diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 653c4091..4cfea830 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -8,55 +8,65 @@
 #
 
 if WANT_DOCS
-  DOCS			= doc
+  DOCS = doc
 endif
+
 if WANT_GUI
-  GUI			= gui
+  GUI = gui
 endif
+
 if WANT_DAEMON
-  DAEMON		= scripts daemon
+  DAEMON = scripts daemon
 endif
+
 if WANT_NETNS
-  NETNS 		= netns ns3
+  NETNS = netns ns3
 endif
 
 # keep docs last due to dependencies on binaries
-SUBDIRS			= ${GUI} ${DAEMON} ${DOCS} ${NETNS}
+SUBDIRS = $(GUI) $(DAEMON) $(NETNS) $(DOCS)
 
-ACLOCAL_AMFLAGS 	= -I config
+ACLOCAL_AMFLAGS = -I config
 
 # extra files to include with distribution tarball
-EXTRA_DIST		= bootstrap.sh LICENSE \
- 			  README.md ASSIGNMENT_OF_COPYRIGHT.pdf \
-			  Changelog \
-			  python-prefix.py revision.sh \
-			  .version .version.date
+EXTRA_DIST = bootstrap.sh \
+	     LICENSE \
+	     README.md \
+	     ASSIGNMENT_OF_COPYRIGHT.pdf \
+	     Changelog \
+	     python-prefix.py \
+	     revision.sh \
+	     .version \
+	     .version.date
 
-DISTCLEAN_TARGETS	= aclocal.m4 config.h.in
+DISTCLEAN_TARGETS = aclocal.m4 config.h.in
 
 # extra cruft to remove
-DISTCLEANFILES	= aclocal.m4 config.h.in configure Makefile.in config/compile
+DISTCLEANFILES = aclocal.m4 \
+		 config.h.in \
+		 configure \
+		 Makefile.in \
+		 config/compile
 
-MAINTAINERCLEANFILES =				\
-	.version				\
-	.version.date
+MAINTAINERCLEANFILES = .version	\
+		       .version.date
 
 define fpm-python =
 fpm -s python -t $1 \
-	-m "$(CORE_MAINTAINERS)" \
-	--vendor "$(CORE_VENDOR)" \
+	-m "$(PACKAGE_MAINTAINERS)" \
+	--vendor "$(PACKAGE_VENDOR)" \
 	$2
 endef
 
 define fpm-gui =
 fpm -s dir -t $1 -n core-gui \
-	-m "$(CORE_MAINTAINERS)" \
+	-m "$(PACKAGE_MAINTAINERS)" \
 	--license "BSD" \
 	--description "Common Open Research Emulator GUI front-end" \
 	--url http://www.nrl.navy.mil/itd/ncs/products/core \
-	--vendor "$(CORE_VENDOR)" \
+	--vendor "$(PACKAGE_VENDOR)" \
 	-p core-gui_VERSION_ARCH.$1 \
-	-v $(CORE_VERSION) \
+	-v $(PACKAGE_VERSION) \
 	-d "bash" \
 	-d "tcl" \
 	-d "tk" \
@@ -66,10 +76,13 @@ endef
 
 define fpm-daemon-rpm =
 fpm -s python -t rpm \
-	-p NAME_$1_VERSION_ARCH.rpm \
-	--python-setup-py-arguments --service=$1 \
-	-m "$(CORE_MAINTAINERS)" \
-	--vendor "$(CORE_VENDOR)" \
+	-p NAME_sysv_VERSION_ARCH.rpm \
+	--rpm-init scripts/core-daemon \
+	--python-install-bin $(bindir) \
+	--python-install-data $(prefix) \
+	--python-install-lib $(pythondir) \
+	-m "$(PACKAGE_MAINTAINERS)" \
+	--vendor "$(PACKAGE_VENDOR)" \
 	-d "procps-ng" \
 	-d "bash >= 3.0" \
 	-d "bridge-utils" \
@@ -84,9 +97,12 @@ endef
 define fpm-daemon-deb =
 fpm -s python -t deb \
 	-p NAME_$1_VERSION_ARCH.deb \
-	--python-setup-py-arguments --service=$1 \
-	-m "$(CORE_MAINTAINERS)" \
-	--vendor "$(CORE_VENDOR)" \
+	--python-install-bin $(bindir) \
+	--python-install-data $(prefix) \
+	--python-install-lib $(pythondir) \
+	$2 $3 \
+	-m "$(PACKAGE_MAINTAINERS)" \
+	--vendor "$(PACKAGE_VENDOR)" \
 	-d "procps" \
 	-d "libc6 >= 2.14" \
 	-d "bash >= 3.0" \
@@ -106,27 +122,51 @@ fpm: clean-local-fpm
 	$(call fpm-gui,deb,-d "libtk-img")
 	$(call fpm-python,rpm,ns3/setup.py)
 	$(call fpm-python,deb,ns3/setup.py)
-	$(call fpm-daemon-rpm,systemd)
-	$(call fpm-daemon-rpm,sysv)
-	$(call fpm-daemon-deb,systemd)
-	$(call fpm-daemon-deb,sysv)
+	$(call fpm-daemon-rpm)
+	$(call fpm-daemon-deb,sysv,--deb-init,scripts/core-daemon)
+	$(call fpm-daemon-deb,systemd,--deb-systemd,scripts/core-daemon.service)
 
 .PHONY: clean-local-fpm
 clean-local-fpm:
 	-rm -rf *.deb
 	-rm -rf *.rpm
 
-.PHONY: core-restart
-core-restart:
-	/etc/init.d/core-daemon stop
-	daemon/sbin/core-cleanup
-	rm -f /var/log/core-daemon.log
-	/etc/init.d/core-daemon start
-
 clean-local: clean-local-fpm
 
 .version: Makefile
-	echo $(CORE_VERSION) > $@
+	echo $(PACKAGE_VERSION) > $@
 
 .version.date: Makefile
-	echo $(CORE_VERSION_DATE) > $@
+	echo $(PACKAGE_DATE) > $@
+
+define change-files =
+$(info creating file $1 from $1.in)
+@$(SED) -e 's,[@]sbindir[@],$(sbindir),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]bindir[@],$(bindir),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]PYTHON[@],$(PYTHON),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]PACKAGE_VERSION[@],$(PACKAGE_VERSION),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]PACKAGE_DATE[@],$(PACKAGE_DATE),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]CORE_LIB_DIR[@],$(CORE_LIB_DIR),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]CORE_STATE_DIR[@],$(CORE_STATE_DIR),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]CORE_DATA_DIR[@],$(CORE_DATA_DIR),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]CORE_CONF_DIR[@],$(CORE_CONF_DIR),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]CORE_GUI_CONF_DIR[@],$(CORE_GUI_CONF_DIR),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]brctl_path[@],$(brctl_path),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]sysctl_path[@],$(sysctl_path),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]ip_path[@],$(ip_path),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]tc_path[@],$(tc_path),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]ebtables_path[@],$(ebtables_path),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]mount_path[@],$(mount_path),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]umount_path[@],$(umount_path),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]ovs_vs_path[@],$(ovs_vs_path),g' \
+	-e 's,[@]ovs_of_path[@],$(ovs_of_path),g' \
+	< $1.in > $1
+endef
+
+all: change-files
+
+.PHONY: change-files
+change-files:
+	$(call change-files,gui/core-gui)
+	$(call change-files,scripts/core-daemon.service)
+	$(call change-files,daemon/core/constants.py)
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 12d90cda..0ea864ea 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -9,82 +9,37 @@
 #                                               -*- Autoconf -*-
 # Process this file with autoconf to produce a configure script.
 
