diff --git a/planetstack/core/models/site.py b/planetstack/core/models/site.py
index 81bf5f3..53a1a6c 100644
--- a/planetstack/core/models/site.py
+++ b/planetstack/core/models/site.py
@@ -28,17 +28,9 @@
     def __unicode__(self):  return u'%s %s %s' % (self.site, self.user, self.role)
 
     def save(self, *args, **kwds):
-        if not hasattr(self, 'os_manager'):
-            from openstack.manager import OpenStackManager
-            setattr(self, 'os_manager', OpenStackManager())
-            self.os_manager.driver.add_user_role(self.user.kuser_id, self.site.tenant_id, self.role.role_type)
         super(SitePrivilege, self).save(*args, **kwds)
 
     def delete(self, *args, **kwds):
-        if not hasattr(self, 'os_manager'):
-            from openstack.manager import OpenStackManager
-            setattr(self, 'os_manager', OpenStackManager())
-            self.os_manager.driver.delete_user_role(self.user.kuser_id, self.site.tenant_id, self.role.role_type)
         super(SitePrivilege, self).delete(*args, **kwds)
 
 
diff --git a/planetstack/core/models/slice.py b/planetstack/core/models/slice.py
index da9379d..63754e4 100644
--- a/planetstack/core/models/slice.py
+++ b/planetstack/core/models/slice.py
@@ -44,17 +44,7 @@
     def __unicode__(self):  return u'%s %s %s' % (self.slice, self.user, self.role)
 
     def save(self, *args, **kwds):
-        if not hasattr(self, 'os_manager'):
-            from openstack.manager import OpenStackManager
-            setattr(self, 'os_manager', OpenStackManager())
-            if self.os_manager.driver:
-                self.os_manager.driver.add_user_role(self.user.kuser_id, self.slice.tenant_id, self.role.role_type)
         super(SliceMembership, self).save(*args, **kwds)
 
     def delete(self, *args, **kwds):
-        if not hasattr(self, 'os_manager'):
-            from openstack.manager import OpenStackManager
-            setattr(self, 'os_manager', OpenStackManager())
-            if self.os_manager.driver:
-                self.os_manager.driver.delete_user_role(self.user.kuser_id, self.slice.tenant_id, self.role.role_type)
         super(SliceMembership, self).delete(*args, **kwds)
diff --git a/planetstack/openstack/backend.py b/planetstack/openstack/backend.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..340b29b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/planetstack/openstack/backend.py
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+import threading
+from openstack.sliveragent import SliverAgent
+from openstack.observer import OpenStackObserver
+from openstack.event_listener import EventListener
+
+class Backend:
+    
+    def run(self):
+        # start the openstack observer
+        observer = OpenStackObserver()
+        observer_thread = threading.Thread(target=observer.run)
+        observer_thread.start()
+
+        # start event listene
+        event_listener = EventListener()
+        event_listener_thread = threading.Thread(target=event_listener.run)
+        event_listener_thread.start()
+                
diff --git a/planetstack/openstack/client.py b/planetstack/openstack/client.py
index 4563e46..1a6386d 100644
--- a/planetstack/openstack/client.py
+++ b/planetstack/openstack/client.py
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@
     from quantumclient.v2_0 import client as quantum_client
     from nova.db.sqlalchemy import api as nova_db_api 
     from nova.context import get_admin_context
+    from keystone.common.sql import core  
+    core.CONF(args=[], project='keystone', default_config_files=['/etc/keystone/keystone.conf'])
+    from keystone.identity.backends.sql import Metadata
     has_openstack = True
 except:
     has_openstack = False
@@ -59,6 +62,17 @@
         if '@' in self.username:
             self.username = self.username[:self.username.index('@')]
 
