =\
-            self.client.create_security_group_rule(parent_group_id,
-                                                   ip_protocol,
-                                                   from_port, to_port)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Security Group rule should not be created'
-                      'with invalid from_port')
-        #Deleting the Security Group created in this method
-        resp, _ = self.client.delete_security_group(securitygroup['id'])
+        self.addCleanup(self.client.delete_security_group, securitygroup['id'])
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.client.create_security_group_rule,
+                          parent_group_id, ip_protocol, from_port, to_port)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_security_group_rules_delete_with_invalid_id(self):
         # Negative test: Deletion of Security Group rule should be FAIL
         # with invalid rule id
-        try:
-            self.client.delete_security_group_rule(rand_name('999'))
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Security Group Rule should not be deleted '
-                      'with nonexistant rule id')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.delete_security_group_rule,
+                          rand_name('999'))
 
 
 class SecurityGroupRulesTestXML(SecurityGroupRulesTestJSON):
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/security_groups/test_security_groups.py b/tempest/tests/compute/security_groups/test_security_groups.py
index c086280..e5b0380 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/security_groups/test_security_groups.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/security_groups/test_security_groups.py
@@ -116,100 +116,60 @@
             non_exist_id = rand_name('999')
             if non_exist_id not in security_group_id:
                 break
-        try:
-            resp, body = \
-            self.client.get_security_group(non_exist_id)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Should not be able to GET the details from a '
-                      'nonexistant Security Group')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.get_security_group,
+                          non_exist_id)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_security_group_create_with_invalid_group_name(self):
         # Negative test: Security Group should not be created with group name
         # as an empty string/with white spaces/chars more than 255
         s_description = rand_name('description-')
-        #Create Security Group with empty string as group name
-        try:
-            resp, _ = self.client.create_security_group("", s_description)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Security Group should not be created '
-                      'with EMPTY Name')
-        #Create Security Group with white space in group name
-        try:
-            resp, _ = self.client.create_security_group(" ", s_description)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Security Group should not be created '
-                      'with WHITE SPACE in Name')
-        #Create Security Group with group name longer than 255 chars
+        # Create Security Group with empty string as group name
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.client.create_security_group, "", s_description)
+        # Create Security Group with white space in group name
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.client.create_security_group, " ",
+                          s_description)
+        # Create Security Group with group name longer than 255 chars
         s_name = 'securitygroup-'.ljust(260, '0')
-        try:
-            resp, _ = self.client.create_security_group(s_name, s_description)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Security Group should not be created '
-                      'with more than 255 chars in Name')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.client.create_security_group, s_name,
+                          s_description)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_security_group_create_with_invalid_group_description(self):
         # Negative test:Security Group should not be created with description
         # as an empty string/with white spaces/chars more than 255
         s_name = rand_name('securitygroup-')
-        #Create Security Group with empty string as description
-        try:
-            resp, _ = self.client.create_security_group(s_name, "")
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Security Group should not be created '
-                      'with EMPTY Description')
-        #Create Security Group with white space in description
-        try:
-            resp, _ = self.client.create_security_group(s_name, " ")
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Security Group should not be created '
-                      'with WHITE SPACE in Description')
-        #Create Security Group with group description longer than 255 chars
+        # Create Security Group with empty string as description
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.client.create_security_group, s_name, "")
+        # Create Security Group with white space in description
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.client.create_security_group, s_name, " ")
+        # Create Security Group with group description longer than 255 chars
         s_description = 'description-'.ljust(260, '0')
-        try:
-            resp, _ = self.client.create_security_group(s_name, s_description)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Security Group should not be created '
-                      'with more than 255 chars in Description')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.client.create_security_group, s_name,
+                          s_description)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_security_group_create_with_duplicate_name(self):
         # Negative test:Security Group with duplicate name should not
         # be created
-        try:
-            s_name = rand_name('securitygroup-')
-            s_description = rand_name('description-')
-            resp, security_group =\
+        s_name = rand_name('securitygroup-')
+        s_description = rand_name('description-')
+        resp, security_group =\
             self.client.create_security_group(s_name, s_description)
-            self.assertEqual(200, resp.status)
-            #Now try the Security Group with the same 'Name'
-            try:
-                resp, _ =\
-                self.client.create_security_group(s_name, s_description)
-            except exceptions.BadRequest:
-                pass
-            else:
-                self.fail('Security Group should not be created '
-                          'with duplicate Group Name')
-        finally:
-            #Delete the Security Group created in this method
-            resp, _ = self.client.delete_security_group(security_group['id'])
-            self.assertEqual(202, resp.status)
+        self.assertEqual(200, resp.status)
+
+        self.addCleanup(self.client.delete_security_group,
+                        security_group['id'])
+        # Now try the Security Group with the same 'Name'
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.client.create_security_group, s_name,
+                          s_description)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_delete_nonexistant_security_group(self):
@@ -223,25 +183,15 @@
             non_exist_id = rand_name('999')
             if non_exist_id not in security_group_id:
                 break
-        try:
-            resp, body = self.client.delete_security_group(non_exist_id)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Should not be able to delete a nonexistant '
-                      'Security Group')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.delete_security_group, non_exist_id)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_delete_security_group_without_passing_id(self):
         # Negative test:Deletion of a Security Group with out passing ID
         # should Fail
-        try:
-            resp, body = self.client.delete_security_group('')
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Should not be able to delete a Security Group'
-                      'with out passing ID')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.delete_security_group, '')
 