-#
 # this defines the CORE version number, must be static for AC_INIT
-#
 AC_INIT(core, 5.1, core-dev@nrl.navy.mil)
-VERSION=$PACKAGE_VERSION
-CORE_VERSION=$PACKAGE_VERSION
-CORE_VERSION_DATE=m4_esyscmd_s([date +%Y%m%d])
-COREDPY_VERSION=$PACKAGE_VERSION
-CORE_MAINTAINERS="CORE Developers <core-dev@nrl.navy.mil>"
-CORE_VENDOR="CORE Developers"
 
-#
 # autoconf and automake initialization
-#
 AC_CONFIG_SRCDIR([netns/version.h.in])
 AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR(config)
 AC_CONFIG_MACRO_DIR(config)
 AC_CONFIG_HEADERS([config.h])
 AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE([tar-ustar])
 
-AC_SUBST(CORE_VERSION)
-AC_SUBST(CORE_VERSION_DATE)
-AC_SUBST(COREDPY_VERSION)
-AC_SUBST(CORE_MAINTAINERS)
-AC_SUBST(CORE_VENDOR)
+# define variables used for packaging and date display
+PACKAGE_DATE=m4_esyscmd_s([date +%Y%m%d])
+PACKAGE_VENDOR="CORE Developers"
+PACKAGE_MAINTAINERS="$PACKAGE_VENDOR <$PACKAGE_BUGREPORT>"
+CORE_LIB_DIR="\${prefix}/lib/core"
+# TODO: hard setting path, until support by setup.py
+CORE_CONF_DIR="/etc/core"
+CORE_DATA_DIR="\${datarootdir}/core"
+# TODO: verify there is need to hard set /var
+CORE_STATE_DIR="\${localstatedir}"
 
-#
-# some of the following directory variables are not expanded at configure-time,
-# so we have special checks to expand them
-#
-
-# CORE GUI files in LIBDIR
-# AC_PREFIX_DEFAULT is /usr/local, but not expanded yet
-if test "x$prefix" = "xNONE" ; then
-  prefix="/usr/local"
-fi
-if test "x$exec_prefix" = "xNONE" ; then
-  exec_prefix="$prefix"
-fi
-if test "$libdir" = "\${exec_prefix}/lib" ; then
-  libdir="${exec_prefix}/lib"
-fi
-if test "$sbindir" = "\${exec_prefix}/sbin" ; then
-  sbindir="${exec_prefix}/sbin"
-fi
-if test "$bindir" = "\${exec_prefix}/bin" ; then
-  bindir="${exec_prefix}/bin"
-fi
-# this can be /usr/lib or /usr/lib64
-LIB_DIR="${libdir}"
-# don't let the Tcl files install to /usr/lib64/core
-CORE_LIB_DIR="${prefix}/lib/core"
-AC_SUBST(LIB_DIR)
+AC_SUBST(PACKAGE_DATE)
+AC_SUBST(PACKAGE_MAINTAINERS)
+AC_SUBST(PACKAGE_VENDOR)
 AC_SUBST(CORE_LIB_DIR)
-SBINDIR="${sbindir}"
-AC_SUBST(SBINDIR)
-BINDIR="${bindir}"
-AC_SUBST(BINDIR)
-
-# CORE daemon configuration file (core.conf) in CORE_CONF_DIR
-if test "$sysconfdir" = "\${prefix}/etc" ; then
-  sysconfdir="/etc"
-  CORE_CONF_DIR="/etc/core"
-else
-  CORE_CONF_DIR="$sysconfdir/core"
-fi
 AC_SUBST(CORE_CONF_DIR)
-if test "$datarootdir" = "\${prefix}/share" ; then
-  datarootdir="${prefix}/share"
-fi
-CORE_DATA_DIR="$datarootdir/core"
 AC_SUBST(CORE_DATA_DIR)
+AC_SUBST(CORE_STATE_DIR)
 
 # CORE GUI configuration files and preferences in CORE_GUI_CONF_DIR
 # scenario files in ~/.core/configs/
-#AC_ARG_VAR(CORE_GUI_CONF_DIR, [GUI configuration directory.])
 AC_ARG_WITH([guiconfdir],
 	    [AS_HELP_STRING([--with-guiconfdir=dir],
 			    [specify GUI configuration directory])],
@@ -102,91 +57,27 @@ AC_ARG_ENABLE([daemon],
 		 (default is yes)])],
 		[], [enable_daemon=yes])
 AC_SUBST(enable_daemon)
-if test "x$enable_daemon" = "xno"; then
-    want_python=no
-    want_linux_netns=no
-fi
 
-# CORE state files
-if test "$localstatedir" = "\${prefix}/var" ; then
-  # use /var instead of /usr/local/var (/usr/local/var/log isn't standard)
-  CORE_STATE_DIR="/var"
-else
-  CORE_STATE_DIR="$localstatedir"
-fi
-AC_SUBST(CORE_STATE_DIR)
+SEARCHPATH="/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin"
 
 # default compiler flags
 # _GNU_SOURCE is defined to get c99 defines for lrint()
 CFLAGS="$CFLAGS -O3 -Werror -Wall -D_GNU_SOURCE"
-# debug flags
-#CFLAGS="$CFLAGS -g -Werror -Wall -D_GNU_SOURCE"
 
-# Checks for programs.
+# checks for programs
 AC_PROG_AWK
 AC_PROG_CC
 AC_PROG_INSTALL
 AC_PROG_MAKE_SET
 AC_PROG_RANLIB
+AC_PROG_SED
 
-AM_PATH_PYTHON(2.6, want_python=yes, want_python=no)
-SEARCHPATH="/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin"
-#
-# daemon dependencies
-#
-if test "x$enable_daemon" = "xyes" ; then
-  AC_CHECK_PROG(brctl_path, brctl, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-  AC_CHECK_PROG(sysctl_path, sysctl, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-  AC_CHECK_PROG(ebtables_path, ebtables, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-  AC_CHECK_PROG(ip_path, ip, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-  AC_CHECK_PROG(tc_path, tc, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-  AC_CHECK_PROG(ifconfig_path, ifconfig, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-  AC_CHECK_PROG(ngctl_path, ngctl, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-  AC_CHECK_PROG(vimage_path, vimage, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-  AC_CHECK_PROG(mount_path, mount, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-  AC_CHECK_PROG(umount_path, umount, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-  AC_CHECK_PROG(convert, convert, yes, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-  AC_CHECK_PROG(ovs_vs_path, ovs-vsctl, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-  AC_CHECK_PROG(ovs_of_path, ovs-ofctl, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-fi
+want_python=no
+want_linux_netns=no
+if test "x$enable_daemon" = "xyes"; then	
+  want_python=yes
+  want_linux_netns=yes
 
-#AC_CHECK_PROG(dia, dia, yes, no)
-AC_CHECK_PROG(help2man, help2man, yes, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-if test "x$convert" = "xno" ; then
-    AC_MSG_WARN([Could not locate ImageMagick convert.])
-    #want_docs_missing="convert"
-fi
-#if test "x$dia" = "xno" ; then
-#    AC_MSG_WARN([Could not locate dia.])
-#    want_docs_missing="dia"
-#fi
-if test "x$help2man" = "xno" ; then
-    AC_MSG_WARN([Could not locate help2man.])
-    want_docs_missing="$want_docs_missing help2man"
-fi
-if test "x$want_docs_missing" = "x" ; then
-  want_docs=yes
-else
-  AC_MSG_WARN([Could not find required helper utilities (${want_docs_missing}) so the CORE documentation will not be built.])
-  want_docs=no
-fi
-
-# check for sphinx required during make
-AC_CHECK_PROG(sphinxapi_path, sphinx-apidoc, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
-if test "x$sphinxapi_path" = "xno" ; then
-    AC_MSG_ERROR(["Could not location sphinx-apidoc, from the python-sphinx package"])
-fi
-
-#AC_PATH_PROGS(tcl_path, [tclsh tclsh8.5 tclsh8.4], no)
-#if test "x$tcl_path" = "xno" ; then
-#    AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not locate tclsh. Please install Tcl/Tk.])
-#fi
-#AC_PATH_PROGS(wish_path, [wish wish8.5 wish8.4], no)
-#if test "x$wish_path" = "xno" ; then
-#    AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not locate wish. Please install Tcl/Tk.])
-#fi
-
-if test "x$enable_daemon" = "xyes" ; then
   # Checks for libraries.
   AC_CHECK_LIB([netgraph], [NgMkSockNode])
 
