diff --git a/etc/whitelist.yaml b/etc/whitelist.yaml
index 1c12b6c..2d8b741 100644
--- a/etc/whitelist.yaml
+++ b/etc/whitelist.yaml
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@
 ceilometer-acentral:
     - module: "ceilometer.central.manager"
       message: "403 Forbidden"
+    - module: "ceilometer.central.manager"
+      message: "get_samples\\(\\) got an unexpected keyword argument 'resources'"
 
 ceilometer-alarm-evaluator:
     - module: "ceilometer.alarm.service"
@@ -133,6 +135,8 @@
       message: "but the actual state is deleting to caller"
     - module: "nova.openstack.common.rpc.common"
       message: "Traceback \\(most recent call last"
+    - module: "nova.openstack.common.threadgroup"
+      message: "Service with host .* topic conductor exists."
 
 n-sch:
     - module: "nova.scheduler.filter_scheduler"
diff --git a/run_tempest.sh b/run_tempest.sh
index be9b38a..f6c330d 100755
--- a/run_tempest.sh
+++ b/run_tempest.sh
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
   echo "  -t, --serial             Run testr serially"
   echo "  -C, --config             Config file location"
   echo "  -h, --help               Print this usage message"
-  echo "  -d, --debug              Debug this script -- set -o xtrace"
+  echo "  -d, --debug              Run tests with testtools instead of testr. This allows you to use PDB"
   echo "  -l, --logging            Enable logging"
   echo "  -L, --logging-config     Logging config file location.  Default is etc/logging.conf"
   echo "  -- [TESTROPTIONS]        After the first '--' you can pass arbitrary arguments to testr "
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 always_venv=0
 never_venv=0
 no_site_packages=0
+debug=0
 force=0
 wrapper=""
 config_file=""
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@
     -n|--no-site-packages) no_site_packages=1;;
     -f|--force) force=1;;
     -u|--update) update=1;;
-    -d|--debug) set -o xtrace;;
+    -d|--debug) debug=1;;
     -C|--config) config_file=$2; shift;;
     -s|--smoke) testrargs+="smoke"; noseargs+="--attr=type=smoke";;
     -t|--serial) serial=1;;
@@ -94,6 +95,14 @@
   testr_init
   ${wrapper} find . -type f -name "*.pyc" -delete
   export OS_TEST_PATH=./tempest/test_discover
+  if [ $debug -eq 1 ]; then
+      if [ "$testrargs" = "" ]; then
+           testrargs="discover ./tempest/test_discover"
+      fi
+      ${wrapper} python -m testtools.run $testrargs
+      return $?
+  fi
+
   if [ $serial -eq 1 ]; then
       ${wrapper} testr run --subunit $testrargs | ${wrapper} subunit-2to1 | ${wrapper} tools/colorizer.py
   else
diff --git a/run_tests.sh b/run_tests.sh
index 3f00453..eaa7fd7 100755
--- a/run_tests.sh
+++ b/run_tests.sh
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
   echo "  -p, --pep8               Just run pep8"
   echo "  -c, --coverage           Generate coverage report"
   echo "  -h, --help               Print this usage message"
-  echo "  -d, --debug              Debug this script -- set -o xtrace"
+  echo "  -d, --debug              Run tests with testtools instead of testr. This allows you to use PDB"
   echo "  -- [TESTROPTIONS]        After the first '--' you can pass arbitrary arguments to testr "
 }
 
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 always_venv=0
 never_venv=0
 no_site_packages=0
+debug=0
 force=0
 coverage=0
 wrapper=""
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@
     -n|--no-site-packages) no_site_packages=1;;
     -f|--force) force=1;;
     -u|--update) update=1;;
-    -d|--debug) set -o xtrace;;
+    -d|--debug) debug=1;;
     -p|--pep8) let just_pep8=1;;
     -c|--coverage) coverage=1;;
     -t|--serial) serial=1;;
@@ -75,6 +76,14 @@
   testr_init
   ${wrapper} find . -type f -name "*.pyc" -delete
   export OS_TEST_PATH=./tempest/tests
+  if [ $debug -eq 1 ]; then
+      if [ "$testrargs" = "" ]; then
+          testrargs="discover ./tempest/tests"
+      fi
+      ${wrapper} python -m testtools.run $testrargs
+      return $?
+  fi
+
   if [ $serial -eq 1 ]; then
       ${wrapper} testr run --subunit $testrargs | ${wrapper} subunit-2to1 | ${wrapper} tools/colorizer.py
   else
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/admin/test_fixed_ips.py b/tempest/api/compute/admin/test_fixed_ips.py
index 0c36837..cfb2f0e 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/admin/test_fixed_ips.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/admin/test_fixed_ips.py
@@ -14,8 +14,11 @@
 #    under the License.
 
 from tempest.api.compute import base
+from tempest import config
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class FixedIPsTestJson(base.BaseV2ComputeAdminTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -23,7 +26,7 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(FixedIPsTestJson, cls).setUpClass()
-        if cls.config.service_available.neutron:
+        if CONF.service_available.neutron:
             msg = ("%s skipped as neutron is available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(msg)
         cls.client = cls.os_adm.fixed_ips_client
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/admin/test_fixed_ips_negative.py b/tempest/api/compute/admin/test_fixed_ips_negative.py
index bf7fd51..def9810 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/admin/test_fixed_ips_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/admin/test_fixed_ips_negative.py
@@ -13,9 +13,12 @@
 #    under the License.
 
 from tempest.api.compute import base
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class FixedIPsNegativeTestJson(base.BaseV2ComputeAdminTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -23,7 +26,7 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(FixedIPsNegativeTestJson, cls).setUpClass()
-        if cls.config.service_available.neutron:
+        if CONF.service_available.neutron:
             msg = ("%s skipped as neutron is available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(msg)
         cls.client = cls.os_adm.fixed_ips_client
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/base.py b/tempest/api/compute/base.py
index 5539894..441c87d 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/base.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/base.py
@@ -17,10 +17,12 @@
 
 from tempest import clients
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.openstack.common import log as logging
 import tempest.test
 
+CONF = config.CONF
 
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -37,15 +39,15 @@
         os = cls.get_client_manager()
 
         cls.os = os
-        cls.build_interval = cls.config.compute.build_interval
-        cls.build_timeout = cls.config.compute.build_timeout
-        cls.ssh_user = cls.config.compute.ssh_user
-        cls.image_ref = cls.config.compute.image_ref
-        cls.image_ref_alt = cls.config.compute.image_ref_alt
-        cls.flavor_ref = cls.config.compute.flavor_ref
-        cls.flavor_ref_alt = cls.config.compute.flavor_ref_alt
-        cls.image_ssh_user = cls.config.compute.image_ssh_user
-        cls.image_ssh_password = cls.config.compute.image_ssh_password
+        cls.build_interval = CONF.compute.build_interval
+        cls.build_timeout = CONF.compute.build_timeout
+        cls.ssh_user = CONF.compute.ssh_user
+        cls.image_ref = CONF.compute.image_ref
+        cls.image_ref_alt = CONF.compute.image_ref_alt
+        cls.flavor_ref = CONF.compute.flavor_ref
+        cls.flavor_ref_alt = CONF.compute.flavor_ref_alt
+        cls.image_ssh_user = CONF.compute.image_ssh_user
+        cls.image_ssh_password = CONF.compute.image_ssh_password
         cls.servers = []
         cls.images = []
         cls.multi_user = cls.get_multi_user()
@@ -57,14 +59,14 @@
         # used in testing. If the test cases are allowed to create
         # users (config.compute.allow_tenant_isolation is true,
         # then we allow multi-user.
-        if not cls.config.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
-            user1 = cls.config.identity.username
-            user2 = cls.config.identity.alt_username
+        if not CONF.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
+            user1 = CONF.identity.username
+            user2 = CONF.identity.alt_username
             if not user2 or user1 == user2:
                 multi_user = False
             else:
-                user2_password = cls.config.identity.alt_password
-                user2_tenant_name = cls.config.identity.alt_tenant_name
+                user2_password = CONF.identity.alt_password
+                user2_tenant_name = CONF.identity.alt_tenant_name
                 if not user2_password or not user2_tenant_name:
                     msg = ("Alternate user specified but not alternate "
                            "tenant or password: alt_tenant_name=%s "
@@ -234,14 +236,14 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(BaseV2ComputeAdminTest, cls).setUpClass()
-        admin_username = cls.config.compute_admin.username
-        admin_password = cls.config.compute_admin.password
-        admin_tenant = cls.config.compute_admin.tenant_name
+        admin_username = CONF.compute_admin.username
+        admin_password = CONF.compute_admin.password
+        admin_tenant = CONF.compute_admin.tenant_name
         if not (admin_username and admin_password and admin_tenant):
             msg = ("Missing Compute Admin API credentials "
                    "in configuration.")
             raise cls.skipException(msg)
-        if (cls.config.compute.allow_tenant_isolation or
+        if (CONF.compute.allow_tenant_isolation or
             cls.force_tenant_isolation is True):
             creds = cls.isolated_creds.get_admin_creds()
             admin_username, admin_tenant_name, admin_password = creds
@@ -265,7 +267,7 @@
 