     def test_server_security_groups(self):
         # Checks that security groups may be added and linked to a server
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_console_output.py b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_console_output.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 4ddbc2f..0000000
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_console_output.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,96 +0,0 @@
-# vim: tabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 softtabstop=4
-
-# Copyright 2012 OpenStack, LLC
-# All Rights Reserved.
-#
-#    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.
-
-import testtools
-
-from tempest.common.utils.data_utils import rand_name
-from tempest import exceptions
-from tempest.test import attr
-from tempest.tests.compute import base
-
-
-#TODO(afazekas): move these to the server actions test
-@attr(type='smoke')
-class ConsoleOutputTestJSON(base.BaseComputeTest):
-    _interface = 'json'
-
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        super(ConsoleOutputTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-        cls.name = rand_name('server')
-        resp, server = cls.servers_client.create_server(cls.name,
-                                                        cls.image_ref,
-                                                        cls.flavor_ref)
-        cls.server_id = server['id']
-
-        cls.servers_client.wait_for_server_status(cls.server_id, 'ACTIVE')
-
-    @classmethod
-    def tearDownClass(cls):
-        cls.servers_client.delete_server(cls.server_id)
-        super(ConsoleOutputTestJSON, cls).tearDownClass()
-
-    @attr(type='positive')
-    def test_get_console_output(self):
-        # Positive test:Should be able to GET the console output
-        # for a given server_id and number of lines
-        def get_output():
-            resp, output = self.servers_client.get_console_output(
-                self.server_id, 10)
-            self.assertEqual(200, resp.status)
-            self.assertNotEqual(output, None)
-            lines = len(output.split('\n'))
-            self.assertEqual(lines, 10)
-        self.wait_for(get_output)
-
-    @attr(type='negative')
-    def test_get_console_output_invalid_server_id(self):
-        # Negative test: Should not be able to get the console output
-        # for an invalid server_id
-        try:
-            resp, output = self.servers_client.get_console_output(
-                '!@#$%^&*()', 10)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-
-    @attr(type='positive')
-    @testtools.skip('Until tempest bug 1014683 is fixed.')
-    def test_get_console_output_server_id_in_reboot_status(self):
-        # Positive test:Should be able to GET the console output
-        # for a given server_id in reboot status
-        try:
-            resp, output = self.servers_client.reboot(self.server_id, 'SOFT')
-            self.servers_client.wait_for_server_status(self.server_id,
-                                                       'REBOOT')
-            resp, server = self.servers_client.get_server(self.server_id)
-            if (server['status'] == 'REBOOT'):
-                resp, output = self.servers_client.get_console_output(
-                    self.server_id, 10)
-                self.assertEqual(200, resp.status)
-                self.assertNotEqual(output, None)
-                lines = len(output.split('\n'))
-                self.assertEqual(lines, 10)
-            else:
-                self.fail("Could not capture instance in Reboot status")
-        finally:
-            self.servers_client.wait_for_server_status(self.server_id,
-                                                       'ACTIVE')
-
-
-@attr(type='smoke')
-class ConsoleOutputTestXML(ConsoleOutputTestJSON):
-    _interface = 'xml'
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_create_server.py b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_create_server.py
index 3c8aeda..aaab9fa 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_create_server.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_create_server.py
@@ -46,24 +46,17 @@
         personality = [{'path': '/test.txt',
                        'contents': base64.b64encode(file_contents)}]
         cls.client = cls.servers_client
-        cli_resp = cls.client.create_server(cls.name,
-                                            cls.image_ref,
-                                            cls.flavor_ref,
-                                            meta=cls.meta,
-                                            accessIPv4=cls.accessIPv4,
-                                            accessIPv6=cls.accessIPv6,
-                                            personality=personality,
-                                            disk_config=cls.disk_config)
+        cli_resp = cls.create_server(name=cls.name,
+                                     meta=cls.meta,
+                                     accessIPv4=cls.accessIPv4,
+                                     accessIPv6=cls.accessIPv6,
+                                     personality=personality,
+                                     disk_config=cls.disk_config)
         cls.resp, cls.server_initial = cli_resp
         cls.password = cls.server_initial['adminPass']
         cls.client.wait_for_server_status(cls.server_initial['id'], 'ACTIVE')
         resp, cls.server = cls.client.get_server(cls.server_initial['id'])
 
-    @classmethod
-    def tearDownClass(cls):
-        cls.client.delete_server(cls.server_initial['id'])
-        super(ServersTestJSON, cls).tearDownClass()
-
     @attr(type='smoke')
     def test_create_server_response(self):
         # Check that the required fields are returned with values
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_disk_config.py b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_disk_config.py
index 671abf9..3a1ec20 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_disk_config.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_disk_config.py
@@ -37,14 +37,8 @@
     @attr(type='positive')
     def test_rebuild_server_with_manual_disk_config(self):
         # A server should be rebuilt using the manual disk config option
-        name = rand_name('server')
-        resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras(name,
-                                                      self.image_ref,
-                                                      self.flavor_ref,
-                                                      disk_config='AUTO')
-
-        #Wait for the server to become active
-        self.client.wait_for_server_status(server['id'], 'ACTIVE')
+        resp, server = self.create_server(disk_config='AUTO',
+                                          wait_until='ACTIVE')
 
         #Verify the specified attributes are set correctly
         resp, server = self.client.get_server(server['id'])
@@ -67,14 +61,8 @@
     @attr(type='positive')
     def test_rebuild_server_with_auto_disk_config(self):
         # A server should be rebuilt using the auto disk config option
-        name = rand_name('server')
-        resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras(name,
-                                                      self.image_ref,
-                                                      self.flavor_ref,
-                                                      disk_config='MANUAL')
-
-        #Wait for the server to become active
-        self.client.wait_for_server_status(server['id'], 'ACTIVE')
+        resp, server = self.create_server(disk_config='MANUAL',
+                                          wait_until='ACTIVE')
 
         #Verify the specified attributes are set correctly
         resp, server = self.client.get_server(server['id'])
@@ -98,14 +86,8 @@
     @testtools.skipUnless(compute.RESIZE_AVAILABLE, 'Resize not available.')
     def test_resize_server_from_manual_to_auto(self):
         # A server should be resized from manual to auto disk config
-        name = rand_name('server')
-        resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras(name,
-                                                      self.image_ref,
-                                                      self.flavor_ref,
-                                                      disk_config='MANUAL')
-
-        #Wait for the server to become active
-        self.client.wait_for_server_status(server['id'], 'ACTIVE')
+        resp, server = self.create_server(disk_config='MANUAL',
+                                          wait_until='ACTIVE')
 
         #Resize with auto option
         self.client.resize(server['id'], self.flavor_ref_alt,
@@ -124,14 +106,8 @@
     @testtools.skipUnless(compute.RESIZE_AVAILABLE, 'Resize not available.')
     def test_resize_server_from_auto_to_manual(self):
         # A server should be resized from auto to manual disk config
-        name = rand_name('server')
-        resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras(name,
-                                                      self.image_ref,
-                                                      self.flavor_ref,
-                                                      disk_config='AUTO')
-
-        #Wait for the server to become active
-        self.client.wait_for_server_status(server['id'], 'ACTIVE')
+        resp, server = self.create_server(disk_config='AUTO',
+                                          wait_until='ACTIVE')
 
         #Resize with manual option
         self.client.resize(server['id'], self.flavor_ref_alt,
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_list_servers_negative.py b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_list_servers_negative.py
index 320f920..01b11e0 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_list_servers_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_list_servers_negative.py
@@ -78,10 +78,10 @@
         cls.existing_fixtures = []
         cls.deleted_fixtures = []
         for x in xrange(2):
-            srv = cls.create_server()
+            resp, srv = cls.create_server()
             cls.existing_fixtures.append(srv)
 
-        srv = cls.create_server()
+        resp, srv = cls.create_server()
         cls.client.delete_server(srv['id'])
         # We ignore errors on termination because the server may
         # be put into ERROR status on a quick spawn, then delete,
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py
index a9ada39..5046ec2 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@
     run_ssh = tempest.config.TempestConfig().compute.run_ssh
 