@@ -207,73 +98,94 @@ if test "x$enable_daemon" = "xyes" ; then
   AC_FUNC_MALLOC
   AC_FUNC_REALLOC
   AC_CHECK_FUNCS([atexit dup2 gettimeofday memset socket strerror uname])
+
+  AM_PATH_PYTHON(2.6)
+
+  AC_CHECK_PROG(brctl_path, brctl, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
+  if test "x$brctl_path" = "xno" ; then
+    AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not locate brctl (from bridge-utils package).])
+  fi
+  AC_CHECK_PROG(sysctl_path, sysctl, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
+  AC_CHECK_PROG(ebtables_path, ebtables, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
+  if test "x$ebtables_path" = "xno" ; then
+    AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not locate ebtables (from ebtables package).])
+  fi
+  AC_CHECK_PROG(ip_path, ip, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
+  if test "x$ip_path" = "xno" ; then
+    AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not locate ip (from iproute package).])
+  fi
+  AC_CHECK_PROG(tc_path, tc, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
+  if test "x$tc_path" = "xno" ; then
+    AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not locate tc (from iproute package).])
+  fi
+  AC_CHECK_PROG(mount_path, mount, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
+  AC_CHECK_PROG(umount_path, umount, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
+  AC_CHECK_PROG(convert, convert, yes, no, $SEARCHPATH)
+  if test "x$convert" = "xno" ; then
+    AC_MSG_WARN([Could not locate ImageMagick convert.])
+  fi
+  AC_CHECK_PROG(ovs_vs_path, ovs-vsctl, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
+  if test "x$ovs_vs_path" = "xno" ; then
+    AC_MSG_WARN([Could not locate ovs-vsctl cannot use OVS nodes])
+  fi
+  AC_CHECK_PROG(ovs_of_path, ovs-ofctl, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
+  if test "x$ovs_of_path" = "xno" ; then
+    AC_MSG_WARN([Could not locate ovs-ofctl cannot use OVS nodes])
+  fi
+
+  CFLAGS_save=$CFLAGS
+  CPPFLAGS_save=$CPPFLAGS
+  if test "x$PYTHON_INCLUDE_DIR" = "x"; then
+    PYTHON_INCLUDE_DIR=`$PYTHON -c "import distutils.sysconfig; print distutils.sysconfig.get_python_inc()"`
+  fi
+  CFLAGS="-I$PYTHON_INCLUDE_DIR"
+  CPPFLAGS="-I$PYTHON_INCLUDE_DIR"
+  AC_CHECK_HEADERS([Python.h], [],
+    AC_MSG_ERROR([Python bindings require Python development headers (try installing your 'python-devel' or 'python-dev' package)]))
+  CFLAGS=$CFLAGS_save
+  CPPFLAGS=$CPPFLAGS_save
+  PKG_CHECK_MODULES(libev, libev,
+    AC_MSG_RESULT([found libev using pkgconfig OK])
+    AC_SUBST(libev_CFLAGS)
+    AC_SUBST(libev_LIBS),
+    AC_MSG_RESULT([did not find libev using pkconfig...])
+    AC_CHECK_LIB([ev], ev_set_allocator,
+	 AC_MSG_RESULT([found libev OK])
+	 AC_SUBST(libev_CFLAGS)
+	 AC_SUBST(libev_LIBS, [-lev]),
+	 AC_MSG_ERROR([Python bindings require libev (try installing your 'libev-devel' or 'libev-dev' package)])))
 fi
 
-# Host-specific detection
-want_linux_netns=yes
+AC_CHECK_PROG(help2man, help2man, yes, no, $SEARCHPATH)
 
-if test "x$want_python" = "xno"; then
-    want_linux_netns=no
+if test "x$help2man" = "xno" ; then
+    AC_MSG_WARN([Could not locate help2man.])
+    want_docs_missing="$want_docs_missing help2man"
 fi
 
-if test "x$want_python" = "xyes"; then
-    if test "x$want_linux_netns" = "xyes"; then
-	CFLAGS_save=$CFLAGS
-	CPPFLAGS_save=$CPPFLAGS
-	if test "x$PYTHON_INCLUDE_DIR" = "x"; then
-	    PYTHON_INCLUDE_DIR=`$PYTHON -c "import distutils.sysconfig; print distutils.sysconfig.get_python_inc()"`
-	fi
-	CFLAGS="-I$PYTHON_INCLUDE_DIR"
-	CPPFLAGS="-I$PYTHON_INCLUDE_DIR"
-	AC_CHECK_HEADERS([Python.h], [],
-	    AC_MSG_ERROR([Python bindings require Python development headers (try installing your 'python-devel' or 'python-dev' package)]))
-	CFLAGS=$CFLAGS_save
-	CPPFLAGS=$CPPFLAGS_save
-	PKG_CHECK_MODULES(libev, libev,
-	    AC_MSG_RESULT([found libev using pkgconfig OK])
-	    AC_SUBST(libev_CFLAGS)
-	    AC_SUBST(libev_LIBS),
-	    AC_MSG_RESULT([did not find libev using pkconfig...])
-	    AC_CHECK_LIB([ev], ev_set_allocator,
-		 AC_MSG_RESULT([found libev OK])
-		 AC_SUBST(libev_CFLAGS)
-		 AC_SUBST(libev_LIBS, [-lev]),
-		 AC_MSG_ERROR([Python bindings require libev (try installing your 'libev-devel' or 'libev-dev' package)])))
-    fi
-    AC_SUBST(pyprefix, `eval ${PYTHON} ./python-prefix.py ${PYTHON_PREFIX} ${PYTHON_VERSION}`)
-    if test "${pyprefix}" != "${PYTHON_PREFIX}"; then
-	pythondir=`echo ${pythondir} | sed -e 's,[$][{]prefix[}],${pyprefix},g'`
-	pyexecdir=`echo ${pyexecdir} | sed -e 's,[$][{]exec_prefix[}],${pyprefix},g'`
-    fi
+if test "x$want_docs_missing" = "x" ; then
+  want_docs=yes
 else
-    # Namespace support requires Python support
-    want_linux_netns=no
+  AC_MSG_WARN([Could not find required helper utilities (${want_docs_missing}) so the CORE documentation will not be built.])
+  want_docs=no
 fi
 
-progs_missing=""
-if test "x$want_linux_netns" = "xyes"; then
-    if test "x$brctl_path" = "xno" ; then
-	progs_missing="${progs_missing}brctl "
-	brctl_path="/usr/sbin"
-	AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not locate brctl (from bridge-utils package).])
-    fi
-    if test "x$ebtables_path" = "xno" ; then
-	progs_missing="${progs_missing}ebtables "
-	ebtables_path="/sbin"
-	AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not locate ebtables (from ebtables package).])
-    fi
-    if test "x$ip_path" = "xno" ; then
-	progs_missing="${progs_missing}ip "
-	ip_path="/sbin"
-	AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not locate ip (from iproute package).])
-    fi
-    if test "x$tc_path" = "xno" ; then
-	progs_missing="${progs_missing}tc "
-	tc_path="/sbin"
-	AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not locate tc (from iproute package).])
-    fi
+# check for sphinx required during make
+AC_CHECK_PROG(sphinxapi_path, sphinx-apidoc, $as_dir, no, $SEARCHPATH)
+if test "x$sphinxapi_path" = "xno" ; then
+    AC_MSG_ERROR(["Could not location sphinx-apidoc, from the python-sphinx package"])
 fi
 
+#AC_PATH_PROGS(tcl_path, [tclsh tclsh8.5 tclsh8.4], no)
+#if test "x$tcl_path" = "xno" ; then
+#    AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not locate tclsh. Please install Tcl/Tk.])
+#fi
+
+#AC_PATH_PROGS(wish_path, [wish wish8.5 wish8.4], no)
+#if test "x$wish_path" = "xno" ; then
+#    AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not locate wish. Please install Tcl/Tk.])
+#fi
+
 AC_ARG_WITH([startup],
 	    [AS_HELP_STRING([--with-startup=option],
 		[option=systemd,suse,none to install systemd/SUSE init scripts])],
@@ -288,7 +200,6 @@ AM_CONDITIONAL(WANT_DAEMON, test x$enable_daemon = xyes)
 AM_CONDITIONAL(WANT_DOCS, test x$want_docs = xyes)
 AM_CONDITIONAL(WANT_PYTHON, test x$want_python = xyes)
 AM_CONDITIONAL(WANT_NETNS, test x$want_linux_netns = xyes)
-
 AM_CONDITIONAL(WANT_INITD, test x$with_startup = xinitd)
 AM_CONDITIONAL(WANT_SYSTEMD, test x$with_startup = xsystemd)
 AM_CONDITIONAL(WANT_SUSE, test x$with_startup = xsuse)
@@ -299,28 +210,26 @@ else
   HELP2MAN=:
 fi
 
-
 # Output files
+#gui/core-gui
+#scripts/core-daemon.service
+#daemon/core/constants.py
 AC_CONFIG_FILES([Makefile
-		gui/core-gui
 		gui/version.tcl
 		gui/Makefile
 		gui/icons/Makefile
 		scripts/Makefile
-		scripts/core-daemon.service
 		scripts/perf/Makefile
 		doc/Makefile
 		doc/conf.py
 		doc/man/Makefile
 		doc/figures/Makefile
 		daemon/Makefile
-		daemon/core/constants.py
 		daemon/doc/Makefile
 		daemon/doc/conf.py
 		netns/Makefile
 		netns/version.h
-		ns3/Makefile
-		ns3/corens3/constants.py],)
+		ns3/Makefile],)
 AC_OUTPUT
 
 # Summary text
@@ -331,12 +240,12 @@ ${PACKAGE_STRING} Configuration:
   Host System Type:           ${host}
   C Compiler and flags:       ${CC} ${CFLAGS}
   Install prefix:             ${prefix}
+  Exec prefix:		      ${exec_prefix}
   Build GUI:                  ${enable_gui}
   GUI path:                   ${CORE_LIB_DIR}
   GUI config:                 ${CORE_GUI_CONF_DIR}
-  Daemon path:                ${SBINDIR}
+  Daemon path:                ${sbindir}
   Daemon config:              ${CORE_CONF_DIR}
-  Python install prefix:      ${pyprefix}
   Python modules:             ${pythondir}
   Logs:                       ${CORE_STATE_DIR}/log
 