+class KeystoneDB:
+    @require_enabled
+    def get_session(self):
+        return core.Base().get_session()
+
+    @require_enabled
+    def get_metadata(self):
+        session = self.get_session()
+        return session.query(Metadata).all()     
+
+
 class KeystoneClient(Client):
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwds):
         Client.__init__(self, *args, **kwds)
@@ -154,6 +168,7 @@
     def __init__ ( self, *args, **kwds) :
         # instantiate managers
         self.keystone = KeystoneClient(*args, **kwds)
+        self.keystone_db = KeystoneDB()
         self.glance = GlanceClient(*args, **kwds)
         self.nova = NovaClient(*args, **kwds)
         self.nova_db = NovaDB(*args, **kwds)
diff --git a/planetstack/openstack/event_listener.py b/planetstack/openstack/event_listener.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d3f0abf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/planetstack/openstack/event_listener.py
@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+import threading
+import requests, json
+from core.models import *
+from openstack.manager import OpenStackManager
+
+# decorator that marks dispatachable event methods  
+def event(func):
+    setattr(func, 'event', func.__name__)
+    return func      
+
+class EventHandler:
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.manager = OpenStackManager()
+
+    def get_events(self):
+        events = []
+        for attrib in dir(self):
+            if hasattr(attrib, 'event'):
+                events.append(getattr(attrib, 'event'))
+        return events
+
+    def dispatch(self, event, *args, **kwds):
+        if hasattr(self, event):
+            return getattr(self, event)(*args, **kwds)
+            
+        
+    @event
+    def save_site(self, id):
+        sites = Site.objects.filter(id=id)
+        if sites:
+            self.manager.save_site(sites[0])
+    
+    @event
+    def delete_site(self, tenant_id):
+        self.manager.driver.delete_tenant(tenant_id)
+
+    @event
+    def save_site_privilege(self, id):
+        site_privileges = SitePrivilege.objects.filter(id=id)
+        if site_privileges:
+            site_priv = self.manager.save_site_privilege(site_privileges[0])
+
+    @event
+    def delete_site_privilege(self, kuser_id, tenant_id, role_type):
+        self.manager.driver.delete_user_role(kuser_id, tenant_id, role_type)
+
+    @event
+    def save_slice(self, id):
+        slices = Slice.objects.filter(id=id)
+        if slices:
+            self.manager.save_slice(slices[0])
+    
+    @event
+    def delete_slice(self, tenant_id, network_id, router_id, subnet_id):
+        self.manager._delete_slice(tenant_id, network_id, router_id, subnet_id)
+
+    @event
+    def save_user(self, id):
+        users = User.objects.filter(id=id)
+        if users:
+            self.manager.save_user(users[0])
+        
+    @event
+    def delete_user(self, kuser_id):
+        self.manager.driver.delete_user(kuser_id)
+    
+    @event
+    def save_sliver(self, id):
+        slivers = Sliver.objects.filter(id=id)
+        if slivers:
+            self.manager.save_sliver(slivers[0])
+
+    @event
+    def delete_sliver(self, instance_id):
+        self.manager.destroy_instance(instance_id)                            
+
+    
+
+class EventListener:
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.handler = EventHandler()
+
+    def listen_for_event(self, event, hash):
+        url = 'http://www.feefie.com/command'
+        params = {'action': 'subscribe',
+                  'hash': hash,
+                  'htm': 1}
+        while True:
+            r = requests.get(url, params=params)
+            r_data = json.loads(r)
+            payload = r_data.get('payload')
+            self.handler.dispatch(event, **payload)
+
+
+    def run(self):
+        # register events
+        event_names = [{'title': name} for name in self.handler.get_events()]
+        url = 'http://www.feefie.com/command'
+        params = {'action': 'add',
+                  'u': 'pl',
+                  'events': event_names}
+        r = requests.get(url, params=params)
+        print dir(r)
+        print r
+        r_data = json.loads(r)
+        events = r_data.get('events', [])
+        # spanw a  thread for each event
+        for event in events:
+            args = (event['title'], event['hash'])
+            listener_thread = threading.Thread(target=self.listen_for_event, args=args)
+            listener_tread.start()
+                                    
diff --git a/planetstack/openstack/manager.py b/planetstack/openstack/manager.py
index a5d3f4a..8016888 100644
--- a/planetstack/openstack/manager.py
+++ b/planetstack/openstack/manager.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 import string
 import random
 import hashlib
+from datetime import datetime
 
 from netaddr import IPAddress, IPNetwork
 from planetstack import settings
@@ -118,6 +119,10 @@
             self.init_caller(user, user.site.login_base)
             self.save_key(user.public_key, user.keyname)
             self.init_admin()
+
+        user.save()
+        user.enacted = datetime.now()
+        user.save(update_fields=['enacted'])
   
