diff --git a/doc/source/conf.py b/doc/source/conf.py
index 449454c42f..abaf6c251b 100644
--- a/doc/source/conf.py
+++ b/doc/source/conf.py
@@ -77,9 +77,9 @@ copyright = u'2011-present, OpenStack, LLC.'
 #
 # Version info
 from quantum.version import version_info as quantum_version
-release = quantum_version.version_string_with_vcs()
+release = quantum_version.release_string()
 # The short X.Y version.
-version = quantum_version.canonical_version_string()
+version = quantum_version.version_string()
 
 # The language for content autogenerated by Sphinx. Refer to documentation
 # for a list of supported languages.
diff --git a/openstack-common.conf b/openstack-common.conf
index 7ca64ce4ea..0d738376ed 100644
--- a/openstack-common.conf
+++ b/openstack-common.conf
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 [DEFAULT]
 # The list of modules to copy from openstack-common
-modules=cfg,context,eventlet_backdoor,exception,excutils,fileutils,gettextutils,importutils,iniparser,install_venv_common,jsonutils,local,lockutils,log,loopingcall,network_utils,notifier,periodic_task,policy,rpc,service,setup,threadgroup,timeutils,uuidutils,version
+modules=cfg,context,eventlet_backdoor,exception,excutils,fileutils,gettextutils,importutils,iniparser,install_venv_common,jsonutils,local,lockutils,log,loopingcall,network_utils,notifier,periodic_task,policy,processutils,rpc,service,setup,threadgroup,timeutils,uuidutils,version
 # The base module to hold the copy of openstack.common
 base=quantum
diff --git a/quantum/common/config.py b/quantum/common/config.py
index f70bfa4b74..7fde3f9edc 100644
--- a/quantum/common/config.py
+++ b/quantum/common/config.py
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ rpc.set_defaults(control_exchange='quantum')
 
 def parse(args):
     cfg.CONF(args=args, project='quantum',
-             version='%%prog %s' % quantum_version.version_string_with_vcs())
+             version='%%prog %s' % quantum_version.release_string())
 
     # Validate that the base_mac is of the correct format
     msg = attributes._validate_regex(cfg.CONF.base_mac,
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/cfg.py b/quantum/openstack/common/cfg.py
index 56d169e1ab..9eaaf1ac32 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/cfg.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/cfg.py
@@ -1643,7 +1643,7 @@ class ConfigOpts(collections.Mapping):
         """
         self._args = args
 
-        for opt, group in self._all_cli_opts():
+        for opt, group in sorted(self._all_cli_opts()):
             opt._add_to_cli(self._oparser, group)
 
         return vars(self._oparser.parse_args(args))
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/exception.py b/quantum/openstack/common/exception.py
index 20634b31bb..09c4d00a4f 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/exception.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/exception.py
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ import logging
 
 from quantum.openstack.common.gettextutils import _
 
+_FATAL_EXCEPTION_FORMAT_ERRORS = False
+
 
 class Error(Exception):
     def __init__(self, message=None):
@@ -121,9 +123,12 @@ class OpenstackException(Exception):
         try:
             self._error_string = self.message % kwargs
 
-        except Exception:
-            # at least get the core message out if something happened
-            self._error_string = self.message
+        except Exception as e:
+            if _FATAL_EXCEPTION_FORMAT_ERRORS:
+                raise e
+            else:
+                # at least get the core message out if something happened
+                self._error_string = self.message
 
     def __str__(self):
         return self._error_string
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/jsonutils.py b/quantum/openstack/common/jsonutils.py
index 72f39fa1b9..3fb6ff8af7 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/jsonutils.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/jsonutils.py
@@ -34,15 +34,21 @@ This module provides a few things:
 
 
 import datetime
+import functools
 import inspect
 import itertools
 import json
+import logging
 import xmlrpclib
 
+from quantum.openstack.common.gettextutils import _
 from quantum.openstack.common import timeutils
 
+LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-def to_primitive(value, convert_instances=False, level=0):
+
+def to_primitive(value, convert_instances=False, convert_datetime=True,
+                 level=0, max_depth=3):
     """Convert a complex object into primitives.
 
     Handy for JSON serialization. We can optionally handle instances,
@@ -78,12 +84,19 @@ def to_primitive(value, convert_instances=False, level=0):
     if getattr(value, '__module__', None) == 'mox':
         return 'mock'
 
-    if level > 3:
+    if level > max_depth:
+        LOG.error(_('Max serialization depth exceeded on object: %d %s'),
+                  level, value)
         return '?'
 
     # The try block may not be necessary after the class check above,
     # but just in case ...
     try:
+        recursive = functools.partial(to_primitive,
+                                      convert_instances=convert_instances,
+                                      convert_datetime=convert_datetime,
+                                      level=level,
+                                      max_depth=max_depth)
         # It's not clear why xmlrpclib created their own DateTime type, but
         # for our purposes, make it a datetime type which is explicitly
         # handled
@@ -91,33 +104,19 @@ def to_primitive(value, convert_instances=False, level=0):
             value = datetime.datetime(*tuple(value.timetuple())[:6])
 