         cls.set_network_resources()
         super(BaseV3ComputeTest, cls).setUpClass()
-        if not cls.config.compute_feature_enabled.api_v3:
+        if not CONF.compute_feature_enabled.api_v3:
             cls.tearDownClass()
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as nova v3 api is not available" %
                         cls.__name__)
@@ -330,14 +332,14 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(BaseV3ComputeAdminTest, cls).setUpClass()
-        admin_username = cls.config.compute_admin.username
-        admin_password = cls.config.compute_admin.password
-        admin_tenant = cls.config.compute_admin.tenant_name
+        admin_username = CONF.compute_admin.username
+        admin_password = CONF.compute_admin.password
+        admin_tenant = CONF.compute_admin.tenant_name
         if not (admin_username and admin_password and admin_tenant):
             msg = ("Missing Compute Admin API credentials "
                    "in configuration.")
             raise cls.skipException(msg)
-        if cls.config.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
+        if CONF.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
             creds = cls.isolated_creds.get_admin_creds()
             admin_username, admin_tenant_name, admin_password = creds
             os_adm = clients.Manager(username=admin_username,
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions.py b/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions.py
index 2c89391..56bd291 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions.py
@@ -96,9 +96,7 @@
         # to specific server should change the association of the Floating IP
         # Create server so as to use for Multiple association
         new_name = rand_name('floating_server')
-        resp, body = self.servers_client.create_server(new_name,
-                                                       self.image_ref,
-                                                       self.flavor_ref)
+        resp, body = self.create_test_server(name=new_name)
         self.servers_client.wait_for_server_status(body['id'], 'ACTIVE')
         self.new_server_id = body['id']
 
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions_negative.py b/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions_negative.py
index e4d83c5..f24343b 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_floating_ips_actions_negative.py
@@ -17,9 +17,12 @@
 
 from tempest.api.compute.floating_ips import base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class FloatingIPsNegativeTestJSON(base.BaseFloatingIPsTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -40,7 +43,7 @@
             cls.floating_ip_ids.append(body[i]['id'])
         while True:
             cls.non_exist_id = data_utils.rand_int_id(start=999)
-            if cls.config.service_available.neutron:
+            if CONF.service_available.neutron:
                 cls.non_exist_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
             if cls.non_exist_id not in cls.floating_ip_ids:
                 break
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_list_floating_ips_negative.py b/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_list_floating_ips_negative.py
index bb1c828..8d60e7d 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_list_floating_ips_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/floating_ips/test_list_floating_ips_negative.py
@@ -17,9 +17,12 @@
 
 from tempest.api.compute import base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class FloatingIPDetailsNegativeTestJSON(base.BaseV2ComputeTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -34,7 +37,7 @@
         # Negative test:Should not be able to GET the details
         # of non-existent floating IP
         # Creating a non-existent floatingIP id
-        if self.config.service_available.neutron:
+        if CONF.service_available.neutron:
             non_exist_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
         else:
             non_exist_id = data_utils.rand_int_id(start=999)
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images.py b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images.py
index fc09741..4cc36c9 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images.py
@@ -15,9 +15,12 @@
 from tempest.api.compute import base
 from tempest import clients
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class ImagesTestJSON(base.BaseV2ComputeTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -25,7 +28,7 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(ImagesTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-        if not cls.config.service_available.glance:
+        if not CONF.service_available.glance:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
         cls.client = cls.images_client
@@ -34,7 +37,7 @@
         cls.image_ids = []
 
         if cls.multi_user:
-            if cls.config.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
+            if CONF.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
                 creds = cls.isolated_creds.get_alt_creds()
                 username, tenant_name, password = creds
                 cls.alt_manager = clients.Manager(username=username,
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver.py b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver.py
index 0cb748b..8d60623 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(ImagesOneServerTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
         cls.client = cls.images_client
-        if not cls.config.service_available.glance:
+        if not CONF.service_available.glance:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
 
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
         cls.image_ids = []
 
         if cls.multi_user:
-            if cls.config.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
+            if CONF.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
                 creds = cls.isolated_creds.get_alt_creds()
                 username, tenant_name, password = creds
                 cls.alt_manager = clients.Manager(username=username,
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver_negative.py b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver_negative.py
index 3f93fbe..c96c4a4 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver_negative.py
@@ -17,11 +17,14 @@
 from tempest.api.compute import base
 from tempest import clients
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.openstack.common import log as logging
 from tempest.test import attr
 from tempest.test import skip_because
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
@@ -57,7 +60,7 @@
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(ImagesOneServerNegativeTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
         cls.client = cls.images_client
-        if not cls.config.service_available.glance:
+        if not CONF.service_available.glance:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
 
@@ -71,7 +74,7 @@
         cls.image_ids = []
 
         if cls.multi_user:
-            if cls.config.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
+            if CONF.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
                 creds = cls.isolated_creds.get_alt_creds()
                 username, tenant_name, password = creds
                 cls.alt_manager = clients.Manager(username=username,
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_list_image_filters.py b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_list_image_filters.py
index c04729c..f82143e 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_list_image_filters.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_list_image_filters.py
@@ -14,10 +14,12 @@
 #    under the License.
 
 from tempest.api.compute import base
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.openstack.common import log as logging
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
 
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -28,7 +30,7 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(ListImageFiltersTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-        if not cls.config.service_available.glance:
+        if not CONF.service_available.glance:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
         cls.client = cls.images_client
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_list_images.py b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_list_images.py
index ae1e8d0..ed38442 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_list_images.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_list_images.py
@@ -14,8 +14,11 @@
 #    under the License.
 
 from tempest.api.compute import base
+from tempest import config
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class ListImagesTestJSON(base.BaseV2ComputeTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -23,7 +26,7 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(ListImagesTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-        if not cls.config.service_available.glance:
+        if not CONF.service_available.glance:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
         cls.client = cls.images_client
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/security_groups/test_security_group_rules.py b/tempest/api/compute/security_groups/test_security_group_rules.py
index 6aa5cb5..375105e 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/security_groups/test_security_group_rules.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/security_groups/test_security_group_rules.py
@@ -15,8 +15,11 @@
 
 from tempest.api.compute.security_groups import base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class SecurityGroupRulesTestJSON(base.BaseSecurityGroupsTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -25,7 +28,7 @@
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(SecurityGroupRulesTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
         cls.client = cls.security_groups_client
-        cls.neutron_available = cls.config.service_available.neutron
+        cls.neutron_available = CONF.service_available.neutron
 
     @attr(type='smoke')
     def test_security_group_rules_create(self):
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/security_groups/test_security_groups.py b/tempest/api/compute/security_groups/test_security_groups.py
index bff6e14..2c67581 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/security_groups/test_security_groups.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/security_groups/test_security_groups.py
@@ -121,9 +121,7 @@
         # Create server and add the security group created
         # above to the server we just created
         server_name = data_utils.rand_name('server')
-        resp, server = self.servers_client.create_server(server_name,
-                                                         self.image_ref,
-                                                         self.flavor_ref)
+        resp, server = self.create_test_server(name=server_name)
         server_id = server['id']
         self.servers_client.wait_for_server_status(server_id, 'ACTIVE')
         resp, body = self.servers_client.add_security_group(server_id,
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/security_groups/test_security_groups_negative.py b/tempest/api/compute/security_groups/test_security_groups_negative.py
index 98ed8e8..ce1eada 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/security_groups/test_security_groups_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/security_groups/test_security_groups_negative.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(SecurityGroupsNegativeTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
         cls.client = cls.security_groups_client
-        cls.neutron_available = cls.config.service_available.neutron
+        cls.neutron_available = CONF.service_available.neutron
 
     def _delete_security_group(self, securitygroup_id):
         resp, _ = self.client.delete_security_group(securitygroup_id)
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_attach_interfaces.py b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_attach_interfaces.py
index 4dacb48..9cdac55 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_attach_interfaces.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_attach_interfaces.py
@@ -14,18 +14,21 @@
 #    under the License.
 
 from tempest.api.compute import base
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.test import attr
 
 import time
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class AttachInterfacesTestJSON(base.BaseV2ComputeTest):
     _interface = 'json'
 
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
-        if not cls.config.service_available.neutron:
+        if not CONF.service_available.neutron:
             raise cls.skipException("Neutron is required")
         # This test class requires network and subnet
         cls.set_network_resources(network=True, subnet=True)
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_list_server_filters.py b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_list_server_filters.py
index 1dc0a39..15b3faa 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_list_server_filters.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_list_server_filters.py
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
                                               flavor=cls.flavor_ref_alt,
                                               wait_until='ACTIVE')
 
-        cls.fixed_network_name = cls.config.compute.fixed_network_name
+        cls.fixed_network_name = CONF.compute.fixed_network_name
 