@@ -352,8 +261,3 @@ if test "x${want_linux_netns}" = "xyes" ; then
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------"
 fi
 
-if test "x${progs_missing}" != "x" ; then
-  echo ">>> NOTE: the following programs could not be found:"
-  echo "          $progs_missing
-------------------------------------------------------------------------"
-fi
diff --git a/daemon/MANIFEST.in b/daemon/MANIFEST.in
deleted file mode 100644
index f5aa698b..00000000
--- a/daemon/MANIFEST.in
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
-recursive-include sbin *.sh *.py
-include data/core.conf
-recursive-include examples/netns *.py *.sh
-recursive-exclude examples/netns *.pyc *.pyo
diff --git a/daemon/Makefile.am b/daemon/Makefile.am
index 20ba8b36..24c07196 100644
--- a/daemon/Makefile.am
+++ b/daemon/Makefile.am
@@ -7,73 +7,17 @@
 # Makefile for building netns components.
 #
 
-SETUPPY		= setup.py
-SETUPPYFLAGS	= -v
+SETUPPY	= setup.py
+SETUPPYFLAGS = -v
 
 if WANT_DOCS
   SUBDIRS = doc
 endif
 
-SBIN_FILES		=			\
-	sbin/core-cleanup			\
-	sbin/core-daemon			\
-	sbin/core-manage			\
-	sbin/coresendmsg
+SCRIPT_FILES := $(notdir $(wildcard sbin/*))
+MAN_FILES := $(notdir $(wildcard ../doc/man/*.1))
 
-dist_sbin_SCRIPTS	= $(SBIN_FILES)
-
-CONF_FILES		=			\
-	data/core.conf
-
-coreconfdir		= $(CORE_CONF_DIR)
-dist_coreconf_DATA	= $(CONF_FILES)
-
-EXAMPLE_FILES		=			\
-	examples/controlnet_updown		\
-	examples/emanemanifest2core.py		\
-	examples/emanemodel2core.py		\
-	examples/findcore.py			\
-	examples/stopsession.py
-
-coreexdir		= $(datadir)/core/examples
-dist_coreex_SCRIPTS	= $(EXAMPLE_FILES)
-
-EXAMPLE_MYSERVICES_FILES =			\
-	examples/myservices/README.txt		\
-	examples/myservices/__init__.py		\
-	examples/myservices/sample.py
-
-coreexmyservicesdir	= $(coreexdir)/myservices
-dist_coreexmyservices_DATA = $(EXAMPLE_MYSERVICES_FILES)
-
-EXAMPLE_NETNS_FILES	=				\
-	examples/netns/basicrange.py			\
-	examples/netns/daemonnodes.py			\
-	examples/netns/distributed.py			\
-	examples/netns/emane80211.py			\
-	examples/netns/howmanynodes.py			\
-	examples/netns/iperf-performance-chain.py	\
-	examples/netns/iperf-performance.sh		\
-	examples/netns/ospfmanetmdrtest.py		\
-	examples/netns/switch.py			\
-	examples/netns/switchtest.py			\
-	examples/netns/twonodes.sh			\
-	examples/netns/wlanemanetests.py		\
-	examples/netns/wlantest.py
-
-coreexnetnsdir		= $(coreexdir)/netns
-dist_coreexnetns_SCRIPTS= $(EXAMPLE_NETNS_FILES)
-
-EXAMPLE_SERVICES_FILES	=			\
-	examples/services/sampleFirewall	\
-	examples/services/sampleIPsec		\
-	examples/services/sampleVPNClient	\
-	examples/services/sampleVPNServer
-
-coreexservicesdir	= $(coreexdir)/services
-dist_coreexservices_DATA= $(EXAMPLE_SERVICES_FILES)
-
-LOGROTATE_DIR		= $(sysconfdir)/logrotate.d
+LOGROTATE_DIR		= $(DESTDIR)/$(sysconfdir)/logrotate.d
 LOGROTATE_FILE		= data/core-daemon.logrotate
 
 # Python package build
@@ -83,47 +27,40 @@ build:
 
 # Python package install
 install-exec-hook:
-	$(MKDIR_P) ${DESTDIR}/${pythondir}
-	$(MKDIR_P) ${DESTDIR}/${pyexecdir}
-	PYTHONPATH=${DESTDIR}/${pythondir} $(PYTHON) $(SETUPPY) $(SETUPPYFLAGS) install \
-		--prefix=${DESTDIR}/${pyprefix} \
-		--install-purelib=${DESTDIR}/${pythondir} \
-		--install-platlib=${DESTDIR}/${pyexecdir}
+	$(PYTHON) $(SETUPPY) $(SETUPPYFLAGS) install \
+		--root=/$(DESTDIR) \
+		--prefix=$(prefix) \
+		--install-lib=$(pythondir) \
+		--single-version-externally-managed
 
-install-data-local:
-	$(MKDIR_P) $(DESTDIR)$(LOGROTATE_DIR)
-	$(INSTALL_DATA) $(LOGROTATE_FILE) \
-	    $(DESTDIR)$(LOGROTATE_DIR)/`basename $(LOGROTATE_FILE) .logrotate`
+#install-data-local:
+#	$(MKDIR_P) $(DESTDIR)$(LOGROTATE_DIR)
+#	$(INSTALL_DATA) $(LOGROTATE_FILE) \
+#	    $(DESTDIR)$(LOGROTATE_DIR)/`basename $(LOGROTATE_FILE) .logrotate`
 
-uninstall-local:
-	rm -f $(DESTDIR)$(LOGROTATE_DIR)/`basename $(LOGROTATE_FILE) .logrotate`
+#uninstall-local:
+#	rm -f $(DESTDIR)$(LOGROTATE_DIR)/`basename $(LOGROTATE_FILE) .logrotate`
 
 # Python package uninstall
+#rmdir -p $(LOGROTATE_DIR) || true
 uninstall-hook:
-	rm -rf ${pythondir}/core_python-${COREDPY_VERSION}-py${PYTHON_VERSION}.egg-info
-	rm -f ${pythondir}/core_python_netns-1.0-py${PYTHON_VERSION}.egg-info
-	rm -rf ${pythondir}/core
-	rmdir -p $(coreexservicesdir) || true
-	rmdir -p $(coreexnetnsdir) || true
-	rmdir -p $(coreexmyservicesdir) || true
-	rmdir -p $(coreexdir) || true
-	rmdir -p $(coreconfdir) || true
-	rmdir -p $(LOGROTATE_DIR) || true
+	rm -rf $(DESTDIR)/etc/core
+	rm -rf $(DESTDIR)/$(datadir)/core
+	rm -f $(addprefix $(DESTDIR)/$(datadir)/man/man1/, $(MAN_FILES))
+	rm -f $(addprefix $(DESTDIR)/$(bindir)/,$(SCRIPT_FILES))
+	rm -rf $(DESTDIR)/$(pythondir)/core-$(PACKAGE_VERSION)-py$(PYTHON_VERSION).egg-info
+	rm -rf $(DESTDIR)/$(pythondir)/core
 
 # Python package cleanup
 clean-local:
 	-rm -rf build
 
-# Python RPM package
-rpm:
-	$(PYTHON) $(SETUPPY) $(SETUPPYFLAGS) bdist_rpm
-
 # because we include entire directories with EXTRA_DIST, we need to clean up
 # the source control files
 dist-hook:
-	rm -rf `find $(distdir)/ -name .svn` `find $(distdir)/ -name '*.pyc'`
+	rm -rf `find $(distdir)/ -name '*.pyc'`
 
 DISTCLEANFILES	= Makefile.in core/*.pyc MANIFEST 
 
 # files to include with distribution tarball
-EXTRA_DIST	= $(SETUPPY) MANIFEST.in core doc $(LOGROTATE_FILE)
+EXTRA_DIST = $(SETUPPY) MANIFEST.in core doc $(LOGROTATE_FILE)
diff --git a/daemon/core/constants.py.in b/daemon/core/constants.py.in
index 1e5db2b6..7dea1ad8 100644
--- a/daemon/core/constants.py.in
+++ b/daemon/core/constants.py.in
@@ -1,22 +1,18 @@
-# Constants created by autoconf ./configure script
-COREDPY_VERSION		= "@COREDPY_VERSION@"
-CORE_STATE_DIR		= "@CORE_STATE_DIR@"
-CORE_CONF_DIR		= "@CORE_CONF_DIR@"
-CORE_DATA_DIR		= "@CORE_DATA_DIR@"
-CORE_LIB_DIR		= "@CORE_LIB_DIR@"
-CORE_SBIN_DIR		= "@SBINDIR@"
-CORE_BIN_DIR		= "@BINDIR@"
+COREDPY_VERSION	= "@PACKAGE_VERSION@"
+CORE_STATE_DIR = "@CORE_STATE_DIR@"
+CORE_CONF_DIR = "@CORE_CONF_DIR@"
+CORE_DATA_DIR = "@CORE_DATA_DIR@"
+CORE_LIB_DIR = "@CORE_LIB_DIR@"
 