     def setUp(self):
+        #NOTE(afazekas): Normally we use the same server with all test cases,
+        # but if it has an issue, we build a new one
         super(ServerActionsTestJSON, self).setUp()
         # Check if the server is in a clean state after test
         try:
@@ -208,30 +210,56 @@
         file_contents = 'Test server rebuild.'
         personality = [{'path': '/etc/rebuild.txt',
                         'contents': base64.b64encode(file_contents)}]
-        try:
-            resp, rebuilt_server = self.client.rebuild(999,
-                                                       self.image_ref_alt,
-                                                       name=new_name,
-                                                       meta=meta,
-                                                       personality=personality,
-                                                       adminPass='rebuild')
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('The server rebuild for a non existing server should not'
-                      ' be allowed')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.rebuild,
+                          999, self.image_ref_alt,
+                          name=new_name, meta=meta,
+                          personality=personality,
+                          adminPass='rebuild')
+
+    @attr(type='positive')
+    def test_get_console_output(self):
+        # Positive test:Should be able to GET the console output
+        # for a given server_id and number of lines
+        def get_output():
+            resp, output = self.servers_client.get_console_output(
+                self.server_id, 10)
+            self.assertEqual(200, resp.status)
+            self.assertNotEqual(output, None)
+            lines = len(output.split('\n'))
+            self.assertEqual(lines, 10)
+        self.wait_for(get_output)
+
+    @attr(type='negative')
+    def test_get_console_output_invalid_server_id(self):
+        # Negative test: Should not be able to get the console output
+        # for an invalid server_id
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.servers_client.get_console_output,
+                          '!@#$%^&*()', 10)
+
+    @attr(type='positive')
+    @testtools.skip('Until tempest bug 1014683 is fixed.')
+    def test_get_console_output_server_id_in_reboot_status(self):
+        # Positive test:Should be able to GET the console output
+        # for a given server_id in reboot status
+        resp, output = self.servers_client.reboot(self.server_id, 'SOFT')
+        self.servers_client.wait_for_server_status(self.server_id,
+                                                   'REBOOT')
+        resp, output = self.servers_client.get_console_output(self.server_id,
+                                                              10)
+        self.assertEqual(200, resp.status)
+        self.assertNotEqual(output, None)
+        lines = len(output.split('\n'))
+        self.assertEqual(lines, 10)
 
     @classmethod
     def rebuild_servers(cls):
         # Destroy any existing server and creates a new one
         cls.clear_servers()
-        cls.name = rand_name('server')
-        resp, server = cls.create_server_with_extras(cls.name,
-                                                     cls.image_ref,
-                                                     cls.flavor_ref)
+        resp, server = cls.create_server(wait_until='ACTIVE')
         cls.server_id = server['id']
         cls.password = server['adminPass']
-        cls.client.wait_for_server_status(cls.server_id, 'ACTIVE')
 
 
 class ServerActionsTestXML(ServerActionsTestJSON):
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_addresses.py b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_addresses.py
index b811d52..c69f68d 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_addresses.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_addresses.py
@@ -43,26 +43,15 @@
     @attr(type='negative', category='server-addresses')
     def test_list_server_addresses_invalid_server_id(self):
         # List addresses request should fail if server id not in system
-
-        try:
-            self.client.list_addresses('999')
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('The server rebuild for a non existing server should not'
-                      ' be allowed')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.list_addresses,
+                          '999')
 
     @attr(type='negative', category='server-addresses')
     def test_list_server_addresses_by_network_neg(self):
         # List addresses by network should fail if network name not valid
-
-        try:
-            self.client.list_addresses_by_network(self.server['id'], 'invalid')
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('The server rebuild for a non existing server should not'
-                      ' be allowed')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.list_addresses_by_network,
+                          self.server['id'], 'invalid')
 
     @attr(type='smoke', category='server-addresses')
     def test_list_server_addresses(self):
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_metadata.py b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_metadata.py
index 6958a7d..4b17fa2 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_metadata.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_metadata.py
@@ -28,7 +28,11 @@
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(ServerMetadataTest, cls).setUpClass()
         cls.client = cls.servers_client
-
+        cls.quotas = cls.quotas_client
+        cls.admin_client = cls._get_identity_admin_client()
+        resp, tenants = cls.admin_client.list_tenants()
+        cls.tenant_id = [tnt['id'] for tnt in tenants if tnt['name'] ==
+                         cls.client.tenant_name][0]
         #Create a server to be used for all read only tests
         name = rand_name('server')
         resp, server = cls.client.create_server(name, cls.image_ref,
@@ -79,11 +83,9 @@
         for sz in [256, 257, 511, 1023]:
             key = "k" * sz
             meta = {key: 'data1'}
-            name = rand_name('server')
             self.assertRaises(exceptions.OverLimit,
-                              self.create_server_with_extras,
-                              name, self.image_ref,
-                              self.flavor_ref, meta=meta)
+                              self.create_server,
+                              meta=meta)
 
         # no teardown - all creates should fail
 
@@ -91,11 +93,9 @@
     def test_create_metadata_key_error(self):
         # Blank key should trigger an error.
         meta = {'': 'data1'}
-        name = rand_name('server')
         self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
-                          self.create_server_with_extras,
-                          name, self.image_ref,
-                          self.flavor_ref, meta=meta)
+                          self.create_server,
+                          meta=meta)
 
     def test_update_server_metadata(self):
         # The server's metadata values should be updated to the
@@ -110,6 +110,15 @@
         expected = {'key1': 'alt1', 'key2': 'value2', 'key3': 'value3'}
         self.assertEqual(expected, resp_metadata)
 
+    def test_update_metadata_empty_body(self):
+        # The original metadata should not be lost if empty metadata body is
+        # passed
+        meta = {}
+        _, metadata = self.client.update_server_metadata(self.server_id, meta)
+        resp, resp_metadata = self.client.list_server_metadata(self.server_id)
+        expected = {'key1': 'value1', 'key2': 'value2'}
+        self.assertEqual(expected, resp_metadata)
+
     def test_get_server_metadata_item(self):
         # The value for a specic metadata key should be returned
         resp, meta = self.client.get_server_metadata_item(self.server_id,
@@ -143,63 +152,40 @@
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_get_nonexistant_server_metadata_item(self):
         # Negative test: GET on nonexistant server should not succeed
-        try:
-            resp, meta = self.client.get_server_metadata_item(999, 'test2')
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('GET on nonexistant server should not succeed')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.get_server_metadata_item, 999, 'test2')
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_list_nonexistant_server_metadata(self):
         # Negative test:List metadata on a non existant server should
         # not succeed
-        try:
-            resp, metadata = self.client.list_server_metadata(999)
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('List metadata on a non existant server should'
-                      'not succeed')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.list_server_metadata, 999)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_set_server_metadata_item_incorrect_uri_key(self):
-        #Raise BadRequest if key in uri does not match
-        #the key passed in body.
+        # Raise BadRequest if key in uri does not match
+        # the key passed in body.
 
         meta = {'testkey': 'testvalue'}
-        try:
-            resp, metadata = self.client.set_server_metadata_item(
-                                        self.server_id, 'key', meta)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Should raise BadRequest if URI key does not match key'
-                      'passed in the body')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.client.set_server_metadata_item,
+                          self.server_id, 'key', meta)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_set_nonexistant_server_metadata(self):
         # Negative test: Set metadata on a non existant server should not
         # succeed
         meta = {'meta1': 'data1'}
-        try:
-            resp, metadata = self.client.set_server_metadata(999, meta)
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Set metadata on a non existant server should'
-                      'not succeed')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.set_server_metadata, 999, meta)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_update_nonexistant_server_metadata(self):
         # Negative test: An update should not happen for a nonexistant image
         meta = {'key1': 'value1', 'key2': 'value2'}
-        try:
-            resp, metadata = self.client.update_server_metadata(999, meta)
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('An update should not happen for a nonexistant image')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.update_server_metadata, 999, meta)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_update_metadata_key_error(self):
@@ -212,12 +198,43 @@
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_delete_nonexistant_server_metadata_item(self):
         # Negative test: Should not be able to delete metadata item from a
-        # nonexistant server
+        #  nonexistant server
 