     @utils.skip_unless_attr('multiple_images', 'Only one image found')
     @attr(type='gate')
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py
index fea8dd5..f113047 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@
         resp, server = self.client.shelve_server(self.server_id)
         self.assertEqual(202, resp.status)
 
-        offload_time = self.config.compute.shelved_offload_time
+        offload_time = CONF.compute.shelved_offload_time
         if offload_time >= 0:
             self.client.wait_for_server_status(self.server_id,
                                                'SHELVED_OFFLOADED',
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_servers_negative.py b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_servers_negative.py
index 8f49aec..e0181b9 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_servers_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_servers_negative.py
@@ -19,9 +19,12 @@
 from tempest.api.compute import base
 from tempest import clients
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest import test
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class ServersNegativeTestJSON(base.BaseV2ComputeTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -408,7 +411,7 @@
         self.assertEqual(202, resp.status)
         self.addCleanup(self.client.unshelve_server, self.server_id)
 
-        offload_time = self.config.compute.shelved_offload_time
+        offload_time = CONF.compute.shelved_offload_time
         if offload_time >= 0:
             self.client.wait_for_server_status(self.server_id,
                                                'SHELVED_OFFLOADED',
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_virtual_interfaces.py b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_virtual_interfaces.py
index 32376eb..95703d4 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_virtual_interfaces.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_virtual_interfaces.py
@@ -19,12 +19,12 @@
 from tempest import config
 from tempest import test
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class VirtualInterfacesTestJSON(base.BaseV2ComputeTest):
     _interface = 'json'
 
-    CONF = config.CONF
-
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         # This test needs a network and a subnet
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/test_authorization.py b/tempest/api/compute/test_authorization.py
index 13b75cf..4774fec 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/test_authorization.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/test_authorization.py
@@ -16,10 +16,13 @@
 from tempest.api.compute import base
 from tempest import clients
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.openstack.common import log as logging
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
@@ -39,7 +42,7 @@
         cls.keypairs_client = cls.os.keypairs_client
         cls.security_client = cls.os.security_groups_client
 
-        if cls.config.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
+        if CONF.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
             creds = cls.isolated_creds.get_alt_creds()
             username, tenant_name, password = creds
             cls.alt_manager = clients.Manager(username=username,
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/test_extensions.py b/tempest/api/compute/test_extensions.py
index aac635c..55146e5 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/test_extensions.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/test_extensions.py
@@ -15,9 +15,12 @@
 
 
 from tempest.api.compute import base
+from tempest import config
 from tempest.openstack.common import log as logging
 from tempest import test
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -28,11 +31,11 @@
     @test.attr(type='gate')
     def test_list_extensions(self):
         # List of all extensions
-        if len(self.config.compute_feature_enabled.api_extensions) == 0:
+        if len(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.api_extensions) == 0:
             raise self.skipException('There are not any extensions configured')
         resp, extensions = self.extensions_client.list_extensions()
         self.assertEqual(200, resp.status)
-        ext = self.config.compute_feature_enabled.api_extensions[0]
+        ext = CONF.compute_feature_enabled.api_extensions[0]
         if ext == 'all':
             self.assertIn('Hosts', map(lambda x: x['name'], extensions))
         elif ext:
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/test_live_block_migration.py b/tempest/api/compute/test_live_block_migration.py
index 85d314b..fcd055b 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/test_live_block_migration.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/test_live_block_migration.py
@@ -23,13 +23,13 @@
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class LiveBlockMigrationTestJSON(base.BaseV2ComputeAdminTest):
     _host_key = 'OS-EXT-SRV-ATTR:host'
     _interface = 'json'
 
-    CONF = config.CONF
-
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(LiveBlockMigrationTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
@@ -57,8 +57,7 @@
     def _migrate_server_to(self, server_id, dest_host):
         _resp, body = self.admin_servers_client.live_migrate_server(
             server_id, dest_host,
-            self.config.compute_feature_enabled.
-            block_migration_for_live_migration)
+            CONF.compute_feature_enabled.block_migration_for_live_migration)
         return body
 
     def _get_host_other_than(self, host):
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/admin/test_quotas.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/admin/test_quotas.py
index e116734..ad3519d 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/admin/test_quotas.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/admin/test_quotas.py
@@ -15,9 +15,12 @@
 
 from tempest.api.compute import base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest import test
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class QuotasAdminV3TestJSON(base.BaseV3ComputeAdminTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -26,7 +29,7 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(QuotasAdminV3TestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-        cls.auth_url = cls.config.identity.uri
+        cls.auth_url = CONF.identity.uri
         cls.client = cls.quotas_client
         cls.adm_client = cls.quotas_admin_client
         cls.identity_admin_client = cls._get_identity_admin_client()
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_image_metadata.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_image_metadata.py
index d0d2daf..e9ca04a 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_image_metadata.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_image_metadata.py
@@ -15,8 +15,11 @@
 
 from tempest.api.compute import base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class ImagesMetadataTestJSON(base.BaseV2ComputeTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -24,7 +27,7 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(ImagesMetadataTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-        if not cls.config.service_available.glance:
+        if not CONF.service_available.glance:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
 
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_images.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_images.py
index 52772e0..4ef6f25 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_images.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_images.py
@@ -15,9 +15,12 @@
 from tempest.api.compute import base
 from tempest import clients
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class ImagesV3TestJSON(base.BaseV3ComputeTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -25,14 +28,14 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(ImagesV3TestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-        if not cls.config.service_available.glance:
+        if not CONF.service_available.glance:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
         cls.client = cls.images_client
         cls.servers_client = cls.servers_client
 
         if cls.multi_user:
-            if cls.config.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
+            if CONF.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
                 creds = cls.isolated_creds.get_alt_creds()
                 username, tenant_name, password = creds
                 cls.alt_manager = clients.Manager(username=username,
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_images_oneserver.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_images_oneserver.py
index babf452..992d158 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_images_oneserver.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_images_oneserver.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(ImagesOneServerTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
         cls.client = cls.images_client
-        if not cls.config.service_available.glance:
+        if not CONF.service_available.glance:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
 
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
         cls.image_ids = []
 
         if cls.multi_user:
-            if cls.config.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
+            if CONF.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
                 creds = cls.isolated_creds.get_alt_creds()
                 username, tenant_name, password = creds
                 cls.alt_manager = clients.Manager(username=username,
@@ -119,10 +119,6 @@
 
     @attr(type=['gate'])
     def test_create_image_specify_multibyte_character_image_name(self):
-        if self.__class__._interface == "xml":
-            # NOTE(sdague): not entirely accurage, but we'd need a ton of work
-            # in our XML client to make this good
-            raise self.skipException("Not testable in XML")
         # prefix character is:
         # http://www.fileformat.info/info/unicode/char/1F4A9/index.htm
         utf8_name = data_utils.rand_name(u'\xF0\x9F\x92\xA9')
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_images_oneserver_negative.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_images_oneserver_negative.py
index dc628dc..3404823 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_images_oneserver_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_images_oneserver_negative.py
@@ -17,11 +17,14 @@
 from tempest.api.compute import base
 from tempest import clients
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.openstack.common import log as logging
 from tempest.test import attr
 from tempest.test import skip_because
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
@@ -57,7 +60,7 @@
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(ImagesOneServerNegativeTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
         cls.client = cls.images_client
-        if not cls.config.service_available.glance:
+        if not CONF.service_available.glance:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
 
@@ -71,7 +74,7 @@
         cls.image_ids = []
 
         if cls.multi_user:
-            if cls.config.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
+            if CONF.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
                 creds = cls.isolated_creds.get_alt_creds()
                 username, tenant_name, password = creds
                 cls.alt_manager = clients.Manager(username=username,
@@ -85,8 +88,6 @@
     @skip_because(bug="1006725")
     @attr(type=['negative', 'gate'])
     def test_create_image_specify_multibyte_character_image_name(self):
-        if self.__class__._interface == "xml":
-            raise self.skipException("Not testable in XML")
         # invalid multibyte sequence from:
         # http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1301402/
         #     example-invalid-utf8-string
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_list_image_filters.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_list_image_filters.py
index ad93b3d..82b9625 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_list_image_filters.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/images/test_list_image_filters.py
@@ -14,10 +14,12 @@
 #    under the License.
 
 from tempest.api.compute import base
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.openstack.common import log as logging
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
 
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -28,7 +30,7 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(ListImageFiltersTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-        if not cls.config.service_available.glance:
+        if not CONF.service_available.glance:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
         cls.client = cls.images_client
@@ -135,8 +137,6 @@
         # Verify only the expected number of results are returned
         params = {'limit': '1'}
         resp, images = self.client.list_images(params)
-        # when _interface='xml', one element for images_links in images
-        # ref: Question #224349
         self.assertEqual(1, len([x for x in images if 'id' in x]))
 
     @attr(type='gate')
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_attach_interfaces.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_attach_interfaces.py
index aa85424..634d06f 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_attach_interfaces.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_attach_interfaces.py
@@ -14,18 +14,21 @@
 #    under the License.
 