         if isinstance(value, (list, tuple)):
-            o = []
-            for v in value:
-                o.append(to_primitive(v, convert_instances=convert_instances,
-                                      level=level))
-            return o
+            return [recursive(v) for v in value]
         elif isinstance(value, dict):
-            o = {}
-            for k, v in value.iteritems():
-                o[k] = to_primitive(v, convert_instances=convert_instances,
-                                    level=level)
-            return o
-        elif isinstance(value, datetime.datetime):
+            return dict((k, recursive(v)) for k, v in value.iteritems())
+        elif convert_datetime and isinstance(value, datetime.datetime):
             return timeutils.strtime(value)
         elif hasattr(value, 'iteritems'):
-            return to_primitive(dict(value.iteritems()),
-                                convert_instances=convert_instances,
-                                level=level + 1)
+            return recursive(dict(value.iteritems()), level=level + 1)
         elif hasattr(value, '__iter__'):
-            return to_primitive(list(value),
-                                convert_instances=convert_instances,
-                                level=level)
+            return recursive(list(value))
         elif convert_instances and hasattr(value, '__dict__'):
             # Likely an instance of something. Watch for cycles.
             # Ignore class member vars.
-            return to_primitive(value.__dict__,
-                                convert_instances=convert_instances,
-                                level=level + 1)
+            return recursive(value.__dict__, level=level + 1)
         else:
             return value
     except TypeError:
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/local.py b/quantum/openstack/common/local.py
index 19d962732c..8bdc837a91 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/local.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/local.py
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ class WeakLocal(corolocal.local):
     def __getattribute__(self, attr):
         rval = corolocal.local.__getattribute__(self, attr)
         if rval:
+            # NOTE(mikal): this bit is confusing. What is stored is a weak
+            # reference, not the value itself. We therefore need to lookup
+            # the weak reference and return the inner value here.
             rval = rval()
         return rval
 
@@ -34,4 +37,12 @@ class WeakLocal(corolocal.local):
         return corolocal.local.__setattr__(self, attr, value)
 
 
+# NOTE(mikal): the name "store" should be deprecated in the future
 store = WeakLocal()
+
+# A "weak" store uses weak references and allows an object to fall out of scope
+# when it falls out of scope in the code that uses the thread local storage. A
+# "strong" store will hold a reference to the object so that it never falls out
+# of scope.
+weak_store = WeakLocal()
+strong_store = corolocal.local
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/lockutils.py b/quantum/openstack/common/lockutils.py
index b9500f7bdb..750a47bc72 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/lockutils.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/lockutils.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ from eventlet import semaphore
 from quantum.openstack.common import cfg
 from quantum.openstack.common import fileutils
 from quantum.openstack.common.gettextutils import _
+from quantum.openstack.common import local
 from quantum.openstack.common import log as logging
 
 
@@ -39,9 +40,8 @@ util_opts = [
     cfg.BoolOpt('disable_process_locking', default=False,
                 help='Whether to disable inter-process locks'),
     cfg.StrOpt('lock_path',
-               default=os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__),
-                                                    '../')),
-               help='Directory to use for lock files')
+               help=('Directory to use for lock files. Default to a '
+                     'temp directory'))
 ]
 
 
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ def synchronized(name, lock_file_prefix, external=False, lock_path=None):
         def foo(self, *args):
            ...
 
-    ensures that only one thread will execute the bar method at a time.
+    ensures that only one thread will execute the foo method at a time.
 
     Different methods can share the same lock::
 
@@ -184,54 +184,66 @@ def synchronized(name, lock_file_prefix, external=False, lock_path=None):
                 LOG.debug(_('Got semaphore "%(lock)s" for method '
                             '"%(method)s"...'), {'lock': name,
                                                  'method': f.__name__})
-                if external and not CONF.disable_process_locking:
-                    LOG.debug(_('Attempting to grab file lock "%(lock)s" for '
-                                'method "%(method)s"...'),
-                              {'lock': name, 'method': f.__name__})
-                    cleanup_dir = False
 
-                    # We need a copy of lock_path because it is non-local
-                    local_lock_path = lock_path
-                    if not local_lock_path:
-                        local_lock_path = CONF.lock_path
+                # NOTE(mikal): I know this looks odd
+                if not hasattr(local.strong_store, 'locks_held'):
+                    local.strong_store.locks_held = []
+                local.strong_store.locks_held.append(name)
 
-                    if not local_lock_path:
-                        cleanup_dir = True
-                        local_lock_path = tempfile.mkdtemp()
+                try:
+                    if external and not CONF.disable_process_locking:
+                        LOG.debug(_('Attempting to grab file lock "%(lock)s" '
+                                    'for method "%(method)s"...'),
+                                  {'lock': name, 'method': f.__name__})
+                        cleanup_dir = False
 
-                    if not os.path.exists(local_lock_path):
-                        cleanup_dir = True
-                        fileutils.ensure_tree(local_lock_path)
+                        # We need a copy of lock_path because it is non-local
+                        local_lock_path = lock_path
+                        if not local_lock_path:
+                            local_lock_path = CONF.lock_path
 
-                    # NOTE(mikal): the lock name cannot contain directory
-                    # separators
-                    safe_name = name.replace(os.sep, '_')
-                    lock_file_name = '%s%s' % (lock_file_prefix, safe_name)
-                    lock_file_path = os.path.join(local_lock_path,
-                                                  lock_file_name)
+                        if not local_lock_path:
+                            cleanup_dir = True
+                            local_lock_path = tempfile.mkdtemp()
 
-                    try:
-                        lock = InterProcessLock(lock_file_path)
-                        with lock:
-                            LOG.debug(_('Got file lock "%(lock)s" at %(path)s '
-                                        'for method "%(method)s"...'),
+                        if not os.path.exists(local_lock_path):
+                            cleanup_dir = True
+                            fileutils.ensure_tree(local_lock_path)
+
+                        # NOTE(mikal): the lock name cannot contain directory
+                        # separators
+                        safe_name = name.replace(os.sep, '_')
+                        lock_file_name = '%s%s' % (lock_file_prefix, safe_name)
+                        lock_file_path = os.path.join(local_lock_path,
+                                                      lock_file_name)
+
+                        try:
+                            lock = InterProcessLock(lock_file_path)
+                            with lock:
+                                LOG.debug(_('Got file lock "%(lock)s" at '
+                                            '%(path)s for method '
+                                            '"%(method)s"...'),
+                                          {'lock': name,
+                                           'path': lock_file_path,
+                                           'method': f.__name__})
+                                retval = f(*args, **kwargs)
+                        finally:
+                            LOG.debug(_('Released file lock "%(lock)s" at '
+                                        '%(path)s for method "%(method)s"...'),
                                       {'lock': name,
                                        'path': lock_file_path,
                                        'method': f.__name__})
-                            retval = f(*args, **kwargs)
-                    finally:
-                        LOG.debug(_('Released file lock "%(lock)s" at %(path)s'
-                                    ' for method "%(method)s"...'),
-                                  {'lock': name,
-                                   'path': lock_file_path,
-                                   'method': f.__name__})
-                        # NOTE(vish): This removes the tempdir if we needed
-                        #             to create one. This is used to cleanup
-                        #             the locks left behind by unit tests.
-                        if cleanup_dir:
-                            shutil.rmtree(local_lock_path)
-                else:
-                    retval = f(*args, **kwargs)
+                            # NOTE(vish): This removes the tempdir if we needed
+                            #             to create one. This is used to
+                            #             cleanup the locks left behind by unit
+                            #             tests.
+                            if cleanup_dir:
+                                shutil.rmtree(local_lock_path)
+                    else:
+                        retval = f(*args, **kwargs)
+
+                finally:
+                    local.strong_store.locks_held.remove(name)
 
             return retval
         return inner
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/notifier/list_notifier.py b/quantum/openstack/common/notifier/list_notifier.py
deleted file mode 100644
index baa4fab31f..0000000000
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/notifier/list_notifier.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,118 +0,0 @@
-# Copyright 2011 OpenStack LLC.
-# All Rights Reserved.
-#
-#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
-#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
-#    a copy of the License at
-#
-#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-#
-#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
-#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
-#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
-#    under the License.
-
-from quantum.openstack.common import cfg
-from quantum.openstack.common.gettextutils import _
-from quantum.openstack.common import importutils
-from quantum.openstack.common import log as logging
-
-
-list_notifier_drivers_opt = cfg.MultiStrOpt(
-    'list_notifier_drivers',
-    default=['quantum.openstack.common.notifier.no_op_notifier'],
-    help='List of drivers to send notifications')
-
-CONF = cfg.CONF
-CONF.register_opt(list_notifier_drivers_opt)
-
-LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-
-drivers = None
-
-
-class ImportFailureNotifier(object):
-    """Noisily re-raises some exception over-and-over when notify is called."""
-
-    def __init__(self, exception):
-        self.exception = exception
-
-    def notify(self, context, message):
-        raise self.exception
-
-
-def _get_drivers():
-    """Instantiates and returns drivers based on the flag values."""
-    global drivers
-    if drivers is None:
-        drivers = []
-        for notification_driver in CONF.list_notifier_drivers:
-            try:
-                drivers.append(importutils.import_module(notification_driver))
-            except ImportError as e:
-                drivers.append(ImportFailureNotifier(e))
-    return drivers
-
-
-def add_driver(notification_driver):
-    """Add a notification driver at runtime."""
-    # Make sure the driver list is initialized.
-    _get_drivers()
-    if isinstance(notification_driver, basestring):
-        # Load and add
-        try:
-            drivers.append(importutils.import_module(notification_driver))
-        except ImportError as e:
-            drivers.append(ImportFailureNotifier(e))
-    else:
-        # Driver is already loaded; just add the object.
-        drivers.append(notification_driver)
-
-
-def _object_name(obj):
-    name = []
-    if hasattr(obj, '__module__'):
-        name.append(obj.__module__)
-    if hasattr(obj, '__name__'):
-        name.append(obj.__name__)
-    else:
-        name.append(obj.__class__.__name__)
-    return '.'.join(name)
-
-
-def remove_driver(notification_driver):
-    """Remove a notification driver at runtime."""
-    # Make sure the driver list is initialized.
-    _get_drivers()
-    removed = False
-    if notification_driver in drivers:
-        # We're removing an object.  Easy.
-        drivers.remove(notification_driver)
-        removed = True
-    else:
-        # We're removing a driver by name.  Search for it.
-        for driver in drivers:
-            if _object_name(driver) == notification_driver:
-                drivers.remove(driver)
-                removed = True
-
-    if not removed:
-        raise ValueError("Cannot remove; %s is not in list" %
-                         notification_driver)
-
-
-def notify(context, message):
-    """Passes notification to multiple notifiers in a list."""
-    for driver in _get_drivers():
-        try:
-            driver.notify(context, message)
-        except Exception as e:
-            LOG.exception(_("Problem '%(e)s' attempting to send to "
-                            "notification driver %(driver)s."), locals())
-
-
-def _reset_drivers():
-    """Used by unit tests to reset the drivers."""
-    global drivers
-    drivers = None
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/processutils.py b/quantum/openstack/common/processutils.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..12ef558a42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/processutils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+# vim: tabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 softtabstop=4
+
+# Copyright 2011 OpenStack LLC.
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+"""
+System-level utilities and helper functions.
+"""
+
+import logging
+import random
+import shlex
+
+from eventlet.green import subprocess
+from eventlet import greenthread
+
+from quantum.openstack.common.gettextutils import _
+
+
+LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class UnknownArgumentError(Exception):
+    def __init__(self, message=None):
+        super(UnknownArgumentError, self).__init__(message)
+
+
+class ProcessExecutionError(Exception):
+    def __init__(self, stdout=None, stderr=None, exit_code=None, cmd=None,
+                 description=None):
+        if description is None:
+            description = "Unexpected error while running command."
+        if exit_code is None:
+            exit_code = '-'
+        message = ("%s\nCommand: %s\nExit code: %s\nStdout: %r\nStderr: %r"
+                   % (description, cmd, exit_code, stdout, stderr))
+        super(ProcessExecutionError, self).__init__(message)
+
+
+def execute(*cmd, **kwargs):
+    """
+    Helper method to shell out and execute a command through subprocess with
+    optional retry.
+
+    :param cmd:             Passed to subprocess.Popen.
+    :type cmd:              string
+    :param process_input:   Send to opened process.
+    :type proces_input:     string
+    :param check_exit_code: Defaults to 0. Will raise
+                            :class:`ProcessExecutionError`
+                            if the command exits without returning this value
+                            as a returncode
+    :type check_exit_code:  int
+    :param delay_on_retry:  True | False. Defaults to True. If set to True,
+                            wait a short amount of time before retrying.
+    :type delay_on_retry:   boolean
+    :param attempts:        How many times to retry cmd.
+    :type attempts:         int
+    :param run_as_root:     True | False. Defaults to False. If set to True,
+                            the command is prefixed by the command specified
+                            in the root_helper kwarg.
+    :type run_as_root:      boolean
+    :param root_helper:     command to prefix all cmd's with
+    :type root_helper:      string
+    :returns:               (stdout, stderr) from process execution
+    :raises:                :class:`UnknownArgumentError` on
+                            receiving unknown arguments
+    :raises:                :class:`ProcessExecutionError`
+    """
+
+    process_input = kwargs.pop('process_input', None)
+    check_exit_code = kwargs.pop('check_exit_code', 0)
+    delay_on_retry = kwargs.pop('delay_on_retry', True)
+    attempts = kwargs.pop('attempts', 1)
+    run_as_root = kwargs.pop('run_as_root', False)
+    root_helper = kwargs.pop('root_helper', '')
+    if len(kwargs):
+        raise UnknownArgumentError(_('Got unknown keyword args '
+                                     'to utils.execute: %r') % kwargs)
+    if run_as_root:
+        cmd = shlex.split(root_helper) + list(cmd)
+    cmd = map(str, cmd)
+
+    while attempts > 0:
+        attempts -= 1
+        try:
+            LOG.debug(_('Running cmd (subprocess): %s'), ' '.join(cmd))
+            _PIPE = subprocess.PIPE  # pylint: disable=E1101
+            obj = subprocess.Popen(cmd,
+                                   stdin=_PIPE,
+                                   stdout=_PIPE,
+                                   stderr=_PIPE,
+                                   close_fds=True)
+            result = None
+            if process_input is not None:
+                result = obj.communicate(process_input)
+            else:
+                result = obj.communicate()
+            obj.stdin.close()  # pylint: disable=E1101
+            _returncode = obj.returncode  # pylint: disable=E1101
+            if _returncode:
+                LOG.debug(_('Result was %s') % _returncode)
+                if (isinstance(check_exit_code, int) and
+                    not isinstance(check_exit_code, bool) and
+                        _returncode != check_exit_code):
+                    (stdout, stderr) = result
+                    raise ProcessExecutionError(exit_code=_returncode,
+                                                stdout=stdout,
+                                                stderr=stderr,
+                                                cmd=' '.join(cmd))
+            return result
+        except ProcessExecutionError:
+            if not attempts:
+                raise
+            else:
+                LOG.debug(_('%r failed. Retrying.'), cmd)
+                if delay_on_retry:
+                    greenthread.sleep(random.randint(20, 200) / 100.0)
+        finally:
+            # NOTE(termie): this appears to be necessary to let the subprocess
+            #               call clean something up in between calls, without
+            #               it two execute calls in a row hangs the second one
+            greenthread.sleep(0)
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/__init__.py b/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/__init__.py
index 8ce6456d5b..9d0fede6ff 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/__init__.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/__init__.py
@@ -25,8 +25,16 @@ For some wrappers that add message versioning to rpc, see:
     rpc.proxy
 """
 
+import inspect
+import logging
+
 from quantum.openstack.common import cfg
+from quantum.openstack.common.gettextutils import _
 from quantum.openstack.common import importutils
+from quantum.openstack.common import local
+
+
+LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
 rpc_opts = [
@@ -62,7 +70,8 @@ rpc_opts = [
                help='AMQP exchange to connect to if using RabbitMQ or Qpid'),
 ]
 
-cfg.CONF.register_opts(rpc_opts)
+CONF = cfg.CONF
+CONF.register_opts(rpc_opts)
 
 
 def set_defaults(control_exchange):
@@ -83,10 +92,27 @@ def create_connection(new=True):
 
     :returns: An instance of openstack.common.rpc.common.Connection
     """
-    return _get_impl().create_connection(cfg.CONF, new=new)
+    return _get_impl().create_connection(CONF, new=new)
 
 
-def call(context, topic, msg, timeout=None):
+def _check_for_lock():
+    if not CONF.debug:
+        return None
+
+    if ((hasattr(local.strong_store, 'locks_held')
+         and local.strong_store.locks_held)):
+        stack = ' :: '.join([frame[3] for frame in inspect.stack()])
+        LOG.warn(_('A RPC is being made while holding a lock. The locks '
+                   'currently held are %(locks)s. This is probably a bug. '
+                   'Please report it. Include the following: [%(stack)s].'),
+                 {'locks': local.strong_store.locks_held,
+                  'stack': stack})
+        return True
+
+    return False
+
+
+def call(context, topic, msg, timeout=None, check_for_lock=False):
     """Invoke a remote method that returns something.
 
     :param context: Information that identifies the user that has made this
@@ -100,13 +126,17 @@ def call(context, topic, msg, timeout=None):
                                              "args" : dict_of_kwargs }
     :param timeout: int, number of seconds to use for a response timeout.
                     If set, this overrides the rpc_response_timeout option.
+    :param check_for_lock: if True, a warning is emitted if a RPC call is made
+                    with a lock held.
 
     :returns: A dict from the remote method.
 
     :raises: openstack.common.rpc.common.Timeout if a complete response
              is not received before the timeout is reached.
     """
-    return _get_impl().call(cfg.CONF, context, topic, msg, timeout)
+    if check_for_lock:
+        _check_for_lock()
+    return _get_impl().call(CONF, context, topic, msg, timeout)
 
 
 def cast(context, topic, msg):
@@ -124,7 +154,7 @@ def cast(context, topic, msg):
 
     :returns: None
     """
-    return _get_impl().cast(cfg.CONF, context, topic, msg)
+    return _get_impl().cast(CONF, context, topic, msg)
 
 
 def fanout_cast(context, topic, msg):
@@ -145,10 +175,10 @@ def fanout_cast(context, topic, msg):
 
     :returns: None
     """
-    return _get_impl().fanout_cast(cfg.CONF, context, topic, msg)
+    return _get_impl().fanout_cast(CONF, context, topic, msg)
 
 
-def multicall(context, topic, msg, timeout=None):
+def multicall(context, topic, msg, timeout=None, check_for_lock=False):
     """Invoke a remote method and get back an iterator.
 
     In this case, the remote method will be returning multiple values in
@@ -166,6 +196,8 @@ def multicall(context, topic, msg, timeout=None):
                                              "args" : dict_of_kwargs }
     :param timeout: int, number of seconds to use for a response timeout.
                     If set, this overrides the rpc_response_timeout option.
+    :param check_for_lock: if True, a warning is emitted if a RPC call is made
+                    with a lock held.
 
     :returns: An iterator.  The iterator will yield a tuple (N, X) where N is
               an index that starts at 0 and increases by one for each value
@@ -175,7 +207,9 @@ def multicall(context, topic, msg, timeout=None):
     :raises: openstack.common.rpc.common.Timeout if a complete response
              is not received before the timeout is reached.
     """
-    return _get_impl().multicall(cfg.CONF, context, topic, msg, timeout)
+    if check_for_lock:
+        _check_for_lock()
+    return _get_impl().multicall(CONF, context, topic, msg, timeout)
 
 
 def notify(context, topic, msg, envelope=False):
@@ -217,7 +251,7 @@ def cast_to_server(context, server_params, topic, msg):
 
     :returns: None
     """
-    return _get_impl().cast_to_server(cfg.CONF, context, server_params, topic,
+    return _get_impl().cast_to_server(CONF, context, server_params, topic,
                                       msg)
 
 
@@ -233,7 +267,7 @@ def fanout_cast_to_server(context, server_params, topic, msg):
 
     :returns: None
     """
-    return _get_impl().fanout_cast_to_server(cfg.CONF, context, server_params,
+    return _get_impl().fanout_cast_to_server(CONF, context, server_params,
                                              topic, msg)
 
 
@@ -263,10 +297,10 @@ def _get_impl():
     global _RPCIMPL
     if _RPCIMPL is None:
         try:
-            _RPCIMPL = importutils.import_module(cfg.CONF.rpc_backend)
+            _RPCIMPL = importutils.import_module(CONF.rpc_backend)
         except ImportError:
             # For backwards compatibility with older nova config.
-            impl = cfg.CONF.rpc_backend.replace('nova.rpc',
-                                                'nova.openstack.common.rpc')
+            impl = CONF.rpc_backend.replace('nova.rpc',
+                                            'nova.openstack.common.rpc')
             _RPCIMPL = importutils.import_module(impl)
     return _RPCIMPL
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/amqp.py b/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/amqp.py
index 42fce2dd2c..66ffd528f7 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/amqp.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/amqp.py
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ def multicall(conf, context, topic, msg, timeout, connection_pool):
     conn = ConnectionContext(conf, connection_pool)
     wait_msg = MulticallWaiter(conf, conn, timeout)
     conn.declare_direct_consumer(msg_id, wait_msg)
-    conn.topic_send(topic, rpc_common.serialize_msg(msg))
+    conn.topic_send(topic, rpc_common.serialize_msg(msg), timeout)
     return wait_msg
 
 
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/common.py b/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/common.py
index ca248eca9d..4be74d651e 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/common.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/common.py
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ def deserialize_remote_exception(conf, data):
 
     # NOTE(ameade): We DO NOT want to allow just any module to be imported, in
     # order to prevent arbitrary code execution.
-    if not module in conf.allowed_rpc_exception_modules:
+    if module not in conf.allowed_rpc_exception_modules:
         return RemoteError(name, failure.get('message'), trace)
 
     try:
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/impl_kombu.py b/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/impl_kombu.py
index 9e2620ffd7..70c2b87ae2 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/impl_kombu.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/impl_kombu.py
@@ -66,7 +66,8 @@ kombu_opts = [
                help='the RabbitMQ userid'),
     cfg.StrOpt('rabbit_password',
                default='guest',
-               help='the RabbitMQ password'),
+               help='the RabbitMQ password',
+               secret=True),
     cfg.StrOpt('rabbit_virtual_host',
                default='/',
                help='the RabbitMQ virtual host'),
@@ -302,9 +303,15 @@ class Publisher(object):
                                                  channel=channel,
                                                  routing_key=self.routing_key)
 
-    def send(self, msg):
+    def send(self, msg, timeout=None):
         """Send a message"""
-        self.producer.publish(msg)
+        if timeout:
+            #
+            # AMQP TTL is in milliseconds when set in the header.
+            #
+            self.producer.publish(msg, headers={'ttl': (timeout * 1000)})
+        else:
+            self.producer.publish(msg)
 
 
 class DirectPublisher(Publisher):
@@ -653,7 +660,7 @@ class Connection(object):
         for proxy_cb in self.proxy_callbacks:
             proxy_cb.wait()
 
-    def publisher_send(self, cls, topic, msg, **kwargs):
+    def publisher_send(self, cls, topic, msg, timeout=None, **kwargs):
         """Send to a publisher based on the publisher class"""
 
         def _error_callback(exc):
@@ -663,7 +670,7 @@ class Connection(object):
 
         def _publish():
             publisher = cls(self.conf, self.channel, topic, **kwargs)
-            publisher.send(msg)
+            publisher.send(msg, timeout)
 
         self.ensure(_error_callback, _publish)
 
@@ -691,9 +698,9 @@ class Connection(object):
         """Send a 'direct' message"""
         self.publisher_send(DirectPublisher, msg_id, msg)
 
-    def topic_send(self, topic, msg):
+    def topic_send(self, topic, msg, timeout=None):
         """Send a 'topic' message"""
-        self.publisher_send(TopicPublisher, topic, msg)
+        self.publisher_send(TopicPublisher, topic, msg, timeout)
 
     def fanout_send(self, topic, msg):
         """Send a 'fanout' message"""
@@ -701,7 +708,7 @@ class Connection(object):
 
     def notify_send(self, topic, msg, **kwargs):
         """Send a notify message on a topic"""
-        self.publisher_send(NotifyPublisher, topic, msg, **kwargs)
+        self.publisher_send(NotifyPublisher, topic, msg, None, **kwargs)
 
     def consume(self, limit=None):
         """Consume from all queues/consumers"""
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/impl_qpid.py b/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/impl_qpid.py
index 7743b7205c..70b11d2147 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/impl_qpid.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/impl_qpid.py
@@ -51,7 +51,8 @@ qpid_opts = [
                help='Username for qpid connection'),
     cfg.StrOpt('qpid_password',
                default='',
-               help='Password for qpid connection'),
+               help='Password for qpid connection',
+               secret=True),
     cfg.StrOpt('qpid_sasl_mechanisms',
                default='',
                help='Space separated list of SASL mechanisms to use for auth'),
@@ -486,9 +487,20 @@ class Connection(object):
         """Send a 'direct' message"""
         self.publisher_send(DirectPublisher, msg_id, msg)
 
-    def topic_send(self, topic, msg):
+    def topic_send(self, topic, msg, timeout=None):
         """Send a 'topic' message"""
-        self.publisher_send(TopicPublisher, topic, msg)
+        #
+        # We want to create a message with attributes, e.g. a TTL. We
+        # don't really need to keep 'msg' in its JSON format any longer
+        # so let's create an actual qpid message here and get some
+        # value-add on the go.
+        #
+        # WARNING: Request timeout happens to be in the same units as
+        # qpid's TTL (seconds). If this changes in the future, then this
+        # will need to be altered accordingly.
+        #
+        qpid_message = qpid_messaging.Message(content=msg, ttl=timeout)
+        self.publisher_send(TopicPublisher, topic, qpid_message)
 
     def fanout_send(self, topic, msg):
         """Send a 'fanout' message"""
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/impl_zmq.py b/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/impl_zmq.py
index a3e4888634..532708ab85 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/impl_zmq.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/impl_zmq.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 import os
 import pprint
 import socket
-import string
 import sys
 import types
 import uuid
@@ -90,7 +89,7 @@ def _serialize(data):
     Error if a developer passes us bad data.
     """
     try:
-        return str(jsonutils.dumps(data, ensure_ascii=True))
+        return jsonutils.dumps(data, ensure_ascii=True)
     except TypeError:
         LOG.error(_("JSON serialization failed."))
         raise
@@ -218,10 +217,11 @@ class ZmqClient(object):
         self.outq = ZmqSocket(addr, socket_type, bind=bind)
 
     def cast(self, msg_id, topic, data, serialize=True, force_envelope=False):
+        msg_id = msg_id or 0
+
         if serialize:
             data = rpc_common.serialize_msg(data, force_envelope)
-        self.outq.send([str(msg_id), str(topic), str('cast'),
-                        _serialize(data)])
+        self.outq.send(map(bytes, (msg_id, topic, 'cast', _serialize(data))))
 
     def close(self):
         self.outq.close()
@@ -295,13 +295,13 @@ class InternalContext(object):
             ctx.replies)
 
         LOG.debug(_("Sending reply"))
-        cast(CONF, ctx, topic, {
+        _multi_send(_cast, ctx, topic, {
             'method': '-process_reply',
             'args': {
-                'msg_id': msg_id,
+                'msg_id': msg_id,  # Include for Folsom compat.
                 'response': response
             }
-        })
+        }, _msg_id=msg_id)
 
 
 class ConsumerBase(object):
@@ -321,21 +321,22 @@ class ConsumerBase(object):
             return [result]
 
     def process(self, style, target, proxy, ctx, data):
+        data.setdefault('version', None)
+        data.setdefault('args', {})
+
         # Method starting with - are
         # processed internally. (non-valid method name)
-        method = data['method']
+        method = data.get('method')
+        if not method:
+            LOG.error(_("RPC message did not include method."))
+            return
 
         # Internal method
         # uses internal context for safety.
-        if data['method'][0] == '-':
-            # For reply / process_reply
-            method = method[1:]
-            if method == 'reply':
-                self.private_ctx.reply(ctx, proxy, **data['args'])
+        if method == '-reply':
+            self.private_ctx.reply(ctx, proxy, **data['args'])
             return
 
-        data.setdefault('version', None)
-        data.setdefault('args', {})
         proxy.dispatch(ctx, data['version'],
                        data['method'], **data['args'])
 
@@ -436,20 +437,12 @@ class ZmqProxy(ZmqBaseReactor):
 
         LOG.debug(_("CONSUMER GOT %s"), ' '.join(map(pformat, data)))
 
-        # Handle zmq_replies magic
-        if topic.startswith('fanout~'):
+        if topic.startswith('fanout~') or topic.startswith('zmq_replies'):
             sock_type = zmq.PUB
-        elif topic.startswith('zmq_replies'):
-            sock_type = zmq.PUB
-            inside = rpc_common.deserialize_msg(_deserialize(in_msg))
-            msg_id = inside[-1]['args']['msg_id']
-            response = inside[-1]['args']['response']
-            LOG.debug(_("->response->%s"), response)
-            data = [str(msg_id), _serialize(response)]
         else:
             sock_type = zmq.PUSH
 
-        if not topic in self.topic_proxy:
+        if topic not in self.topic_proxy:
             def publisher(waiter):
                 LOG.info(_("Creating proxy for topic: %s"), topic)
 
@@ -600,8 +593,8 @@ class Connection(rpc_common.Connection):
         self.reactor.consume_in_thread()
 
 
-def _cast(addr, context, msg_id, topic, msg, timeout=None, serialize=True,
-          force_envelope=False):
+def _cast(addr, context, topic, msg, timeout=None, serialize=True,
+          force_envelope=False, _msg_id=None):
     timeout_cast = timeout or CONF.rpc_cast_timeout
     payload = [RpcContext.marshal(context), msg]
 
@@ -610,7 +603,7 @@ def _cast(addr, context, msg_id, topic, msg, timeout=None, serialize=True,
             conn = ZmqClient(addr)
 
             # assumes cast can't return an exception
-            conn.cast(msg_id, topic, payload, serialize, force_envelope)
+            conn.cast(_msg_id, topic, payload, serialize, force_envelope)
         except zmq.ZMQError:
             raise RPCException("Cast failed. ZMQ Socket Exception")
         finally:
@@ -618,7 +611,7 @@ def _cast(addr, context, msg_id, topic, msg, timeout=None, serialize=True,
                 conn.close()
 
 
-def _call(addr, context, msg_id, topic, msg, timeout=None,
+def _call(addr, context, topic, msg, timeout=None,
           serialize=True, force_envelope=False):
     # timeout_response is how long we wait for a response
     timeout = timeout or CONF.rpc_response_timeout
@@ -654,7 +647,7 @@ def _call(addr, context, msg_id, topic, msg, timeout=None,
             )
 
             LOG.debug(_("Sending cast"))
-            _cast(addr, context, msg_id, topic, payload,
+            _cast(addr, context, topic, payload,
                   serialize=serialize, force_envelope=force_envelope)
 
             LOG.debug(_("Cast sent; Waiting reply"))
@@ -662,10 +655,12 @@ def _call(addr, context, msg_id, topic, msg, timeout=None,
             msg = msg_waiter.recv()
             LOG.debug(_("Received message: %s"), msg)
             LOG.debug(_("Unpacking response"))
-            responses = _deserialize(msg[-1])
+            responses = _deserialize(msg[-1])[-1]['args']['response']
         # ZMQError trumps the Timeout error.
         except zmq.ZMQError:
             raise RPCException("ZMQ Socket Error")
+        except (IndexError, KeyError):
+            raise RPCException(_("RPC Message Invalid."))
         finally:
             if 'msg_waiter' in vars():
                 msg_waiter.close()
@@ -682,7 +677,7 @@ def _call(addr, context, msg_id, topic, msg, timeout=None,
 
 
 def _multi_send(method, context, topic, msg, timeout=None, serialize=True,
-                force_envelope=False):
+                force_envelope=False, _msg_id=None):
     """
     Wraps the sending of messages,
     dispatches to the matchmaker and sends
@@ -708,10 +703,10 @@ def _multi_send(method, context, topic, msg, timeout=None, serialize=True,
 
         if method.__name__ == '_cast':
             eventlet.spawn_n(method, _addr, context,
-                             _topic, _topic, msg, timeout, serialize,
-                             force_envelope)
+                             _topic, msg, timeout, serialize,
+                             force_envelope, _msg_id)
             return
-        return method(_addr, context, _topic, _topic, msg, timeout,
+        return method(_addr, context, _topic, msg, timeout,
                       serialize, force_envelope)
 
 
@@ -777,21 +772,9 @@ def _get_ctxt():
     return ZMQ_CTX
 
 
-def _get_matchmaker():
+def _get_matchmaker(*args, **kwargs):
     global matchmaker
     if not matchmaker:
-        # rpc_zmq_matchmaker should be set to a 'module.Class'
-        mm_path = CONF.rpc_zmq_matchmaker.split('.')
-        mm_module = '.'.join(mm_path[:-1])
-        mm_class = mm_path[-1]
-
-        # Only initialize a class.
-        if mm_path[-1][0] not in string.ascii_uppercase:
-            LOG.error(_("Matchmaker could not be loaded.\n"
-                      "rpc_zmq_matchmaker is not a class."))
-            raise RPCException(_("Error loading Matchmaker."))
-
-        mm_impl = importutils.import_module(mm_module)
-        mm_constructor = getattr(mm_impl, mm_class)
-        matchmaker = mm_constructor()
+        matchmaker = importutils.import_object(
+            CONF.rpc_zmq_matchmaker, *args, **kwargs)
     return matchmaker
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/matchmaker.py b/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/matchmaker.py
index 3182d37ed5..2d97ac5e69 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/matchmaker.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/rpc/matchmaker.py
@@ -201,24 +201,25 @@ class FanoutRingExchange(RingExchange):
 
 class LocalhostExchange(Exchange):
     """Exchange where all direct topics are local."""
-    def __init__(self):
+    def __init__(self, host='localhost'):
+        self.host = host
         super(Exchange, self).__init__()
 
     def run(self, key):
-        return [(key.split('.')[0] + '.localhost', 'localhost')]
+        return [('.'.join((key.split('.')[0], self.host)), self.host)]
 
 
 class DirectExchange(Exchange):
     """
     Exchange where all topic keys are split, sending to second half.
-    i.e. "compute.host" sends a message to "compute" running on "host"
+    i.e. "compute.host" sends a message to "compute.host" running on "host"
     """
     def __init__(self):
         super(Exchange, self).__init__()
 
     def run(self, key):
-        b, e = key.split('.', 1)
-        return [(b, e)]
+        e = key.split('.', 1)[1]
+        return [(key, e)]
 
 
 class MatchMakerRing(MatchMakerBase):
@@ -237,11 +238,11 @@ class MatchMakerLocalhost(MatchMakerBase):
     Match Maker where all bare topics resolve to localhost.
     Useful for testing.
     """
-    def __init__(self):
+    def __init__(self, host='localhost'):
         super(MatchMakerLocalhost, self).__init__()
-        self.add_binding(FanoutBinding(), LocalhostExchange())
+        self.add_binding(FanoutBinding(), LocalhostExchange(host))
         self.add_binding(DirectBinding(), DirectExchange())
-        self.add_binding(TopicBinding(), LocalhostExchange())
+        self.add_binding(TopicBinding(), LocalhostExchange(host))
 
 
 class MatchMakerStub(MatchMakerBase):
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/service.py b/quantum/openstack/common/service.py
index e51b8f7d27..d702506627 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/service.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/service.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class Launcher(object):
         :returns: None
 
         """
-        self._services = threadgroup.ThreadGroup('launcher')
+        self._services = threadgroup.ThreadGroup()
         eventlet_backdoor.initialize_if_enabled()
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ class Service(object):
     """Service object for binaries running on hosts."""
 
     def __init__(self, threads=1000):
-        self.tg = threadgroup.ThreadGroup('service', threads)
+        self.tg = threadgroup.ThreadGroup(threads)
 
     def start(self):
         pass
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/setup.py b/quantum/openstack/common/setup.py
index fb187fff46..35680b3048 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/setup.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/setup.py
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ def _get_revno():
     return len(revlist.splitlines())
 
 
-def get_version_from_git(pre_version):
+def _get_version_from_git(pre_version):
     """Return a version which is equal to the tag that's on the current
     revision if there is one, or tag plus number of additional revisions
     if the current revision has no tag."""
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ def get_version_from_git(pre_version):
     return None
 
 
-def get_version_from_pkg_info(package_name):
+def _get_version_from_pkg_info(package_name):
     """Get the version from PKG-INFO file if we can."""
     try:
         pkg_info_file = open('PKG-INFO', 'r')
@@ -325,10 +325,10 @@ def get_version(package_name, pre_version=None):
     version = os.environ.get("OSLO_PACKAGE_VERSION", None)
     if version:
         return version
-    version = get_version_from_pkg_info(package_name)
+    version = _get_version_from_pkg_info(package_name)
     if version:
         return version
-    version = get_version_from_git(pre_version)
+    version = _get_version_from_git(pre_version)
     if version:
         return version
     raise Exception("Versioning for this project requires either an sdist"
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/threadgroup.py b/quantum/openstack/common/threadgroup.py
index d1e12715e8..ecabe0d05a 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/threadgroup.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/threadgroup.py
@@ -38,8 +38,7 @@ class Thread(object):
     :class:`ThreadGroup`. The Thread will notify the :class:`ThreadGroup` when
     it has done so it can be removed from the threads list.
     """
-    def __init__(self, name, thread, group):
-        self.name = name
+    def __init__(self, thread, group):
         self.thread = thread
         self.thread.link(_thread_done, group=group, thread=self)
 
@@ -57,8 +56,7 @@ class ThreadGroup(object):
       when need be).
     * provide an easy API to add timers.
     """
-    def __init__(self, name, thread_pool_size=10):
-        self.name = name
+    def __init__(self, thread_pool_size=10):
         self.pool = greenpool.GreenPool(thread_pool_size)
         self.threads = []
         self.timers = []
@@ -72,7 +70,7 @@ class ThreadGroup(object):
 
     def add_thread(self, callback, *args, **kwargs):
         gt = self.pool.spawn(callback, *args, **kwargs)
-        th = Thread(callback.__name__, gt, self)
+        th = Thread(gt, self)
         self.threads.append(th)
 
     def thread_done(self, thread):
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/timeutils.py b/quantum/openstack/common/timeutils.py
index 0f346087f7..e2c2740573 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/timeutils.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/timeutils.py
@@ -98,6 +98,11 @@ def utcnow():
     return datetime.datetime.utcnow()
 
 
+def iso8601_from_timestamp(timestamp):
+    """Returns a iso8601 formated date from timestamp"""
+    return isotime(datetime.datetime.utcfromtimestamp(timestamp))
+
+
 utcnow.override_time = None
 
 
@@ -162,3 +167,16 @@ def delta_seconds(before, after):
     except AttributeError:
         return ((delta.days * 24 * 3600) + delta.seconds +
                 float(delta.microseconds) / (10 ** 6))
+
+
+def is_soon(dt, window):
+    """
+    Determines if time is going to happen in the next window seconds.
+
+    :params dt: the time
+    :params window: minimum seconds to remain to consider the time not soon
+
+    :return: True if expiration is within the given duration
+    """
+    soon = (utcnow() + datetime.timedelta(seconds=window))
+    return normalize_time(dt) <= soon
diff --git a/quantum/openstack/common/version.py b/quantum/openstack/common/version.py
index 2b6e2a23a3..3a38c584a3 100644
--- a/quantum/openstack/common/version.py
+++ b/quantum/openstack/common/version.py
@@ -33,6 +33,14 @@ class VersionInfo(object):
         self.version = None
         self._cached_version = None
 
+    def __str__(self):
+        """Make the VersionInfo object behave like a string."""
+        return self.version_string()
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        """Include the name."""
+        return "VersionInfo(%s:%s)" % (self.package, self.version_string())
+
     def _get_version_from_pkg_resources(self):
         """Get the version of the package from the pkg_resources record
         associated with the package."""
@@ -41,11 +49,11 @@ class VersionInfo(object):
             provider = pkg_resources.get_provider(requirement)
             return provider.version
         except pkg_resources.DistributionNotFound:
-            # The most likely cause for this is running tests in a tree with
+            # The most likely cause for this is running tests in a tree
             # produced from a tarball where the package itself has not been
-            # installed into anything. Check for a PKG-INFO file.
+            # installed into anything. Revert to setup-time logic.
             from quantum.openstack.common import setup
-            return setup.get_version_from_pkg_info(self.package)
+            return setup.get_version(self.package)
 
     def release_string(self):
         """Return the full version of the package including suffixes indicating
diff --git a/tools/install_venv_common.py b/tools/install_venv_common.py
index 2de8e1c829..8dfc4cf012 100644
--- a/tools/install_venv_common.py
+++ b/tools/install_venv_common.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import os
 import subprocess
 import sys
 
+
 possible_topdir = os.getcwd()
 if os.path.exists(os.path.join(possible_topdir, "quantum",
                                "__init__.py")):