         #Delete the metadata item
-        try:
-            resp, metadata = self.client.delete_server_metadata_item(999, 'd')
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('A delete should not happen for a nonexistant image')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.delete_server_metadata_item, 999, 'd')
+
+    @attr(type='negative')
+    def test_set_server_metadata_too_long(self):
+        # Raise a 413 OverLimit exception while exceeding metadata items limit
+        # for tenant.
+        _, quota_set = self.quotas.get_quota_set(self.tenant_id)
+        quota_metadata = quota_set['metadata_items']
+        req_metadata = {}
+        for num in range(1, quota_metadata + 2):
+            req_metadata['key' + str(num)] = 'val' + str(num)
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.OverLimit,
+                          self.client.set_server_metadata,
+                          self.server_id, req_metadata)
+
+    @attr(type='negative')
+    def test_update_server_metadata_too_long(self):
+        # Raise a 413 OverLimit exception while exceeding metadata items limit
+        # for tenant.
+        _, quota_set = self.quotas.get_quota_set(self.tenant_id)
+        quota_metadata = quota_set['metadata_items']
+        req_metadata = {}
+        for num in range(1, quota_metadata + 2):
+            req_metadata['key' + str(num)] = 'val' + str(num)
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.OverLimit,
+                          self.client.update_server_metadata,
+                          self.server_id, req_metadata)
+
+    @attr(type='negative')
+    def test_update_all_metadata_field_error(self):
+        # Raise a bad request error for blank key.
+        # set_server_metadata will replace all metadata with new value
+        meta = {'': 'data1'}
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.client.set_server_metadata,
+                          self.server_id, meta=meta)
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_personality.py b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_personality.py
index 816ca76..0bafc2c 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_personality.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_server_personality.py
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@
     def test_personality_files_exceed_limit(self):
         # Server creation should fail if greater than the maximum allowed
         # number of files are injected into the server.
-        name = rand_name('server')
         file_contents = 'This is a test file.'
         personality = []
         max_file_limit = \
@@ -45,9 +44,7 @@
             personality.append({'path': path,
                                 'contents': base64.b64encode(file_contents)})
         try:
-            self.create_server_with_extras(name, self.image_ref,
-                                           self.flavor_ref,
-                                           personality=personality)
+            self.create_server(personality=personality)
         except exceptions.OverLimit:
             pass
         else:
@@ -58,7 +55,6 @@
         # Server should be created successfully if maximum allowed number of
         # files is injected into the server during creation.
         try:
-            name = rand_name('server')
             file_contents = 'This is a test file.'
 
             max_file_limit = \
@@ -71,9 +67,7 @@
                     'path': path,
                     'contents': base64.b64encode(file_contents),
                 })
-            resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras(name, self.image_ref,
-                                                          self.flavor_ref,
-                                                          personality=person)
+            resp, server = self.create_server(personality=person)
             self.assertEqual('202', resp['status'])
 
         #Teardown
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_servers.py b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_servers.py
index a912652..a8d28df 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_servers.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_servers.py
@@ -35,11 +35,7 @@
 
         try:
             server = None
-            name = rand_name('server')
-            resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras(name, self.image_ref,
-                                                          self.flavor_ref,
-                                                          adminPass='test'
-                                                          'password')
+            resp, server = self.create_server(adminPass='testpassword')
 
             #Verify the password is set correctly in the response
             self.assertEqual('testpassword', server['adminPass'])
@@ -52,19 +48,16 @@
     def test_create_with_existing_server_name(self):
         # Creating a server with a name that already exists is allowed
 
+        # TODO(sdague): clear out try, we do cleanup one layer up
         try:
             id1 = None
             id2 = None
             server_name = rand_name('server')
-            resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras(server_name,
-                                                          self.image_ref,
-                                                          self.flavor_ref)
-            self.client.wait_for_server_status(server['id'], 'ACTIVE')
+            resp, server = self.create_server(name=server_name,
+                                              wait_until='ACTIVE')
             id1 = server['id']
-            resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras(server_name,
-                                                          self.image_ref,
-                                                          self.flavor_ref)
-            self.client.wait_for_server_status(server['id'], 'ACTIVE')
+            resp, server = self.create_server(name=server_name,
+                                              wait_until='ACTIVE')
             id2 = server['id']
             self.assertNotEqual(id1, id2, "Did not create a new server")
             resp, server = self.client.get_server(id1)
@@ -86,11 +79,7 @@
             key_name = rand_name('key')
             resp, keypair = self.keypairs_client.create_keypair(key_name)
             resp, body = self.keypairs_client.list_keypairs()
-            server_name = rand_name('server')
-            resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras(server_name,
-                                                          self.image_ref,
-                                                          self.flavor_ref,
-                                                          key_name=key_name)
+            resp, server = self.create_server(key_name=key_name)
             self.assertEqual('202', resp['status'])
             self.client.wait_for_server_status(server['id'], 'ACTIVE')
             resp, server = self.client.get_server(server['id'])
@@ -104,10 +93,7 @@
         # The server name should be changed to the the provided value
         try:
             server = None
-            name = rand_name('server')
-            resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras(name, self.image_ref,
-                                                          self.flavor_ref)
-            self.client.wait_for_server_status(server['id'], 'ACTIVE')
+            resp, server = self.create_server(wait_until='ACTIVE')
 
             #Update the server with a new name
             resp, server = self.client.update_server(server['id'],
@@ -129,10 +115,7 @@
         # The server's access addresses should reflect the provided values
         try:
             server = None
-            name = rand_name('server')
-            resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras(name, self.image_ref,
-                                                          self.flavor_ref)
-            self.client.wait_for_server_status(server['id'], 'ACTIVE')
+            resp, server = self.create_server(wait_until='ACTIVE')
 
             #Update the IPv4 and IPv6 access addresses
             resp, body = self.client.update_server(server['id'],
@@ -153,10 +136,7 @@
 
     def test_delete_server_while_in_building_state(self):
         # Delete a server while it's VM state is Building
-        name = rand_name('server')
-        resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras(name, self.image_ref,
-                                                      self.flavor_ref)
-        self.client.wait_for_server_status(server['id'], 'BUILD')
+        resp, server = self.create_server(wait_until='BUILD')
         resp, _ = self.client.delete_server(server['id'])
         self.assertEqual('204', resp['status'])
 
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_servers_negative.py b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_servers_negative.py
index 553af78..366b630 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_servers_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_servers_negative.py
@@ -21,10 +21,11 @@
 from tempest.common.utils.data_utils import rand_name
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.test import attr
-from tempest.tests.compute.base import BaseComputeTest
+from tempest.tests.compute import base
 
 
-class ServersNegativeTest(BaseComputeTest):
+class ServersNegativeTest(base.BaseComputeTest):
+    _interface = 'json'
 
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
@@ -38,117 +39,78 @@
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_server_name_blank(self):
         # Create a server with name parameter empty
-        try:
-                resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras('',
-                                                              self.image_ref,
-                                                              self.flavor_ref)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Server name cannot be blank')
+
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.create_server,
+                          name='')
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_personality_file_contents_not_encoded(self):
         # Use an unencoded file when creating a server with personality
+
         file_contents = 'This is a test file.'
         person = [{'path': '/etc/testfile.txt',
                    'contents': file_contents}]
 