     @require_enabled
     def delete_user(self, user):
@@ -140,12 +145,34 @@
                                       description=site.name,
                                       enabled=site.enabled)
 
+        # commit the updated record
+        site.save()
+        site.enacted = datetime.now()
+        site.save(update_fields=['enacted']) # enusre enacted > updated  
+        
+
     @require_enabled
     def delete_site(self, site):
         if site.tenant_id:
             self.driver.delete_tenant(site.tenant_id)
                
     @require_enabled
+    def save_site_privilege(self, site_priv):
+        if site_priv.user.kuser_id and site_priv.site.tenant_id:
+            self.driver.add_user_role(site_priv.user.kuser_id,
+                                      site_priv.site.tenant_id,
+                                      site_priv.role.role_type)
+        site_priv.enacted = datetime.now()
+        site_priv.save(update_fields=['enacted'])
+
+    
+    @require_enabled
+    def delete_site_privilege(self, site_priv):
+        self.driver.delete_user_role(site_priv.user.kuser_id, 
+                                     site_priv.site.tenant_id, 
+                                     site_priv.role.role_type)
+
+    @require_enabled
     def save_slice(self, slice):
         if not slice.tenant_id:
             nova_fields = {'tenant_name': slice.name,
@@ -186,30 +213,55 @@
             # add subnet as interface to slice's router
             self.driver.add_router_interface(router['id'], subnet['id'])
             # add external route
-            self.driver.add_external_route(subnet)               
- 
+            self.driver.add_external_route(subnet)
+
 
         if slice.id and slice.tenant_id:
             self.driver.update_tenant(slice.tenant_id,
                                       description=slice.description,
-                                      enabled=slice.enabled)    
+                                      enabled=slice.enabled)   
+
+        slice.save()
+        slice.enacted = datetime.now()
+        slice.save(update_fields=['enacted']) 
 
     @require_enabled
     def delete_slice(self, slice):
         if slice.tenant_id:
-            self.driver.delete_router_interface(slice.router_id, slice.subnet_id)
-            self.driver.delete_subnet(slice.subnet_id)
-            self.driver.delete_router(slice.router_id)
-            self.driver.delete_network(slice.network_id)
-            self.driver.delete_tenant(slice.tenant_id)
-            # delete external route
-            subnet = None 
-            subnets = self.driver.shell.quantum.list_subnets()['subnets']
-            for snet in subnets:
-                if snet['id'] == slice.subnet_id:
-                    subnet = snet
-            if subnet:
-                self.driver.delete_external_route(subnet)
+            self._delete_slice(slice.tenant_id, slice.network_id, 
+                               slice.router_id, slice.subnet_id)
+    @require_enabled
+    def _delete_slice(self, tenant_id, network_id, router_id, subnet_id):
+        self.driver.delete_router_interface(slice.router_id, slice.subnet_id)
+        self.driver.delete_subnet(slice.subnet_id)
+        self.driver.delete_router(slice.router_id)
+        self.driver.delete_network(slice.network_id)
+        self.driver.delete_tenant(slice.tenant_id)
+        # delete external route
+        subnet = None
+        subnets = self.driver.shell.quantum.list_subnets()['subnets']
+        for snet in subnets:
+            if snet['id'] == slice.subnet_id:
+                subnet = snet
+        if subnet:
+            self.driver.delete_external_route(subnet) 
+
+    
+    @require_enabled
+    def save_slice_membership(self, slice_memb):
+        if slice_memb.user.kuser_id and slice_memb.slice.tenant_id:
+            self.driver.add_user_role(slice_memb.user.kuser_id,
+                                      slice_memb.slice.tenant_id,
+                                      slice_memb.role.role_type)
+        slice_memb.enacted = datetime.now()
+        slice_memb.save(update_fields=['enacted'])
+
+
+    @require_enabled
+    def delete_slice_membership(self, slice_memb):
+        self.driver.delete_user_role(slice_memb.user.kuser_id,
+                                     slice_memb.slice.tenant_id,
+                                     slice_memb.role.role_type)
 
 
     @require_enabled
@@ -266,6 +318,10 @@
         if sliver.instance_id and ("numberCores" in sliver.changed_fields):
             self.driver.update_instance_metadata(sliver.instance_id, {"cpu_cores": str(sliver.numberCores)})
 
+        sliver.save()
+        sliver.enacted = datetime.now()
+        sliver.save(update_fields=['enacted'])
+
     @require_enabled
     def delete_sliver(self, sliver):
         if sliver.instance_id:
diff --git a/planetstack/openstack/observer.py b/planetstack/openstack/observer.py
index 872cf58..c14b2cb 100644
--- a/planetstack/openstack/observer.py
+++ b/planetstack/openstack/observer.py
@@ -1,11 +1,15 @@
 import time
 import traceback
 from datetime import datetime
+from collections import defaultdict
 from core.models import *
 from django.db.models import F, Q
 from openstack.manager import OpenStackManager
+from util.logger import Logger, logging
 
 
+logger = Logger(logfile='observer.log', level=logging.INFO)
+
 class OpenStackObserver:
     
     def __init__(self):
@@ -19,8 +23,9 @@
                 #self.sync_roles()
                 self.sync_tenants()
                 self.sync_users()
-                #self.sync_user_tenant_roles()
+                self.sync_user_tenant_roles()
                 self.sync_slivers()
+                self.sync_sliver_ips()
                 time.sleep(7)
             except:
                 traceback.print_exc() 
@@ -37,16 +42,25 @@
         pending_role_names = [r.role_type for r in pending_roles] 
         for role in pending_roles:
             if role.role_type not in keystone_role_names:
-                self.manager.save_role(role)
+                try:
+                    self.manager.save_role(role)
+                    logger.info("save role: %s" % (role))
+                except:
+                    logger.log_exc("save role failed: %s" % role)  
+                    traceback.print_exc()
 
-
-        # delete keystone roles that don't exist in planetstack 
+        # don't delete roles for now 
+        """ 
+        # delete keystone roles that don't exist in planetstack
         for keystone_role in keystone_roles:
             if keystone_role.name == 'admin':
                 continue
             if keystone_role.name not in pending_role_names:
-                pass
-                #self.manager.driver.delete_role({id: keystone_role.id})
+                try:
+                    self.manager.driver.delete_role({id: keystone_role.id})
+                except:
+                    traceback.print_exc()
+        """
 
     def sync_tenants(self):
         """
@@ -57,19 +71,21 @@
         # get all sites that need to be synced (enacted < updated or enacted is None)
         pending_sites = Site.objects.filter(Q(enacted__lt=F('updated')) | Q(enacted=None))
         for site in pending_sites:
-            self.manager.save_site(site)
-            site.save()
-            site.enacted = datetime.now()
-            site.save(update_fields=['enacted'])
+            try:
+                self.manager.save_site(site)
+                logger.info("saved site %s" % site)
+            except:
+                logger.log_exc("save site failed: %s" % site)
 
         # get all slices that need to be synced (enacted < updated or enacted is None)
         pending_slices = Slice.objects.filter(Q(enacted__lt=F('updated')) | Q(enacted=None))
         for slice in pending_slices:
-            self.manager.init_caller(slice.creator, slice.creator.site.login_base)
-            self.manager.save_slice(slice)
-            slice.save()
-            slice.enacted = datetime.now()
-            slice.save(update_fields=['enacted'])
+            try:
+                self.manager.init_caller(slice.creator, slice.creator.site.login_base)
+                self.manager.save_slice(slice)
+                logger.info("saved slice %s" % slice)
+            except:
+                logger.log_exc("save slice failed: %s" % slice)
 
         # get all sites that where enacted != null. We can assume these sites
         # have previously been synced and need to be checed for deletion.
@@ -87,13 +103,16 @@
 
         # delete keystone tenants that don't have a site record
         tenants = self.manager.driver.shell.keystone.tenants.findall()
+        system_tenants = ['admin','service']
         for tenant in tenants:
             if tenant.name == 'admin': 
                 continue
             if tenant.name not in site_dict and tenant.name not in slice_dict:
-                #print "delete " + tenant.name
-                pass
-                #self.manager.driver.delete_tenant(tenant.id)
+                try:
+                    self.manager.driver.delete_tenant(tenant.id)
+                    logger.info("deleted tenant: %s" % (tenant))
+                except:
+                    logger.log_exc("delete tenant failed: %s" % tenant)
 
 
     def sync_users(self):
@@ -104,10 +123,11 @@
         # get all users that need to be synced (enacted < updated or enacted is None)
         pending_users = User.objects.filter(Q(enacted__lt=F('updated')) | Q(enacted=None))
         for user in pending_users:
-            self.manager.save_user(user)
-            user.save()
-            user.enacted = datetime.now()
-            user.save(update_fields=['enacted'])
+            try:
+                self.manager.save_user(user)
+                logger.info("saved user: %s" % (user))
+            except:
+                logger.log_exc("save user failed: %s" %user)
 
         # get all users that where enacted != null. We can assume these users
         # have previously been synced and need to be checed for deletion.
@@ -117,15 +137,87 @@
             user_dict[user.kuser_id] = user
 
         # delete keystone users that don't have a user record
+        system_users = ['admin', 'nova', 'quantum', 'glance', 'cinder', 'swift', 'service']
         users = self.manager.driver.shell.keystone.users.findall()
         for user in users:
-            if user.name == 'admin':
+            if user.name in system_users:
                 continue
             if user.id not in user_dict:
-                pass
-                #self.manager.driver.delete_user(user.id)
-        
-        
+                try:
+                    #self.manager.driver.delete_user(user.id)
+                    logger.info("deleted user: %s" % user)
+                except:
+                    logger.log_exc("delete user failed: %s" % user)
+                    
+
+    def sync_user_tenant_roles(self):
+        """
+        Save all site privileges and slice memberships wheree enacted < updated or 
+        enacted == None. Remove ones that don't exist in openstack db if they have 
+        an enacted time (enacted != None).
+        """
+        # sync site privileges
+        pending_site_privileges = SitePrivilege.objects.filter(Q(enacted__lt=F('updated')) | Q(enacted=None))
+        for site_priv in pending_site_privileges:
+            try:
+                self.manager.save_site_privilege(site_priv)  
+                logger.info("saved site privilege: %s" % (site_priv))
+            except: logger.log_exc("save site privilege failed: %s " % site_priv)
+
+        # sync slice memberships
+        pending_slice_memberships = SliceMembership.objects.filter(Q(enacted__lt=F('updated')) | Q(enacted=None))
+        for slice_memb in pending_slice_memberships:
+            try:
+                self.manager.save_slice_membership(slice_memb)
+                logger.info("saved slice membership: %s" % (slice_memb))
+            except: logger.log_exc("save slice membership failed: %s" % slice_memb)
+
+        # get all site privileges and slice memberships that have been enacted 
+        user_tenant_roles = defaultdict(list)
+        for site_priv in SitePrivilege.objects.filter(enacted__isnull=False):
+            user_tenant_roles[(site_priv.user.kuser_id, site_priv.site.tenant_id)].append(site_priv.role.role)
+        for slice_memb in SliceMembership.objects.filter(enacted__isnull=False):
+            user_tenant_roles[(slice_memb.user.kuser_id, slice_memb.slice.tenant_id)].append(slice_memb.role.role)  
+ 
+        # Some user tenant role aren't stored in planetstack but they must be preserved. 
+        # Role that fall in this category are
+        # 1. Never remove a user's role that their home site
+        # 2. Never remove a user's role at a slice they've created.
+        # Keep track of all roles that must be preserved.     
+        users = User.objects.all()
+        preserved_roles = {}
+        for user in users:
+            tenant_ids = [s['tenant_id'] for s in user.slices.values()]
+            tenant_ids.append(user.site.tenant_id) 
+            preserved_roles[user.kuser_id] = tenant_ids
+
+ 
+        # begin removing user tenant roles from keystone. This is stored in the 
+        # Metadata table.
+        for metadata in self.manager.driver.shell.keystone_db.get_metadata():
+            # skip admin roles
+            if metadata.user_id == self.manager.driver.admin_user.id:
+                continue
+            # skip preserved tenant ids
+            if metadata.user_id in preserved_roles and \
+               metadata.tenant_id in preserved_roles[metadata.user_id]: 
+                continue           
+            # get roles for user at this tenant
+            user_tenant_role_ids = user_tenant_roles.get((metadata.user_id, metadata.tenant_id), [])
+
+            if user_tenant_role_ids:
+                # The user has roles at the tenant. Check if roles need to 
+                # be updated.
+                user_keystone_role_ids = metadata.data.get('roles', [])
+                for role_id in user_keystone_role_ids:
+                    if role_id not in user_tenant_role_ids: 
+                        user_keystone_role_ids.pop(user_keystone_role_ids.index(role_id))
+            else:
+                # The user has no roles at this tenant. 
+                metadata.data['roles'] = [] 
+            #session.add(metadata)
+            logger.info("pruning metadata for %s at %s" % (metadata.user_id, metadata.tenant_id))
+ 
     def sync_slivers(self):
         """
         save all slivers where enacted < updated or enacted == None. Remove slivers that
@@ -134,13 +226,14 @@
         # get all users that need to be synced (enacted < updated or enacted is None)
         pending_slivers = Sliver.objects.filter(Q(enacted__lt=F('updated')) | Q(enacted=None))
         for sliver in pending_slivers:
-            if not sliver.instance_id and sliver.creator:  
-                # update manager context
-                self.manager.init_caller(sliver.creator, sliver.slice.name)
-                self.manager.save_sliver(sliver)
-                sliver.save()
-                sliver.enacted = datetime.now()
-                sliver.save(update_fields=['enacted'])
+            if not sliver.instance_id and sliver.creator: 
+                try: 
+                    # update manager context
+                    self.manager.init_caller(sliver.creator, sliver.slice.name)
+                    self.manager.save_sliver(sliver)
+                    logger.info("saved sliver: %s %s" % (sliver))
+                except:
+                    logger.log_exc("save sliver failed: %s" % sliver) 
 
         # get all slivers that where enacted != null. We can assume these users
         # have previously been synced and need to be checed for deletion.
@@ -154,8 +247,29 @@
         instances = self.manager.driver.shell.nova_db.instance_get_all(ctx)
         for instance in instances:
             if instance.id not in sliver_dict:
-                # lookup tenant and update context  
-                #tenant = self.manager.driver.shell.keystone.tenants.findall(id=instance.tenant_id) 
-                #self.manager.init_admin(tenant=tenant.name)  
-                #self.manager.driver.destroy_instance(instance.id)
-                pass
+                try:
+                    # lookup tenant and update context  
+                    tenant = self.manager.driver.shell.keystone.tenants.find(id=instance.project_id) 
+                    self.manager.init_admin(tenant=tenant.name)  
+                    self.manager.driver.destroy_instance(instance.id)
+                    logger.info("destroyed sliver: %s" % (instance))
+                except:
+                    logger.log_exc("destroy sliver failed: %s" % instance) 
+                
+
+    def sync_sliver_ips(self):
+        # fill in null ip addresses
+        slivers = Sliver.objects.filter(ip=None)
+        for sliver in slivers:
+            # update connection
+            self.manager.init_admin(tenant=sliver.slice.name)
+            servers = self.manager.client.nova.servers.findall(id=sliver.instance_id)
+            if not servers:
+                continue
+            server = servers[0]
+            ips = server.addresses.get(sliver.slice.name, [])
+            if not ips:
+                continue
+            sliver.ip = ips[0]['addr']
+            sliver.save()
+            logger.info("saved sliver ip: %s %s" % (sliver, ips[0]))
diff --git a/planetstack/plstackapi-debug-server.py b/planetstack/plstackapi-debug-server.py
index a78cfe7..e120d72 100644
--- a/planetstack/plstackapi-debug-server.py
+++ b/planetstack/plstackapi-debug-server.py
@@ -1,12 +1,10 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python
 import os
 import sys
-import threading
 
 os.environ.setdefault("DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE", "planetstack.settings")
-from planetstack.config import Config 
-from openstack.sliveragent import SliverAgent
-from openstack.observer import OpenStackObserver
+from planetstack.config import Config
+from openstack.backend import Backend 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
 