-BRCTL_BIN               = "@brctl_path@/brctl"
-SYSCTL_BIN              = "@sysctl_path@/sysctl"
-IP_BIN                  = "@ip_path@/ip"
-TC_BIN                  = "@tc_path@/tc"
-EBTABLES_BIN            = "@ebtables_path@/ebtables"
-IFCONFIG_BIN            = "@ifconfig_path@/ifconfig"
-NGCTL_BIN               = "@ngctl_path@/ngctl"
-VIMAGE_BIN              = "@vimage_path@/vimage"
-QUAGGA_STATE_DIR        = "@CORE_STATE_DIR@/run/quagga"
-MOUNT_BIN               = "@mount_path@/mount"
-UMOUNT_BIN              = "@umount_path@/umount"
-OVS_BIN                 = "@ovs_vs_path@/ovs-vsctl"
-OVS_FLOW_BIN            = "@ovs_of_path@/ovs-ofctl"
+VNODED_BIN = "@bindir@/vnoded"
+VCMD_BIN = "@bindir@/vcmd"
+BRCTL_BIN = "@brctl_path@/brctl"
+SYSCTL_BIN = "@sysctl_path@/sysctl"
+IP_BIN = "@ip_path@/ip"
+TC_BIN = "@tc_path@/tc"
+EBTABLES_BIN = "@ebtables_path@/ebtables"
+QUAGGA_STATE_DIR = "@CORE_STATE_DIR@/run/quagga"
+MOUNT_BIN = "@mount_path@/mount"
+UMOUNT_BIN = "@umount_path@/umount"
+OVS_BIN = "@ovs_vs_path@/ovs-vsctl"
+OVS_FLOW_BIN = "@ovs_of_path@/ovs-ofctl"
diff --git a/daemon/core/netns/vnode.py b/daemon/core/netns/vnode.py
index 987fdac5..e11c75d3 100644
--- a/daemon/core/netns/vnode.py
+++ b/daemon/core/netns/vnode.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ class SimpleLxcNode(PyCoreNode):
 
         # create a new namespace for this node using vnoded
         vnoded = [
-            "%s/vnoded" % constants.CORE_BIN_DIR,
+            constants.VNODED_BIN,
             "-v",
             "-c", self.ctrlchnlname,
             "-l", self.ctrlchnlname + ".log",
diff --git a/daemon/core/netns/vnodeclient.py b/daemon/core/netns/vnodeclient.py
index 5d5ebea0..5d05d955 100644
--- a/daemon/core/netns/vnodeclient.py
+++ b/daemon/core/netns/vnodeclient.py
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ from core import constants
 from core import logger
 from core.misc import utils
 
-VCMD = os.path.join(constants.CORE_BIN_DIR, "vcmd")
-
 
 class VnodeClient(object):
     """
@@ -134,7 +132,7 @@ class VnodeClient(object):
         :rtype: int
         """
         args = utils.split_args(args)
-        return os.spawnlp(os.P_WAIT, VCMD, VCMD, "-c", self.ctrlchnlname, "--", *args)
+        return os.spawnlp(os.P_WAIT, constants.VCMD_BIN, constants.VCMD_BIN, "-c", self.ctrlchnlname, "--", *args)
 
     def redircmd(self, infd, outfd, errfd, args, wait=True):
         """
@@ -171,7 +169,7 @@ class VnodeClient(object):
         :return: terminal command result
         :rtype: int
         """
-        args = ("xterm", "-ut", "-title", self.name, "-e", VCMD, "-c", self.ctrlchnlname, "--", sh)
+        args = ("xterm", "-ut", "-title", self.name, "-e", constants.VCMD_BIN, "-c", self.ctrlchnlname, "--", sh)
         if "SUDO_USER" in os.environ:
             args = ("su", "-s", "/bin/sh", "-c",
                     "exec " + " ".join(map(lambda x: "'%s'" % x, args)),
@@ -185,7 +183,7 @@ class VnodeClient(object):
         :param str sh: shell to execute command in
         :return: str
         """
-        return "%s -c %s -- %s" % (VCMD, self.ctrlchnlname, sh)
+        return "%s -c %s -- %s" % (constants.VCMD_BIN, self.ctrlchnlname, sh)
 
     def shcmd(self, cmd, sh="/bin/sh"):
         """
diff --git a/daemon/doc/conf.py.in b/daemon/doc/conf.py.in
index 7b44569f..c9041fae 100644
--- a/daemon/doc/conf.py.in
+++ b/daemon/doc/conf.py.in
@@ -49,9 +49,9 @@ copyright = u'2017, core-dev'
 # built documents.
 #
 # The short X.Y version.
-version = '@CORE_VERSION@'
+version = '@PACKAGE_VERSION@'
 # The full version, including alpha/beta/rc tags.
-release = '@CORE_VERSION@'
+release = '@PACKAGE_VERSION@'
 
 # The language for content autogenerated by Sphinx. Refer to documentation
 # for a list of supported languages.
diff --git a/daemon/setup.py b/daemon/setup.py
index 35769399..2783af42 100644
--- a/daemon/setup.py
+++ b/daemon/setup.py
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ Defines how CORE will be built for installation.
 
 import glob
 import os
-from distutils.command.install import install
 
-from setuptools import setup, find_packages
+from setuptools import find_packages
+from distutils.core import setup
 
 _CORE_DIR = "/etc/core"
-_MAN_DIR = "/usr/local/share/man/man1"
-_SHARE_DIR = "/usr/local/share/core"
+_MAN_DIR = "share/man/man1"
+_EXAMPLES_DIR = "share/core"
 _SYSV = "/etc/init.d"
 _SYSTEMD = "/etc/systemd/system"
 
@@ -30,31 +30,6 @@ def glob_files(glob_path):
     return glob.glob(glob_path)
 
 
-class CustomInstall(install):
-    user_options = install.user_options + [
-        ("service=", None, "determine which service file to include")
-    ]
-
-    def initialize_options(self):
-        install.initialize_options(self)
-        self.service = "sysv"
-
-    def finalize_options(self):
-        install.finalize_options(self)
-        assert self.service in ("sysv", "systemd"), "must be sysv or systemd"
-
-    def run(self):
-        if self.service == "sysv":
-            self.distribution.data_files.append((
-                _SYSV, ["../scripts/core-daemon"]
-            ))
-        else:
-            self.distribution.data_files.append((
-                _SYSTEMD, ["../scripts/core-daemon.service"]
-            ))
-        install.run(self)
-
-
 data_files = [
     (_CORE_DIR, [
         "data/core.conf",
@@ -62,7 +37,7 @@ data_files = [
     ]),
     (_MAN_DIR, glob_files("../doc/man/**.1")),
 ]
-data_files.extend(recursive_files(_SHARE_DIR, "examples"))
+data_files.extend(recursive_files(_EXAMPLES_DIR, "examples"))
 
 setup(
     name="core",
@@ -90,7 +65,4 @@ setup(
     author_email="core-dev@nrl.navy.mil",
     license="BSD",
     long_description="Python scripts and modules for building virtual emulated networks.",
-    cmdclass={
-        "install": CustomInstall
-    }
 )
diff --git a/doc/conf.py.in b/doc/conf.py.in
index 34655128..210c372f 100644
--- a/doc/conf.py.in
+++ b/doc/conf.py.in
@@ -49,9 +49,9 @@ copyright = u'2017, core-dev'
 # built documents.
 #
 # The short X.Y version.
-version = '@CORE_VERSION@'
+version = '@PACKAGE_VERSION@'
 # The full version, including alpha/beta/rc tags.
-release = '@CORE_VERSION@'
+release = '@PACKAGE_VERSION@'
 
