diff --git a/tempest/common/utils/linux/remote_client.py b/tempest/common/utils/linux/remote_client.py
index 6d22b9b..93c2c10 100644
--- a/tempest/common/utils/linux/remote_client.py
+++ b/tempest/common/utils/linux/remote_client.py
@@ -72,8 +72,7 @@
             return output.split()[1]
 
     def get_number_of_vcpus(self):
-        command = 'cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep processor | wc -l'
-        output = self.exec_command(command)
+        output = self.exec_command('grep -c processor /proc/cpuinfo')
         return int(output)
 
     def get_partitions(self):
diff --git a/tempest/services/compute/json/agents_client.py b/tempest/services/compute/json/agents_client.py
index c69e483..4a91d7a 100644
--- a/tempest/services/compute/json/agents_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/compute/json/agents_client.py
@@ -45,12 +45,12 @@
 
     def delete_agent(self, agent_id):
         """Delete an existing agent build."""
-        resp, body = self.delete("os-agents/%s" % str(agent_id))
+        resp, body = self.delete("os-agents/%s" % agent_id)
         self.validate_response(schema.delete_agent, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
 
     def update_agent(self, agent_id, **kwargs):
         """Update an agent build."""
         put_body = json.dumps({'para': kwargs})
-        resp, body = self.put('os-agents/%s' % str(agent_id), put_body)
+        resp, body = self.put('os-agents/%s' % agent_id, put_body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, self._parse_resp(body))
diff --git a/tempest/services/compute/json/aggregates_client.py b/tempest/services/compute/json/aggregates_client.py
index 6c02b63..7afe7d7 100644
--- a/tempest/services/compute/json/aggregates_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/compute/json/aggregates_client.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 
     def show_aggregate(self, aggregate_id):
         """Get details of the given aggregate."""
-        resp, body = self.get("os-aggregates/%s" % str(aggregate_id))
+        resp, body = self.get("os-aggregates/%s" % aggregate_id)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.get_aggregate, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['aggregate'])
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
             'availability_zone': availability_zone
         }
         put_body = json.dumps({'aggregate': put_body})
-        resp, body = self.put('os-aggregates/%s' % str(aggregate_id), put_body)
+        resp, body = self.put('os-aggregates/%s' % aggregate_id, put_body)
 
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.update_aggregate, resp, body)
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
 
     def delete_aggregate(self, aggregate_id):
         """Deletes the given aggregate."""
-        resp, body = self.delete("os-aggregates/%s" % str(aggregate_id))
+        resp, body = self.delete("os-aggregates/%s" % aggregate_id)
         self.validate_response(schema.delete_aggregate, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
 
diff --git a/tempest/services/compute/json/flavors_client.py b/tempest/services/compute/json/flavors_client.py
index ebe4117..93601b1 100644
--- a/tempest/services/compute/json/flavors_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/compute/json/flavors_client.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
         return service_client.ResponseBodyList(resp, body['flavors'])
 
     def show_flavor(self, flavor_id):
-        resp, body = self.get("flavors/%s" % str(flavor_id))
+        resp, body = self.get("flavors/%s" % flavor_id)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.create_get_flavor_details, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['flavor'])
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@
 
     def show_flavor_extra_spec(self, flavor_id, key):
         """Gets extra Specs key-value of the mentioned flavor and key."""
-        resp, body = self.get('flavors/%s/os-extra_specs/%s' % (str(flavor_id),
+        resp, body = self.get('flavors/%s/os-extra_specs/%s' % (flavor_id,
                               key))
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@
     def unset_flavor_extra_spec(self, flavor_id, key):
         """Unsets extra Specs from the mentioned flavor."""
         resp, body = self.delete('flavors/%s/os-extra_specs/%s' %
-                                 (str(flavor_id), key))
+                                 (flavor_id, key))
         self.validate_response(schema.unset_flavor_extra_specs, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
 
diff --git a/tempest/services/compute/json/floating_ips_client.py b/tempest/services/compute/json/floating_ips_client.py
index 6095dc0..5cfc325 100644
--- a/tempest/services/compute/json/floating_ips_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/compute/json/floating_ips_client.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
 
     def show_floating_ip(self, floating_ip_id):
         """Get the details of a floating IP."""
-        url = "os-floating-ips/%s" % str(floating_ip_id)
+        url = "os-floating-ips/%s" % floating_ip_id
         resp, body = self.get(url)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.create_get_floating_ip, resp, body)
@@ -55,14 +55,14 @@
 
     def delete_floating_ip(self, floating_ip_id):
         """Deletes the provided floating IP from the project."""
-        url = "os-floating-ips/%s" % str(floating_ip_id)
+        url = "os-floating-ips/%s" % floating_ip_id
         resp, body = self.delete(url)
         self.validate_response(schema.add_remove_floating_ip, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
 