@@ -17,16 +15,9 @@
     args = [__file__, 'runserver', url] 
 
     
-    # start the sliver agent thread
-    sliver_agent = SliverAgent()
-    sliver_agent_thread = threading.Thread(target=sliver_agent.run)
-    sliver_agent_thread.start()
-
-    # start the openstack observer
-    observer = OpenStackObserver()
-    observer_thread = threading.Thread(target=observer.run)
-    observer_thread.start()
-
+    backend = Backend()
+    backend.run()
+ 
     # start the server
     server = ManagementUtility(args)
     server.execute()
diff --git a/planetstack/util/logging.py b/planetstack/util/logging.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 91e47d0..0000000
--- a/planetstack/util/logging.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,205 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/python
-
-#----------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Copyright (c) 2008 Board of Trustees, Princeton University
-#
-# Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining
-# a copy of this software and/or hardware specification (the "Work") to
-# deal in the Work without restriction, including without limitation the
-# rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense,
-# and/or sell copies of the Work, and to permit persons to whom the Work
-# is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
-#
-# The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be
-# included in all copies or substantial portions of the Work.
-#
-# THE WORK IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS 
-# OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF 
-# MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND 
-# NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT 
-# HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, 
-# WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, 
-# OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE WORK OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS 
-# IN THE WORK.
-#----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-import os, sys
-import traceback
-import logging, logging.handlers
-
-CRITICAL=logging.CRITICAL
-ERROR=logging.ERROR
-WARNING=logging.WARNING
-INFO=logging.INFO
-DEBUG=logging.DEBUG
-
-# a logger that can handle tracebacks 
-class Logger:
-    def __init__ (self,logfile=None,loggername=None,level=logging.INFO):
-        # default is to locate loggername from the logfile if avail.
-        if not logfile:
-            #loggername='console'
-            #handler=logging.StreamHandler()
-            #handler.setFormatter(logging.Formatter("%(levelname)s %(message)s"))
-            logfile = "/var/log/planetstack.log"
-
-        if not loggername:
-            loggername=os.path.basename(logfile)
-        try:
-            handler=logging.handlers.RotatingFileHandler(logfile,maxBytes=1000000, backupCount=5) 
-        except IOError:
-            # This is usually a permissions error becaue the file is
-            # owned by root, but httpd is trying to access it.
-            tmplogfile=os.getenv("TMPDIR", "/tmp") + os.path.sep + os.path.basename(logfile)
-            # In strange uses, 2 users on same machine might use same code,
-            # meaning they would clobber each others files
-            # We could (a) rename the tmplogfile, or (b)
-            # just log to the console in that case.
-            # Here we default to the console.
-            if os.path.exists(tmplogfile) and not os.access(tmplogfile,os.W_OK):
-                loggername = loggername + "-console"
-                handler = logging.StreamHandler()
-            else:
-                handler=logging.handlers.RotatingFileHandler(tmplogfile,maxBytes=1000000, backupCount=5) 
-        handler.setFormatter(logging.Formatter("%(asctime)s - %(levelname)s - %(message)s"))
-        self.logger=logging.getLogger(loggername)
-        self.logger.setLevel(level)
-        # check if logger already has the handler we're about to add
-        handler_exists = False
-        for l_handler in self.logger.handlers:
-            if l_handler.baseFilename == handler.baseFilename and \
-               l_handler.level == handler.level:
-                handler_exists = True 
-
-        if not handler_exists:
-            self.logger.addHandler(handler)
-
-        self.loggername=loggername
-
-    def setLevel(self,level):
-        self.logger.setLevel(level)
-
-    # shorthand to avoid having to import logging all over the place
-    def setLevelDebug(self):
-        self.logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
-
-    def debugEnabled (self):
-        return self.logger.getEffectiveLevel() == logging.DEBUG
-
-    # define a verbose option with s/t like
-    # parser.add_option("-v", "--verbose", action="count", dest="verbose", default=0)
-    # and pass the coresponding options.verbose to this method to adjust level
-    def setLevelFromOptVerbose(self,verbose):
-        if verbose==0:
-            self.logger.setLevel(logging.WARNING)
-        elif verbose==1:
-            self.logger.setLevel(logging.INFO)
-        elif verbose>=2:
-            self.logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
-    # in case some other code needs a boolean
-    def getBoolVerboseFromOpt(self,verbose):
-        return verbose>=1
-    def getBoolDebugFromOpt(self,verbose):
-        return verbose>=2
-
-    ####################
-    def info(self, msg):
-        self.logger.info(msg)
-
-    def debug(self, msg):
-        self.logger.debug(msg)
-        
-    def warn(self, msg):
-        self.logger.warn(msg)
-
-    # some code is using logger.warn(), some is using logger.warning()
-    def warning(self, msg):
-        self.logger.warning(msg)
-   
-    def error(self, msg):
-        self.logger.error(msg)    
- 
-    def critical(self, msg):
-        self.logger.critical(msg)
-
-    # logs an exception - use in an except statement
-    def log_exc(self,message):
-        self.error("%s BEG TRACEBACK"%message+"\n"+traceback.format_exc().strip("\n"))
-        self.error("%s END TRACEBACK"%message)
-    
-    def log_exc_critical(self,message):
-        self.critical("%s BEG TRACEBACK"%message+"\n"+traceback.format_exc().strip("\n"))
-        self.critical("%s END TRACEBACK"%message)
-    
-    # for investigation purposes, can be placed anywhere
-    def log_stack(self,message):
-        to_log="".join(traceback.format_stack())
-        self.info("%s BEG STACK"%message+"\n"+to_log)
-        self.info("%s END STACK"%message)
-
-    def enable_console(self, stream=sys.stdout):
-        formatter = logging.Formatter("%(message)s")
-        handler = logging.StreamHandler(stream)
-        handler.setFormatter(formatter)
-        self.logger.addHandler(handler)
-
-
-info_logger = Logger(loggername='info', level=logging.INFO)
-debug_logger = Logger(loggername='debug', level=logging.DEBUG)
-warn_logger = Logger(loggername='warning', level=logging.WARNING)
-error_logger = Logger(loggername='error', level=logging.ERROR)
-critical_logger = Logger(loggername='critical', level=logging.CRITICAL)
-logger = info_logger
-########################################
-import time
-
-def profile(logger):
-    """
-    Prints the runtime of the specified callable. Use as a decorator, e.g.,
-    
-    @profile(logger)
-    def foo(...):
-        ...
-    """
-    def logger_profile(callable):
-        def wrapper(*args, **kwds):
-            start = time.time()
-            result = callable(*args, **kwds)
-            end = time.time()
-            args = map(str, args)
-            args += ["%s = %s" % (name, str(value)) for (name, value) in kwds.iteritems()]
-            # should probably use debug, but then debug is not always enabled
-            logger.info("PROFILED %s (%s): %.02f s" % (callable.__name__, ", ".join(args), end - start))
-            return result
-        return wrapper
-    return logger_profile
-
-
-if __name__ == '__main__': 
-    print 'testing logging into logger.log'
-    logger1=Logger('logger.log', loggername='std(info)')
-    logger2=Logger('logger.log', loggername='error', level=logging.ERROR)
-    logger3=Logger('logger.log', loggername='debug', level=logging.DEBUG)
-    
-    for (logger,msg) in [ (logger1,"std(info)"),(logger2,"error"),(logger3,"debug")]:
-        
-        print "====================",msg, logger.logger.handlers
-   
-        logger.enable_console()
-        logger.critical("logger.critical")
-        logger.error("logger.error")
-        logger.warn("logger.warning")
-        logger.info("logger.info")
-        logger.debug("logger.debug")
-        logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
-        logger.debug("logger.debug again")
-    
-        @profile(logger)
-        def sleep(seconds = 1):
-            time.sleep(seconds)
-
-        logger.info('console.info')
-        sleep(0.5)
-        logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
-        sleep(0.25)
-