-        try:
-            resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras('test',
-                                                          self.image_ref,
-                                                          self.flavor_ref,
-                                                          personality=person)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Unencoded file contents should not be accepted')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.create_server,
+                          personality=person)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_with_invalid_image(self):
         # Create a server with an unknown image
-        try:
-            resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras('fail', -1,
-                                                          self.flavor_ref)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Cannot create a server with an invalid image')
+
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.create_server,
+                          image_id=-1)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_with_invalid_flavor(self):
         # Create a server with an unknown flavor
-        try:
-            self.create_server_with_extras('fail', self.image_ref, -1)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Cannot create a server with an invalid flavor')
+
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.create_server,
+                          flavor=-1,)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_invalid_access_ip_v4_address(self):
         # An access IPv4 address must match a valid address pattern
+
         IPv4 = '1.1.1.1.1.1'
-        name = rand_name('server')
-        try:
-            resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras(name,
-                                                          self.image_ref,
-                                                          self.flavor_ref,
-                                                          accessIPv4=IPv4)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Access IPv4 address must match the correct format')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.create_server, accessIPv4=IPv4)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_invalid_ip_v6_address(self):
         # An access IPv6 address must match a valid address pattern
+
         IPv6 = 'notvalid'
-        name = rand_name('server')
-        try:
-            resp, server = self.create_server_with_extras(name,
-                                                          self.image_ref,
-                                                          self.flavor_ref,
-                                                          accessIPv6=IPv6)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Access IPv6 address must match the correct format')
+
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.create_server, accessIPv6=IPv6)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_reboot_deleted_server(self):
         # Reboot a deleted server
-        self.name = rand_name('server')
-        resp, create_server = self.create_server_with_extras(self.name,
-                                                             self.image_ref,
-                                                             self.flavor_ref)
-        self.server_id = create_server['id']
+        resp, server = self.create_server()
+        self.server_id = server['id']
         self.client.delete_server(self.server_id)
         self.client.wait_for_server_termination(self.server_id)
-        try:
-            resp1, reboot_server = self.client.reboot(self.server_id, 'SOFT')
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Should not be able to reboot a deleted server')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.reboot,
+                          self.server_id, 'SOFT')
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_rebuild_deleted_server(self):
         # Rebuild a deleted server
-        self.name = rand_name('server')
-        resp, create_server = self.create_server_with_extras(self.name,
-                                                             self.image_ref,
-                                                             self.flavor_ref)
-        self.server_id = create_server['id']
+
+        resp, server = self.create_server()
+        self.server_id = server['id']
         self.client.delete_server(self.server_id)
         self.client.wait_for_server_termination(self.server_id)
-        try:
-            resp1, rebuild_server = self.client.rebuild(self.server_id,
-                                                        self.image_ref_alt)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Should not be able to rebuild a deleted server')
+
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.rebuild,
+                          self.server_id, self.image_ref_alt)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_numeric_server_name(self):
@@ -156,8 +118,8 @@
 
         server_name = 12345
         self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
-                          self.create_server_with_extras,
-                          server_name, self.image_ref, self.flavor_ref)
+                          self.create_server,
+                          name=server_name)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_server_name_length_exceeds_256(self):
@@ -165,19 +127,17 @@
 
         server_name = 'a' * 256
         self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
-                          self.create_server_with_extras,
-                          server_name, self.image_ref, self.flavor_ref)
+                          self.create_server,
+                          name=server_name)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_with_invalid_network_uuid(self):
         # Pass invalid network uuid while creating a server
 
-        server_name = rand_name('server')
         networks = [{'fixed_ip': '10.0.1.1', 'uuid': 'a-b-c-d-e-f-g-h-i-j'}]
 
         self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
-                          self.create_server_with_extras,
-                          server_name, self.image_ref, self.flavor_ref,
+                          self.create_server,
                           networks=networks)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
@@ -185,21 +145,17 @@
         # Pass a non existant keypair while creating a server
 
         key_name = rand_name('key')
-        server_name = rand_name('server')
         self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
-                          self.create_server_with_extras,
-                          server_name, self.image_ref, self.flavor_ref,
+                          self.create_server,
                           key_name=key_name)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_server_metadata_exceeds_length_limit(self):
         # Pass really long metadata while creating a server
 
-        server_name = rand_name('server')
         metadata = {'a': 'b' * 260}
         self.assertRaises(exceptions.OverLimit,
-                          self.create_server_with_extras,
-                          server_name, self.image_ref, self.flavor_ref,
+                          self.create_server,
                           meta=metadata)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
@@ -277,19 +233,15 @@
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_with_nonexistent_security_group(self):
         # Create a server with a nonexistent security group
-        try:
-            security_groups = [{'name': 'does_not_exist'}]
-            self.create_server_with_extras('fail',
-                                           self.image_ref,
-                                           self.flavor_ref,
-                                           security_groups=security_groups)
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Server was created with nonexistent security group')
+
+        security_groups = [{'name': 'does_not_exist'}]
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
+                          self.create_server,
+                          security_groups=security_groups)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_get_non_existent_server(self):
         # Get a non existent server details
+
         self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.get_server,
                           '999erra43')
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_virtual_interfaces.py b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_virtual_interfaces.py
index 65da24f..4c48366 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_virtual_interfaces.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/servers/test_virtual_interfaces.py
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 #    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
 #    under the License.
 
+import netaddr
+
 from tempest.common.utils.data_utils import rand_name
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.test import attr
@@ -49,18 +51,22 @@
         resp, output = self.client.list_virtual_interfaces(self.server_id)
         self.assertEqual(200, resp.status)
         self.assertNotEqual(output, None)
-        virtual_interfaces = output
-        self.assertNotEqual(0, len(virtual_interfaces),
-                            'Expected virtual interfaces, got zero.')
+        virt_ifaces = output
+        self.assertNotEqual(0, len(virt_ifaces['virtual_interfaces']),
+                            'Expected virtual interfaces, got 0 interfaces.')
+        for virt_iface in virt_ifaces['virtual_interfaces']:
+            mac_address = virt_iface['mac_address']
+            self.assertTrue(netaddr.valid_mac(mac_address),
+                            "Invalid mac address detected.")
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_list_virtual_interfaces_invalid_server_id(self):
         # Negative test: Should not be able to GET virtual interfaces
         # for an invalid server_id
-        try:
-            resp, output = self.client.list_virtual_interfaces('!@#$%^&*()')
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
+        invalid_server_id = rand_name('!@#$%^&*()')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound,
+                          self.client.list_virtual_interfaces,
+                          invalid_server_id)
 
 
 @attr(type='smoke')
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/test_live_block_migration.py b/tempest/tests/compute/test_live_block_migration.py
index 078026a..dcd6a78 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/test_live_block_migration.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/test_live_block_migration.py
@@ -22,14 +22,12 @@
 
 from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
-from tempest.services.compute.json.hosts_client import HostsClientJSON
-from tempest.services.compute.json.servers_client import ServersClientJSON
 from tempest.test import attr
 from tempest.tests.compute import base
 