 from tempest.api.compute import base
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.test import attr
 
 import time
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class AttachInterfacesV3TestJSON(base.BaseV3ComputeTest):
     _interface = 'json'
 
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
-        if not cls.config.service_available.neutron:
+        if not CONF.service_available.neutron:
             raise cls.skipException("Neutron is required")
         # This test class requires network and subnet
         cls.set_network_resources(network=True, subnet=True)
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_attach_volume.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_attach_volume.py
index 2529af9..6ae74ff 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_attach_volume.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_attach_volume.py
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(AttachVolumeV3TestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-        cls.device = cls.config.compute.volume_device_name
-        if not cls.config.service_available.cinder:
+        cls.device = CONF.compute.volume_device_name
+        if not CONF.service_available.cinder:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as Cinder is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
 
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_list_server_filters.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_list_server_filters.py
index 15d6fa2..533a2c2 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_list_server_filters.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_list_server_filters.py
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
                                               flavor=cls.flavor_ref_alt,
                                               wait_until='ACTIVE')
 
-        cls.fixed_network_name = cls.config.compute.fixed_network_name
+        cls.fixed_network_name = CONF.compute.fixed_network_name
 
     @utils.skip_unless_attr('multiple_images', 'Only one image found')
     @attr(type='gate')
@@ -123,7 +123,6 @@
         # Verify only the expected number of servers are returned
         params = {'limit': 1}
         resp, servers = self.client.list_servers(params)
-        # when _interface='xml', one element for servers_links in servers
         self.assertEqual(1, len([x for x in servers['servers'] if 'id' in x]))
 
     @utils.skip_unless_attr('multiple_images', 'Only one image found')
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_list_servers_negative.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_list_servers_negative.py
index 10d36bf..23f2bda 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_list_servers_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_list_servers_negative.py
@@ -103,7 +103,6 @@
         # List servers by specifying limits
         resp, body = self.client.list_servers({'limit': 1})
         self.assertEqual('200', resp['status'])
-        # when _interface='xml', one element for servers_links in servers
         self.assertEqual(1, len([x for x in body['servers'] if 'id' in x]))
 
     @attr(type=['negative', 'gate'])
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_server_actions.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_server_actions.py
index fdf23f8..b8dc85b 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_server_actions.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_server_actions.py
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@
         resp, server = self.client.shelve_server(self.server_id)
         self.assertEqual(202, resp.status)
 
-        offload_time = self.config.compute.shelved_offload_time
+        offload_time = CONF.compute.shelved_offload_time
         if offload_time >= 0:
             self.client.wait_for_server_status(self.server_id,
                                                'SHELVED_OFFLOADED',
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_servers_negative.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_servers_negative.py
index e58d33d..191701e 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_servers_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_servers_negative.py
@@ -19,9 +19,12 @@
 from tempest.api.compute import base
 from tempest import clients
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest import test
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class ServersNegativeV3TestJSON(base.BaseV3ComputeTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -155,9 +158,6 @@
     @test.attr(type=['negative', 'gate'])
     def test_create_numeric_server_name(self):
         # Create a server with a numeric name
-        if self.__class__._interface == "xml":
-            raise self.skipException("Not testable in XML")
-
         server_name = 12345
         self.assertRaises(exceptions.BadRequest,
                           self.create_test_server,
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@
         self.assertEqual(202, resp.status)
         self.addCleanup(self.client.unshelve_server, self.server_id)
 
-        offload_time = self.config.compute.shelved_offload_time
+        offload_time = CONF.compute.shelved_offload_time
         if offload_time >= 0:
             self.client.wait_for_server_status(self.server_id,
                                                'SHELVED_OFFLOADED',
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/test_extensions.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/test_extensions.py
index 32f62d5..775d70a 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/test_extensions.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/test_extensions.py
@@ -15,9 +15,11 @@
 
 
 from tempest.api.compute import base
+from tempest import config
 from tempest.openstack.common import log as logging
 from tempest import test
 
+CONF = config.CONF
 
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -28,11 +30,11 @@
     @test.attr(type='gate')
     def test_list_extensions(self):
         # List of all extensions
-        if len(self.config.compute_feature_enabled.api_v3_extensions) == 0:
+        if len(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.api_v3_extensions) == 0:
             raise self.skipException('There are not any extensions configured')
         resp, extensions = self.extensions_client.list_extensions()
         self.assertEqual(200, resp.status)
-        ext = self.config.compute_feature_enabled.api_v3_extensions[0]
+        ext = CONF.compute_feature_enabled.api_v3_extensions[0]
         if ext == 'all':
             self.assertIn('Hosts', map(lambda x: x['name'], extensions))
         elif ext:
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/test_live_block_migration.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/test_live_block_migration.py
index 087bffb..c881206 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/test_live_block_migration.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/test_live_block_migration.py
@@ -23,13 +23,13 @@
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class LiveBlockMigrationV3TestJSON(base.BaseV3ComputeAdminTest):
     _host_key = 'os-extended-server-attributes:host'
     _interface = 'json'
 
-    CONF = config.CONF
-
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(LiveBlockMigrationV3TestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
     def _migrate_server_to(self, server_id, dest_host):
         _resp, body = self.admin_servers_client.live_migrate_server(
             server_id, dest_host,
-            self.config.compute_feature_enabled.
+            CONF.compute_feature_enabled.
             block_migration_for_live_migration)
         return body
 
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/volumes/test_attach_volume.py b/tempest/api/compute/volumes/test_attach_volume.py
index d51bf13..8d8e3ec 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/volumes/test_attach_volume.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/volumes/test_attach_volume.py
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(AttachVolumeTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-        cls.device = cls.config.compute.volume_device_name
-        if not cls.config.service_available.cinder:
+        cls.device = CONF.compute.volume_device_name
+        if not CONF.service_available.cinder:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as Cinder is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
 
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/volumes/test_volumes_list.py b/tempest/api/compute/volumes/test_volumes_list.py
index ac89f99..bec2ef4 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/volumes/test_volumes_list.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/volumes/test_volumes_list.py
@@ -15,8 +15,11 @@
 
 from tempest.api.compute import base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class VolumesTestJSON(base.BaseV2ComputeTest):
 
@@ -34,7 +37,7 @@
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(VolumesTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
         cls.client = cls.volumes_extensions_client
-        if not cls.config.service_available.cinder:
+        if not CONF.service_available.cinder:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as Cinder is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
         # Create 3 Volumes
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/volumes/test_volumes_negative.py b/tempest/api/compute/volumes/test_volumes_negative.py
index e01e349..85b30e2 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/volumes/test_volumes_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/volumes/test_volumes_negative.py
@@ -17,9 +17,12 @@
 
 from tempest.api.compute import base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class VolumesNegativeTest(base.BaseV2ComputeTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -28,7 +31,7 @@
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(VolumesNegativeTest, cls).setUpClass()
         cls.client = cls.volumes_extensions_client
-        if not cls.config.service_available.cinder:
+        if not CONF.service_available.cinder:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as Cinder is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
 
diff --git a/tempest/api/identity/admin/v3/test_trusts.py b/tempest/api/identity/admin/v3/test_trusts.py
index 0bded78..1bebad4 100644
--- a/tempest/api/identity/admin/v3/test_trusts.py
+++ b/tempest/api/identity/admin/v3/test_trusts.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
         if not CONF.identity_feature_enabled.trust:
             raise self.skipException("Trusts aren't enabled")
 
-        self.trustee_username = self.config.identity.alt_username
+        self.trustee_username = CONF.identity.alt_username
         self.trust_id = None
 
     def tearDown(self):
diff --git a/tempest/api/image/base.py b/tempest/api/image/base.py
index 2e69579..37b848c 100644
--- a/tempest/api/image/base.py
+++ b/tempest/api/image/base.py
@@ -17,10 +17,13 @@
 from tempest import clients
 from tempest.common import isolated_creds
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.openstack.common import log as logging
 import tempest.test
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
@@ -35,10 +38,10 @@
         cls._interface = 'json'
         cls.isolated_creds = isolated_creds.IsolatedCreds(
             cls.__name__, network_resources=cls.network_resources)
-        if not cls.config.service_available.glance:
+        if not CONF.service_available.glance:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
-        if cls.config.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
+        if CONF.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
             creds = cls.isolated_creds.get_primary_creds()
             username, tenant_name, password = creds
             cls.os = clients.Manager(username=username,
@@ -83,7 +86,7 @@
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(BaseV1ImageTest, cls).setUpClass()
         cls.client = cls.os.image_client
-        if not cls.config.image_feature_enabled.api_v1:
+        if not CONF.image_feature_enabled.api_v1:
             msg = "Glance API v1 not supported"
             raise cls.skipException(msg)
 
@@ -92,7 +95,7 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(BaseV1ImageMembersTest, cls).setUpClass()
-        if cls.config.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
+        if CONF.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
             creds = cls.isolated_creds.get_alt_creds()
             username, tenant_name, password = creds
             cls.os_alt = clients.Manager(username=username,
@@ -124,7 +127,7 @@
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(BaseV2ImageTest, cls).setUpClass()
         cls.client = cls.os.image_client_v2
-        if not cls.config.image_feature_enabled.api_v2:
+        if not CONF.image_feature_enabled.api_v2:
             msg = "Glance API v2 not supported"
             raise cls.skipException(msg)
 
