Use PapiSocketProvider for most PAPI calls

Ticket: CSIT-1541
Ticket: VPP-1722
Ticket: CSIT-1546

+ Increase timeout to hide x520 slownes of show hardware detail.
- Install sshpass and update ssh client in virl bootstrap.
 + Added TODOs to remove when CSIT-1546 is fixed.
+ Enable default socksvr on any startup conf.
+ Improve OptionString init and repr.
- The non-socket executor still kept for stats.
 + Remove everything unrelated to stats from non-socket executor.
- Remove some debug-loooking calls to avoid failures.
  TODO: Introduce proper parsing to the affected keywords.
+ Reduce logging from PAPI code to level INFO.
 - Needs https://gerrit.fd.io/r/20660 to fully work.
+ Change default values for LocalExecution.run()
 + Return code check enabled by default.
   Code is more readable when rc!=0 is allowed explicitly,
   and the test code will now detect unexpected failures.
 + Logging disabled by default.
   Output XML is large already. Important logging can be enabled explicitly.
+ Restore alphabetical order in common.sh functions.

Change-Id: I05882cb6b620ad14638f7404b5ad38c7a5de9e6c
Signed-off-by: Vratko Polak <vrpolak@cisco.com>

24 files changed, 688 insertions, 388 deletions

diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/Classify.py b/resources/libraries/python/Classify.py
index b2cc3a6420..62508e1a49 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/Classify.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/Classify.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ from ipaddress import ip_address
 from robot.api import logger
 
 from resources.libraries.python.topology import Topology
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 
 
 class Classify(object):
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ class Classify(object):
         err_msg = "Failed to create a classify table on host {host}".format(
             host=node['host'])
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             reply = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
         return int(reply["new_table_index"]), int(reply["skip_n_vectors"]),\
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ class Classify(object):
         err_msg = "Failed to create a classify session on host {host}".format(
             host=node['host'])
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ class Classify(object):
         err_msg = "Failed to create a classify session on host {host}".format(
             host=node['host'])
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ class Classify(object):
         err_msg = "Failed to set acl list for interface {idx} on host {host}".\
             format(idx=sw_if_index, host=node['host'])
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ class Classify(object):
         err_msg = "Failed to add/replace acls on host {host}".format(
             host=node['host'])
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -732,7 +732,7 @@ class Classify(object):
         args = dict(
             table_id=int(table_index)
         )
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             reply = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
         return reply
 
@@ -751,7 +751,7 @@ class Classify(object):
         args = dict(
             table_id=int(table_index)
         )
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_details()
 
         return details
@@ -764,7 +764,7 @@ class Classify(object):
         :param node: VPP node.
         :type node: dict
         """
-        PapiExecutor.dump_and_log(node, ["acl_dump", ])
+        PapiSocketExecutor.dump_and_log(node, ["acl_dump", ])
 
     @staticmethod
     def vpp_log_plugin_acl_interface_assignment(node):
@@ -774,7 +774,7 @@ class Classify(object):
         :param node: VPP node.
         :type node: dict
         """
-        PapiExecutor.dump_and_log(node, ["acl_interface_list_dump", ])
+        PapiSocketExecutor.dump_and_log(node, ["acl_interface_list_dump", ])
 
     @staticmethod
     def set_acl_list_for_interface(node, interface, acl_type, acl_idx=None):
@@ -902,7 +902,7 @@ class Classify(object):
         :param node: VPP node.
         :type node: dict
         """
-        PapiExecutor.dump_and_log(node, ["macip_acl_dump", ])
+        PapiSocketExecutor.dump_and_log(node, ["macip_acl_dump", ])
 
     @staticmethod
     def add_del_macip_acl_interface(node, interface, action, acl_idx):
@@ -933,7 +933,7 @@ class Classify(object):
             sw_if_index=int(sw_if_index),
             acl_index=int(acl_idx)
         )
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -946,6 +946,6 @@ class Classify(object):
         cmd = 'macip_acl_interface_get'
         err_msg = "Failed to get 'macip_acl_interface' on host {host}".format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             reply = papi_exec.add(cmd).get_reply(err_msg)
         logger.info(reply)
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/ContainerUtils.py b/resources/libraries/python/ContainerUtils.py
index 228648921a..a324465eaf 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/ContainerUtils.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/ContainerUtils.py
@@ -449,6 +449,7 @@ class ContainerEngine(object):
         vpp_config.add_unix_cli_listen()
         vpp_config.add_unix_nodaemon()
         vpp_config.add_unix_exec('/tmp/running.exec')
+        vpp_config.add_socksvr()
         # We will pop the first core from the list to be a main core
         vpp_config.add_cpu_main_core(str(cpuset_cpus.pop(0)))
         # If more cores in the list, the rest will be used as workers.
@@ -498,6 +499,7 @@ class ContainerEngine(object):
         vpp_config.add_unix_cli_listen()
         vpp_config.add_unix_nodaemon()
         vpp_config.add_unix_exec('/tmp/running.exec')
+        vpp_config.add_socksvr()
         vpp_config.add_plugin('disable', 'dpdk_plugin.so')
 
         # Apply configuration
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/FilteredLogger.py b/resources/libraries/python/FilteredLogger.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a04eb67476
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/FilteredLogger.py
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2019 Cisco and/or its affiliates.
+# 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.
+
+"""Python library for customizing robot.api.logger
+
+As robot.api.logger is a module, it is not easy to copy, edit or inherit from.
+This module offers a class to wrap it.
+The main point of the class is to lower verbosity of Robot logging,
+especially when injected to third party code (such as vpp_papi.VPPApiClient).
+
+Also, String formatting using '%' operator is supported.
+
+Logger.console() is not supported.
+"""
+
+import logging
+
+_LEVELS = {
+    "TRACE": logging.DEBUG // 2,
+    "DEBUG": logging.DEBUG,
+    "INFO": logging.INFO,
+    "HTML": logging.INFO,
+    "WARN": logging.WARN,
+    "ERROR": logging.ERROR,
+    "CRITICAL": logging.CRITICAL,
+    "NONE": logging.CRITICAL,
+}
+
+class FilteredLogger(object):
+    """Instances of this class have the similar API to robot.api.logger.
+
+    TODO: Support html argument?
+    TODO: Support console with a filtering switch?
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, logger_module, min_level="INFO"):
+        """Remember the values, check min_level is known.
+
+        Use min_level of "CRITICAL" or "NONE" to disable logging entirely.
+
+        :param logger_module: robot.api.logger, or a compatible object.
+        :param min_level: Minimal level to log, lower levels are ignored.
+        :type logger_module: Object with .write(msg, level="INFO") signature.
+        :type min_level: str
+        :raises KeyError: If given min_level is not supported.
+        """
+        self.logger_module = logger_module
+        self.min_level_num = _LEVELS[min_level.upper()]
+
+    def write(self, message, farg=None, level="INFO"):
+        """Forwards the message to logger if min_level is reached.
+
+        Formatting using '%' operator is used when farg argument is suplied.
+
+        :param message: Message to log.
+        :param farg: Value for '%' operator, or None.
+        :param level: Level to possibly log with.
+        :type message: str
+        :type farg: NoneTye, or whatever '%' accepts: str, int, float, dict...
+        :type level: str
+        """
+        if _LEVELS[level.upper()] >= self.min_level_num:
+            if farg is not None:
+                message = message % farg
+            self.logger_module.write(message, level=level)
+
+    def trace(self, message, farg=None):
+        """Forward the message using the ``TRACE`` level."""
+        self.write(message, farg=farg, level="TRACE")
+
+    def debug(self, message, farg=None):
+        """Forward the message using the ``DEBUG`` level."""
+        self.write(message, farg=farg, level="DEBUG")
+
+    def info(self, message, farg=None):
+        """Forward the message using the ``INFO`` level."""
+        self.write(message, farg=farg, level="INFO")
+
+    def warn(self, message, farg=None):
+        """Forward the message using the ``WARN`` level."""
+        self.write(message, farg=farg, level="WARN")
+
+    def error(self, message, farg=None):
+        """Forward the message using the ``ERROR`` level."""
+        self.write(message, farg=farg, level="ERROR")
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/IPUtil.py b/resources/libraries/python/IPUtil.py
index 6a8e1a2401..0212ead1d7 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/IPUtil.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/IPUtil.py
@@ -16,11 +16,11 @@
 import re
 
 from enum import IntEnum
-from ipaddress import ip_address, IPv4Network, IPv6Network
+from ipaddress import ip_address
 
 from resources.libraries.python.Constants import Constants
 from resources.libraries.python.InterfaceUtil import InterfaceUtil
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 from resources.libraries.python.ssh import exec_cmd_no_error, exec_cmd
 from resources.libraries.python.topology import Topology
 from resources.libraries.python.VatExecutor import VatTerminal
@@ -112,28 +112,22 @@ class IPUtil(object):
         """
         sw_if_index = InterfaceUtil.get_interface_index(node, interface)
 
-        if sw_if_index:
-            is_ipv6 = 1 if ip_version == 'ipv6' else 0
-
-            cmd = 'ip_address_dump'
-            args = dict(sw_if_index=sw_if_index,
-                        is_ipv6=is_ipv6)
-            err_msg = 'Failed to get L2FIB dump on host {host}'.format(
-                host=node['host'])
-
-            with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
-                details = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_details(err_msg)
-
-            for item in details:
-                item['ip'] = item['prefix'].split('/')[0]
-                item['prefix_length'] = int(item['prefix'].split('/')[1])
-                item['is_ipv6'] = is_ipv6
-                item['netmask'] = \
-                    str(IPv6Network(unicode('::/{pl}'.format(
-                        pl=item['prefix_length']))).netmask) \
-                    if is_ipv6 \
-                    else str(IPv4Network(unicode('0.0.0.0/{pl}'.format(
-                        pl=item['prefix_length']))).netmask)
+        if not sw_if_index:
+            return list()
+
+        is_ipv6 = 1 if ip_version == 'ipv6' else 0
+
+        cmd = 'ip_address_dump'
+        args = dict(sw_if_index=sw_if_index,
+                    is_ipv6=is_ipv6)
+        err_msg = 'Failed to get L2FIB dump on host {host}'.format(
+            host=node['host'])
+
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+            details = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_details(err_msg)
+
+        # TODO: CSIT currently looks only whether the list is empty.
+        # Add proper value processing if values become important.
 
         return details
 
@@ -145,10 +139,10 @@ class IPUtil(object):
         :type node: dict
         """
 
-        PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'show ip fib')
-        PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'show ip fib summary')
-        PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'show ip6 fib')
-        PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'show ip6 fib summary')
+        PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'show ip fib')
+        PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'show ip fib summary')
+        PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'show ip6 fib')
+        PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'show ip6 fib summary')
 
     @staticmethod
     def vpp_get_ip_tables_prefix(node, address):
@@ -159,7 +153,7 @@ class IPUtil(object):
         """
         addr = ip_address(unicode(address))
 
-        PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(
+        PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(
             node, 'show {ip_ver} fib {addr}/{addr_len}'.format(
                 ip_ver='ip6' if addr.version == 6 else 'ip',
                 addr=addr,
@@ -188,7 +182,7 @@ class IPUtil(object):
         err_msg = 'Failed to get VRF id assigned to interface {ifc}'.format(
             ifc=interface)
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             reply = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
         return reply['vrf_id']
@@ -209,7 +203,7 @@ class IPUtil(object):
             loose=0)
         err_msg = 'Failed to enable source check on interface {ifc}'.format(
             ifc=if_name)
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -230,7 +224,7 @@ class IPUtil(object):
         err_msg = 'VPP ip probe {dev} {ip} failed on {h}'.format(
             dev=interface, ip=addr, h=node['host'])
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -407,7 +401,7 @@ class IPUtil(object):
             address=ip_addr.packed)
         err_msg = 'Failed to add IP address on interface {ifc}'.format(
             ifc=interface)
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -436,7 +430,7 @@ class IPUtil(object):
             neighbor=neighbor)
         err_msg = 'Failed to add IP neighbor on interface {ifc}'.format(
             ifc=iface_key)
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -583,7 +577,7 @@ class IPUtil(object):
 
         err_msg = 'Failed to add route(s) on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             for i in xrange(kwargs.get('count', 1)):
                 args['route']['prefix']['address']['un'] = \
                     IPUtil.union_addr(net_addr + i)
@@ -608,7 +602,7 @@ class IPUtil(object):
             del_all=1)
         err_msg = 'Failed to flush IP address on interface {ifc}'.format(
             ifc=interface)
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -631,5 +625,5 @@ class IPUtil(object):
             is_add=1)
         err_msg = 'Failed to add FIB table on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/IPsecUtil.py b/resources/libraries/python/IPsecUtil.py
index 78239f9950..f28605fc77 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/IPsecUtil.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/IPsecUtil.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ from ipaddress import ip_network, ip_address
 
 from enum import Enum, IntEnum
 
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 from resources.libraries.python.topology import Topology
 from resources.libraries.python.VatExecutor import VatExecutor
 from resources.libraries.python.VatJsonUtil import VatJsonUtil
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ class IPsecUtil(object):
         err_msg = 'Failed to select IPsec backend on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
         args = dict(protocol=protocol, index=index)
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ class IPsecUtil(object):
 
         err_msg = 'Failed to dump IPsec backends on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add('ipsec_backend_dump').get_details(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/IPv6Util.py b/resources/libraries/python/IPv6Util.py
index 9138c09a20..aacf0fb5f7 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/IPv6Util.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/IPv6Util.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 from resources.libraries.python.InterfaceUtil import InterfaceUtil
 from resources.libraries.python.IPUtil import IPUtil
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 from resources.libraries.python.topology import NodeType
 
 
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ class IPv6Util(object):
         err_msg = 'Failed to suppress ICMPv6 router advertisement message on ' \
                   'interface {ifc}'.format(ifc=interface)
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class IPv6Util(object):
         err_msg = 'Failed to set router advertisement interval on ' \
                   'interface {ifc}'.format(ifc=interface)
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/InterfaceUtil.py b/resources/libraries/python/InterfaceUtil.py
index 0b1f06f9bf..6de17d10d9 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/InterfaceUtil.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/InterfaceUtil.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ from resources.libraries.python.Constants import Constants
 from resources.libraries.python.CpuUtils import CpuUtils
 from resources.libraries.python.DUTSetup import DUTSetup
 from resources.libraries.python.L2Util import L2Util
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 from resources.libraries.python.parsers.JsonParser import JsonParser
 from resources.libraries.python.ssh import SSH, exec_cmd_no_error
 from resources.libraries.python.topology import NodeType, Topology
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
                 host=node['host'])
             args = dict(sw_if_index=sw_if_index,
                         admin_up_down=admin_up_down)
-            with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+            with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
                 papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
         elif node['type'] == NodeType.TG or node['type'] == NodeType.VM:
             cmd = 'ip link set {ifc} {state}'.format(
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
         args = dict(sw_if_index=sw_if_index,
                     mtu=int(mtu))
         try:
-            with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+            with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
                 papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
         except AssertionError as err:
             # TODO: Make failure tolerance optional.
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
                     name_filter='')
         err_msg = 'Failed to get interface dump on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_details(err_msg)
 
         def process_if_dump(if_dump):
@@ -729,7 +729,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
                     vlan_id=int(vlan))
         err_msg = 'Failed to create VLAN sub-interface on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             sw_if_index = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_sw_if_index(err_msg)
 
         if_key = Topology.add_new_port(node, 'vlan_subif')
@@ -771,7 +771,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
                     vni=int(vni))
         err_msg = 'Failed to create VXLAN tunnel interface on host {host}'.\
             format(host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             sw_if_index = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_sw_if_index(err_msg)
 
         if_key = Topology.add_new_port(node, 'vxlan_tunnel')
@@ -805,7 +805,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
         args = dict(sw_if_index=sw_if_index)
         err_msg = 'Failed to get VXLAN dump on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_details(err_msg)
 
         def process_vxlan_dump(vxlan_dump):
@@ -853,7 +853,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
         cmd = 'sw_interface_vhost_user_dump'
         err_msg = 'Failed to get vhost-user dump on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add(cmd).get_details(err_msg)
 
         def process_vhost_dump(vhost_dump):
@@ -896,7 +896,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
         cmd = 'sw_interface_tap_v2_dump'
         err_msg = 'Failed to get TAP dump on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add(cmd).get_details(err_msg)
 
         def process_tap_dump(tap_dump):
@@ -972,7 +972,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
             inner_vlan_id=int(inner_vlan_id) if inner_vlan_id else 0)
         err_msg = 'Failed to create sub-interface on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             sw_if_index = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_sw_if_index(err_msg)
 
         if_key = Topology.add_new_port(node, 'subinterface')
@@ -1007,7 +1007,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
                     tunnel=tunnel)
         err_msg = 'Failed to create GRE tunnel interface on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             sw_if_index = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_sw_if_index(err_msg)
 
         if_key = Topology.add_new_port(node, 'gre_tunnel')
@@ -1032,7 +1032,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
         args = dict(mac_address=0)
         err_msg = 'Failed to create loopback interface on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             sw_if_index = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_sw_if_index(err_msg)
 
         if_key = Topology.add_new_port(node, 'loopback')
@@ -1071,7 +1071,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
                             lb=load_balance.upper())).value)
         err_msg = 'Failed to create bond interface on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             sw_if_index = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_sw_if_index(err_msg)
 
         InterfaceUtil.add_eth_interface(node, sw_if_index=sw_if_index,
@@ -1128,7 +1128,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
                     txq_size=0)
         err_msg = 'Failed to create AVF interface on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             sw_if_index = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_sw_if_index(err_msg)
 
         InterfaceUtil.add_eth_interface(node, sw_if_index=sw_if_index,
@@ -1160,7 +1160,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
                   'interface {bond} on host {host}'.format(ifc=interface,
                                                            bond=bond_if,
                                                            host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -1177,7 +1177,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
             host=node['host'])
 
         data = ('Bond data on node {host}:\n'.format(host=node['host']))
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add(cmd).get_details(err_msg)
 
         for bond in details:
@@ -1220,7 +1220,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
         err_msg = 'Failed to get slave dump on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_details(err_msg)
 
         def process_slave_dump(slave_dump):
@@ -1281,7 +1281,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
             is_add=1)
         err_msg = 'Failed to enable input acl on interface {ifc}'.format(
             ifc=interface)
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -1306,7 +1306,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
         args = dict(sw_if_index=sw_if_index)
         err_msg = 'Failed to get classify table name by interface {ifc}'.format(
             ifc=interface)
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             reply = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
         return reply
@@ -1350,7 +1350,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
         args = dict(sw_if_index=sw_if_index)
         err_msg = 'Failed to get VXLAN-GPE dump on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_details(err_msg)
 
         def process_vxlan_gpe_dump(vxlan_dump):
@@ -1405,7 +1405,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
             vrf_id=int(table_id))
         err_msg = 'Failed to assign interface {ifc} to FIB table'.format(
             ifc=interface)
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -1563,7 +1563,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
         cmd = 'sw_interface_rx_placement_dump'
         err_msg = "Failed to run '{cmd}' PAPI command on host {host}!".format(
             cmd=cmd, host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             for ifc in node['interfaces'].values():
                 if ifc['vpp_sw_index'] is not None:
                     papi_exec.add(cmd, sw_if_index=ifc['vpp_sw_index'])
@@ -1591,7 +1591,7 @@ class InterfaceUtil(object):
                   "{host}!".format(host=node['host'])
         args = dict(sw_if_index=sw_if_index, queue_id=queue_id,
                     worker_id=worker_id)
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/KubernetesUtils.py b/resources/libraries/python/KubernetesUtils.py
index 60e12863b4..029d635c72 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/KubernetesUtils.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/KubernetesUtils.py
@@ -483,6 +483,7 @@ class KubernetesUtils(object):
         vpp_config.set_node(kwargs['node'])
         vpp_config.add_unix_cli_listen(value='0.0.0.0:5002')
         vpp_config.add_unix_nodaemon()
+        vpp_config.add_socksvr()
         vpp_config.add_heapsize('4G')
         vpp_config.add_ip_heap_size('4G')
         vpp_config.add_ip6_heap_size('4G')
@@ -528,6 +529,7 @@ class KubernetesUtils(object):
         vpp_config.set_node(kwargs['node'])
         vpp_config.add_unix_cli_listen(value='0.0.0.0:5002')
         vpp_config.add_unix_nodaemon()
+        vpp_config.add_socksvr()
         # We will pop first core from list to be main core
         vpp_config.add_cpu_main_core(str(cpuset_main.pop(0)))
         # if this is not only core in list, the rest will be used as workers.
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/L2Util.py b/resources/libraries/python/L2Util.py
index 7c575a290e..4ca0c47308 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/L2Util.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/L2Util.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ from textwrap import wrap
 from enum import IntEnum
 
 from resources.libraries.python.Constants import Constants
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 from resources.libraries.python.topology import Topology
 from resources.libraries.python.ssh import exec_cmd_no_error
 
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ class L2Util(object):
                     static_mac=int(static_mac),
                     filter_mac=int(filter_mac),
                     bvi_mac=int(bvi_mac))
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ class L2Util(object):
                     learn=int(learn),
                     arp_term=int(arp_term),
                     is_add=1)
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ class L2Util(object):
                     shg=int(shg),
                     port_type=int(port_type),
                     enable=1)
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ class L2Util(object):
         err_msg = 'Failed to add L2 bridge domain with 2 interfaces on host' \
                   ' {host}'.format(host=node['host'])
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd1, **args1).add(cmd2, **args2).add(cmd2, **args3)
             papi_exec.get_replies(err_msg)
 
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ class L2Util(object):
         err_msg = 'Failed to add L2 cross-connect between two interfaces on' \
                   ' host {host}'.format(host=node['host'])
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args1).add(cmd, **args2).get_replies(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ class L2Util(object):
         err_msg = 'Failed to add L2 patch between two interfaces on' \
                   ' host {host}'.format(host=node['host'])
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args1).add(cmd, **args2).get_replies(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -391,18 +391,14 @@ class L2Util(object):
         args = dict(bd_id=int(bd_id))
         err_msg = 'Failed to get L2FIB dump on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_details(err_msg)
 
-        bd_data = list() if bd_id == Constants.BITWISE_NON_ZERO else dict()
+        if bd_id == Constants.BITWISE_NON_ZERO:
+            return details
         for bridge_domain in details:
-            if bd_id == Constants.BITWISE_NON_ZERO:
-                bd_data.append(bridge_domain)
-            else:
-                if bridge_domain['bd_id'] == bd_id:
-                    return bridge_domain
-
-        return bd_data
+            if bridge_domain['bd_id'] == bd_id:
+                return bridge_domain
 
     @staticmethod
     def l2_vlan_tag_rewrite(node, interface, tag_rewrite_method,
@@ -444,7 +440,7 @@ class L2Util(object):
                     tag2=tag2_id)
         err_msg = 'Failed to set VLAN TAG rewrite on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -463,7 +459,7 @@ class L2Util(object):
         args = dict(bd_id=int(bd_id))
         err_msg = 'Failed to get L2FIB dump on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_details(err_msg)
 
         for fib_item in details:
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/LocalExecution.py b/resources/libraries/python/LocalExecution.py
index bb4cf794a1..f9a7b94d8e 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/LocalExecution.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/LocalExecution.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ __all__ = ["run"]
 MESSAGE_TEMPLATE = "Command {com} ended with RC {ret} and output:\n{out}"
 
 
-def run(command, msg="", check=False, log=True, console=False):
+def run(command, msg="", check=True, log=False, console=False):
     """Wrapper around subprocess.check_output that can tolerates nonzero RCs.
 
     Stderr is redirected to stdout, so it is part of output
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/Memif.py b/resources/libraries/python/Memif.py
index 5c38ec46f5..34cf6ce9c3 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/Memif.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/Memif.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from enum import IntEnum
 from robot.api import logger
 
 from resources.libraries.python.topology import NodeType, Topology
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 from resources.libraries.python.L2Util import L2Util
 
 
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class Memif(object):
         :returns: List of memif interfaces extracted from Papi response.
         :rtype: list
         """
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add("memif_dump").get_details()
 
         for memif in details:
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class Memif(object):
             socket_id=int(sid),
             socket_filename=str('/tmp/' + filename)
         )
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             return papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ class Memif(object):
             socket_id=int(sid),
             id=int(mid)
         )
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             return papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_sw_if_index(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/NATUtil.py b/resources/libraries/python/NATUtil.py
index 5c0278db90..f018d38335 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/NATUtil.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/NATUtil.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ from enum import IntEnum
 from robot.api import logger
 
 from resources.libraries.python.InterfaceUtil import InterfaceUtil
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 
 
 class NATConfigFlags(IntEnum):
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class NATUtil(object):
             is_add=1,
             flags=getattr(NATConfigFlags, "NAT_IS_INSIDE").value
         )
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args_in).get_reply(err_msg)
 
         int_out_idx = InterfaceUtil.get_sw_if_index(node, int_out)
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ class NATUtil(object):
             is_add=1,
             flags=getattr(NATConfigFlags, "NAT_IS_OUTSIDE").value
         )
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args_in).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ class NATUtil(object):
             out_addr=inet_pton(AF_INET, str(ip_out)),
             out_plen=int(subnet_out)
         )
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args_in).get_reply(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ class NATUtil(object):
         cmd = 'nat_show_config'
         err_msg = 'Failed to get NAT configuration on host {host}'.\
             format(host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             reply = papi_exec.add(cmd).get_reply(err_msg)
         logger.debug("NAT Configuration:\n{reply}".format(reply=pformat(reply)))
 
@@ -145,4 +145,4 @@ class NATUtil(object):
             "nat44_user_session_dump",
             "nat_det_map_dump"
         ]
-        PapiExecutor.dump_and_log(node, cmds)
+        PapiSocketExecutor.dump_and_log(node, cmds)
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/OptionString.py b/resources/libraries/python/OptionString.py
index 7c8b2d066a..7163d057ec 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/OptionString.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/OptionString.py
@@ -36,19 +36,21 @@ class OptionString(object):
     the best fitting one, without much logic near the call site.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, prefix="", *args):
+    def __init__(self, parts=tuple(), prefix=""):
         """Create instance with listed strings as parts to use.
 
         Prefix will be converted to string and stripped.
         The typical (nonempty) prefix values are "-" and "--".
 
+        TODO: Support users calling with parts being a string?
+
+        :param parts: List of of stringifiable objects to become parts.
         :param prefix: Subtring to prepend to every parameter (not value).
-        :param args: List of positional arguments to become parts.
+        :type parts: Iterable of object
         :type prefix: object
-        :type args: list of object
         """
+        self.parts = [str(part) for part in parts]
         self.prefix = str(prefix).strip()  # Not worth to call change_prefix.
-        self.parts = list(args)
 
     def __repr__(self):
         """Return string executable as Python constructor call.
@@ -56,12 +58,11 @@ class OptionString(object):
         :returns: Executable constructor call as string.
         :rtype: str
         """
-        return "".join([
-            "OptionString(prefix=", repr(self.prefix), ",",
-            repr(self.parts)[1:-1], ")"])
+        return "OptionString(parts={parts!r},prefix={prefix!r})".format(
+            parts=self.parts, prefix=self.prefix)
 
     # TODO: Would we ever need a copy() method?
-    # Currently, supersting "master" is mutable but unique,
+    # Currently, superstring "master" is mutable but unique,
     # substring "slave" can be used to extend, but does not need to be mutated.
 
     def change_prefix(self, prefix):
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/PapiExecutor.py b/resources/libraries/python/PapiExecutor.py
index 9ca34d88ae..0a009b3720 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/PapiExecutor.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/PapiExecutor.py
@@ -15,32 +15,90 @@
 """
 
 import binascii
+import glob
 import json
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+import sys
+import tempfile
+import time
 
 from pprint import pformat
 from robot.api import logger
 
 from resources.libraries.python.Constants import Constants
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiHistory import PapiHistory
+from resources.libraries.python.LocalExecution import run
+from resources.libraries.python.FilteredLogger import FilteredLogger
 from resources.libraries.python.PythonThree import raise_from
-from resources.libraries.python.ssh import SSH, SSHTimeout
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiHistory import PapiHistory
+from resources.libraries.python.ssh import (
+    SSH, SSHTimeout, exec_cmd_no_error, scp_node)
 
 
-__all__ = ["PapiExecutor"]
+__all__ = ["PapiExecutor", "PapiSocketExecutor"]
 
 
-class PapiExecutor(object):
-    """Contains methods for executing VPP Python API commands on DUTs.
+def dictize(obj):
+    """A helper method, to make namedtuple-like object accessible as dict.
+
+    If the object is namedtuple-like, its _asdict() form is returned,
+    but in the returned object __getitem__ method is wrapped
+    to dictize also any items returned.
+    If the object does not have _asdict, it will be returned without any change.
+    Integer keys still access the object as tuple.
+
+    A more useful version would be to keep obj mostly as a namedtuple,
+    just add getitem for string keys. Unfortunately, namedtuple inherits
+    from tuple, including its read-only __getitem__ attribute,
+    so we cannot monkey-patch it.
+
+    TODO: Create a proxy for namedtuple to allow that.
+
+    :param obj: Arbitrary object to dictize.
+    :type obj: object
+    :returns: Dictized object.
+    :rtype: same as obj type or collections.OrderedDict
+    """
+    if not hasattr(obj, "_asdict"):
+        return obj
+    ret = obj._asdict()
+    old_get = ret.__getitem__
+    new_get = lambda self, key: dictize(old_get(self, key))
+    ret.__getitem__ = new_get
+    return ret
+
+class PapiSocketExecutor(object):
+    """Methods for executing VPP Python API commands on forwarded socket.
+
+    The current implementation connects for the duration of resource manager.
+    Delay for accepting connection is 10s, and disconnect is explicit.
+    TODO: Decrease 10s to value that is long enough for creating connection
+    and short enough to not affect performance.
+
+    The current implementation downloads and parses .api.json files only once
+    and stores a VPPApiClient instance (disconnected) as a class variable.
+    Accessing multiple nodes with different APIs is therefore not supported.
+
+    The current implementation seems to run into read error occasionally.
+    Not sure if the error is in Python code on Robot side, ssh forwarding,
+    or socket handling at VPP side. Anyway, reconnect after some sleep
+    seems to help, hoping repeated command execution does not lead to surprises.
+    The reconnection is logged at WARN level, so it is prominently shown
+    in log.html, so we can see how frequently it happens.
+
+    TODO: Support sockets in NFs somehow.
+    TODO: Support handling of retval!=0 without try/except in caller.
 
     Note: Use only with "with" statement, e.g.:
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
-            replies = papi_exec.add('show_version').get_replies(err_msg)
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+            reply = papi_exec.add('show_version').get_reply(err_msg)
 
-    This class processes three classes of VPP PAPI methods:
-    1. simple request / reply: method='request',
-    2. dump functions: method='dump',
-    3. vpp-stats: method='stats'.
+    This class processes two classes of VPP PAPI methods:
+    1. Simple request / reply: method='request'.
+    2. Dump functions: method='dump'.
+
+    Note that access to VPP stats over socket is not supported yet.
 
     The recommended ways of use are (examples):
 
@@ -48,88 +106,214 @@ class PapiExecutor(object):
 
     a. One request with no arguments:
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
-            reply = papi_exec.add('show_version').get_reply()
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+            reply = papi_exec.add('show_version').get_reply(err_msg)
 
     b. Three requests with arguments, the second and the third ones are the same
        but with different arguments.
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             replies = papi_exec.add(cmd1, **args1).add(cmd2, **args2).\
                 add(cmd2, **args3).get_replies(err_msg)
 
     2. Dump functions
 
         cmd = 'sw_interface_rx_placement_dump'
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add(cmd, sw_if_index=ifc['vpp_sw_index']).\
                 get_details(err_msg)
+    """
 
-    3. vpp-stats
-
-        path = ['^/if', '/err/ip4-input', '/sys/node/ip4-input']
-
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
-            stats = papi_exec.add(api_name='vpp-stats', path=path).get_stats()
-
-        print('RX interface core 0, sw_if_index 0:\n{0}'.\
-            format(stats[0]['/if/rx'][0][0]))
+    # Class cache for reuse between instances.
+    cached_vpp_instance = None
 
-        or
+    def __init__(self, node, remote_vpp_socket="/run/vpp-api.sock"):
+        """Store the given arguments, declare managed variables.
 
-        path_1 = ['^/if', ]
-        path_2 = ['^/if', '/err/ip4-input', '/sys/node/ip4-input']
+        :param node: Node to connect to and forward unix domain socket from.
+        :param remote_vpp_socket: Path to remote socket to tunnel to.
+        :type node: dict
+        :type remote_vpp_socket: str
+        """
+        self._node = node
+        self._remote_vpp_socket = remote_vpp_socket
+        # The list of PAPI commands to be executed on the node.
+        self._api_command_list = list()
+        # The following values are set on enter, reset on exit.
+        self._temp_dir = None
+        self._ssh_control_socket = None
+        self._local_vpp_socket = None
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
-            stats = papi_exec.add('vpp-stats', path=path_1).\
-                add('vpp-stats', path=path_2).get_stats()
+    @property
+    def vpp_instance(self):
+        """Return VPP instance with bindings to all API calls.
 
-        print('RX interface core 0, sw_if_index 0:\n{0}'.\
-            format(stats[1]['/if/rx'][0][0]))
+        The returned instance is initialized for unix domain socket access,
+        it has initialized all the bindings, but it is not connected
+        (to local socket) yet.
 
-        Note: In this case, when PapiExecutor method 'add' is used:
-        - its parameter 'csit_papi_command' is used only to keep information
-          that vpp-stats are requested. It is not further processed but it is
-          included in the PAPI history this way:
-          vpp-stats(path=['^/if', '/err/ip4-input', '/sys/node/ip4-input'])
-          Always use csit_papi_command="vpp-stats" if the VPP PAPI method
-          is "stats".
-        - the second parameter must be 'path' as it is used by PapiExecutor
-          method 'add'.
-    """
+        First invocation downloads .api.json files from self._node
+        into a temporary directory.
 
-    def __init__(self, node):
-        """Initialization.
+        After first invocation, the result is cached, so other calls are quick.
+        Class variable is used as the cache, but this property is defined as
+        an instance method, so that _node (for api files) is known.
 
-        :param node: Node to run command(s) on.
-        :type node: dict
+        :returns: Initialized but not connected VPP instance.
+        :rtype: vpp_papi.VPPApiClient
         """
+        cls = self.__class__
+        if cls.cached_vpp_instance is not None:
+            return cls.cached_vpp_instance
+        tmp_dir = tempfile.mkdtemp(dir="/tmp")
+        package_path = "Not set yet."
+        try:
+            # Pack, copy and unpack Python part of VPP installation from _node.
+            # TODO: Use rsync or recursive version of ssh.scp_node instead?
+            node = self._node
+            exec_cmd_no_error(node, ["rm", "-rf", "/tmp/papi.txz"])
+            # Papi python version depends on OS (and time).
+            # Python 2.7 or 3.4, site-packages or dist-packages.
+            installed_papi_glob = "/usr/lib/python*/*-packages/vpp_papi"
+            # We need to wrap this command in bash, in order to expand globs,
+            # and as ssh does join, the inner command has to be quoted.
+            inner_cmd = " ".join([
+                "tar", "cJf", "/tmp/papi.txz", "--exclude=*.pyc",
+                installed_papi_glob, "/usr/share/vpp/api"])
+            exec_cmd_no_error(node, ["bash", "-c", "'" + inner_cmd + "'"])
+            scp_node(node, tmp_dir + "/papi.txz", "/tmp/papi.txz", get=True)
+            run(["tar", "xf", tmp_dir + "/papi.txz", "-C", tmp_dir])
+            # When present locally, we finally can find the installation path.
+            package_path = glob.glob(tmp_dir + installed_papi_glob)[0]
+            # Package path has to be one level above the vpp_papi directory.
+            package_path = package_path.rsplit('/', 1)[0]
+            sys.path.append(package_path)
+            from vpp_papi.vpp_papi import VPPApiClient as vpp_class
+            vpp_class.apidir = tmp_dir + "/usr/share/vpp/api"
+            # We need to create instance before removing from sys.path.
+            cls.cached_vpp_instance = vpp_class(
+                use_socket=True, server_address="TBD", async_thread=False,
+                read_timeout=6, logger=FilteredLogger(logger, "INFO"))
+            # Cannot use loglevel parameter, robot.api.logger lacks support.
+            # TODO: Stop overriding read_timeout when VPP-1722 is fixed.
+        finally:
+            shutil.rmtree(tmp_dir)
+            if sys.path[-1] == package_path:
+                sys.path.pop()
+        return cls.cached_vpp_instance
 
-        # Node to run command(s) on.
-        self._node = node
-
-        # The list of PAPI commands to be executed on the node.
-        self._api_command_list = list()
+    def __enter__(self):
+        """Create a tunnel, connect VPP instance.
 
-        self._ssh = SSH()
+        Only at this point a local socket names are created
+        in a temporary directory, because VIRL runs 3 pybots at once,
+        so harcoding local filenames does not work.
 
-    def __enter__(self):
-        try:
-            self._ssh.connect(self._node)
-        except IOError:
-            raise RuntimeError("Cannot open SSH connection to host {host} to "
-                               "execute PAPI command(s)".
-                               format(host=self._node["host"]))
+        :returns: self
+        :rtype: PapiSocketExecutor
+        """
+        # Parsing takes longer than connecting, prepare instance before tunnel.
+        vpp_instance = self.vpp_instance
+        node = self._node
+        self._temp_dir = tempfile.mkdtemp(dir="/tmp")
+        self._local_vpp_socket = self._temp_dir + "/vpp-api.sock"
+        self._ssh_control_socket = self._temp_dir + "/ssh.sock"
+        ssh_socket = self._ssh_control_socket
+        # Cleanup possibilities.
+        ret_code, _ = run(["ls", ssh_socket], check=False)
+        if ret_code != 2:
+            # This branch never seems to be hit in CI,
+            # but may be useful when testing manually.
+            run(["ssh", "-S", ssh_socket, "-O", "exit", "0.0.0.0"],
+                check=False, log=True)
+            # TODO: Is any sleep necessary? How to prove if not?
+            run(["sleep", "0.1"])
+            run(["rm", "-vrf", ssh_socket])
+        # Even if ssh can perhaps reuse this file,
+        # we need to remove it for readiness detection to work correctly.
+        run(["rm", "-rvf", self._local_vpp_socket])
+        # On VIRL, the ssh user is not added to "vpp" group,
+        # so we need to change remote socket file access rights.
+        exec_cmd_no_error(
+            node, "chmod o+rwx " + self._remote_vpp_socket, sudo=True)
+        # We use sleep command. The ssh command will exit in 10 second,
+        # unless a local socket connection is established,
+        # in which case the ssh command will exit only when
+        # the ssh connection is closed again (via control socket).
+        # The log level is to supress "Warning: Permanently added" messages.
+        ssh_cmd = [
+            "ssh", "-S", ssh_socket, "-M",
+            "-o", "LogLevel=ERROR", "-o", "UserKnownHostsFile=/dev/null",
+            "-o", "StrictHostKeyChecking=no", "-o", "ExitOnForwardFailure=yes",
+            "-L", self._local_vpp_socket + ':' + self._remote_vpp_socket,
+            "-p", str(node['port']), node['username'] + "@" + node['host'],
+            "sleep", "10"]
+        priv_key = node.get("priv_key")
+        if priv_key:
+            # This is tricky. We need a file to pass the value to ssh command.
+            # And we need ssh command, because paramiko does not suport sockets
+            # (neither ssh_socket, nor _remote_vpp_socket).
+            key_file = tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile()
+            key_file.write(priv_key)
+            # Make sure the content is written, but do not close yet.
+            key_file.flush()
+            ssh_cmd[1:1] = ["-i", key_file.name]
+        password = node.get("password")
+        if password:
+            # Prepend sshpass command to set password.
+            ssh_cmd[:0] = ["sshpass", "-p", password]
+        time_stop = time.time() + 10.0
+        # subprocess.Popen seems to be the best way to run commands
+        # on background. Other ways (shell=True with "&" and ssh with -f)
+        # seem to be too dependent on shell behavior.
+        # In particular, -f does NOT return values for run().
+        subprocess.Popen(ssh_cmd)
+        # Check socket presence on local side.
+        while time.time() < time_stop:
+            # It can take a moment for ssh to create the socket file.
+            ret_code, _ = run(["ls", "-l", self._local_vpp_socket], check=False)
+            if not ret_code:
+                break
+            time.sleep(0.1)
+        else:
+            raise RuntimeError("Local side socket has not appeared.")
+        if priv_key:
+            # Socket up means the key has been read. Delete file by closing it.
+            key_file.close()
+        # Everything is ready, set the local socket address and connect.
+        vpp_instance.transport.server_address = self._local_vpp_socket
+        # It seems we can get read error even if every preceding check passed.
+        # Single retry seems to help.
+        for _ in xrange(2):
+            try:
+                vpp_instance.connect_sync("csit_socket")
+            except IOError as err:
+                logger.warn("Got initial connect error {err!r}".format(err=err))
+                vpp_instance.disconnect()
+            else:
+                break
+        else:
+            raise RuntimeError("Failed to connect to VPP over a socket.")
         return self
 
     def __exit__(self, exc_type, exc_val, exc_tb):
-        self._ssh.disconnect(self._node)
+        """Disconnect the vpp instance, tear down the SHH tunnel.
 
-    def add(self, csit_papi_command="vpp-stats", history=True, **kwargs):
+        Also remove the local sockets by deleting the temporary directory.
+        Arguments related to possible exception are entirely ignored.
+        """
+        self.vpp_instance.disconnect()
+        run(["ssh", "-S", self._ssh_control_socket, "-O", "exit", "0.0.0.0"],
+            check=False)
+        shutil.rmtree(self._temp_dir)
+        return
+
+    def add(self, csit_papi_command, history=True, **kwargs):
         """Add next command to internal command list; return self.
 
         The argument name 'csit_papi_command' must be unique enough as it cannot
         be repeated in kwargs.
+        Unless disabled, new entry to papi history is also added at this point.
 
         :param csit_papi_command: VPP API command.
         :param history: Enable/disable adding command to PAPI command history.
@@ -138,51 +322,30 @@ class PapiExecutor(object):
         :type history: bool
         :type kwargs: dict
         :returns: self, so that method chaining is possible.
-        :rtype: PapiExecutor
+        :rtype: PapiSocketExecutor
         """
         if history:
             PapiHistory.add_to_papi_history(
                 self._node, csit_papi_command, **kwargs)
-        self._api_command_list.append(dict(api_name=csit_papi_command,
-                                           api_args=kwargs))
+        self._api_command_list.append(
+            dict(api_name=csit_papi_command, api_args=kwargs))
         return self
 
-    def get_stats(self, err_msg="Failed to get statistics.", timeout=120):
-        """Get VPP Stats from VPP Python API.
-
-        :param err_msg: The message used if the PAPI command(s) execution fails.
-        :param timeout: Timeout in seconds.
-        :type err_msg: str
-        :type timeout: int
-        :returns: Requested VPP statistics.
-        :rtype: list of dict
-        """
-
-        paths = [cmd['api_args']['path'] for cmd in self._api_command_list]
-        self._api_command_list = list()
-
-        stdout = self._execute_papi(
-            paths, method='stats', err_msg=err_msg, timeout=timeout)
-
-        return json.loads(stdout)
-
-    def get_replies(self, err_msg="Failed to get replies.", timeout=120):
+    def get_replies(self, err_msg="Failed to get replies."):
         """Get replies from VPP Python API.
 
         The replies are parsed into dict-like objects,
         "retval" field is guaranteed to be zero on success.
 
         :param err_msg: The message used if the PAPI command(s) execution fails.
-        :param timeout: Timeout in seconds.
         :type err_msg: str
-        :type timeout: int
         :returns: Responses, dict objects with fields due to API and "retval".
         :rtype: list of dict
         :raises RuntimeError: If retval is nonzero, parsing or ssh error.
         """
-        return self._execute(method='request', err_msg=err_msg, timeout=timeout)
+        return self._execute(err_msg=err_msg)
 
-    def get_reply(self, err_msg="Failed to get reply.", timeout=120):
+    def get_reply(self, err_msg="Failed to get reply."):
         """Get reply from VPP Python API.
 
         The reply is parsed into dict-like object,
@@ -191,20 +354,18 @@ class PapiExecutor(object):
         TODO: Discuss exception types to raise, unify with inner methods.
 
         :param err_msg: The message used if the PAPI command(s) execution fails.
-        :param timeout: Timeout in seconds.
         :type err_msg: str
-        :type timeout: int
         :returns: Response, dict object with fields due to API and "retval".
         :rtype: dict
         :raises AssertionError: If retval is nonzero, parsing or ssh error.
         """
-        replies = self.get_replies(err_msg=err_msg, timeout=timeout)
+        replies = self.get_replies(err_msg=err_msg)
         if len(replies) != 1:
             raise RuntimeError("Expected single reply, got {replies!r}".format(
                 replies=replies))
         return replies[0]
 
-    def get_sw_if_index(self, err_msg="Failed to get reply.", timeout=120):
+    def get_sw_if_index(self, err_msg="Failed to get reply."):
         """Get sw_if_index from reply from VPP Python API.
 
         Frequently, the caller is only interested in sw_if_index field
@@ -213,16 +374,16 @@ class PapiExecutor(object):
         TODO: Discuss exception types to raise, unify with inner methods.
 
         :param err_msg: The message used if the PAPI command(s) execution fails.
-        :param timeout: Timeout in seconds.
         :type err_msg: str
-        :type timeout: int
         :returns: Response, sw_if_index value of the reply.
         :rtype: int
         :raises AssertionError: If retval is nonzero, parsing or ssh error.
         """
-        return self.get_reply(err_msg=err_msg, timeout=timeout)["sw_if_index"]
+        reply = self.get_reply(err_msg=err_msg)
+        logger.info("Getting index from {reply!r}".format(reply=reply))
+        return reply["sw_if_index"]
 
-    def get_details(self, err_msg="Failed to get dump details.", timeout=120):
+    def get_details(self, err_msg="Failed to get dump details."):
         """Get dump details from VPP Python API.
 
         The details are parsed into dict-like objects.
@@ -233,28 +394,11 @@ class PapiExecutor(object):
         it is recommended to call get_details for each dump (type) separately.
 
         :param err_msg: The message used if the PAPI command(s) execution fails.
-        :param timeout: Timeout in seconds.
         :type err_msg: str
-        :type timeout: int
         :returns: Details, dict objects with fields due to API without "retval".
         :rtype: list of dict
         """
-        return self._execute(method='dump', err_msg=err_msg, timeout=timeout)
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def dump_and_log(node, cmds):
-        """Dump and log requested information, return None.
-
-        :param node: DUT node.
-        :param cmds: Dump commands to be executed.
-        :type node: dict
-        :type cmds: list of str
-        """
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
-            for cmd in cmds:
-                details = papi_exec.add(cmd).get_details()
-                logger.debug("{cmd}:\n{details}".format(
-                    cmd=cmd, details=pformat(details)))
+        return self._execute(err_msg)
 
     @staticmethod
     def run_cli_cmd(node, cmd, log=True):
@@ -271,21 +415,194 @@ class PapiExecutor(object):
         :returns: CLI output.
         :rtype: str
         """
-
         cli = 'cli_inband'
         args = dict(cmd=cmd)
         err_msg = "Failed to run 'cli_inband {cmd}' PAPI command on host " \
                   "{host}".format(host=node['host'], cmd=cmd)
-
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             reply = papi_exec.add(cli, **args).get_reply(err_msg)["reply"]
-
         if log:
             logger.info("{cmd}:\n{reply}".format(cmd=cmd, reply=reply))
-
         return reply
 
     @staticmethod
+    def dump_and_log(node, cmds):
+        """Dump and log requested information, return None.
+
+        :param node: DUT node.
+        :param cmds: Dump commands to be executed.
+        :type node: dict
+        :type cmds: list of str
+        """
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+            for cmd in cmds:
+                dump = papi_exec.add(cmd).get_details()
+                logger.debug("{cmd}:\n{data}".format(
+                    cmd=cmd, data=pformat(dump)))
+
+    def _execute(self, err_msg="Undefined error message"):
+        """Turn internal command list into data and execute; return replies.
+
+        This method also clears the internal command list.
+
+        IMPORTANT!
+        Do not use this method in L1 keywords. Use:
+        - get_replies()
+        - get_reply()
+        - get_sw_if_index()
+        - get_details()
+
+        :param err_msg: The message used if the PAPI command(s) execution fails.
+        :type err_msg: str
+        :returns: Papi responses parsed into a dict-like object,
+            with fields due to API (possibly including retval).
+        :rtype: list of dict
+        :raises RuntimeError: If the replies are not all correct.
+        """
+        vpp_instance = self.vpp_instance
+        local_list = self._api_command_list
+        # Clear first as execution may fail.
+        self._api_command_list = list()
+        replies = list()
+        for command in local_list:
+            api_name = command["api_name"]
+            papi_fn = getattr(vpp_instance.api, api_name)
+            try:
+                reply = papi_fn(**command["api_args"])
+            except IOError as err:
+                # Ocassionally an error happens, try reconnect.
+                logger.warn("Reconnect after error: {err!r}".format(err=err))
+                self.vpp_instance.disconnect()
+                # Testing showes immediate reconnect fails.
+                time.sleep(1)
+                self.vpp_instance.connect_sync("csit_socket")
+                logger.trace("Reconnected.")
+                reply = papi_fn(**command["api_args"])
+            # *_dump commands return list of objects, convert, ordinary reply.
+            if not isinstance(reply, list):
+                reply = [reply]
+            for item in reply:
+                dict_item = dictize(item)
+                if "retval" in dict_item.keys():
+                    # *_details messages do not contain retval.
+                    retval = dict_item["retval"]
+                    if retval != 0:
+                        # TODO: What exactly to log and raise here?
+                        err = AssertionError("Retval {rv!r}".format(rv=retval))
+                        # Lowering log level, some retval!=0 calls are expected.
+                        # TODO: Expose level argument so callers can decide?
+                        raise_from(AssertionError(err_msg), err, level="DEBUG")
+                replies.append(dict_item)
+        return replies
+
+
+class PapiExecutor(object):
+    """Contains methods for executing VPP Python API commands on DUTs.
+
+    TODO: Remove .add step, make get_stats accept paths directly.
+
+    This class processes only one type of VPP PAPI methods: vpp-stats.
+
+    The recommended ways of use are (examples):
+
+    path = ['^/if', '/err/ip4-input', '/sys/node/ip4-input']
+    with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        stats = papi_exec.add(api_name='vpp-stats', path=path).get_stats()
+
+    print('RX interface core 0, sw_if_index 0:\n{0}'.\
+        format(stats[0]['/if/rx'][0][0]))
+
+    or
+
+    path_1 = ['^/if', ]
+    path_2 = ['^/if', '/err/ip4-input', '/sys/node/ip4-input']
+    with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        stats = papi_exec.add('vpp-stats', path=path_1).\
+            add('vpp-stats', path=path_2).get_stats()
+
+    print('RX interface core 0, sw_if_index 0:\n{0}'.\
+        format(stats[1]['/if/rx'][0][0]))
+
+    Note: In this case, when PapiExecutor method 'add' is used:
+    - its parameter 'csit_papi_command' is used only to keep information
+      that vpp-stats are requested. It is not further processed but it is
+      included in the PAPI history this way:
+      vpp-stats(path=['^/if', '/err/ip4-input', '/sys/node/ip4-input'])
+      Always use csit_papi_command="vpp-stats" if the VPP PAPI method
+      is "stats".
+    - the second parameter must be 'path' as it is used by PapiExecutor
+      method 'add'.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, node):
+        """Initialization.
+
+        :param node: Node to run command(s) on.
+        :type node: dict
+        """
+
+        # Node to run command(s) on.
+        self._node = node
+
+        # The list of PAPI commands to be executed on the node.
+        self._api_command_list = list()
+
+        self._ssh = SSH()
+
+    def __enter__(self):
+        try:
+            self._ssh.connect(self._node)
+        except IOError:
+            raise RuntimeError("Cannot open SSH connection to host {host} to "
+                               "execute PAPI command(s)".
+                               format(host=self._node["host"]))
+        return self
+
+    def __exit__(self, exc_type, exc_val, exc_tb):
+        self._ssh.disconnect(self._node)
+
+    def add(self, csit_papi_command="vpp-stats", history=True, **kwargs):
+        """Add next command to internal command list; return self.
+
+        The argument name 'csit_papi_command' must be unique enough as it cannot
+        be repeated in kwargs.
+
+        :param csit_papi_command: VPP API command.
+        :param history: Enable/disable adding command to PAPI command history.
+        :param kwargs: Optional key-value arguments.
+        :type csit_papi_command: str
+        :type history: bool
+        :type kwargs: dict
+        :returns: self, so that method chaining is possible.
+        :rtype: PapiExecutor
+        """
+        if history:
+            PapiHistory.add_to_papi_history(
+                self._node, csit_papi_command, **kwargs)
+        self._api_command_list.append(dict(api_name=csit_papi_command,
+                                           api_args=kwargs))
+        return self
+
+    def get_stats(self, err_msg="Failed to get statistics.", timeout=120):
+        """Get VPP Stats from VPP Python API.
+
+        :param err_msg: The message used if the PAPI command(s) execution fails.
+        :param timeout: Timeout in seconds.
+        :type err_msg: str
+        :type timeout: int
+        :returns: Requested VPP statistics.
+        :rtype: list of dict
+        """
+
+        paths = [cmd['api_args']['path'] for cmd in self._api_command_list]
+        self._api_command_list = list()
+
+        stdout = self._execute_papi(
+            paths, method='stats', err_msg=err_msg, timeout=timeout)
+
+        return json.loads(stdout)
+
+    @staticmethod
     def _process_api_data(api_d):
         """Process API data for smooth converting to JSON string.
 
@@ -325,62 +642,6 @@ class PapiExecutor(object):
                                            api_args=api_args_processed))
         return api_data_processed
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _revert_api_reply(api_r):
-        """Process API reply / a part of API reply.
-
-        Apply binascii.unhexlify() method for unicode values.
-
-        TODO: Implement complex solution to process of replies.
-
-        :param api_r: API reply.
-        :type api_r: dict
-        :returns: Processed API reply / a part of API reply.
-        :rtype: dict
-        """
-        def process_value(val):
-            """Process value.
-
-            :param val: Value to be processed.
-            :type val: object
-            :returns: Processed value.
-            :rtype: dict or str or int
-            """
-            if isinstance(val, dict):
-                for val_k, val_v in val.iteritems():
-                    val[str(val_k)] = process_value(val_v)
-                return val
-            elif isinstance(val, list):
-                for idx, val_l in enumerate(val):
-                    val[idx] = process_value(val_l)
-                return val
-            elif isinstance(val, unicode):
-                return binascii.unhexlify(val)
-            else:
-                return val
-
-        reply_dict = dict()
-        reply_value = dict()
-        for reply_key, reply_v in api_r.iteritems():
-            for a_k, a_v in reply_v.iteritems():
-                reply_value[a_k] = process_value(a_v)
-            reply_dict[reply_key] = reply_value
-        return reply_dict
-
-    def _process_reply(self, api_reply):
-        """Process API reply.
-
-        :param api_reply: API reply.
-        :type api_reply: dict or list of dict
-        :returns: Processed API reply.
-        :rtype: list or dict
-        """
-        if isinstance(api_reply, list):
-            reverted_reply = [self._revert_api_reply(a_r) for a_r in api_reply]
-        else:
-            reverted_reply = self._revert_api_reply(api_reply)
-        return reverted_reply
-
     def _execute_papi(self, api_data, method='request', err_msg="",
                       timeout=120):
         """Execute PAPI command(s) on remote node and store the result.
@@ -430,66 +691,3 @@ class PapiExecutor(object):
             raise AssertionError(err_msg)
 
         return stdout
-
-    def _execute(self, method='request', err_msg="", timeout=120):
-        """Turn internal command list into data and execute; return replies.
-
-        This method also clears the internal command list.
-
-        IMPORTANT!
-        Do not use this method in L1 keywords. Use:
-        - get_stats()
-        - get_replies()
-        - get_details()
-
-        :param method: VPP Python API method. Supported methods are: 'request',
-            'dump' and 'stats'.
-        :param err_msg: The message used if the PAPI command(s) execution fails.
-        :param timeout: Timeout in seconds.
-        :type method: str
-        :type err_msg: str
-        :type timeout: int
-        :returns: Papi responses parsed into a dict-like object,
-            with field due to API or stats hierarchy.
-        :rtype: list of dict
-        :raises KeyError: If the reply is not correct.
-        """
-
-        local_list = self._api_command_list
-
-        # Clear first as execution may fail.
-        self._api_command_list = list()
-
-        stdout = self._execute_papi(
-            local_list, method=method, err_msg=err_msg, timeout=timeout)
-        replies = list()
-        try:
-            json_data = json.loads(stdout)
-        except ValueError as err:
-            raise_from(RuntimeError(err_msg), err)
-        for data in json_data:
-            if method == "request":
-                api_reply = self._process_reply(data["api_reply"])
-                # api_reply contains single key, *_reply.
-                obj = api_reply.values()[0]
-                retval = obj["retval"]
-                if retval != 0:
-                    # TODO: What exactly to log and raise here?
-                    err = AssertionError("Got retval {rv!r}".format(rv=retval))
-                    raise_from(AssertionError(err_msg), err, level="INFO")
-                replies.append(obj)
-            elif method == "dump":
-                api_reply = self._process_reply(data["api_reply"])
-                # api_reply is a list where item contas single key, *_details.
-                for item in api_reply:
-                    obj = item.values()[0]
-                    replies.append(obj)
-            else:
-                # TODO: Implement support for stats.
-                raise RuntimeError("Unsuported method {method}".format(
-                    method=method))
-
-        # TODO: Make logging optional?
-        logger.debug("PAPI replies: {replies}".format(replies=replies))
-
-        return replies
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/ProxyArp.py b/resources/libraries/python/ProxyArp.py
index a0a54fb103..e05bfe3a61 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/ProxyArp.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/ProxyArp.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 """Proxy ARP library"""
 
 from resources.libraries.python.InterfaceUtil import InterfaceUtil
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 from resources.libraries.python.VatExecutor import VatTerminal
 
 
@@ -53,5 +53,5 @@ class ProxyArp(object):
             enable_disable=1)
         err_msg = 'Failed to enable proxy ARP on interface {ifc}'.format(
             ifc=interface)
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_reply(err_msg)
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/QemuUtils.py b/resources/libraries/python/QemuUtils.py
index 6a63798b1e..0895f95409 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/QemuUtils.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/QemuUtils.py
@@ -222,6 +222,7 @@ class QemuUtils(object):
         vpp_config.add_unix_nodaemon()
         vpp_config.add_unix_cli_listen()
         vpp_config.add_unix_exec(running)
+        vpp_config.add_socksvr()
         vpp_config.add_cpu_main_core('0')
         if self._opt.get('smp') > 1:
             vpp_config.add_cpu_corelist_workers('1-{smp}'.format(
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/SetupFramework.py b/resources/libraries/python/SetupFramework.py
index a1e4e7a679..28717dca6a 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/SetupFramework.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/SetupFramework.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ def pack_framework_dir():
 
     run(["tar", "--sparse", "--exclude-vcs", "--exclude=output*.xml",
          "--exclude=./tmp", "-zcf", file_name, "."],
-        check=True, msg="Could not pack testing framework")
+        msg="Could not pack testing framework")
 
     return file_name
 
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/TestConfig.py b/resources/libraries/python/TestConfig.py
index 284b2e8cf4..5c441df09e 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/TestConfig.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/TestConfig.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ from robot.api import logger
 from resources.libraries.python.Constants import Constants
 from resources.libraries.python.InterfaceUtil import InterfaceUtil
 from resources.libraries.python.IPUtil import IPUtil
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 from resources.libraries.python.topology import Topology
 from resources.libraries.python.VatExecutor import VatExecutor
 
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ class TestConfig(object):
         err_msg = 'Failed to create VXLAN and VLAN interfaces on host {host}'.\
             format(host=node['host'])
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             for i in xrange(0, vxlan_count):
                 try:
                     src_ip = src_ip_addr_start + i * ip_step
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ class TestConfig(object):
         err_msg = 'Failed to put VXLAN and VLAN interfaces up on host {host}'. \
             format(host=node['host'])
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             for i in xrange(0, vxlan_count):
                 vxlan_subif_key = Topology.add_new_port(node, 'vxlan_tunnel')
                 vxlan_subif_name = 'vxlan_tunnel{nr}'.format(nr=i)
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@ class TestConfig(object):
         err_msg = 'Failed to put VXLAN and VLAN interfaces to bridge domain ' \
                   'on host {host}'.format(host=node['host'])
 
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             for i in xrange(0, vxlan_count):
                 dst_ip = dst_ip_addr_start + i * ip_step
                 args1['neighbor']['ip_address'] = str(dst_ip)
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/Trace.py b/resources/libraries/python/Trace.py
index 6e3ac2a449..5f885d6c60 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/Trace.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/Trace.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 
 """Packet trace library."""
 
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 from resources.libraries.python.topology import NodeType
 
 
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ class Trace(object):
 
         for node in nodes.values():
             if node['type'] == NodeType.DUT:
-                PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, cmd="show trace {max}".
-                                         format(max=maximum))
+                PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(
+                    node, cmd="show trace {max}".format(max=maximum))
 
     @staticmethod
     def clear_packet_trace_on_all_duts(nodes):
@@ -46,4 +46,4 @@ class Trace(object):
         """
         for node in nodes.values():
             if node['type'] == NodeType.DUT:
-                PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, cmd="clear trace")
+                PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, cmd="clear trace")
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/VPPUtil.py b/resources/libraries/python/VPPUtil.py
index 676671f15e..1ae9ca6a40 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/VPPUtil.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/VPPUtil.py
@@ -13,14 +13,12 @@
 
 """VPP util library."""
 
-import binascii
-
 from robot.api import logger
 
 from resources.libraries.python.Constants import Constants
 from resources.libraries.python.DUTSetup import DUTSetup
 from resources.libraries.python.L2Util import L2Util
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 from resources.libraries.python.ssh import exec_cmd_no_error
 from resources.libraries.python.topology import NodeType
 
@@ -136,6 +134,7 @@ class VPPUtil(object):
             VPPUtil.verify_vpp_started(node)
             # Verify responsivness of PAPI.
             VPPUtil.show_log(node)
+            VPPUtil.vpp_show_version(node)
         finally:
             DUTSetup.get_service_logs(node, Constants.VPP_UNIT)
 
@@ -162,7 +161,7 @@ class VPPUtil(object):
         :returns: VPP version.
         :rtype: str
         """
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             reply = papi_exec.add('show_version').get_reply()
         return_version = reply['version'].rstrip('\0x00')
         version = 'VPP version:      {ver}\n'.format(ver=return_version)
@@ -197,7 +196,7 @@ class VPPUtil(object):
         args = dict(name_filter_valid=0, name_filter='')
         err_msg = 'Failed to get interface dump on host {host}'.format(
             host=node['host'])
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_details(err_msg)
 
         for if_dump in details:
@@ -226,7 +225,7 @@ class VPPUtil(object):
 
         for cmd in cmds:
             try:
-                PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, cmd)
+                PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, cmd)
             except AssertionError:
                 if fail_on_error:
                     raise
@@ -252,7 +251,7 @@ class VPPUtil(object):
         :param node: DUT node to set up.
         :type node: dict
         """
-        PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, "elog trace api cli barrier")
+        PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, "elog trace api cli barrier")
 
     @staticmethod
     def vpp_enable_elog_traces_on_all_duts(nodes):
@@ -272,7 +271,7 @@ class VPPUtil(object):
         :param node: DUT node to show traces on.
         :type node: dict
         """
-        PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, "show event-logger")
+        PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, "show event-logger")
 
     @staticmethod
     def show_event_logger_on_all_duts(nodes):
@@ -294,7 +293,7 @@ class VPPUtil(object):
         :returns: VPP log data.
         :rtype: list
         """
-        return PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, "show log")
+        return PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, "show log")
 
     @staticmethod
     def vpp_show_threads(node):
@@ -305,7 +304,7 @@ class VPPUtil(object):
         :returns: VPP thread data.
         :rtype: list
         """
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             reply = papi_exec.add('show_threads').get_reply()
 
         threads_data = list()
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/VhostUser.py b/resources/libraries/python/VhostUser.py
index 916d0829ee..a24bc97633 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/VhostUser.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/VhostUser.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 from robot.api import logger
 
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 from resources.libraries.python.topology import NodeType, Topology
 from resources.libraries.python.InterfaceUtil import InterfaceUtil
 
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ class VhostUser(object):
         :rtype: list
         """
         cmd = "sw_interface_vhost_user_dump"
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add(cmd).get_details()
 
         for vhost in details:
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class VhostUser(object):
         args = dict(
             sock_filename=str(socket)
         )
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             sw_if_index = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_sw_if_index(err_msg)
 
         # Update the Topology:
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/VppConfigGenerator.py b/resources/libraries/python/VppConfigGenerator.py
index e92d674507..7ee3e2ceb0 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/VppConfigGenerator.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/VppConfigGenerator.py
@@ -11,7 +11,12 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-"""VPP Configuration File Generator library."""
+"""VPP Configuration File Generator library.
+
+TODO: Support initialization with default values,
+so that we do not need to have block of 6 "Add Unix" commands
+in 7 various places of CSIT code.
+"""
 
 import re
 
@@ -191,6 +196,11 @@ class VppConfigGenerator(object):
         path = ['unix', 'exec']
         self.add_config_item(self._nodeconfig, value, path)
 
+    def add_socksvr(self, socket="default"):
+        """Add socksvr configuration."""
+        path = ['socksvr', socket]
+        self.add_config_item(self._nodeconfig, '', path)
+
     def add_api_segment_gid(self, value='vpp'):
         """Add API-SEGMENT gid configuration.
 
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/VppCounters.py b/resources/libraries/python/VppCounters.py
index dd1553538d..03b40b7a6b 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/VppCounters.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/VppCounters.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from pprint import pformat
 
 from robot.api import logger
 from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 from resources.libraries.python.topology import NodeType, Topology
 
 
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ class VppCounters(object):
         :param node: Node to run command on.
         :type node: dict
         """
-        PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'show errors')
+        PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'show errors')
 
     @staticmethod
     def vpp_show_errors_verbose(node):
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@ class VppCounters(object):
         :param node: Node to run command on.
         :type node: dict
         """
-        PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'show errors verbose')
+        PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'show errors verbose')
 
     @staticmethod
     def vpp_show_errors_on_all_duts(nodes, verbose=False):
@@ -161,7 +162,7 @@ class VppCounters(object):
         :param node: Node to run command on.
         :type node: dict
         """
-        PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'show hardware detail')
+        PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'show hardware detail')
 
     @staticmethod
     def vpp_clear_runtime(node):
@@ -172,7 +173,7 @@ class VppCounters(object):
         :returns: Verified data from PAPI response.
         :rtype: dict
         """
-        return PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'clear runtime', log=False)
+        return PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'clear runtime', log=False)
 
     @staticmethod
     def clear_runtime_counters_on_all_duts(nodes):
@@ -194,7 +195,8 @@ class VppCounters(object):
         :returns: Verified data from PAPI response.
         :rtype: dict
         """
-        return PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'clear interfaces', log=False)
+        return PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(
+            node, 'clear interfaces', log=False)
 
     @staticmethod
     def clear_interface_counters_on_all_duts(nodes):
@@ -216,7 +218,7 @@ class VppCounters(object):
         :returns: Verified data from PAPI response.
         :rtype: dict
         """
-        return PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'clear hardware', log=False)
+        return PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'clear hardware', log=False)
 
     @staticmethod
     def clear_hardware_counters_on_all_duts(nodes):
@@ -238,7 +240,7 @@ class VppCounters(object):
         :returns: Verified data from PAPI response.
         :rtype: dict
         """
-        return PapiExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'clear errors', log=False)
+        return PapiSocketExecutor.run_cli_cmd(node, 'clear errors', log=False)
 
     @staticmethod
     def clear_error_counters_on_all_duts(nodes):
diff --git a/resources/libraries/python/telemetry/SPAN.py b/resources/libraries/python/telemetry/SPAN.py
index 2033525f55..268a268a0d 100644
--- a/resources/libraries/python/telemetry/SPAN.py
+++ b/resources/libraries/python/telemetry/SPAN.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 """SPAN setup library"""
 
 from resources.libraries.python.topology import Topology
-from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiExecutor
+from resources.libraries.python.PapiExecutor import PapiSocketExecutor
 
 
 class SPAN(object):
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class SPAN(object):
         args = dict(
             is_l2=1 if is_l2 else 0
         )
-        with PapiExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
+        with PapiSocketExecutor(node) as papi_exec:
             details = papi_exec.add(cmd, **args).get_details()
 
         return details