 
 @attr(category='live-migration')
-class LiveBlockMigrationTest(base.BaseComputeTest):
+class LiveBlockMigrationTest(base.BaseComputeAdminTest):
     _interface = 'json'
 
     live_migration_available = (
@@ -42,12 +40,8 @@
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(LiveBlockMigrationTest, cls).setUpClass()
 
-        tenant_name = cls.config.compute_admin.tenant_name
-        cls.admin_hosts_client = HostsClientJSON(
-            *cls._get_client_args(), tenant_name=tenant_name)
-
-        cls.admin_servers_client = ServersClientJSON(
-            *cls._get_client_args(), tenant_name=tenant_name)
+        cls.admin_hosts_client = cls.os_adm.hosts_client
+        cls.admin_servers_client = cls.os_adm.servers_client
 
         cls.created_server_ids = []
 
@@ -102,7 +96,7 @@
     @attr(type='positive')
     @testtools.skipIf(not live_migration_available,
                       'Block Live migration not available')
-    def test_001_live_block_migration(self):
+    def test_live_block_migration(self):
         # Live block migrate an instance to another host
         if len(self._get_compute_hostnames()) < 2:
             raise self.skipTest(
@@ -114,11 +108,10 @@
         self.servers_client.wait_for_server_status(server_id, 'ACTIVE')
         self.assertEquals(target_host, self._get_host_for_server(server_id))
 
-    @attr(type='positive', bug='lp1051881')
     @testtools.skip('Until bug 1051881 is dealt with.')
     @testtools.skipIf(not live_migration_available,
                       'Block Live migration not available')
-    def test_002_invalid_host_for_migration(self):
+    def test_invalid_host_for_migration(self):
         # Migrating to an invalid host should not change the status
 
         server_id = self._get_an_active_server()
diff --git a/tempest/tests/compute/volumes/test_volumes_negative.py b/tempest/tests/compute/volumes/test_volumes_negative.py
index c0fa565..306b93b 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/compute/volumes/test_volumes_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/compute/volumes/test_volumes_negative.py
@@ -39,18 +39,13 @@
             non_exist_id = rand_name('999')
             if non_exist_id not in volume_id_list:
                 break
-        #Trying to GET a non existant volume
-        try:
-            resp, body = self.client.get_volume(non_exist_id)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Should not be able to GET the details from a '
-                      'nonexistant volume')
+        # Trying to GET a non existant volume
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.get_volume,
+                          non_exist_id)
 
     def test_volume_delete_nonexistant_volume_id(self):
         # Negative: Should not be able to delete nonexistant Volume
-        #Creating nonexistant volume id
+        # Creating nonexistant volume id
         volume_id_list = list()
         resp, body = self.client.list_volumes()
         for i in range(len(body)):
@@ -59,13 +54,9 @@
             non_exist_id = rand_name('999')
             if non_exist_id not in volume_id_list:
                 break
-        #Trying to DELETE a non existant volume
-        try:
-            resp, body = self.client.delete_volume(non_exist_id)
-        except exceptions.NotFound:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Should not be able to DELETE a nonexistant volume')
+        # Trying to DELETE a non existant volume
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.client.delete_volume,
+                          non_exist_id)
 
     def test_create_volume_with_invalid_size(self):
         # Negative: Should not be able to create volume with invalid size
diff --git a/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_roles.py b/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_roles.py
index 46db4fb..f71bed0 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_roles.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_roles.py
@@ -20,11 +20,12 @@
 from tempest.tests.identity import base
 
 
-class RolesTestBase(object):
+class RolesTestJSON(base.BaseIdentityAdminTest):
+    _interface = 'json'
 
-    @staticmethod
+    @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
-
+        super(RolesTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
         for _ in xrange(5):
             resp, role = cls.client.create_role(rand_name('role-'))
             cls.data.roles.append(role)
@@ -37,6 +38,13 @@
         role = self.get_role_by_name(self.data.test_role)
         return (user, tenant, role)
 
+    def assert_role_in_role_list(self, role, roles):
+        found = False
+        for user_role in roles:
+            if user_role['id'] == role['id']:
+                found = True
+        self.assertTrue(found, "assigned role was not in list")
+
     def test_list_roles(self):
         # Return a list of all roles
         resp, body = self.client.list_roles()
@@ -87,43 +95,9 @@
         role1_id = body.get('id')
         self.assertTrue('status' in resp)
         self.assertTrue(resp['status'].startswith('2'))
-
-        try:
-            resp, body = self.client.create_role(role_name)
-            # this should raise an exception
-            self.fail('Should not be able to create a duplicate role name.'
-                      ' %s' % role_name)
-        except exceptions.Duplicate:
-            pass
-        self.client.delete_role(role1_id)
-
-
-class RolesTestJSON(base.BaseIdentityAdminTestJSON,
-                    RolesTestBase):
-
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        super(RolesTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-        RolesTestBase.setUpClass(cls)
-
-
-class RolesTestXML(base.BaseIdentityAdminTestXML,
-                   RolesTestBase):
-
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        super(RolesTestXML, cls).setUpClass()
-        RolesTestBase.setUpClass(cls)
-
-
-class UserRolesTestBase(RolesTestBase):
-
-    def assert_role_in_role_list(self, role, roles):
-        found = False
-        for user_role in roles:
-            if user_role['id'] == role['id']:
-                found = True
-        self.assertTrue(found, "assigned role was not in list")
+        self.addCleanup(self.client.delete_role, role1_id)
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.Duplicate, self.client.create_role,
+                          role_name)
 
     def test_assign_user_role(self):
         # Assign a role to a user on a tenant
@@ -267,17 +241,5 @@
                           tenant['id'], 'junk-role-aabbcc11')
 
 
-class UserRolesTestJSON(RolesTestJSON,
-                        UserRolesTestBase):
-
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        super(UserRolesTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-
-
-class UserRolesTestXML(RolesTestXML,
-                       UserRolesTestBase):
-
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        super(UserRolesTestXML, cls).setUpClass()
+class RolesTestXML(RolesTestJSON):
+    _interface = 'xml'
diff --git a/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_services.py b/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_services.py
index 77c8e83..caf57bd 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_services.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_services.py
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@
 from tempest.tests.identity import base
 
 
-class ServicesTestBase(object):
+class ServicesTestJSON(base.BaseIdentityAdminTest):
+    _interface = 'json'
 
     def test_create_get_delete_service(self):
         # GET Service
@@ -91,14 +92,5 @@
         self.assertFalse(any(found), 'Services failed to delete')
 
 
-class ServicesTestJSON(base.BaseIdentityAdminTestJSON, ServicesTestBase):
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        super(ServicesTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-
-
-class ServicesTestXML(base.BaseIdentityAdminTestXML,
-                      ServicesTestBase):
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        super(ServicesTestXML, cls).setUpClass()
+class ServicesTestXML(ServicesTestJSON):
+    _interface = 'xml'
diff --git a/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_tenants.py b/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_tenants.py
index 594afe8..8155eb5 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_tenants.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_tenants.py
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@
 from tempest.tests.identity import base
 
 
-class TenantsTestBase(object):
+class TenantsTestJSON(base.BaseIdentityAdminTest):
+    _interface = 'json'
 
     def test_list_tenants_by_unauthorized_user(self):
         # Non-admin user should not be able to list tenants
@@ -150,14 +151,10 @@
         self.data.tenants.append(tenant)
         tenant1_id = body.get('id')
 