 # The language for content autogenerated by Sphinx. Refer to documentation
 # for a list of supported languages.
diff --git a/doc/man/Makefile.am b/doc/man/Makefile.am
index f76eee84..8479faaa 100644
--- a/doc/man/Makefile.am
+++ b/doc/man/Makefile.am
@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@ generate-mans:
 	$(HELP2MAN) --no-info --source CORE $(top_srcdir)/netns/vnoded -o vnoded.1.new
 	$(HELP2MAN) --no-info --source CORE $(top_srcdir)/netns/vcmd -o vcmd.1.new
 	$(HELP2MAN) --no-info --source CORE $(top_srcdir)/netns/netns -o netns.1.new
-	$(HELP2MAN) --version-string=$(CORE_VERSION) --no-info --source CORE $(top_srcdir)/daemon/sbin/core-daemon -o core-daemon.1.new
-	$(HELP2MAN) --version-string=$(CORE_VERSION) --no-info --source CORE $(top_srcdir)/daemon/sbin/coresendmsg -o coresendmsg.1.new
-	$(HELP2MAN) --version-string=$(CORE_VERSION) --no-info --source CORE $(top_srcdir)/daemon/sbin/core-cleanup -o core-cleanup.1.new
-	$(HELP2MAN) --version-string=$(CORE_VERSION) --no-info --source CORE $(top_srcdir)/daemon/sbin/core-manage -o core-manage.1.new
+	$(HELP2MAN) --version-string=$(PACKAGE_VERSION) --no-info --source CORE $(top_srcdir)/daemon/sbin/core-daemon -o core-daemon.1.new
+	$(HELP2MAN) --version-string=$(PACKAGE_VERSION) --no-info --source CORE $(top_srcdir)/daemon/sbin/coresendmsg -o coresendmsg.1.new
+	$(HELP2MAN) --version-string=$(PACKAGE_VERSION) --no-info --source CORE $(top_srcdir)/daemon/sbin/core-cleanup -o core-cleanup.1.new
+	$(HELP2MAN) --version-string=$(PACKAGE_VERSION) --no-info --source CORE $(top_srcdir)/daemon/sbin/core-manage -o core-manage.1.new
 
 .PHONY: diff
 diff:
diff --git a/gui/Makefile.am b/gui/Makefile.am
index 65cf085b..3a1a09d0 100644
--- a/gui/Makefile.am
+++ b/gui/Makefile.am
@@ -10,63 +10,28 @@
 
 SUBDIRS = icons
 
-TCL_FILES	= annotations.tcl api.tcl canvas.tcl cfgparse.tcl \
-		core.tcl debug.tcl editor.tcl exec.tcl \
-		filemgmt.tcl gpgui.tcl \
-		graph_partitioning.tcl help.tcl \
-		initgui.tcl ipv4.tcl ipv6.tcl \
-		linkcfg.tcl mobility.tcl nodecfg.tcl \
-		nodes.tcl services.tcl ns2imunes.tcl plugins.tcl \
-		tooltips.tcl topogen.tcl traffic.tcl util.tcl \
-		version.tcl widget.tcl wlan.tcl wlanscript.tcl \
-		exceptions.tcl
+TCL_FILES := $(wildcard *.tcl)
+ADDONS_FILES := $(wildcard addons/*)
+CONFIG_FILES := $(wildcard configs/*)
 
-ADDONS_FILES    = addons/ipsecservice.tcl
-
-CONFIG_FILES	= configs/sample1.imn configs/sample1.scen \
-		configs/sample1-bg.gif configs/sample2-ssh.imn \
-		configs/sample3-bgp.imn	configs/sample4-nrlsmf.imn \
-		configs/sample4.scen configs/sample4-bg.jpg \
-		configs/sample5-mgen.imn configs/sample6-emane-rfpipe.imn \
-		configs/sample7-emane-ieee80211abg.imn \
-		configs/sample8-ipsec-service.imn \
-		configs/sample9-vpn.imn \
-		configs/sample10-kitchen-sink.imn
-
-#
 # CORE GUI script (/usr/local/bin/core-gui)
-#
 dist_bin_SCRIPTS = core-gui
 
-#
 # Tcl/Tk scripts (/usr/local/lib/core)
-#
-coredir			= $(CORE_LIB_DIR)
-dist_core_DATA		= $(TCL_FILES)
-dist_core_SCRIPTS	= $(OTHER_FILES)
+coredir	= $(CORE_LIB_DIR)
+dist_core_DATA = $(TCL_FILES)
+dist_core_SCRIPTS = $(OTHER_FILES)
 
-#
 # Addon files
-#
-coreaddonsdir		= $(coredir)/addons
+coreaddonsdir = $(coredir)/addons
 dist_coreaddons_DATA = $(ADDONS_FILES)
 
-#
 # Sample configs (/usr/local/share/core/examples/configs)
-#
-coreconfigsdir		= $(datadir)/core/examples/configs
-dist_coreconfigs_DATA	= $(CONFIG_FILES)
-
-dist-hook:
-	rm -rf $(distdir)/addons/.svn
-
-uninstall-hook:
-	rmdir -p $(coreconfigsdir) || true
-	rmdir -p $(coreaddonsdir) || true
-	rmdir -p $(coredir) || true
+coreconfigsdir = $(datadir)/core/examples/configs
+dist_coreconfigs_DATA = $(CONFIG_FILES)
 
 # extra cruft to remove
-DISTCLEANFILES	= Makefile.in
+DISTCLEANFILES = Makefile.in
 
 # files to include in source tarball not included elsewhere
-EXTRA_DIST 	= addons
+EXTRA_DIST = addons
diff --git a/gui/core-gui.in b/gui/core-gui.in
index a66d7f77..a93fd72b 100755
--- a/gui/core-gui.in
+++ b/gui/core-gui.in
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ case $1 in
     exit 0
     ;; 
 -v | --version) 
-    exec echo "`basename $0` version @CORE_VERSION@ (@CORE_VERSION_DATE@)"
+    exec echo "`basename $0` version @PACKAGE_VERSION@ (@PACKAGE_DATE@)"
     exit 0
     ;; 
 esac
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ SHELL=/bin/sh
 export SHELL
 
 export LIBDIR="@CORE_LIB_DIR@"
-export SBINDIR="@SBINDIR@"
+export SBINDIR="@sbindir@"
 # eval is used here to expand "~" to user's home dir
 if [ x$CONFDIR = x ]; then export CONFDIR=`eval "echo @CORE_GUI_CONF_DIR@"` ; fi
 export CORE_STATE_DIR="@CORE_STATE_DIR@"
diff --git a/gui/icons/Makefile.am b/gui/icons/Makefile.am
index dc2b2e93..6575fad0 100644
--- a/gui/icons/Makefile.am
+++ b/gui/icons/Makefile.am
@@ -5,94 +5,25 @@
 # author: Jeff Ahrenholz  <jeffrey.m.ahrenholz@boeing.com>
 #
 
-TINY_ICONS =	tiny/button.play.gif \
-		tiny/select.gif tiny/marker.gif \
-		tiny/rj45.gif tiny/text.gif \
-		tiny/edit-delete.gif tiny/stop.gif \
-		tiny/blank.gif tiny/mobility.gif \
-		tiny/script_play.gif tiny/arrow.gif \
-		tiny/lanswitch.gif tiny/script_pause.gif \
-		tiny/pc.gif tiny/rectangle.gif \
-		tiny/observe.gif tiny/document-new.gif \
-		tiny/document-save.gif \
-		tiny/view-refresh.gif tiny/moboff.gif \
-		tiny/document-properties.gif tiny/arrow.up.gif \
-		tiny/host.gif tiny/hub.gif \
-		tiny/twonode.gif tiny/router.gif \
-		tiny/eraser.gif \
-		tiny/stock_connect.gif tiny/stock_disconnect.gif \
-		tiny/ping.gif tiny/link.gif \
-		tiny/start.gif \
-		tiny/trace.gif tiny/button.stop.gif \
-		tiny/arrow.down.gif tiny/oval.gif \
-		tiny/wlan.gif tiny/delete.gif \
-		tiny/run.gif tiny/tunnel.gif \
-		tiny/script_stop.gif \
-		tiny/router_black.gif tiny/router_green.gif \
-		tiny/router_red.gif tiny/router_yellow.gif \
-		tiny/router_purple.gif \
-		tiny/ap.gif tiny/mdr.gif \
-		tiny/folder.gif \
-		tiny/cel.gif \
-		tiny/fileopen.gif \
-		tiny/plot.gif
+TINY_ICONS := $(wildcard tiny/*)
+NORM_ICONS := $(wildcard normal/*)
+SVG_ICONS := $(wildcard svg/*)
 