     def associate_floating_ip_to_server(self, floating_ip, server_id):
         """Associate the provided floating IP to a specific server."""
-        url = "servers/%s/action" % str(server_id)
+        url = "servers/%s/action" % server_id
         post_body = {
             'addFloatingIp': {
                 'address': floating_ip,
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@
 
     def disassociate_floating_ip_from_server(self, floating_ip, server_id):
         """Disassociate the provided floating IP from a specific server."""
-        url = "servers/%s/action" % str(server_id)
+        url = "servers/%s/action" % server_id
         post_body = {
             'removeFloatingIp': {
                 'address': floating_ip,
diff --git a/tempest/services/compute/json/hosts_client.py b/tempest/services/compute/json/hosts_client.py
index 223b80f..d79368b 100644
--- a/tempest/services/compute/json/hosts_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/compute/json/hosts_client.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
     def show_host(self, hostname):
         """Show detail information for the host."""
 
-        resp, body = self.get("os-hosts/%s" % str(hostname))
+        resp, body = self.get("os-hosts/%s" % hostname)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.get_host_detail, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBodyList(resp, body['host'])
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
         request_body.update(**kwargs)
         request_body = json.dumps(request_body)
 
-        resp, body = self.put("os-hosts/%s" % str(hostname), request_body)
+        resp, body = self.put("os-hosts/%s" % hostname, request_body)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.update_host, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@
     def startup_host(self, hostname):
         """Startup a host."""
 
-        resp, body = self.get("os-hosts/%s/startup" % str(hostname))
+        resp, body = self.get("os-hosts/%s/startup" % hostname)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.startup_host, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['host'])
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
     def shutdown_host(self, hostname):
         """Shutdown a host."""
 
-        resp, body = self.get("os-hosts/%s/shutdown" % str(hostname))
+        resp, body = self.get("os-hosts/%s/shutdown" % hostname)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.shutdown_host, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['host'])
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@
     def reboot_host(self, hostname):
         """reboot a host."""
 
-        resp, body = self.get("os-hosts/%s/reboot" % str(hostname))
+        resp, body = self.get("os-hosts/%s/reboot" % hostname)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.reboot_host, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['host'])
diff --git a/tempest/services/compute/json/images_client.py b/tempest/services/compute/json/images_client.py
index 3736a15..d288982 100644
--- a/tempest/services/compute/json/images_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/compute/json/images_client.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
             post_body['createImage']['metadata'] = meta
 
         post_body = json.dumps(post_body)
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % str(server_id),
+        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
                                post_body)
         self.validate_response(schema.create_image, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
 
     def show_image(self, image_id):
         """Returns the details of a single image."""
-        resp, body = self.get("images/%s" % str(image_id))
+        resp, body = self.get("images/%s" % image_id)
         self.expected_success(200, resp.status)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.get_image, resp, body)
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
 
     def delete_image(self, image_id):
         """Deletes the provided image."""
-        resp, body = self.delete("images/%s" % str(image_id))
+        resp, body = self.delete("images/%s" % image_id)
         self.validate_response(schema.delete, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
 
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@
 
     def list_image_metadata(self, image_id):
         """Lists all metadata items for an image."""
-        resp, body = self.get("images/%s/metadata" % str(image_id))
+        resp, body = self.get("images/%s/metadata" % image_id)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.image_metadata, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['metadata'])
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
     def set_image_metadata(self, image_id, meta):
         """Sets the metadata for an image."""
         post_body = json.dumps({'metadata': meta})
-        resp, body = self.put('images/%s/metadata' % str(image_id), post_body)
+        resp, body = self.put('images/%s/metadata' % image_id, post_body)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.image_metadata, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['metadata'])
@@ -95,14 +95,14 @@
     def update_image_metadata(self, image_id, meta):
         """Updates the metadata for an image."""
         post_body = json.dumps({'metadata': meta})
-        resp, body = self.post('images/%s/metadata' % str(image_id), post_body)
+        resp, body = self.post('images/%s/metadata' % image_id, post_body)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.image_metadata, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['metadata'])
 
     def show_image_metadata_item(self, image_id, key):
         """Returns the value for a specific image metadata key."""
-        resp, body = self.get("images/%s/metadata/%s" % (str(image_id), key))
+        resp, body = self.get("images/%s/metadata/%s" % (image_id, key))
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.image_meta_item, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['meta'])
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@
     def set_image_metadata_item(self, image_id, key, meta):
         """Sets the value for a specific image metadata key."""
         post_body = json.dumps({'meta': meta})
-        resp, body = self.put('images/%s/metadata/%s' % (str(image_id), key),
+        resp, body = self.put('images/%s/metadata/%s' % (image_id, key),
                               post_body)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.image_meta_item, resp, body)
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@
     def delete_image_metadata_item(self, image_id, key):
         """Deletes a single image metadata key/value pair."""
         resp, body = self.delete("images/%s/metadata/%s" %
-                                 (str(image_id), key))
+                                 (image_id, key))
         self.validate_response(schema.delete, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
 
diff --git a/tempest/services/compute/json/interfaces_client.py b/tempest/services/compute/json/interfaces_client.py
index 223e90b..a0d7c60 100644
--- a/tempest/services/compute/json/interfaces_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/compute/json/interfaces_client.py
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@
                 'networkId': network_id
             }
         })
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % str(server_id),
+        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
                                post_body)
         self.validate_response(servers_schema.server_actions_common_schema,
                                resp, body)
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@
                 'address': ip_address
             }
         })
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % str(server_id),
+        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
                                post_body)
         self.validate_response(servers_schema.server_actions_common_schema,
                                resp, body)
diff --git a/tempest/services/compute/json/keypairs_client.py b/tempest/services/compute/json/keypairs_client.py
index 143fe72..65cd19f 100644
--- a/tempest/services/compute/json/keypairs_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/compute/json/keypairs_client.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
         return service_client.ResponseBodyList(resp, body['keypairs'])
 
     def show_keypair(self, key_name):
-        resp, body = self.get("os-keypairs/%s" % str(key_name))
+        resp, body = self.get("os-keypairs/%s" % key_name)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.get_keypair, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['keypair'])
@@ -49,6 +49,6 @@
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['keypair'])
 
     def delete_keypair(self, key_name):
-        resp, body = self.delete("os-keypairs/%s" % str(key_name))
+        resp, body = self.delete("os-keypairs/%s" % key_name)
         self.validate_response(schema.delete_keypair, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
diff --git a/tempest/services/compute/json/networks_client.py b/tempest/services/compute/json/networks_client.py
index e641787..21dd067 100644
--- a/tempest/services/compute/json/networks_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/compute/json/networks_client.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
         return service_client.ResponseBodyList(resp, body['networks'])
 
     def show_network(self, network_id):
-        resp, body = self.get("os-networks/%s" % str(network_id))
+        resp, body = self.get("os-networks/%s" % network_id)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.expected_success(200, resp.status)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['network'])
diff --git a/tempest/services/compute/json/servers_client.py b/tempest/services/compute/json/servers_client.py
index 1af1b37..644f881 100644
--- a/tempest/services/compute/json/servers_client.py
+++ b/tempest/services/compute/json/servers_client.py
@@ -131,21 +131,21 @@
             post_body['OS-DCF:diskConfig'] = disk_config
 
         post_body = json.dumps({'server': post_body})
-        resp, body = self.put("servers/%s" % str(server_id), post_body)
+        resp, body = self.put("servers/%s" % server_id, post_body)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.update_server, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['server'])
 
     def get_server(self, server_id):
         """Returns the details of an existing server."""
-        resp, body = self.get("servers/%s" % str(server_id))
+        resp, body = self.get("servers/%s" % server_id)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.get_server, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['server'])
 
     def delete_server(self, server_id):
         """Deletes the given server."""
-        resp, body = self.delete("servers/%s" % str(server_id))
+        resp, body = self.delete("servers/%s" % server_id)
         self.validate_response(schema.delete_server, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
 
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@
 
     def list_addresses(self, server_id):
         """Lists all addresses for a server."""
-        resp, body = self.get("servers/%s/ips" % str(server_id))
+        resp, body = self.get("servers/%s/ips" % server_id)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.list_addresses, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['addresses'])
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@
     def list_addresses_by_network(self, server_id, network_id):
         """Lists all addresses of a specific network type for a server."""
         resp, body = self.get("servers/%s/ips/%s" %
-                              (str(server_id), network_id))
+                              (server_id, network_id))
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.list_addresses_by_network, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@
                schema=schema.server_actions_common_schema,
                response_class=service_client.ResponseBody, **kwargs):
         post_body = json.dumps({action_name: kwargs})
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % str(server_id),
+        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/action' % server_id,
                                post_body)
         if response_key is not None:
             body = json.loads(body)
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@
 
     def get_password(self, server_id):
         resp, body = self.get("servers/%s/os-server-password" %
-                              str(server_id))
+                              server_id)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.get_password, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@
         password.
         """
         resp, body = self.delete("servers/%s/os-server-password" %
-                                 str(server_id))
+                                 server_id)
         self.validate_response(schema.server_actions_delete_password,
                                resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@
         return self.action(server_id, 'revertResize', None, **kwargs)
 
     def list_server_metadata(self, server_id):
-        resp, body = self.get("servers/%s/metadata" % str(server_id))
+        resp, body = self.get("servers/%s/metadata" % server_id)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.list_server_metadata, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['metadata'])
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@
             post_body = ""
         else:
             post_body = json.dumps({'metadata': meta})
-        resp, body = self.put('servers/%s/metadata' % str(server_id),
+        resp, body = self.put('servers/%s/metadata' % server_id,
                               post_body)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.set_server_metadata, resp, body)
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@
 
     def update_server_metadata(self, server_id, meta):
         post_body = json.dumps({'metadata': meta})
-        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/metadata' % str(server_id),
+        resp, body = self.post('servers/%s/metadata' % server_id,
                                post_body)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.update_server_metadata,
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['metadata'])
 
     def get_server_metadata_item(self, server_id, key):
-        resp, body = self.get("servers/%s/metadata/%s" % (str(server_id), key))
+        resp, body = self.get("servers/%s/metadata/%s" % (server_id, key))
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.set_get_server_metadata_item,
                                resp, body)
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@
 
     def set_server_metadata_item(self, server_id, key, meta):
         post_body = json.dumps({'meta': meta})
-        resp, body = self.put('servers/%s/metadata/%s' % (str(server_id), key),
+        resp, body = self.put('servers/%s/metadata/%s' % (server_id, key),
                               post_body)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.set_get_server_metadata_item,
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@
 
     def delete_server_metadata_item(self, server_id, key):
         resp, body = self.delete("servers/%s/metadata/%s" %
-                                 (str(server_id), key))
+                                 (server_id, key))
         self.validate_response(schema.delete_server_metadata_item,
                                resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@
     def get_volume_attachment(self, server_id, attach_id):
         """Return details about the given volume attachment."""
         resp, body = self.get('servers/%s/os-volume_attachments/%s' % (
-            str(server_id), attach_id))
+            server_id, attach_id))
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.get_volume_attachment, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['volumeAttachment'])
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@
     def list_volume_attachments(self, server_id):
         """Returns the list of volume attachments for a given instance."""
         resp, body = self.get('servers/%s/os-volume_attachments' % (
-            str(server_id)))
+            server_id))
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.list_volume_attachments, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBodyList(resp, body['volumeAttachments'])
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@
 
         req_body = json.dumps({'os-migrateLive': migrate_params})
 
-        resp, body = self.post("servers/%s/action" % str(server_id), req_body)
+        resp, body = self.post("servers/%s/action" % server_id, req_body)
         self.validate_response(schema.server_actions_common_schema,
                                resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
@@ -492,13 +492,13 @@
 
     def get_server_diagnostics(self, server_id):
         """Get the usage data for a server."""
-        resp, body = self.get("servers/%s/diagnostics" % str(server_id))
+        resp, body = self.get("servers/%s/diagnostics" % server_id)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, json.loads(body))
 
     def list_instance_actions(self, server_id):
         """List the provided server action."""
         resp, body = self.get("servers/%s/os-instance-actions" %
-                              str(server_id))
+                              server_id)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.list_instance_actions, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBodyList(resp, body['instanceActions'])
@@ -506,7 +506,7 @@
     def get_instance_action(self, server_id, request_id):
         """Returns the action details of the provided server."""
         resp, body = self.get("servers/%s/os-instance-actions/%s" %
-                              (str(server_id), str(request_id)))
+                              (server_id, request_id))
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.get_instance_action, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['instanceAction'])
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@
 
     def delete_server_group(self, server_group_id):
         """Delete the given server-group."""
-        resp, body = self.delete("os-server-groups/%s" % str(server_group_id))
+        resp, body = self.delete("os-server-groups/%s" % server_group_id)
         self.validate_response(schema.delete_server_group, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body)
 
@@ -566,7 +566,7 @@
 
     def get_server_group(self, server_group_id):
         """Get the details of given server_group."""
-        resp, body = self.get("os-server-groups/%s" % str(server_group_id))
+        resp, body = self.get("os-server-groups/%s" % server_group_id)
         body = json.loads(body)
         self.validate_response(schema.create_get_server_group, resp, body)
         return service_client.ResponseBody(resp, body['server_group'])
diff --git a/tempest/tests/common/utils/linux/test_remote_client.py b/tempest/tests/common/utils/linux/test_remote_client.py
index b92f306..3ff8e0d 100644
--- a/tempest/tests/common/utils/linux/test_remote_client.py
+++ b/tempest/tests/common/utils/linux/test_remote_client.py
@@ -79,8 +79,7 @@
     def test_get_number_of_vcpus(self):
         self.ssh_mock.mock.exec_command.return_value = '16'
         self.assertEqual(self.conn.get_number_of_vcpus(), 16)
-        self._assert_exec_called_with(
-            'cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep processor | wc -l')
+        self._assert_exec_called_with('grep -c processor /proc/cpuinfo')
 
     def test_get_partitions(self):
         proc_partitions = """major minor  #blocks  name