-        try:
-            resp, body = self.client.create_tenant(tenant_name)
-            # this should have raised an exception
-            self.fail('Should not be able to create a duplicate tenant name')
-        except exceptions.Duplicate:
-            pass
-        self.client.delete_tenant(tenant1_id)
-        self.data.tenants.remove(tenant)
+        self.addCleanup(self.client.delete_tenant, tenant1_id)
+        self.addCleanup(self.data.tenants.remove, tenant)
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.Duplicate, self.client.create_tenant,
+                          tenant_name)
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_create_tenant_by_unauthorized_user(self):
@@ -229,7 +226,7 @@
         t_desc2 = rand_name('desc2-')
         resp, body = self.client.update_tenant(t_id, description=t_desc2)
         st2 = resp['status']
-        resp2_desc = body['extra']['description']
+        resp2_desc = body['description']
         self.assertTrue(st2.startswith('2'))
         self.assertNotEqual(resp1_desc, resp2_desc)
 
@@ -257,7 +254,7 @@
         t_en2 = True
         resp, body = self.client.update_tenant(t_id, enabled=t_en2)
         st2 = resp['status']
-        resp2_en = body['extra']['enabled']
+        resp2_en = body['enabled']
         self.assertTrue(st2.startswith('2'))
         self.assertNotEqual(resp1_en, resp2_en)
 
@@ -272,16 +269,5 @@
         self.data.tenants.remove(tenant)
 
 
-class TenantsTestJSON(base.BaseIdentityAdminTestJSON,
-                      TenantsTestBase):
-
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        super(TenantsTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-
-
-class TenantsTestXML(base.BaseIdentityAdminTestXML, TenantsTestBase):
-
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        super(TenantsTestXML, cls).setUpClass()
+class TenantsTestXML(TenantsTestJSON):
+    _interface = 'xml'
diff --git a/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_users.py b/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_users.py
index 8396b91..224272e 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_users.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/identity/admin/test_users.py
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@
 from testtools.matchers._basic import Contains
 
 
-class UsersTestBase(object):
+class UsersTestJSON(base.BaseIdentityAdminTest):
+    _interface = 'json'
 
     alt_user = rand_name('test_user_')
     alt_password = rand_name('pass_')
@@ -130,6 +131,7 @@
         resp, user = self.client.create_user('user_1234', self.alt_password,
                                              self.data.tenant['id'],
                                              self.alt_email)
+        self.assertEquals('200', resp['status'])
         resp, body = self.client.delete_user(user['id'])
         self.assertEquals('204', resp['status'])
 
@@ -255,16 +257,18 @@
         resp, user1 = self.client.create_user('tenant_user1', 'password1',
                                               self.data.tenant['id'],
                                               'user1@123')
+        self.assertEquals('200', resp['status'])
         user_ids.append(user1['id'])
         self.data.users.append(user1)
         resp, user2 = self.client.create_user('tenant_user2', 'password2',
                                               self.data.tenant['id'],
                                               'user2@123')
+        self.assertEquals('200', resp['status'])
         user_ids.append(user2['id'])
         self.data.users.append(user2)
         #List of users for the respective tenant ID
         resp, body = self.client.list_users_for_tenant(self.data.tenant['id'])
-        self.assertTrue(resp['status'].startswith('2'))
+        self.assertTrue(resp['status'] in ('200', '203'))
         for i in body:
             fetched_user_ids.append(i['id'])
         #verifying the user Id in the list
@@ -286,17 +290,22 @@
         user_ids = list()
         fetched_user_ids = list()
         user_ids.append(user['id'])
-        self.client.assign_user_role(tenant['id'], user['id'], role['id'])
+        resp, role = self.client.assign_user_role(tenant['id'], user['id'],
+                                                  role['id'])
+        self.assertEquals('200', resp['status'])
         resp, second_user = self.client.create_user('second_user', 'password1',
                                                     self.data.tenant['id'],
                                                     'user1@123')
+        self.assertEquals('200', resp['status'])
         user_ids.append(second_user['id'])
         self.data.users.append(second_user)
-        self.client.assign_user_role(tenant['id'], second_user['id'],
-                                     role['id'])
+        resp, role = self.client.assign_user_role(tenant['id'],
+                                                  second_user['id'],
+                                                  role['id'])
+        self.assertEquals('200', resp['status'])
         #List of users with roles for the respective tenant ID
         resp, body = self.client.list_users_for_tenant(self.data.tenant['id'])
-        self.assertTrue(resp['status'].startswith('2'))
+        self.assertEquals('200', resp['status'])
         for i in body:
             fetched_user_ids.append(i['id'])
         #verifying the user Id in the list
@@ -330,14 +339,5 @@
                       'tenant ids %s' % fail)
 
 
-class UsersTestJSON(base.BaseIdentityAdminTestJSON,
-                    UsersTestBase):
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        super(UsersTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-
-
-class UsersTestXML(base.BaseIdentityAdminTestXML, UsersTestBase):
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        super(UsersTestXML, cls).setUpClass()
+class UsersTestXML(UsersTestJSON):
+    _interface = 'xml'
diff --git a/tempest/tests/identity/base.py b/tempest/tests/identity/base.py
index 2c4162c..168b2ff 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/identity/base.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/identity/base.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 import tempest.test
 
 
-class BaseIdAdminTest(tempest.test.BaseTestCase):
+class BaseIdentityAdminTest(tempest.test.BaseTestCase):
 
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
@@ -68,22 +68,6 @@
             return role[0]
 
 
-class BaseIdentityAdminTestJSON(BaseIdAdminTest):
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        cls._interface = "json"
-        super(BaseIdentityAdminTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-
-BaseIdentityAdminTest = BaseIdentityAdminTestJSON
-
-
-class BaseIdentityAdminTestXML(BaseIdAdminTest):
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        cls._interface = "xml"
-        super(BaseIdentityAdminTestXML, cls).setUpClass()
-
-
 class DataGenerator(object):
 
         def __init__(self, client):
diff --git a/tempest/tests/image/test_images.py b/tempest/tests/image/test_images.py
index 6ac852e..84bb650 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/image/test_images.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/image/test_images.py
@@ -16,15 +16,11 @@
 #    under the License.
 
 import cStringIO as StringIO
-import random
-
-import tempest.test
-
-from tempest.test import attr
-
 
 from tempest import clients
 from tempest import exceptions
+import tempest.test
+from tempest.test import attr
 
 
 class CreateRegisterImagesTest(tempest.test.BaseTestCase):
@@ -47,21 +43,13 @@
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_register_with_invalid_container_format(self):
         # Negative tests for invalid data supplied to POST /images
-        try:
-            resp, body = self.client.create_image('test', 'wrong', 'vhd')
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-            pass
-        else:
-            self.fail('Invalid container format should not be accepted')
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest, self.client.create_image,
+                          'test', 'wrong', 'vhd')
 
     @attr(type='negative')
     def test_register_with_invalid_disk_format(self):
-        try:
-            resp, body = self.client.create_image('test', 'bare', 'wrong')
-        except exceptions.BadRequest:
-                pass
-        else:
-            self.fail("Invalid disk format should not be accepted")
+        self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest, self.client.create_image,
+                          'test', 'bare', 'wrong')
 
     @attr(type='image')
     def test_register_then_upload(self):
@@ -121,12 +109,27 @@
 
         # We add a few images here to test the listing functionality of
         # the images API
-        for x in xrange(0, 10):
-            # We make even images remote and odd images standard
-            if x % 2 == 0:
-                cls.created_images.append(cls._create_remote_image(x))
-            else:
-                cls.created_images.append(cls._create_standard_image(x))
+        img1 = cls._create_remote_image('one', 'bare', 'raw')
+        img2 = cls._create_remote_image('two', 'ami', 'ami')
+        img3 = cls._create_remote_image('dup', 'bare', 'raw')
+        img4 = cls._create_remote_image('dup', 'bare', 'raw')
+        img5 = cls._create_standard_image('1', 'ami', 'ami', 42)
+        img6 = cls._create_standard_image('2', 'ami', 'ami', 142)
+        img7 = cls._create_standard_image('33', 'bare', 'raw', 142)
+        img8 = cls._create_standard_image('33', 'bare', 'raw', 142)
+        cls.created_set = set(cls.created_images)
+        # 4x-4x remote image
+        cls.remote_set = set((img1, img2, img3, img4))
+        cls.standard_set = set((img5, img6, img7, img8))
+        # 5x bare, 3x ami
+        cls.bare_set = set((img1, img3, img4, img7, img8))
+        cls.ami_set = set((img2, img5, img6))
+        # 1x with size 42
+        cls.size42_set = set((img5,))
+        # 3x with size 142
+        cls.size142_set = set((img6, img7, img8))
+        # dup named
+        cls.dup_set = set((img3, img4))
 
     @classmethod
     def tearDownClass(cls):
@@ -135,31 +138,36 @@
             cls.client.wait_for_resource_deletion(image_id)
 
     @classmethod
-    def _create_remote_image(cls, x):
+    def _create_remote_image(cls, name, container_format, disk_format):
         """
         Create a new remote image and return the ID of the newly-registered
         image
         """
-        name = 'New Remote Image %s' % x
-        location = 'http://example.com/someimage_%s.iso' % x
-        resp, body = cls.client.create_image(name, 'bare', 'raw',
-                                             is_public=True,
-                                             location=location)
-        image_id = body['id']
+        name = 'New Remote Image %s' % name
+        location = 'http://example.com/someimage_%s.iso' % name
+        resp, image = cls.client.create_image(name,
+                                              container_format, disk_format,
+                                              is_public=True,
+                                              location=location)
+        image_id = image['id']
+        cls.created_images.append(image_id)
         return image_id
 
     @classmethod
-    def _create_standard_image(cls, x):
+    def _create_standard_image(cls, name, container_format,
+                               disk_format, size):
         """
         Create a new standard image and return the ID of the newly-registered
         image. Note that the size of the new image is a random number between
         1024 and 4096
         """
-        image_file = StringIO.StringIO('*' * random.randint(1024, 4096))
-        name = 'New Standard Image %s' % x
-        resp, body = cls.client.create_image(name, 'bare', 'raw',
-                                             is_public=True, data=image_file)
-        image_id = body['id']
+        image_file = StringIO.StringIO('*' * size)
+        name = 'New Standard Image %s' % name
+        resp, image = cls.client.create_image(name,
+                                              container_format, disk_format,
+                                              is_public=True, data=image_file)
+        image_id = image['id']
+        cls.created_images.append(image_id)
         return image_id
 
     @attr(type='image')
@@ -168,5 +176,69 @@
         resp, images_list = self.client.image_list()
         self.assertEqual(resp['status'], '200')
         image_list = map(lambda x: x['id'], images_list)
-        for image in self.created_images:
-            self.assertTrue(image in image_list)
+        for image_id in self.created_images:
+            self.assertTrue(image_id in image_list)
+
+    @attr(type='image')
+    def test_index_disk_format(self):
+        resp, images_list = self.client.image_list(disk_format='ami')
+        self.assertEqual(resp['status'], '200')
+        for image in images_list:
+            self.assertEqual(image['disk_format'], 'ami')
+        result_set = set(map(lambda x: x['id'], images_list))
+        self.assertTrue(self.ami_set <= result_set)
+        self.assertFalse(self.created_set - self.ami_set <= result_set)
+
+    @attr(type='image')
+    def test_index_container_format(self):
+        resp, images_list = self.client.image_list(container_format='bare')
+        self.assertEqual(resp['status'], '200')
+        for image in images_list:
+            self.assertEqual(image['container_format'], 'bare')
+        result_set = set(map(lambda x: x['id'], images_list))
+        self.assertTrue(self.bare_set <= result_set)
+        self.assertFalse(self.created_set - self.bare_set <= result_set)
+
+    @attr(type='image')
+    def test_index_max_size(self):
+        resp, images_list = self.client.image_list(size_max=42)
+        self.assertEqual(resp['status'], '200')
+        for image in images_list:
+            self.assertTrue(image['size'] <= 42)
+        result_set = set(map(lambda x: x['id'], images_list))
+        self.assertTrue(self.size42_set <= result_set)
+        self.assertFalse(self.created_set - self.size42_set <= result_set)
+
+    @attr(type='image')
+    def test_index_min_size(self):
+        resp, images_list = self.client.image_list(size_min=142)
+        self.assertEqual(resp['status'], '200')
+        for image in images_list:
+            self.assertTrue(image['size'] >= 142)
+        result_set = set(map(lambda x: x['id'], images_list))
+        self.assertTrue(self.size142_set <= result_set)
+        self.assertFalse(self.size42_set <= result_set)
+
+    @attr(type='image')
+    def test_index_status_active_detail(self):
+        resp, images_list = self.client.image_list_detail(status='active',
+                                                          sort_key='size',
+                                                          sort_dir='desc')
+        self.assertEqual(resp['status'], '200')
+        top_size = images_list[0]['size']  # We have non-zero sized images
+        for image in images_list:
+            size = image['size']
+            self.assertTrue(size <= top_size)
+            top_size = size
+            self.assertEqual(image['status'], 'active')
+
+    @attr(type='image')
+    def test_index_name(self):
+        resp, images_list = self.client.image_list_detail(
+                                                name='New Remote Image dup')
+        self.assertEqual(resp['status'], '200')
+        result_set = set(map(lambda x: x['id'], images_list))
+        for image in images_list:
+            self.assertEqual(image['name'], 'New Remote Image dup')
+        self.assertTrue(self.dup_set <= result_set)
+        self.assertFalse(self.created_set - self.dup_set <= result_set)
diff --git a/tools/pip-requires b/tools/pip-requires
index 5c45a49..220f1a6 100644
--- a/tools/pip-requires
+++ b/tools/pip-requires
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 anyjson
 nose
 httplib2>=0.7.0
-testtools
+testtools>=0.9.29
 lxml
 boto>=2.2.1
 paramiko
diff --git a/tools/test-requires b/tools/test-requires
index d3c7a1e..4801391 100644
--- a/tools/test-requires
+++ b/tools/test-requires
@@ -2,3 +2,5 @@
 pylint==0.19
 # Needed for whitebox testing
 sqlalchemy
+MySQL-python
+psycopg2