-NORM_ICONS =	normal/gps-diagram.xbm \
-		normal/router_black.gif normal/host.gif \
-		normal/hub.gif \
-		normal/router.gif \
-		normal/rj45.gif normal/antenna.gif \
-		normal/text.gif \
-		normal/lanswitch.gif normal/core-icon.png \
-		normal/core-icon.xbm normal/oval.gif \
-		normal/wlan.gif normal/pc.gif \
-		normal/tunnel.gif normal/core-logo-275x75.gif \
-		normal/router_red.gif normal/router_green.gif \
-		normal/simple.xbm \
-		normal/document-properties.gif \
-		normal/thumb-unknown.gif \
-		normal/router_purple.gif normal/router_yellow.gif \
-		normal/ap.gif normal/mdr.gif
-
-SVG_ICONS = 	svg/ap.svg \
-		svg/cel.svg \
-		svg/hub.svg \
-		svg/lanswitch.svg \
-		svg/mdr.svg \
-		svg/otr.svg \
-		svg/rj45.svg \
-		svg/router_black.svg \
-		svg/router_green.svg \
-		svg/router_purple.svg \
-		svg/router_red.svg \
-		svg/router.svg \
-		svg/router_yellow.svg \
-		svg/start.svg \
-		svg/tunnel.svg \
-		svg/vlan.svg
-
-#
 # Icon files (/usr/local/share/core/icons/[tiny,normal,svg])
-#
-coreiconnormaldir	= $(CORE_DATA_DIR)/icons/normal
+coreiconnormaldir = $(CORE_DATA_DIR)/icons/normal
 dist_coreiconnormal_DATA = $(NORM_ICONS)
-coreicontinydir		= $(CORE_DATA_DIR)/icons/tiny
-dist_coreicontiny_DATA	= $(TINY_ICONS)
-coreiconsvgdir		= $(CORE_DATA_DIR)/icons/svg
-dist_coreiconsvg_DATA	= $(SVG_ICONS)
 
-iconpixmapdir		= $(datarootdir)/pixmaps
-dist_iconpixmap_DATA	= core-gui.xpm
+coreicontinydir	= $(CORE_DATA_DIR)/icons/tiny
+dist_coreicontiny_DATA = $(TINY_ICONS)
 
-icondesktopdir		= $(datarootdir)/applications
-dist_icondesktop_DATA	= core-gui.desktop
+coreiconsvgdir = $(CORE_DATA_DIR)/icons/svg
+dist_coreiconsvg_DATA = $(SVG_ICONS)
 
-uninstall-hook:
-	rmdir -p $(icondesktopdir) || true
-	rmdir -p $(iconpixmapdir) || true
-	rmdir -p $(coreiconsvgdir) || true
-	rmdir -p $(coreicontinydir) || true
-	rmdir -p $(coreiconnormaldir) || true
+iconpixmapdir = $(datarootdir)/pixmaps
+dist_iconpixmap_DATA = core-gui.xpm
+
+icondesktopdir = $(datarootdir)/applications
+dist_icondesktop_DATA = core-gui.desktop
 
 # extra cruft to remove
 DISTCLEANFILES	= Makefile.in
diff --git a/gui/icons/normal/OVS.gif b/gui/icons/normal/OVS.gif
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
diff --git a/gui/icons/svg/OVS.svg b/gui/icons/svg/OVS.svg
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
diff --git a/gui/icons/tiny/OVS.gif b/gui/icons/tiny/OVS.gif
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
diff --git a/gui/version.tcl.in b/gui/version.tcl.in
index bc4e42e1..242a0e82 100644
--- a/gui/version.tcl.in
+++ b/gui/version.tcl.in
@@ -6,5 +6,5 @@
 #
 # define the version number and release date here
 #
-set CORE_VERSION @CORE_VERSION@
-set CORE_VERSION_DATE @CORE_VERSION_DATE@
+set CORE_VERSION @PACKAGE_VERSION@
+set CORE_VERSION_DATE @PACKAGE_DATE@
diff --git a/netns/MANIFEST.in b/netns/MANIFEST.in
index c26545b7..e8fb6539 100644
--- a/netns/MANIFEST.in
+++ b/netns/MANIFEST.in
@@ -1,2 +1 @@
 include *.h
-include sbin/*
diff --git a/netns/Makefile.am b/netns/Makefile.am
index 131d593f..ee34df62 100644
--- a/netns/Makefile.am
+++ b/netns/Makefile.am
@@ -7,26 +7,25 @@
 # Makefile for building netns.
 #
 
-AM_CFLAGS	= -Wall -fno-strict-aliasing -O3 -g @libev_CFLAGS@
-SETUPPY		= setup.py
-SETUPPYFLAGS	= -v
-# 				-DDEBUG
+AM_CFLAGS = -Wall -fno-strict-aliasing -O3 -g @libev_CFLAGS@
+SETUPPY	= setup.py
+SETUPPYFLAGS = -v
 
-SRC_COMMON	= vnode_msg.c vnode_cmd.c vnode_chnl.c vnode_io.c \
-		  vnode_msg.h vnode_cmd.h vnode_chnl.h vnode_io.h \
-		  vnode_tlv.h myerr.h netns.h
-SRC_VNODED	= vnoded_main.c vnode_server.c netns.c \
-		  vnode_server.h
-SRC_VCMD	= vcmd_main.c vnode_client.c \
-		  vnode_client.h
-SRC_NETNS	= netns_main.c netns.c netns.h
+SRC_COMMON = vnode_msg.c vnode_cmd.c vnode_chnl.c vnode_io.c \
+	     vnode_msg.h vnode_cmd.h vnode_chnl.h vnode_io.h \
+	     vnode_tlv.h myerr.h netns.h
+SRC_VNODED = vnoded_main.c vnode_server.c netns.c \
+	     vnode_server.h
+SRC_VCMD = vcmd_main.c vnode_client.c \
+	   vnode_client.h
+SRC_NETNS = netns_main.c netns.c netns.h
 
-sbin_PROGRAMS	= vnoded vcmd netns
-vnoded_LDADD	= @libev_LIBS@
-vnoded_SOURCES	= ${SRC_COMMON} ${SRC_VNODED}
-vcmd_LDADD	= @libev_LIBS@
-vcmd_SOURCES	= ${SRC_COMMON} ${SRC_VCMD}
-netns_SOURCES	= ${SRC_NETNS}
+noinst_PROGRAMS	= vnoded vcmd netns
+vnoded_LDADD = @libev_LIBS@
+vnoded_SOURCES = $(SRC_COMMON) $(SRC_VNODED)
+vcmd_LDADD = @libev_LIBS@
+vcmd_SOURCES = $(SRC_COMMON) $(SRC_VCMD)
+netns_SOURCES = $(SRC_NETNS)
 
 # this triggers automake to run setup.py for building the Python libraries
 #   actual library names are netns.so and vcmd.so
@@ -34,23 +33,23 @@ netns_SOURCES	= ${SRC_NETNS}
 noinst_LIBRARIES = libnetns.a
 libnetns_a_SOURCES = netnsmodule.c vcmdmodule.c
 libnetns.a:
-	SBINDIR=@SBINDIR@ LDFLAGS="$(LDFLAGS) @libev_LIBS@" CFLAGS="$(CFLAGS) @libev_CFLAGS@" $(PYTHON) setup.py build_ext
+	LDFLAGS="$(LDFLAGS) @libev_LIBS@" CFLAGS="$(CFLAGS) @libev_CFLAGS@" $(PYTHON) setup.py build_ext
 
 # Python libraries install
 install-exec-local:
-	$(MKDIR_P) ${DESTDIR}/${pythondir}
-	$(MKDIR_P) ${DESTDIR}/${pyexecdir}
-	SBINDIR=${DESTDIR}/@SBINDIR@ PYTHONPATH=${DESTDIR}/${pythondir} $(PYTHON) $(SETUPPY) $(SETUPPYFLAGS) install \
-		--prefix=${DESTDIR}/${pyprefix} \
-		--install-purelib=${DESTDIR}/${pythondir} \
-		--install-platlib=${DESTDIR}/${pyexecdir} \
+	$(PYTHON) $(SETUPPY) $(SETUPPYFLAGS) install \
+		--root=/$(DESTDIR) \
+		--prefix=$(prefix) \
+		--install-lib=$(pythondir) \
+		--single-version-externally-managed \
 		--no-compile
 
 # Python libraries uninstall
 uninstall-hook:
-	rm -f ${pyexecdir}/core_python_netns-1.0-py${PYTHON_VERSION}.egg-info
-	rm -f ${pyexecdir}/netns.so
-	rm -f ${pyexecdir}/vcmd.so
+	rm -rf core_netns.egg-info
+	rm -rf $(DESTDIR)/$(pythondir)/core_netns-$(PACKAGE_VERSION)-py$(PYTHON_VERSION).egg-info
+	rm -f $(DESTDIR)/$(bindir)/{vnoded,vcmd,netns}
+	rm -f $(DESTDIR)/$(pythondir)/{netns.so,vcmd.so}
 
 # Python libraries cleanup
 clean-local: clean-local-check
@@ -58,16 +57,9 @@ clean-local: clean-local-check
 clean-local-check:
 	-rm -rf build
 
-rpmbuild.sh:
-	echo SBINDIR=@SBINDIR@ LDFLAGS="$(LDFLAGS)" CFLAGS="$(CFLAGS) @libev_CFLAGS@" $(PYTHON) setup.py build > rpmbuild.sh
-	chmod a+x rpmbuild.sh
-
-rpm:	rpmbuild.sh
-	$(PYTHON) setup.py bdist_rpm --build-script=rpmbuild.sh --requires="libev" --build-requires="libev-devel"
-
 # extra cruft to remove
-DISTCLEANFILES	= Makefile.in rpmbuild.sh MANIFEST
+DISTCLEANFILES = Makefile.in MANIFEST
 
