diff --git a/daemon/core/api/grpc/client.py b/daemon/core/api/grpc/client.py
index a8cb324a..96c7ae33 100644
--- a/daemon/core/api/grpc/client.py
+++ b/daemon/core/api/grpc/client.py
@@ -748,9 +748,9 @@ class CoreGrpcClient:
         :raises grpc.RpcError: when session doesn't exist
         """
         defaults = []
-        for node_type in service_defaults:
-            services = service_defaults[node_type]
-            default = ServiceDefaults(node_type=node_type, services=services)
+        for model in service_defaults:
+            services = service_defaults[model]
+            default = ServiceDefaults(model=model, services=services)
             defaults.append(default)
         request = SetServiceDefaultsRequest(session_id=session_id, defaults=defaults)
         response = self.stub.SetServiceDefaults(request)
diff --git a/daemon/core/api/grpc/events.py b/daemon/core/api/grpc/events.py
index b15862ac..1a716364 100644
--- a/daemon/core/api/grpc/events.py
+++ b/daemon/core/api/grpc/events.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def handle_node_event(node_data: NodeData) -> core_pb2.Event:
     node_proto = core_pb2.Node(
         id=node.id,
         name=node.name,
-        model=node.type,
+        model=node.model,
         icon=node.icon,
         position=position,
         geo=geo,
diff --git a/daemon/core/api/grpc/grpcutils.py b/daemon/core/api/grpc/grpcutils.py
index bf4212d6..c0771ced 100644
--- a/daemon/core/api/grpc/grpcutils.py
+++ b/daemon/core/api/grpc/grpcutils.py
@@ -286,7 +286,6 @@ def get_node_proto(
         lat=node.position.lat, lon=node.position.lon, alt=node.position.alt
     )
     services = [x.name for x in node.services]
-    model = node.type
     node_dir = None
     config_services = []
     if isinstance(node, CoreNodeBase):
@@ -341,7 +340,7 @@ def get_node_proto(
         id=node.id,
         name=node.name,
         emane=emane_model,
-        model=model,
+        model=node.model,
         type=node_type.value,
         position=position,
         geo=geo,
@@ -729,8 +728,8 @@ def get_default_services(session: Session) -> List[ServiceDefaults]:
     :return: list of default service sets
     """
     default_services = []
-    for name, services in session.services.default_services.items():
-        default_service = ServiceDefaults(node_type=name, services=services)
+    for model, services in session.services.default_services.items():
+        default_service = ServiceDefaults(model=model, services=services)
         default_services.append(default_service)
     return default_services
 
diff --git a/daemon/core/api/grpc/server.py b/daemon/core/api/grpc/server.py
index af8deee6..6234f959 100644
--- a/daemon/core/api/grpc/server.py
+++ b/daemon/core/api/grpc/server.py
@@ -920,7 +920,7 @@ class CoreGrpcServer(core_pb2_grpc.CoreApiServicer):
         session.services.default_services.clear()
         for service_defaults in request.defaults:
             session.services.default_services[
-                service_defaults.node_type
+                service_defaults.model
             ] = service_defaults.services
         return SetServiceDefaultsResponse(result=True)
 
diff --git a/daemon/core/api/grpc/wrappers.py b/daemon/core/api/grpc/wrappers.py
index 7bbfdd7b..1cb703f5 100644
--- a/daemon/core/api/grpc/wrappers.py
+++ b/daemon/core/api/grpc/wrappers.py
@@ -210,12 +210,12 @@ class Service:
 
 @dataclass
 class ServiceDefault:
-    node_type: str
+    model: str
     services: List[str]
 
     @classmethod
     def from_proto(cls, proto: services_pb2.ServiceDefaults) -> "ServiceDefault":
-        return ServiceDefault(node_type=proto.node_type, services=list(proto.services))
+        return ServiceDefault(model=proto.model, services=list(proto.services))
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -884,9 +884,7 @@ class Session:
     def from_proto(cls, proto: core_pb2.Session) -> "Session":
         nodes: Dict[int, Node] = {x.id: Node.from_proto(x) for x in proto.nodes}
         links = [Link.from_proto(x) for x in proto.links]
-        default_services = {
-            x.node_type: set(x.services) for x in proto.default_services
-        }
+        default_services = {x.model: set(x.services) for x in proto.default_services}
         hooks = {x.file: Hook.from_proto(x) for x in proto.hooks}
         file_path = Path(proto.file) if proto.file else None
         options = ConfigOption.from_dict(proto.options)
@@ -914,9 +912,9 @@ class Session:
         options = {k: v.to_proto() for k, v in self.options.items()}
         servers = [x.to_proto() for x in self.servers]
         default_services = []
-        for node_type, services in self.default_services.items():
+        for model, services in self.default_services.items():
             default_service = services_pb2.ServiceDefaults(
-                node_type=node_type, services=services
+                model=model, services=services
             )
             default_services.append(default_service)
         file = str(self.file) if self.file else None
diff --git a/daemon/core/emulator/session.py b/daemon/core/emulator/session.py
index b5e6e410..84919f3a 100644
--- a/daemon/core/emulator/session.py
+++ b/daemon/core/emulator/session.py
@@ -536,15 +536,15 @@ class Session:
 
         # add services to needed nodes
         if isinstance(node, (CoreNode, PhysicalNode)):
-            node.type = options.model
+            node.model = options.model
             if options.legacy or options.services:
-                logger.debug("set node type: %s", node.type)
-                self.services.add_services(node, node.type, options.services)
+                logger.debug("set node type: %s", node.model)
+                self.services.add_services(node, node.model, options.services)
 
             # add config services
             config_services = options.config_services
             if not options.legacy and not config_services and not node.services:
-                config_services = self.services.default_services.get(node.type, [])
+                config_services = self.services.default_services.get(node.model, [])
             logger.info("setting node config services: %s", config_services)
             for name in config_services:
                 service_class = self.service_manager.get_service(name)
diff --git a/daemon/core/nodes/base.py b/daemon/core/nodes/base.py
index 1fc117df..a9125df1 100644
--- a/daemon/core/nodes/base.py
+++ b/daemon/core/nodes/base.py
@@ -62,11 +62,9 @@ class NodeBase(abc.ABC):
         if _id is None:
             _id = session.next_node_id()
         self.id: int = _id
-        if name is None:
-            name = f"o{self.id}"
-        self.name: str = name
+        self.name: str = name or f"o{self.id}"
         self.server: "DistributedServer" = server
-        self.type: Optional[str] = None
+        self.model: Optional[str] = None
         self.services: CoreServices = []
         self.ifaces: Dict[int, CoreInterface] = {}
         self.iface_id: int = 0
diff --git a/daemon/core/nodes/network.py b/daemon/core/nodes/network.py
index decfdbc0..73eda0da 100644
--- a/daemon/core/nodes/network.py
+++ b/daemon/core/nodes/network.py
@@ -663,7 +663,6 @@ class SwitchNode(CoreNetwork):
 
     apitype: NodeTypes = NodeTypes.SWITCH
     policy: NetworkPolicy = NetworkPolicy.ACCEPT
-    type: str = "lanswitch"
 
 
 class HubNode(CoreNetwork):
@@ -674,7 +673,6 @@ class HubNode(CoreNetwork):
 
     apitype: NodeTypes = NodeTypes.HUB
     policy: NetworkPolicy = NetworkPolicy.ACCEPT
-    type: str = "hub"
 
     def startup(self) -> None:
         """
@@ -694,7 +692,6 @@ class WlanNode(CoreNetwork):
     apitype: NodeTypes = NodeTypes.WIRELESS_LAN
     linktype: LinkTypes = LinkTypes.WIRED
     policy: NetworkPolicy = NetworkPolicy.DROP
-    type: str = "wlan"
 
     def __init__(
         self,
@@ -794,4 +791,3 @@ class TunnelNode(GreTapBridge):
 
     apitype: NodeTypes = NodeTypes.TUNNEL
     policy: NetworkPolicy = NetworkPolicy.ACCEPT
-    type: str = "tunnel"
diff --git a/daemon/core/nodes/physical.py b/daemon/core/nodes/physical.py
index ae1b07af..393d497f 100644
--- a/daemon/core/nodes/physical.py
+++ b/daemon/core/nodes/physical.py
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ class Rj45Node(CoreNodeBase):
     """
 
     apitype: NodeTypes = NodeTypes.RJ45
-    type: str = "rj45"
 
     def __init__(
         self,
diff --git a/daemon/core/plugins/sdt.py b/daemon/core/plugins/sdt.py
index 4532c8ef..48a6cdf0 100644
--- a/daemon/core/plugins/sdt.py
+++ b/daemon/core/plugins/sdt.py
@@ -4,16 +4,18 @@ sdt.py: Scripted Display Tool (SDT3D) helper
 
 import logging
 import socket
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Dict, List, Optional, Set, Tuple
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Dict, List, Optional, Set, Tuple, Type
 from urllib.parse import urlparse
 
-from core.constants import CORE_CONF_DIR, CORE_DATA_DIR
+from core.constants import CORE_CONF_DIR
 from core.emane.nodes import EmaneNet
 from core.emulator.data import LinkData, NodeData
 from core.emulator.enumerations import EventTypes, MessageFlags
 from core.errors import CoreError
-from core.nodes.base import NodeBase
-from core.nodes.network import WlanNode
+from core.nodes.base import CoreNode, NodeBase
+from core.nodes.network import HubNode, SwitchNode, TunnelNode, WlanNode
+from core.nodes.physical import Rj45Node
 from core.nodes.wireless import WirelessNode
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -21,12 +23,22 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from core.emulator.session import Session
 
+LOCAL_ICONS_PATH: Path = Path(__file__).parent.parent / "gui" / "data" / "icons"
 CORE_LAYER: str = "CORE"
 NODE_LAYER: str = "CORE::Nodes"
 LINK_LAYER: str = "CORE::Links"
 WIRED_LINK_LAYER: str = f"{LINK_LAYER}::wired"
 CORE_LAYERS: List[str] = [CORE_LAYER, LINK_LAYER, NODE_LAYER, WIRED_LINK_LAYER]
 DEFAULT_LINK_COLOR: str = "red"
+NODE_TYPES: Dict[Type[NodeBase], str] = {
+    HubNode: "hub",
+    SwitchNode: "lanswitch",
+    TunnelNode: "tunnel",
+    WlanNode: "wlan",
+    EmaneNet: "emane",
+    WirelessNode: "wireless",
+    Rj45Node: "rj45",
+}
 
 
 def is_wireless(node: NodeBase) -> bool:
@@ -52,16 +64,18 @@ class Sdt:
     DEFAULT_ALT: int = 2500
     # TODO: read in user"s nodes.conf here; below are default node types from the GUI
     DEFAULT_SPRITES: Dict[str, str] = [
-        ("router", "router.gif"),
-        ("host", "host.gif"),
-        ("PC", "pc.gif"),
-        ("mdr", "mdr.gif"),
-        ("prouter", "router_green.gif"),
-        ("hub", "hub.gif"),
-        ("lanswitch", "lanswitch.gif"),
-        ("wlan", "wlan.gif"),
-        ("rj45", "rj45.gif"),
-        ("tunnel", "tunnel.gif"),
+        ("router", "router.png"),
+        ("host", "host.png"),
+        ("PC", "pc.png"),
+        ("mdr", "mdr.png"),
+        ("prouter", "prouter.png"),
+        ("hub", "hub.png"),
+        ("lanswitch", "lanswitch.png"),
+        ("wlan", "wlan.png"),
+        ("emane", "emane.png"),
+        ("wireless", "wireless.png"),
+        ("rj45", "rj45.png"),
+        ("tunnel", "tunnel.png"),
     ]
 
     def __init__(self, session: "Session") -> None:
@@ -144,7 +158,7 @@ class Sdt:
 
         :return: initialize command status
         """
-        if not self.cmd(f'path "{CORE_DATA_DIR}/icons/normal"'):
+        if not self.cmd(f'path "{LOCAL_ICONS_PATH.absolute()}"'):
             return False
         # send node type to icon mappings
         for node_type, icon in self.DEFAULT_SPRITES:
@@ -166,7 +180,6 @@ class Sdt:
                 logger.error("error closing socket")
             finally:
                 self.sock = None
-
         self.connected = False
 
     def shutdown(self) -> None:
@@ -194,7 +207,6 @@ class Sdt:
         """
         if self.sock is None:
             return False
-
         try:
             cmd = f"{cmdstr}\n".encode()
             logger.debug("sdt cmd: %s", cmd)
@@ -259,13 +271,14 @@ class Sdt:
         pos = self.get_node_position(node)
         if not pos:
             return
-        node_type = node.type
-        if node_type is None:
-            node_type = type(node).type
+        if isinstance(node, CoreNode):
+            node_type = node.model
+        else:
+            node_type = NODE_TYPES.get(type(node), "PC")
         icon = node.icon
         if icon:
             node_type = node.name
-            icon = icon.replace("$CORE_DATA_DIR", str(CORE_DATA_DIR))
+            icon = icon.replace("$CORE_DATA_DIR", str(LOCAL_ICONS_PATH.absolute()))
             icon = icon.replace("$CORE_CONF_DIR", str(CORE_CONF_DIR))
             self.cmd(f"sprite {node_type} image {icon}")
         self.cmd(
diff --git a/daemon/core/services/coreservices.py b/daemon/core/services/coreservices.py
index f77a2136..6e52b5d6 100644
--- a/daemon/core/services/coreservices.py
+++ b/daemon/core/services/coreservices.py
@@ -234,26 +234,6 @@ class CoreServices:
         """
         self.custom_services.clear()
 
-    def get_default_services(self, node_type: str) -> List[Type["CoreService"]]:
-        """
-        Get the list of default services that should be enabled for a
-        node for the given node type.
-
-        :param node_type: node type to get default services for
-        :return: default services
-        """
-        logger.debug("getting default services for type: %s", node_type)
-        results = []
-        defaults = self.default_services.get(node_type, [])
-        for name in defaults:
-            logger.debug("checking for service with service manager: %s", name)
-            service = ServiceManager.get(name)
-            if not service:
-                logger.warning("default service %s is unknown", name)
-            else:
-                results.append(service)
-        return results
-
     def get_service(
         self, node_id: int, service_name: str, default_service: bool = False
     ) -> "CoreService":
@@ -293,21 +273,21 @@ class CoreServices:
             node_services[service.name] = service
 
     def add_services(
-        self, node: CoreNode, node_type: str, services: List[str] = None
+        self, node: CoreNode, model: str, services: List[str] = None
     ) -> None:
         """
         Add services to a node.
 
         :param node: node to add services to
-        :param node_type: node type to add services to
+        :param model: node model type to add services for
         :param services: names of services to add to node
         :return: nothing
         """
         if not services:
             logger.info(
-                "using default services for node(%s) type(%s)", node.name, node_type
+                "using default services for node(%s) type(%s)", node.name, model
             )
-            services = self.default_services.get(node_type, [])
+            services = self.default_services.get(model, [])
         logger.info("setting services for node(%s): %s", node.name, services)
         for service_name in services:
             service = self.get_service(node.id, service_name, default_service=True)
diff --git a/daemon/core/xml/corexml.py b/daemon/core/xml/corexml.py
index 9a186b8b..49ec72d8 100644
--- a/daemon/core/xml/corexml.py
+++ b/daemon/core/xml/corexml.py
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ class ServiceElement:
 class DeviceElement(NodeElement):
     def __init__(self, session: "Session", node: NodeBase) -> None:
         super().__init__(session, node, "device")
-        add_attribute(self.element, "type", node.type)
+        add_attribute(self.element, "type", node.model)
         self.add_class()
         self.add_services()
 
@@ -434,15 +434,14 @@ class CoreXmlWriter:
             self.scenario.append(service_configurations)
 
     def write_default_services(self) -> None:
-        node_types = etree.Element("default_services")
-        for node_type in self.session.services.default_services:
-            services = self.session.services.default_services[node_type]
-            node_type = etree.SubElement(node_types, "node", type=node_type)
+        models = etree.Element("default_services")
+        for model in self.session.services.default_services:
+            services = self.session.services.default_services[model]
+            model = etree.SubElement(models, "node", type=model)
             for service in services:
-                etree.SubElement(node_type, "service", name=service)
-
-        if node_types.getchildren():
-            self.scenario.append(node_types)
+                etree.SubElement(model, "service", name=service)
+        if models.getchildren():
+            self.scenario.append(models)
 
     def write_nodes(self) -> None:
         for node_id in self.session.nodes:
@@ -586,14 +585,12 @@ class CoreXmlReader:
             return
 
         for node in default_services.iterchildren():
-            node_type = node.get("type")
+            model = node.get("type")
             services = []
             for service in node.iterchildren():
                 services.append(service.get("name"))
-            logger.info(
-                "reading default services for nodes(%s): %s", node_type, services
-            )
-            self.session.services.default_services[node_type] = services
+            logger.info("reading default services for nodes(%s): %s", model, services)
+            self.session.services.default_services[model] = services
 
     def read_session_metadata(self) -> None:
         session_metadata = self.scenario.find("session_metadata")
diff --git a/daemon/proto/core/api/grpc/services.proto b/daemon/proto/core/api/grpc/services.proto
index dc451c40..1b430f99 100644
--- a/daemon/proto/core/api/grpc/services.proto
+++ b/daemon/proto/core/api/grpc/services.proto
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ message ServiceAction {
 }
 
 message ServiceDefaults {
-    string node_type = 1;
+    string model = 1;
     repeated string services = 2;
 }
 
diff --git a/daemon/tests/test_grpc.py b/daemon/tests/test_grpc.py
index 5fc56383..27ebcfc5 100644
--- a/daemon/tests/test_grpc.py
+++ b/daemon/tests/test_grpc.py
@@ -641,16 +641,16 @@ class TestGrpc:
         # given
         client = CoreGrpcClient()
         session = grpc_server.coreemu.create_session()
-        node_type = "test"
+        model = "test"
         services = ["SSH"]
 
         # then
         with client.context_connect():
-            result = client.set_service_defaults(session.id, {node_type: services})
+            result = client.set_service_defaults(session.id, {model: services})
 
         # then
         assert result is True
-        assert session.services.default_services[node_type] == services
+        assert session.services.default_services[model] == services
 
     def test_get_node_service(self, grpc_server: CoreGrpcServer):
         # given
diff --git a/daemon/tests/test_services.py b/daemon/tests/test_services.py
index bbccaaac..69234e3a 100644
--- a/daemon/tests/test_services.py
+++ b/daemon/tests/test_services.py
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ class TestServices:
         total_service = len(node.services)
 
         # when
-        session.services.add_services(node, node.type, [SERVICE_ONE, SERVICE_TWO])
+        session.services.add_services(node, node.model, [SERVICE_ONE, SERVICE_TWO])
 
         # then
         assert node.services