@@ -134,7 +137,7 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(BaseV2MemberImageTest, cls).setUpClass()
-        if cls.config.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
+        if CONF.compute.allow_tenant_isolation:
             creds = cls.isolated_creds.get_alt_creds()
             username, tenant_name, password = creds
             cls.os_alt = clients.Manager(username=username,
diff --git a/tempest/api/network/base.py b/tempest/api/network/base.py
index 0085cd6..1c2c4b0 100644
--- a/tempest/api/network/base.py
+++ b/tempest/api/network/base.py
@@ -17,10 +17,13 @@
 
 from tempest import clients
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.openstack.common import log as logging
 import tempest.test
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
@@ -52,8 +55,7 @@
         cls.set_network_resources()
         super(BaseNetworkTest, cls).setUpClass()
         os = clients.Manager(interface=cls._interface)
-        cls.network_cfg = os.config.network
-        if not cls.config.service_available.neutron:
+        if not CONF.service_available.neutron:
             raise cls.skipException("Neutron support is required")
         cls.client = os.network_client
         cls.networks = []
@@ -123,8 +125,8 @@
     @classmethod
     def create_subnet(cls, network, ip_version=4):
         """Wrapper utility that returns a test subnet."""
-        cidr = netaddr.IPNetwork(cls.network_cfg.tenant_network_cidr)
-        mask_bits = cls.network_cfg.tenant_network_mask_bits
+        cidr = netaddr.IPNetwork(CONF.network.tenant_network_cidr)
+        mask_bits = CONF.network.tenant_network_mask_bits
         # Find a cidr that is not in use yet and create a subnet with it
         body = None
         failure = None
@@ -260,9 +262,9 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(BaseAdminNetworkTest, cls).setUpClass()
-        admin_username = cls.config.compute_admin.username
-        admin_password = cls.config.compute_admin.password
-        admin_tenant = cls.config.compute_admin.tenant_name
+        admin_username = CONF.compute_admin.username
+        admin_password = CONF.compute_admin.password
+        admin_tenant = CONF.compute_admin.tenant_name
         if not (admin_username and admin_password and admin_tenant):
             msg = ("Missing Administrative Network API credentials "
                    "in configuration.")
diff --git a/tempest/api/network/test_floating_ips.py b/tempest/api/network/test_floating_ips.py
index a7c1bd2..69367ab 100644
--- a/tempest/api/network/test_floating_ips.py
+++ b/tempest/api/network/test_floating_ips.py
@@ -15,8 +15,11 @@
 
 from tempest.api.network import base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class FloatingIPTestJSON(base.BaseNetworkTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -43,7 +46,7 @@
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(FloatingIPTestJSON, cls).setUpClass()
-        cls.ext_net_id = cls.config.network.public_network_id
+        cls.ext_net_id = CONF.network.public_network_id
 
         # Create network, subnet, router and add interface
         cls.network = cls.create_network()
diff --git a/tempest/api/network/test_networks.py b/tempest/api/network/test_networks.py
index b1f4608..3aa765c 100644
--- a/tempest/api/network/test_networks.py
+++ b/tempest/api/network/test_networks.py
@@ -17,9 +17,12 @@
 
 from tempest.api.network import base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.test import attr
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class NetworksTestJSON(base.BaseNetworkTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -76,8 +79,8 @@
         updated_net = body['network']
         self.assertEqual(updated_net['name'], new_name)
         # Find a cidr that is not in use yet and create a subnet with it
-        cidr = netaddr.IPNetwork(self.network_cfg.tenant_network_cidr)
-        mask_bits = self.network_cfg.tenant_network_mask_bits
+        cidr = netaddr.IPNetwork(CONF.network.tenant_network_cidr)
+        mask_bits = CONF.network.tenant_network_mask_bits
         for subnet_cidr in cidr.subnet(mask_bits):
             try:
                 resp, body = self.client.create_subnet(
@@ -321,8 +324,8 @@
     @attr(type='smoke')
     def test_bulk_create_delete_subnet(self):
         # Creates 2 subnets in one request
-        cidr = netaddr.IPNetwork(self.network_cfg.tenant_network_cidr)
-        mask_bits = self.network_cfg.tenant_network_mask_bits
+        cidr = netaddr.IPNetwork(CONF.network.tenant_network_cidr)
+        mask_bits = CONF.network.tenant_network_mask_bits
         cidrs = []
         for subnet_cidr in cidr.subnet(mask_bits):
             cidrs.append(subnet_cidr)
diff --git a/tempest/api/network/test_routers.py b/tempest/api/network/test_routers.py
index 426273c..f3fac93 100644
--- a/tempest/api/network/test_routers.py
+++ b/tempest/api/network/test_routers.py
@@ -17,8 +17,11 @@
 
 from tempest.api.network import base_routers as base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import test
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class RoutersTest(base.BaseRouterTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -35,14 +38,14 @@
         name = data_utils.rand_name('router-')
         resp, create_body = self.client.create_router(
             name, external_gateway_info={
-                "network_id": self.network_cfg.public_network_id},
+                "network_id": CONF.network.public_network_id},
             admin_state_up=False)
         self.assertEqual('201', resp['status'])
         self.addCleanup(self._delete_router, create_body['router']['id'])
         self.assertEqual(create_body['router']['name'], name)
         self.assertEqual(
             create_body['router']['external_gateway_info']['network_id'],
-            self.network_cfg.public_network_id)
+            CONF.network.public_network_id)
         self.assertEqual(create_body['router']['admin_state_up'], False)
         # Show details of the created router
         resp, show_body = self.client.show_router(
@@ -51,7 +54,7 @@
         self.assertEqual(show_body['router']['name'], name)
         self.assertEqual(
             show_body['router']['external_gateway_info']['network_id'],
-            self.network_cfg.public_network_id)
+            CONF.network.public_network_id)
         self.assertEqual(show_body['router']['admin_state_up'], False)
         # List routers and verify if created router is there in response
         resp, list_body = self.client.list_routers()
@@ -123,14 +126,14 @@
 
     def _verify_gateway_port(self, router_id):
         resp, list_body = self.admin_client.list_ports(
-            network_id=self.network_cfg.public_network_id,
+            network_id=CONF.network.public_network_id,
             device_id=router_id)
         self.assertEqual(len(list_body['ports']), 1)
         gw_port = list_body['ports'][0]
         fixed_ips = gw_port['fixed_ips']
         self.assertEqual(len(fixed_ips), 1)
         resp, public_net_body = self.admin_client.show_network(
-            self.network_cfg.public_network_id)
+            CONF.network.public_network_id)
         public_subnet_id = public_net_body['network']['subnets'][0]
         self.assertEqual(fixed_ips[0]['subnet_id'], public_subnet_id)
 
@@ -140,40 +143,42 @@
         self.client.update_router(
             router['id'],
             external_gateway_info={
-                'network_id': self.network_cfg.public_network_id})
+                'network_id': CONF.network.public_network_id})
         # Verify operation - router
         resp, show_body = self.client.show_router(router['id'])
         self.assertEqual('200', resp['status'])
         self._verify_router_gateway(
             router['id'],
-            {'network_id': self.network_cfg.public_network_id})
+            {'network_id': CONF.network.public_network_id})
         self._verify_gateway_port(router['id'])
 
+    @test.requires_ext(extension='ext-gw-mode', service='network')
     @test.attr(type='smoke')
     def test_update_router_set_gateway_with_snat_explicit(self):
         router = self.create_router(data_utils.rand_name('router-'))
         self.admin_client.update_router_with_snat_gw_info(
             router['id'],
             external_gateway_info={
-                'network_id': self.network_cfg.public_network_id,
+                'network_id': CONF.network.public_network_id,
                 'enable_snat': True})
         self._verify_router_gateway(
             router['id'],
-            {'network_id': self.network_cfg.public_network_id,
+            {'network_id': CONF.network.public_network_id,
              'enable_snat': True})
         self._verify_gateway_port(router['id'])
 
+    @test.requires_ext(extension='ext-gw-mode', service='network')
     @test.attr(type='smoke')
     def test_update_router_set_gateway_without_snat(self):
         router = self.create_router(data_utils.rand_name('router-'))
         self.admin_client.update_router_with_snat_gw_info(
             router['id'],
             external_gateway_info={
-                'network_id': self.network_cfg.public_network_id,
+                'network_id': CONF.network.public_network_id,
                 'enable_snat': False})
         self._verify_router_gateway(
             router['id'],
-            {'network_id': self.network_cfg.public_network_id,
+            {'network_id': CONF.network.public_network_id,
              'enable_snat': False})
         self._verify_gateway_port(router['id'])
 
@@ -181,28 +186,29 @@
     def test_update_router_unset_gateway(self):
         router = self.create_router(
             data_utils.rand_name('router-'),
-            external_network_id=self.network_cfg.public_network_id)
+            external_network_id=CONF.network.public_network_id)
         self.client.update_router(router['id'], external_gateway_info={})
         self._verify_router_gateway(router['id'])
         # No gateway port expected
         resp, list_body = self.admin_client.list_ports(
-            network_id=self.network_cfg.public_network_id,
+            network_id=CONF.network.public_network_id,
             device_id=router['id'])
         self.assertFalse(list_body['ports'])
 
+    @test.requires_ext(extension='ext-gw-mode', service='network')
     @test.attr(type='smoke')
     def test_update_router_reset_gateway_without_snat(self):
         router = self.create_router(
             data_utils.rand_name('router-'),
-            external_network_id=self.network_cfg.public_network_id)
+            external_network_id=CONF.network.public_network_id)
         self.admin_client.update_router_with_snat_gw_info(
             router['id'],
             external_gateway_info={
-                'network_id': self.network_cfg.public_network_id,
+                'network_id': CONF.network.public_network_id,
                 'enable_snat': False})
         self._verify_router_gateway(
             router['id'],
-            {'network_id': self.network_cfg.public_network_id,
+            {'network_id': CONF.network.public_network_id,
              'enable_snat': False})
         self._verify_gateway_port(router['id'])
 
diff --git a/tempest/api/network/test_vpnaas_extensions.py b/tempest/api/network/test_vpnaas_extensions.py
index 089f9ef..64b8a41 100644
--- a/tempest/api/network/test_vpnaas_extensions.py
+++ b/tempest/api/network/test_vpnaas_extensions.py
@@ -15,8 +15,11 @@
 
 from tempest.api.network import base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
+from tempest import config
 from tempest import test
 
+CONF = config.CONF
+
 
 class VPNaaSJSON(base.BaseNetworkTest):
     _interface = 'json'
@@ -43,7 +46,7 @@
         cls.subnet = cls.create_subnet(cls.network)
         cls.router = cls.create_router(
             data_utils.rand_name("router-"),
-            external_network_id=cls.network_cfg.public_network_id)
+            external_network_id=CONF.network.public_network_id)
         cls.create_router_interface(cls.router['id'], cls.subnet['id'])
         cls.vpnservice = cls.create_vpnservice(cls.subnet['id'],
                                                cls.router['id'])
diff --git a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_account_services_negative.py b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_account_services_negative.py
index 3b07e17..c8f8096 100644
--- a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_account_services_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_account_services_negative.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-# vim: tabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 softtabstop=4
-
 # Copyright (C) 2013 eNovance SAS <licensing@enovance.com>
 #
 # Author: Joe H. Rahme <joe.hakim.rahme@enovance.com>
diff --git a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_container_acl_negative.py b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_container_acl_negative.py
index e75f21d..f8f29de 100644
--- a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_container_acl_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_container_acl_negative.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-# vim: tabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 softtabstop=4
-
 # Copyright (C) 2013 eNovance SAS <licensing@enovance.com>
 #
 # Author: Joe H. Rahme <joe.hakim.rahme@enovance.com>
diff --git a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_container_services.py b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_container_services.py
index 0d477d9..18199ef 100644
--- a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_container_services.py
+++ b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_container_services.py
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
         # create a container
         container_name = data_utils.rand_name(name='TestContainer')
         resp, _ = self.container_client.create_container(container_name)
+        self.assertHeaders(resp, 'Container', 'PUT')
         self.containers.append(container_name)
         # delete container
         resp, _ = self.container_client.delete_container(container_name)
@@ -58,12 +59,14 @@
         # create a container
         container_name = data_utils.rand_name(name='TestContainer')
         resp, _ = self.container_client.create_container(container_name)
+        self.assertHeaders(resp, 'Container', 'PUT')
         self.containers.append(container_name)
         # create object
         object_name = data_utils.rand_name(name='TestObject')
         data = data_utils.arbitrary_string()
         resp, _ = self.object_client.create_object(container_name,
                                                    object_name, data)
+        self.assertHeaders(resp, 'Object', 'PUT')
         # set object metadata
         meta_key = data_utils.rand_name(name='Meta-Test-')
         meta_value = data_utils.rand_name(name='MetaValue-')
@@ -71,6 +74,7 @@
         resp, _ = self.object_client.update_object_metadata(container_name,
                                                             object_name,
                                                             orig_metadata)
+        self.assertHeaders(resp, 'Object', 'POST')
         # get container contents list
         params = {'format': 'json'}
         resp, object_list = \
@@ -91,6 +95,7 @@
         # create a container
         container_name = data_utils.rand_name(name='TestContainer')
         resp, _ = self.container_client.create_container(container_name)
+        self.assertHeaders(resp, 'Container', 'PUT')
         self.containers.append(container_name)
         # update container metadata
         metadata = {'name': 'Pictures',
diff --git a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_expiry.py b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_expiry.py
index 7ca0e51..3aae0a1 100644
--- a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_expiry.py
+++ b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_expiry.py
@@ -28,30 +28,34 @@
         cls.container_name = data_utils.rand_name(name='TestContainer')
         cls.container_client.create_container(cls.container_name)
 
+    def setUp(self):
+        super(ObjectExpiryTest, self).setUp()
+        # create object
+        self.object_name = data_utils.rand_name(name='TestObject')
+        resp, _ = self.object_client.create_object(self.container_name,
+                                                   self.object_name, '')
+
     @classmethod
     def tearDownClass(cls):
         cls.delete_containers([cls.container_name])
         super(ObjectExpiryTest, cls).tearDownClass()
 
     def _test_object_expiry(self, metadata):
-        # create object
-        object_name = data_utils.rand_name(name='TestObject')
-        resp, _ = self.object_client.create_object(self.container_name,
-                                                   object_name, '')
         # update object metadata
         resp, _ = \
             self.object_client.update_object_metadata(self.container_name,
-                                                      object_name, metadata,
+                                                      self.object_name,
+                                                      metadata,
                                                       metadata_prefix='')
         # verify object metadata
         resp, _ = \
             self.object_client.list_object_metadata(self.container_name,
-                                                    object_name)
+                                                    self.object_name)
         self.assertEqual(resp['status'], '200')
         self.assertHeaders(resp, 'Object', 'HEAD')
         self.assertIn('x-delete-at', resp)
         resp, body = self.object_client.get_object(self.container_name,
-                                                   object_name)
+                                                   self.object_name)
         self.assertEqual(resp['status'], '200')
         self.assertHeaders(resp, 'Object', 'GET')
         self.assertIn('x-delete-at', resp)
@@ -61,7 +65,7 @@
 
         # object should not be there anymore
         self.assertRaises(exceptions.NotFound, self.object_client.get_object,
-                          self.container_name, object_name)
+                          self.container_name, self.object_name)
 
     @attr(type='gate')
     def test_get_object_after_expiry_time(self):
diff --git a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_formpost_negative.py b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_formpost_negative.py
index a07e277..e02a058 100644
--- a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_formpost_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_formpost_negative.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-# vim: tabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 softtabstop=4
-
 # Copyright (C) 2013 eNovance SAS <licensing@enovance.com>
 # Author: Joe H. Rahme <joe.hakim.rahme@enovance.com>
 #
diff --git a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_services.py b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_services.py
index 13f197b..bca9b93 100644
--- a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_services.py
+++ b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_services.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
 #    under the License.
 
 import hashlib
-import re
 
 from tempest.api.object_storage import base
 from tempest.common import custom_matchers
@@ -264,23 +263,15 @@
         resp, _ = self.object_client.list_object_metadata(
             self.container_name, object_name)
 
-        # Check only the existence of common headers with custom matcher
-        self.assertThat(resp, custom_matchers.ExistsAllResponseHeaders(
-                        'Object', 'HEAD'))
-        self.assertIn('x-object-manifest', resp)
-
         # Etag value of a large object is enclosed in double-quotations.
-        # This is a special case, therefore the formats of response headers
-        # are checked without a custom matcher.
+        # After etag quotes are checked they are removed and the response is
+        # checked if all common headers are present and well formatted
         self.assertTrue(resp['etag'].startswith('\"'))
         self.assertTrue(resp['etag'].endswith('\"'))
-        self.assertTrue(resp['etag'].strip('\"').isalnum())
-        self.assertTrue(re.match("^\d+\.?\d*\Z", resp['x-timestamp']))
-        self.assertNotEqual(len(resp['content-type']), 0)
-        self.assertTrue(re.match("^tx[0-9a-f]*-[0-9a-f]*$",
-                                 resp['x-trans-id']))
-        self.assertNotEqual(len(resp['date']), 0)
-        self.assertEqual(resp['accept-ranges'], 'bytes')
+        resp['etag'] = resp['etag'].strip('"')
+        self.assertHeaders(resp, 'Object', 'HEAD')
+
+        self.assertIn('x-object-manifest', resp)
         self.assertEqual(resp['x-object-manifest'],
                          '%s/%s/' % (self.container_name, object_name))
 
diff --git a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_slo.py b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_slo.py
index ee7f6a4..0443a80 100644
--- a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_slo.py
+++ b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_slo.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
 
 import hashlib
 import json
-import re
 
 from tempest.api.object_storage import base
 from tempest.common import custom_matchers
@@ -95,29 +94,19 @@
         return object_name
 
     def _assertHeadersSLO(self, resp, method):
-        # Check the existence of common headers with custom matcher
-        self.assertThat(resp, custom_matchers.ExistsAllResponseHeaders(
-                        'Object', method))
         # When sending GET or HEAD requests to SLO the response contains
         # 'X-Static-Large-Object' header
         if method in ('GET', 'HEAD'):
             self.assertIn('x-static-large-object', resp)
+            self.assertEqual(resp['x-static-large-object'], 'True')
 
-        # Check common headers for all HTTP methods
-        self.assertTrue(re.match("^tx[0-9a-f]*-[0-9a-f]*$",
-                                 resp['x-trans-id']))
-        self.assertTrue(resp['content-length'].isdigit())
-        self.assertNotEqual(len(resp['date']), 0)
         # Etag value of a large object is enclosed in double-quotations.
+        # After etag quotes are checked they are removed and the response is
+        # checked if all common headers are present and well formatted
         self.assertTrue(resp['etag'].startswith('\"'))
         self.assertTrue(resp['etag'].endswith('\"'))
-        self.assertTrue(resp['etag'].strip('\"').isalnum())
-        # Check header formats for a specific method
-        if method in ('GET', 'HEAD'):
-            self.assertTrue(re.match("^\d+\.?\d*\Z", resp['x-timestamp']))
-            self.assertNotEqual(len(resp['content-type']), 0)
-            self.assertEqual(resp['accept-ranges'], 'bytes')
-            self.assertEqual(resp['x-static-large-object'], 'True')
+        resp['etag'] = resp['etag'].strip('"')
+        self.assertHeaders(resp, 'Object', method)
 
     @test.attr(type='gate')
     def test_upload_manifest(self):
diff --git a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_temp_url_negative.py b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_temp_url_negative.py
index cc507c5..cf24f66 100644
--- a/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_temp_url_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/object_storage/test_object_temp_url_negative.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-# vim: tabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 softtabstop=4
-
 # Copyright (C) 2013 eNovance SAS <licensing@enovance.com>
 #
 # Author: Joe H. Rahme <joe.hakim.rahme@enovance.com>
diff --git a/tempest/api/volume/admin/test_volume_types.py b/tempest/api/volume/admin/test_volume_types.py
index 0ea999a..4add2c1 100644
--- a/tempest/api/volume/admin/test_volume_types.py
+++ b/tempest/api/volume/admin/test_volume_types.py
@@ -15,27 +15,12 @@
 
 from tempest.api.volume import base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
-from tempest.services.volume.json.admin import volume_types_client
 from tempest.test import attr
 
 
-class VolumeTypesTest(base.BaseVolumeV1Test):
+class VolumeTypesTest(base.BaseVolumeV1AdminTest):
     _interface = "json"
 
-    @classmethod
-    def setUpClass(cls):
-        super(VolumeTypesTest, cls).setUpClass()
-        adm_user = cls.config.identity.admin_username
-        adm_pass = cls.config.identity.admin_password
-        adm_tenant = cls.config.identity.admin_tenant_name
-        auth_url = cls.config.identity.uri
-
-        cls.client = volume_types_client.VolumeTypesClientJSON(cls.config,
-                                                               adm_user,
-                                                               adm_pass,
-                                                               auth_url,
-                                                               adm_tenant)
-
     def _delete_volume(self, volume_id):
         resp, _ = self.volumes_client.delete_volume(volume_id)
         self.assertEqual(202, resp.status)
diff --git a/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_cinder.py b/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_cinder.py
index cf8440d..5dcb708 100644
--- a/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_cinder.py
+++ b/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_cinder.py
@@ -18,7 +18,10 @@
 import subprocess
 
 import tempest.cli
+from tempest import config
 
+
+CONF = config.CONF
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
@@ -30,6 +33,13 @@
     their own. They only verify the structure of output if present.
     """
 
+    @classmethod
+    def setUpClass(cls):
+        if not CONF.service_available.cinder:
+            msg = ("%s skipped as Cinder is not available" % cls.__name__)
+            raise cls.skipException(msg)
+        super(SimpleReadOnlyCinderClientTest, cls).setUpClass()
+
     def test_cinder_fake_action(self):
         self.assertRaises(subprocess.CalledProcessError,
                           self.cinder,
diff --git a/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_glance.py b/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_glance.py
index 0e0f995..b558190 100644
--- a/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_glance.py
+++ b/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_glance.py
@@ -35,6 +35,13 @@
     their own. They only verify the structure of output if present.
     """
 
+    @classmethod
+    def setUpClass(cls):
+        if not CONF.service_available.glance:
+            msg = ("%s skipped as Glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
+            raise cls.skipException(msg)
+        super(SimpleReadOnlyGlanceClientTest, cls).setUpClass()
+
     def test_glance_fake_action(self):
         self.assertRaises(subprocess.CalledProcessError,
                           self.glance,
diff --git a/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_nova.py b/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_nova.py
index 822e531..f8ba971 100644
--- a/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_nova.py
+++ b/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_nova.py
@@ -42,6 +42,13 @@
 
     """
 
+    @classmethod
+    def setUpClass(cls):
+        if not CONF.service_available.nova:
+            msg = ("%s skipped as Nova is not available" % cls.__name__)
+            raise cls.skipException(msg)
+        super(SimpleReadOnlyNovaClientTest, cls).setUpClass()
+
     def test_admin_fake_action(self):
         self.assertRaises(subprocess.CalledProcessError,
                           self.nova,
diff --git a/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_nova_manage.py b/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_nova_manage.py
index a92e8da..13a1589 100644
--- a/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_nova_manage.py
+++ b/tempest/cli/simple_read_only/test_nova_manage.py
@@ -16,9 +16,11 @@
 import subprocess
 
 import tempest.cli
+from tempest import config
 from tempest.openstack.common import log as logging
 
 
+CONF = config.CONF
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
@@ -34,6 +36,13 @@
 
     """
 
+    @classmethod
+    def setUpClass(cls):
+        if not CONF.service_available.nova:
+            msg = ("%s skipped as Nova is not available" % cls.__name__)
+            raise cls.skipException(msg)
+        super(SimpleReadOnlyNovaManageTest, cls).setUpClass()
+
     def test_admin_fake_action(self):
         self.assertRaises(subprocess.CalledProcessError,
                           self.nova_manage,
diff --git a/tempest/clients.py b/tempest/clients.py
index 4c40ce0..d0a1491 100644
--- a/tempest/clients.py
+++ b/tempest/clients.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 from tempest import exceptions
 from tempest.openstack.common import log as logging
 from tempest.services.baremetal.v1.client_json import BaremetalClientJSON
-from tempest.services.baremetal.v1.client_xml import BaremetalClientXML
 from tempest.services import botoclients
 from tempest.services.compute.json.aggregates_client import \
     AggregatesClientJSON
@@ -217,7 +216,6 @@
 
         if interface == 'xml':
             self.certificates_client = CertificatesClientXML(*client_args)
-            self.baremetal_client = BaremetalClientXML(*client_args)
             self.servers_client = ServersClientXML(*client_args)
             self.limits_client = LimitsClientXML(*client_args)
             self.images_client = ImagesClientXML(*client_args)
diff --git a/tempest/common/glance_http.py b/tempest/common/glance_http.py
index 2ce05ee..d8afab3 100644
--- a/tempest/common/glance_http.py
+++ b/tempest/common/glance_http.py
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@
             # file. Closing socket too soon will cause response
             # reads to fail with socket IO error 'Bad file descriptor'.
             self.sock = None
-        super(VerifiedHTTPSConnection, self).close()
+        httplib.HTTPSConnection.close(self)
 
 
 class ResponseBodyIterator(object):
diff --git a/tempest/common/isolated_creds.py b/tempest/common/isolated_creds.py
index ea614c3..f2df061 100644
--- a/tempest/common/isolated_creds.py
+++ b/tempest/common/isolated_creds.py
@@ -146,18 +146,28 @@
         else:
             self.identity_admin_client.tenants.delete(tenant)
 
-    def _create_creds(self, suffix=None, admin=False):
-        data_utils.rand_name_root = data_utils.rand_name(self.name)
-        if suffix:
-            data_utils.rand_name_root += suffix
-        tenant_name = data_utils.rand_name_root + "-tenant"
+    def _create_creds(self, suffix="", admin=False):
+        """Create random credentials under the following schema.
+
+        If the name contains a '.' is the full class path of something, and
+        we don't really care. If it isn't, it's probably a meaningful name,
+        so use it.
+
+        For logging purposes, -user and -tenant are long and redundant,
+        don't use them. The user# will be sufficient to figure it out.
+        """
+        if '.' in self.name:
+            root = ""
+        else:
+            root = self.name
+
+        tenant_name = data_utils.rand_name(root) + suffix
         tenant_desc = tenant_name + "-desc"
         tenant = self._create_tenant(name=tenant_name,
                                      description=tenant_desc)
-        if suffix:
-            data_utils.rand_name_root += suffix
-        username = data_utils.rand_name_root + "-user"
-        email = data_utils.rand_name_root + "@example.com"
+
+        username = data_utils.rand_name(root) + suffix
+        email = data_utils.rand_name(root) + suffix + "@example.com"
         user = self._create_user(username, self.password,
                                  tenant, email)
         if admin:
diff --git a/tempest/common/rest_client.py b/tempest/common/rest_client.py
index a90c924..b1fef99 100644
--- a/tempest/common/rest_client.py
+++ b/tempest/common/rest_client.py
@@ -126,21 +126,6 @@
 
         return self.token
 
-    def basic_auth(self, user, password, auth_url):
-        """
-        Provides authentication for the target API.
-        """
-
-        params = {}
-        params['headers'] = {'User-Agent': 'Test-Client', 'X-Auth-User': user,
-                             'X-Auth-Key': password}
-
-        resp, body = self.http_obj.request(auth_url, 'GET', **params)
-        try:
-            return resp['x-auth-token'], resp['x-server-management-url']
-        except Exception:
-            raise
-
     def keystone_auth(self, user, password, auth_url, service, tenant_name):
         """
         Provides authentication via Keystone using v2 identity API.
diff --git a/tempest/common/utils/data_utils.py b/tempest/common/utils/data_utils.py
index 2b2963c..cd32720 100644
--- a/tempest/common/utils/data_utils.py
+++ b/tempest/common/utils/data_utils.py
@@ -30,8 +30,12 @@
     return uuid.uuid4().hex
 
 
-def rand_name(name='test'):
-    return name + "-tempest-" + str(random.randint(1, 0x7fffffff))
+def rand_name(name=''):
+    randbits = str(random.randint(1, 0x7fffffff))
+    if name:
+        return name + '-' + randbits
+    else:
+        return randbits
 
 
 def rand_int_id(start=0, end=0x7fffffff):
diff --git a/tempest/common/utils/linux/remote_client.py b/tempest/common/utils/linux/remote_client.py
index 5276d49..bb2fcfb 100644
--- a/tempest/common/utils/linux/remote_client.py
+++ b/tempest/common/utils/linux/remote_client.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
 import time
 
 from tempest.common.ssh import Client
-from tempest.common import utils
 from tempest import config
 from tempest.exceptions import ServerUnreachable
 
@@ -76,11 +75,10 @@
         return output
 
     def get_boot_time(self):
-        cmd = 'date -d "`cut -f1 -d. /proc/uptime` seconds ago" \
-            "+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S"'
-        boot_time_string = self.ssh_client.exec_command(cmd)
-        boot_time_string = boot_time_string.replace('\n', '')
-        return time.strptime(boot_time_string, utils.LAST_REBOOT_TIME_FORMAT)
+        cmd = 'cut -f1 -d. /proc/uptime'
+        boot_secs = self.ssh_client.exec_command(cmd)
+        boot_time = time.time() - int(boot_secs)
+        return time.localtime(boot_time)
 
     def write_to_console(self, message):
         message = re.sub("([$\\`])", "\\\\\\\\\\1", message)
diff --git a/tempest/openstack/common/fixture/mockpatch.py b/tempest/openstack/common/fixture/mockpatch.py
index 858e77c..d7dcc11 100644
--- a/tempest/openstack/common/fixture/mockpatch.py
+++ b/tempest/openstack/common/fixture/mockpatch.py
@@ -22,14 +22,15 @@
 class PatchObject(fixtures.Fixture):
     """Deal with code around mock."""
 
-    def __init__(self, obj, attr, **kwargs):
+    def __init__(self, obj, attr, new=mock.DEFAULT, **kwargs):
         self.obj = obj
         self.attr = attr
         self.kwargs = kwargs
+        self.new = new
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(PatchObject, self).setUp()
-        _p = mock.patch.object(self.obj, self.attr, **self.kwargs)
+        _p = mock.patch.object(self.obj, self.attr, self.new, **self.kwargs)
         self.mock = _p.start()
         self.addCleanup(_p.stop)
 
diff --git a/tempest/scenario/manager.py b/tempest/scenario/manager.py
index 04882f3..32b9d7e 100644
--- a/tempest/scenario/manager.py
+++ b/tempest/scenario/manager.py
@@ -128,15 +128,16 @@
 
     def _get_object_storage_client(self, username, password, tenant_name):
         auth_url = self.config.identity.uri
-        # add current tenant to Member group.
+        # add current tenant to swift operator role group.
         keystone_admin = self._get_identity_client(
             self.config.identity.admin_username,
             self.config.identity.admin_password,
             self.config.identity.admin_tenant_name)
 
-        # enable test user to operate swift by adding Member role to him.
+        # enable test user to operate swift by adding operator role to him.
         roles = keystone_admin.roles.list()
-        member_role = [role for role in roles if role.name == 'Member'][0]
+        operator_role = self.config.object_storage.operator_role
+        member_role = [role for role in roles if role.name == operator_role][0]
         # NOTE(maurosr): This is surrounded in the try-except block cause
         # neutron tests doesn't have tenant isolation.
         try:
@@ -233,7 +234,7 @@
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(OfficialClientTest, cls).setUpClass()
         cls.isolated_creds = isolated_creds.IsolatedCreds(
-            __name__, tempest_client=False,
+            cls.__name__, tempest_client=False,
             network_resources=cls.network_resources)
 
         username, password, tenant_name = cls.credentials()
diff --git a/tempest/services/baremetal/v1/client_xml.py b/tempest/services/baremetal/v1/client_xml.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 4c214fe..0000000
--- a/tempest/services/baremetal/v1/client_xml.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,55 +0,0 @@
-#    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.
-
-from tempest.common import rest_client
-from tempest.services.baremetal.v1 import base_v1 as base
-from tempest.services.compute.xml import common as xml
-
-
-class BaremetalClientXML(rest_client.RestClientXML, base.BaremetalClientV1):
-    """Tempest REST client for Ironic XML API v1."""
-
-    def __init__(self, config, username, password, auth_url, tenant_name=None):
-        super(BaremetalClientXML, self).__init__(config, username, password,
-                                                 auth_url, tenant_name)
-
-        self.serialize = self.json_to_xml
-        self.deserialize = xml.xml_to_json
-
-    def json_to_xml(self, object_type, object_dict):
-        """
-        Brainlessly converts a specification of an object to XML string.
-
-        :param object_type: Kind of the object.
-        :param object_dict: Specification of the object attributes as a dict.
-        :return: An XML string that corresponds to the specification.
-
-        """
-        root = xml.Element(object_type)
-
-        for attr_name, value in object_dict:
-            # Handle nested dictionaries
-            if isinstance(value, dict):
-                value = self.json_to_xml(attr_name, value)
-
-            root.append(xml.Element(attr_name, value))
-
-        return str(xml.Document(root))
-
-    def _patch_request(self, resource_name, uuid, patch_object):
-        """Changes Content-Type header to application/json for jsonpatch."""
-
-        self.headers['Content-Type'] = 'application/json'
-        try:
-            super(self)._patch_request(self, resource_name, uuid, patch_object)
-        finally:
-            self.headers['Content-Type'] = 'application/xml'
diff --git a/tempest/services/telemetry/json/telemetry_client.py b/tempest/services/telemetry/json/telemetry_client.py
index 8d46bf3..d8662e9 100644
--- a/tempest/services/telemetry/json/telemetry_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/telemetry/json/telemetry_client.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-# vim: tabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 softtabstop=4
-
 # Copyright 2014 OpenStack Foundation
 # All Rights Reserved.
 #
diff --git a/tempest/services/telemetry/telemetry_client_base.py b/tempest/services/telemetry/telemetry_client_base.py
index 59127b9..883bf33 100644
--- a/tempest/services/telemetry/telemetry_client_base.py
+++ b/tempest/services/telemetry/telemetry_client_base.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-# vim: tabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 softtabstop=4
-
 # Copyright 2013 OpenStack Foundation
 # All Rights Reserved.
 #
diff --git a/tempest/services/telemetry/xml/telemetry_client.py b/tempest/services/telemetry/xml/telemetry_client.py
index 245ccb5..ac5fa32 100644
--- a/tempest/services/telemetry/xml/telemetry_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/telemetry/xml/telemetry_client.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-# vim: tabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 softtabstop=4
-
 # Copyright 2014 OpenStack Foundation
 # All Rights Reserved.
 #
diff --git a/tempest/tests/test_ssh.py b/tempest/tests/test_ssh.py
index 09bb588..429ed56 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/test_ssh.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/test_ssh.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-# vim: tabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 softtabstop=4
-
 # Copyright 2014 OpenStack Foundation
 #
 #    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may