 # include source files for Python libraries with distribution tarball
-EXTRA_DIST	=  setup.py MANIFEST.in
+EXTRA_DIST = setup.py MANIFEST.in
 
diff --git a/netns/setup.py b/netns/setup.py
index 8ef5083f..839faeae 100644
--- a/netns/setup.py
+++ b/netns/setup.py
@@ -3,25 +3,8 @@ Defines how CORE netns will be build for installation.
 """
 
 from setuptools import setup, Extension
-from distutils.command.install import install
 
 
-class CustomInstall(install):
-    user_options = install.user_options + [
-        ("service=", None, "determine which service file to include")
-    ]
-
-    def initialize_options(self):
-        install.initialize_options(self)
-        self.service = "sysv"
-
-    def finalize_options(self):
-        install.finalize_options(self)
-        assert self.service in ("sysv", "systemd"), "must be sysv or systemd"
-
-    def run(self):
-        install.run(self)
-
 netns = Extension(
     "netns",
     sources=[
@@ -58,7 +41,4 @@ setup(
     author_email="core-dev@nrl.navy.mil",
     license="BSD",
     long_description="Extension modules and utilities to support virtual nodes using Linux network namespaces",
-    cmdclass={
-        "install": CustomInstall
-    }
 )
diff --git a/netns/version.h.in b/netns/version.h.in
index 557b691d..a7489514 100644
--- a/netns/version.h.in
+++ b/netns/version.h.in
@@ -11,6 +11,6 @@
 #ifndef _VERSION_H_
 #define _VERSION_H_
 
-#define CORE_VERSION "@CORE_VERSION@"
+#define CORE_VERSION "@PACKAGE_VERSION@"
 
 #endif /* _VERSION_H_ */
diff --git a/ns3/Makefile.am b/ns3/Makefile.am
index 346daf5c..bf398426 100644
--- a/ns3/Makefile.am
+++ b/ns3/Makefile.am
@@ -7,17 +7,12 @@
 # Makefile for building corens3 components.
 #
 
-SETUPPY		= setup.py
-SETUPPYFLAGS	= -v
+SETUPPY	= setup.py
+SETUPPYFLAGS = -v
 
-EXAMPLE_FILES	=				\
-	examples/ns3lte.py			\
-	examples/ns3wifi.py			\
-	examples/ns3wifirandomwalk.py		\
-	examples/ns3wimax.py
-
-coreexampledir		= $(datadir)/core/examples/corens3
-dist_coreexample_SCRIPTS= $(EXAMPLE_FILES)
+#EXAMPLE_FILES := $(wildcard examples/*)
+#coreexampledir = $(datadir)/core/examples/corens3
+#dist_coreexample_SCRIPTS = $(EXAMPLE_FILES)
 
 # Python package build
 noinst_SCRIPTS = build
@@ -26,34 +21,30 @@ build:
 
 # Python package install
 install-exec-hook:
-	$(MKDIR_P) ${DESTDIR}/${pythondir}
-	$(MKDIR_P) ${DESTDIR}/${pyexecdir}
-	PYTHONPATH=${DESTDIR}/${pythondir} $(PYTHON) $(SETUPPY) $(SETUPPYFLAGS) install \
-		--prefix=${DESTDIR}/${pyprefix} \
-		--install-purelib=${DESTDIR}/${pythondir} \
-		--install-platlib=${DESTDIR}/${pyexecdir} \
+	$(PYTHON) $(SETUPPY) $(SETUPPYFLAGS) install \
+		--root=/$(DESTDIR) \
+		--prefix=$(prefix) \
+		--install-lib=$(pythondir) \
+		--single-version-externally-managed \
 		--no-compile
 
 # Python package uninstall
 uninstall-hook:
-	rm -f ${pythondir}/corens3_python-${COREDPY_VERSION}-py${PYTHON_VERSION}.egg-info
-	rm -rf ${pythondir}/corens3
-	rmdir -p $(coreexampledir) || true
+	rm -rf core_ns3.egg-info
+	rm -rf $(DESTDIR)/$(pythondir)/core_ns3-$(PACKAGE_VERSION)-py$(PYTHON_VERSION).egg-info
+	rm -rf $(DESTDIR)/$(pythondir)/corens3
+	rm -rf $(DESTDIR)/$(datadir)/corens3
 
 # Python package cleanup
 clean-local:
 	-rm -rf build
 
-# Python RPM package
-rpm:
-	$(PYTHON) $(SETUPPY) $(SETUPPYFLAGS) bdist_rpm
-
 # because we include entire directories with EXTRA_DIST, we need to clean up
 # the source control files
 dist-hook:
-	rm -rf `find $(distdir)/ -name .svn` `find $(distdir)/ -name '*.pyc'`
+	rm -rf `find $(distdir)/ -name '*.pyc'`
 
-DISTCLEANFILES	= Makefile.in *.pyc corens3/*.pyc MANIFEST
+DISTCLEANFILES = Makefile.in *.pyc corens3/*.pyc MANIFEST
 
 # files to include with distribution tarball
-EXTRA_DIST	= LICENSE $(SETUPPY) corens3
+EXTRA_DIST = LICENSE $(SETUPPY) corens3
diff --git a/ns3/corens3/.gitignore b/ns3/corens3/.gitignore
deleted file mode 100644
index 18b5fbad..00000000
--- a/ns3/corens3/.gitignore
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-constants.py
diff --git a/ns3/corens3/constants.py.in b/ns3/corens3/constants.py.in
deleted file mode 100644
index 05784d6c..00000000
--- a/ns3/corens3/constants.py.in
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,18 +0,0 @@
-# Constants created by autoconf ./configure script
-COREDPY_VERSION		= "@COREDPY_VERSION@"
-CORE_STATE_DIR		= "@CORE_STATE_DIR@"
-CORE_CONF_DIR		= "@CORE_CONF_DIR@"
-CORE_DATA_DIR		= "@CORE_DATA_DIR@"
-CORE_LIB_DIR		= "@CORE_LIB_DIR@"
-CORE_SBIN_DIR		= "@SBINDIR@"
-
-BRCTL_BIN               = "@brctl_path@/brctl"
-IP_BIN                  = "@ip_path@/ip"
-TC_BIN                  = "@tc_path@/tc"
-EBTABLES_BIN            = "@ebtables_path@/ebtables"
-IFCONFIG_BIN            = "@ifconfig_path@/ifconfig"
-NGCTL_BIN               = "@ngctl_path@/ngctl"
-VIMAGE_BIN              = "@vimage_path@/vimage"
-QUAGGA_STATE_DIR        = "@CORE_STATE_DIR@/run/quagga"
-MOUNT_BIN               = "@mount_path@/mount"
-UMOUNT_BIN              = "@umount_path@/umount"
diff --git a/ns3/setup.py b/ns3/setup.py
index 9154d76e..c49d225e 100644
--- a/ns3/setup.py
+++ b/ns3/setup.py
@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
+import glob
+
 from setuptools import setup
 
+_EXAMPLES_DIR = "share/corens3/examples"
+
 setup(
     name="core-ns3",
     version="5.1",
     packages=[
         "corens3",
     ],
+    data_files=[(_EXAMPLES_DIR, glob.glob("examples/*"))],
     description="Python ns-3 components of CORE",
     url="http://www.nrl.navy.mil/itd/ncs/products/core",
     author="Boeing Research & Technology",
diff --git a/scripts/core-daemon.service.in b/scripts/core-daemon.service.in
index b0c4a7f2..3d5c05fd 100644
--- a/scripts/core-daemon.service.in
+++ b/scripts/core-daemon.service.in
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ After=network.target
 [Service]
 Type=forking
 PIDFile=/var/run/core-daemon.pid
-ExecStart=@PYTHON@ @SBINDIR@/core-daemon -d
+ExecStart=@PYTHON@ @bindir@/core-daemon -d
 TasksMax=infinity
 
 [Install]
diff --git a/scripts/perf/Makefile.am b/scripts/perf/Makefile.am
index b9ea48d7..7531ba82 100644
--- a/scripts/perf/Makefile.am
+++ b/scripts/perf/Makefile.am
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ dist_hooks_SCRIPTS = perflogstart.sh perflogstop.sh sessiondatacollect.sh \
 		     configuration_hook.sh datacollect_hook.sh
 
 # Files installed to /etc/core/
-perfconfdir=$(sysconfdir)/core
+perfconfdir=$(CORE_CONF_DIR)
 dist_perfconf_DATA = perflogserver.conf
 
 uninstall-hook: