diff --git a/daemon/core/api/tlv/corehandlers.py b/daemon/core/api/tlv/corehandlers.py
index 60ddfcca..8f995920 100644
--- a/daemon/core/api/tlv/corehandlers.py
+++ b/daemon/core/api/tlv/corehandlers.py
@@ -1192,9 +1192,9 @@ class CoreHandler(socketserver.BaseRequestHandler):
                 for server in server_list:
                     server_items = server.split(":")
                     name, host, _ = server_items[:3]
-                    self.session.add_distributed(name, host)
+                    self.session.distributed.add_server(name, host)
         elif message_type == ConfigFlags.RESET:
-            self.session.shutdown_distributed()
+            self.session.distributed.shutdown()
 
     def handle_config_services(self, message_type, config_data):
         replies = []
diff --git a/daemon/core/emane/emanemanager.py b/daemon/core/emane/emanemanager.py
index e4208189..91553b5a 100644
--- a/daemon/core/emane/emanemanager.py
+++ b/daemon/core/emane/emanemanager.py
@@ -142,9 +142,7 @@ class EmaneManager(ModelManager):
             args = "emane --version"
             emane_version = utils.check_cmd(args)
             logging.info("using EMANE: %s", emane_version)
-            for name in self.session.servers:
-                server = self.session.servers[name]
-                server.remote_cmd(args)
+            self.session.distributed.execute(lambda x: x.remote_cmd(args))
 
             # load default emane models
             self.load_models(EMANE_MODELS)
@@ -518,11 +516,11 @@ class EmaneManager(ModelManager):
 
         dev = self.get_config("eventservicedevice")
         emanexml.create_event_service_xml(group, port, dev, self.session.session_dir)
-        for name in self.session.servers:
-            conn = self.session.servers[name]
-            emanexml.create_event_service_xml(
-                group, port, dev, self.session.session_dir, conn
+        self.session.distributed.execute(
+            lambda x: emanexml.create_event_service_xml(
+                group, port, dev, self.session.session_dir, x
             )
+        )
 
     def startdaemons(self):
         """
@@ -598,9 +596,7 @@ class EmaneManager(ModelManager):
         emanecmd += " -f %s" % os.path.join(path, "emane.log")
         emanecmd += " %s" % os.path.join(path, "platform.xml")
         utils.check_cmd(emanecmd, cwd=path)
-        for name in self.session.servers:
-            server = self.session.servers[name]
-            server.remote_cmd(emanecmd, cwd=path)
+        self.session.distributed.execute(lambda x: x.remote_cmd(emanecmd, cwd=path))
         logging.info("host emane daemon running: %s", emanecmd)
 
     def stopdaemons(self):
@@ -625,10 +621,8 @@ class EmaneManager(ModelManager):
             try:
                 utils.check_cmd(kill_emaned)
                 utils.check_cmd(kill_transortd)
-                for name in self.session.servers:
-                    server = self.session[name]
-                    server.remote_cmd(kill_emaned)
-                    server.remote_cmd(kill_transortd)
+                self.session.distributed.execute(lambda x: x.remote_cmd(kill_emaned))
+                self.session.distributed.execute(lambda x: x.remote_cmd(kill_transortd))
             except CoreCommandError:
                 logging.exception("error shutting down emane daemons")
 
diff --git a/daemon/core/emulator/distributed.py b/daemon/core/emulator/distributed.py
index 2df33541..c6218441 100644
--- a/daemon/core/emulator/distributed.py
+++ b/daemon/core/emulator/distributed.py
@@ -5,12 +5,17 @@ Defines distributed server functionality.
 import logging
 import os
 import threading
+from collections import OrderedDict
 from tempfile import NamedTemporaryFile
 
 from fabric import Connection
 from invoke import UnexpectedExit
 
+from core import utils
 from core.errors import CoreCommandError
+from core.nodes.interface import GreTap
+from core.nodes.ipaddress import IpAddress
+from core.nodes.network import CoreNetwork, CtrlNet
 
 LOCK = threading.Lock()
 
@@ -93,3 +98,150 @@ class DistributedServer(object):
             temp.close()
             self.conn.put(temp.name, destination)
             os.unlink(temp.name)
+
+
+class DistributedController(object):
+    def __init__(self, session):
+        """
+        Create
+
+        :param session:
+        """
+        self.session = session
+        self.servers = OrderedDict()
+        self.tunnels = {}
+        self.address = self.session.options.get_config(
+            "distributed_address", default=None
+        )
+
+    def add_server(self, name, host):
+        """
+        Add distributed server configuration.
+
+        :param str name: distributed server name
+        :param str host: distributed server host address
+        :return: nothing
+        """
+        server = DistributedServer(name, host)
+        self.servers[name] = server
+        cmd = "mkdir -p %s" % self.session.session_dir
+        server.remote_cmd(cmd)
+
+    def execute(self, func):
+        """
+        Convenience for executing logic against all distributed servers.
+
+        :param func: function to run, that takes a DistributedServer as a parameter
+        :return: nothing
+        """
+        for name in self.servers:
+            server = self.servers[name]
+            func(server)
+
+    def shutdown(self):
+        """
+        Shutdown logic for dealing with distributed tunnels and server session
+        directories.
+
+        :return: nothing
+        """
+        # shutdown all tunnels
+        for key in self.tunnels:
+            tunnels = self.tunnels[key]
+            for tunnel in tunnels:
+                tunnel.shutdown()
+
+        # remove all remote session directories
+        for name in self.servers:
+            server = self.servers[name]
+            cmd = "rm -rf %s" % self.session.session_dir
+            server.remote_cmd(cmd)
+
+        # clear tunnels
+        self.tunnels.clear()
+
+    def start(self):
+        """
+        Start distributed network tunnels.
+
+        :return: nothing
+        """
+        for node_id in self.session.nodes:
+            node = self.session.nodes[node_id]
+
+            if not isinstance(node, CoreNetwork):
+                continue
+
+            if isinstance(node, CtrlNet) and node.serverintf is not None:
+                continue
+
+            for name in self.servers:
+                server = self.servers[name]
+                self.create_gre_tunnel(node, server)
+
+    def create_gre_tunnel(self, node, server):
+        """
+        Create gre tunnel using a pair of gre taps between the local and remote server.
+
+
+        :param core.nodes.network.CoreNetwork node: node to create gre tunnel for
+        :param core.emulator.distributed.DistributedServer server: server to create
+            tunnel for
+        :return: local and remote gre taps created for tunnel
+        :rtype: tuple
+        """
+        host = server.host
+        key = self.tunnel_key(node.id, IpAddress.to_int(host))
+        tunnel = self.tunnels.get(key)
+        if tunnel is not None:
+            return tunnel
+
+        # local to server
+        logging.info(
+            "local tunnel node(%s) to remote(%s) key(%s)", node.name, host, key
+        )
+        local_tap = GreTap(session=self.session, remoteip=host, key=key)
+        local_tap.net_client.create_interface(node.brname, local_tap.localname)
+
+        # server to local
+        logging.info(
+            "remote tunnel node(%s) to local(%s) key(%s)", node.name, self.address, key
+        )
+        remote_tap = GreTap(
+            session=self.session, remoteip=self.address, key=key, server=server
+        )
+        remote_tap.net_client.create_interface(node.brname, remote_tap.localname)
+
+        # save tunnels for shutdown
+        tunnel = (local_tap, remote_tap)
+        self.tunnels[key] = tunnel
+        return tunnel
+
+    def tunnel_key(self, n1_id, n2_id):
+        """
+        Compute a 32-bit key used to uniquely identify a GRE tunnel.
+        The hash(n1num), hash(n2num) values are used, so node numbers may be
+        None or string values (used for e.g. "ctrlnet").
+
+        :param int n1_id: node one id
+        :param int n2_id: node two id
+        :return: tunnel key for the node pair
+        :rtype: int
+        """
+        logging.debug("creating tunnel key for: %s, %s", n1_id, n2_id)
+        key = (
+            (self.session.id << 16) ^ utils.hashkey(n1_id) ^ (utils.hashkey(n2_id) << 8)
+        )
+        return key & 0xFFFFFFFF
+
+    def get_tunnel(self, n1_id, n2_id):
+        """
+        Return the GreTap between two nodes if it exists.
+
+        :param int n1_id: node one id
+        :param int n2_id: node two id
+        :return: gre tap between nodes or None
+        """
+        key = self.tunnel_key(n1_id, n2_id)
+        logging.debug("checking for tunnel key(%s) in: %s", key, self.tunnels)
+        return self.tunnels.get(key)
diff --git a/daemon/core/emulator/session.py b/daemon/core/emulator/session.py
index fe371c44..d962da28 100644
--- a/daemon/core/emulator/session.py
+++ b/daemon/core/emulator/session.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from core import constants, utils
 from core.emane.emanemanager import EmaneManager
 from core.emane.nodes import EmaneNet
 from core.emulator.data import EventData, ExceptionData, NodeData
-from core.emulator.distributed import DistributedServer
+from core.emulator.distributed import DistributedController
 from core.emulator.emudata import (
     IdGen,
     LinkOptions,
@@ -34,11 +34,9 @@ from core.location.event import EventLoop
 from core.location.mobility import MobilityManager
 from core.nodes.base import CoreNetworkBase, CoreNode, CoreNodeBase
 from core.nodes.docker import DockerNode
-from core.nodes.interface import GreTap
-from core.nodes.ipaddress import IpAddress, MacAddress
+from core.nodes.ipaddress import MacAddress
 from core.nodes.lxd import LxcNode
 from core.nodes.network import (
-    CoreNetwork,
     CtrlNet,
     GreTapBridge,
     HubNode,
@@ -137,10 +135,8 @@ class Session(object):
             self.options.set_config(key, value)
         self.metadata = SessionMetaData()
 
-        # distributed servers
-        self.servers = {}
-        self.tunnels = {}
-        self.address = self.options.get_config("distributed_address", default=None)
+        # distributed support and logic
+        self.distributed = DistributedController(self)
 
         # initialize session feature helpers
         self.location = CoreLocation()
@@ -158,123 +154,6 @@ class Session(object):
             "host": ("DefaultRoute", "SSH"),
         }
 
-    def add_distributed(self, name, host):
-        """
-        Add distributed server configuration.
-
-        :param str name: distributed server name
-        :param str host: distributed server host address
-        :return: nothing
-        """
-        server = DistributedServer(name, host)
-        self.servers[name] = server
-        cmd = "mkdir -p %s" % self.session_dir
-        server.remote_cmd(cmd)
-
-    def shutdown_distributed(self):
-        """
-        Shutdown logic for dealing with distributed tunnels and server session
-        directories.
-
-        :return: nothing
-        """
-        # shutdown all tunnels
-        for key in self.tunnels:
-            tunnels = self.tunnels[key]
-            for tunnel in tunnels:
-                tunnel.shutdown()
-
-        # remove all remote session directories
-        for name in self.servers:
-            server = self.servers[name]
-            cmd = "rm -rf %s" % self.session_dir
-            server.remote_cmd(cmd)
-
-        # clear tunnels
-        self.tunnels.clear()
-
-    def start_distributed(self):
-        """
-        Start distributed network tunnels.
-
-        :return: nothing
-        """
-        for node_id in self.nodes:
-            node = self.nodes[node_id]
-
-            if not isinstance(node, CoreNetwork):
-                continue
-
-            if isinstance(node, CtrlNet) and node.serverintf is not None:
-                continue
-
-            for name in self.servers:
-                server = self.servers[name]
-                self.create_gre_tunnel(node, server)
-
-    def create_gre_tunnel(self, node, server):
-        """
-        Create gre tunnel using a pair of gre taps between the local and remote server.
-
-
-        :param core.nodes.network.CoreNetwork node: node to create gre tunnel for
-        :param core.emulator.distributed.DistributedServer server: server to create
-            tunnel for
-        :return: local and remote gre taps created for tunnel
-        :rtype: tuple
-        """
-        host = server.host
-        key = self.tunnelkey(node.id, IpAddress.to_int(host))
-        tunnel = self.tunnels.get(key)
-        if tunnel is not None:
-            return tunnel
-
-        # local to server
-        logging.info(
-            "local tunnel node(%s) to remote(%s) key(%s)", node.name, host, key
-        )
-        local_tap = GreTap(session=self, remoteip=host, key=key)
-        local_tap.net_client.create_interface(node.brname, local_tap.localname)
-
-        # server to local
-        logging.info(
-            "remote tunnel node(%s) to local(%s) key(%s)", node.name, self.address, key
-        )
-        remote_tap = GreTap(session=self, remoteip=self.address, key=key, server=server)
-        remote_tap.net_client.create_interface(node.brname, remote_tap.localname)
-
-        # save tunnels for shutdown
-        tunnel = (local_tap, remote_tap)
-        self.tunnels[key] = tunnel
-        return tunnel
-
-    def tunnelkey(self, n1_id, n2_id):
-        """
-        Compute a 32-bit key used to uniquely identify a GRE tunnel.
-        The hash(n1num), hash(n2num) values are used, so node numbers may be
-        None or string values (used for e.g. "ctrlnet").
-
-        :param int n1_id: node one id
-        :param int n2_id: node two id
-        :return: tunnel key for the node pair
-        :rtype: int
-        """
-        logging.debug("creating tunnel key for: %s, %s", n1_id, n2_id)
-        key = (self.id << 16) ^ utils.hashkey(n1_id) ^ (utils.hashkey(n2_id) << 8)
-        return key & 0xFFFFFFFF
-
-    def gettunnel(self, n1_id, n2_id):
-        """
-        Return the GreTap between two nodes if it exists.
-
-        :param int n1_id: node one id
-        :param int n2_id: node two id
-        :return: gre tap between nodes or None
-        """
-        key = self.tunnelkey(n1_id, n2_id)
-        logging.debug("checking for tunnel key(%s) in: %s", key, self.tunnels)
-        return self.tunnels.get(key)
-
     @classmethod
     def get_node_class(cls, _type):
         """
@@ -324,7 +203,7 @@ class Session(object):
         node_two = self.get_node(node_two_id)
 
         # both node ids are provided
-        tunnel = self.gettunnel(node_one_id, node_two_id)
+        tunnel = self.distributed.get_tunnel(node_one_id, node_two_id)
         logging.debug("tunnel between nodes: %s", tunnel)
         if isinstance(tunnel, GreTapBridge):
             net_one = tunnel
@@ -789,7 +668,7 @@ class Session(object):
             name = "%s%s" % (node_class.__name__, _id)
 
         # verify distributed server
-        server = self.servers.get(node_options.emulation_server)
+        server = self.distributed.servers.get(node_options.emulation_server)
         if node_options.emulation_server is not None and server is None:
             raise CoreError(
                 "invalid distributed server: %s" % node_options.emulation_server
@@ -1003,7 +882,7 @@ class Session(object):
         :return: nothing
         """
         self.delete_nodes()
-        self.shutdown_distributed()
+        self.distributed.shutdown()
         self.del_hooks()
         self.emane.reset()
 
@@ -1082,7 +961,7 @@ class Session(object):
 
         # remove and shutdown all nodes and tunnels
         self.delete_nodes()
-        self.shutdown_distributed()
+        self.distributed.shutdown()
 
         # remove this sessions working directory
         preserve = self.options.get_config("preservedir") == "1"
@@ -1594,7 +1473,7 @@ class Session(object):
         self.add_remove_control_interface(node=None, remove=False)
 
         # initialize distributed tunnels
-        self.start_distributed()
+        self.distributed.start()
 
         # instantiate will be invoked again upon Emane configure
         if self.emane.startup() == self.emane.NOT_READY:
diff --git a/daemon/core/nodes/network.py b/daemon/core/nodes/network.py
index 931622bb..98bec198 100644
--- a/daemon/core/nodes/network.py
+++ b/daemon/core/nodes/network.py
@@ -289,9 +289,7 @@ class CoreNetwork(CoreNetworkBase):
         """
         logging.info("network node(%s) cmd", self.name)
         output = utils.check_cmd(args, env, cwd, wait)
-        for name in self.session.servers:
-            server = self.session.servers[name]
-            server.remote_cmd(args, env, cwd, wait)
+        self.session.distributed.execute(lambda x: x.remote_cmd(args, env, cwd, wait))
         return output
 
     def startup(self):
@@ -778,8 +776,9 @@ class CtrlNet(CoreNetwork):
         current = "%s/%s" % (address, self.prefix.prefixlen)
         net_client = get_net_client(use_ovs, utils.check_cmd)
         net_client.create_address(self.brname, current)
-        for name in self.session.servers:
-            server = self.session.servers[name]
+        servers = self.session.distributed.servers
+        for name in servers:
+            server = servers[name]
             address -= 1
             current = "%s/%s" % (address, self.prefix.prefixlen)
             net_client = get_net_client(use_ovs, server.remote_cmd)
diff --git a/daemon/core/nodes/physical.py b/daemon/core/nodes/physical.py
index 37a2eb54..0f9e0217 100644
--- a/daemon/core/nodes/physical.py
+++ b/daemon/core/nodes/physical.py
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ class PhysicalNode(CoreNodeBase):
         if self.up:
             # this is reached when this node is linked to a network node
             # tunnel to net not built yet, so build it now and adopt it
-            _, remote_tap = self.session.create_gre_tunnel(net, self.server)
+            _, remote_tap = self.session.distributed.create_gre_tunnel(net, self.server)
             self.adoptnetif(remote_tap, ifindex, hwaddr, addrlist)
             return ifindex
         else:
diff --git a/daemon/core/xml/emanexml.py b/daemon/core/xml/emanexml.py
index 881ff373..41319ea4 100644
--- a/daemon/core/xml/emanexml.py
+++ b/daemon/core/xml/emanexml.py
@@ -314,9 +314,9 @@ def build_transport_xml(emane_manager, node, transport_type):
     file_name = transport_file_name(node.id, transport_type)
     file_path = os.path.join(emane_manager.session.session_dir, file_name)
     create_file(transport_element, doc_name, file_path)
-    for name in emane_manager.session.servers:
-        server = emane_manager.session.servers[name]
-        create_file(transport_element, doc_name, file_path, server)
+    emane_manager.session.distributed.execute(
+        lambda x: create_file(transport_element, doc_name, file_path, x)
+    )
 
 
 def create_phy_xml(emane_model, config, file_path, server):
@@ -342,9 +342,9 @@ def create_phy_xml(emane_model, config, file_path, server):
         create_file(phy_element, "phy", file_path, server)
     else:
         create_file(phy_element, "phy", file_path)
-        for name in emane_model.session.servers:
-            server = emane_model.session.servers[name]
-            create_file(phy_element, "phy", file_path, server)
+        emane_model.session.distributed.execute(
+            lambda x: create_file(phy_element, "phy", file_path, x)
+        )
 
 
 def create_mac_xml(emane_model, config, file_path, server):
@@ -372,9 +372,9 @@ def create_mac_xml(emane_model, config, file_path, server):
         create_file(mac_element, "mac", file_path, server)
     else:
         create_file(mac_element, "mac", file_path)
-        for name in emane_model.session.servers:
-            server = emane_model.session.servers[name]
-            create_file(mac_element, "mac", file_path, server)
+        emane_model.session.distributed.execute(
+            lambda x: create_file(mac_element, "mac", file_path, x)
+        )
 
 
 def create_nem_xml(
@@ -410,9 +410,9 @@ def create_nem_xml(
         create_file(nem_element, "nem", nem_file, server)
     else:
         create_file(nem_element, "nem", nem_file)
-        for name in emane_model.session.servers:
-            server = emane_model.session.servers[name]
-            create_file(nem_element, "nem", nem_file, server)
+        emane_model.session.distributed.execute(
+            lambda x: create_file(nem_element, "nem", nem_file, x)
+        )
 
 
 def create_event_service_xml(group, port, device, file_directory, server=None):
diff --git a/daemon/examples/python/distributed.py b/daemon/examples/python/distributed.py
index 8bcf2972..8eb23b2c 100644
--- a/daemon/examples/python/distributed.py
+++ b/daemon/examples/python/distributed.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ def main():
 
     # initialize distributed
     server_name = "core2"
-    session.add_distributed(server_name, remote)
+    session.distributed.add_server(server_name, remote)
 
     # must be in configuration state for nodes to start, when using "node_add" below
     session.set_state(EventTypes.CONFIGURATION_STATE)
diff --git a/daemon/examples/python/distributed_emane.py b/daemon/examples/python/distributed_emane.py
index c64d1f0c..4ef50ccb 100644
--- a/daemon/examples/python/distributed_emane.py
+++ b/daemon/examples/python/distributed_emane.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def main():
 
     # initialize distributed
     server_name = "core2"
-    session.add_distributed(server_name, remote)
+    session.distributed.add_server(server_name, remote)
 
     # must be in configuration state for nodes to start, when using "node_add" below
     session.set_state(EventTypes.CONFIGURATION_STATE)
diff --git a/daemon/examples/python/distributed_lxd.py b/daemon/examples/python/distributed_lxd.py
index 8bafeb7a..130942ea 100644
--- a/daemon/examples/python/distributed_lxd.py
+++ b/daemon/examples/python/distributed_lxd.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ def main():
 
     # initialize distributed
     server_name = "core2"
-    session.add_distributed(server_name, remote)
+    session.distributed.add_server(server_name, remote)
 
     # must be in configuration state for nodes to start, when using "node_add" below
     session.set_state(EventTypes.CONFIGURATION_STATE)
diff --git a/daemon/examples/python/distributed_ptp.py b/daemon/examples/python/distributed_ptp.py
index b0f27c28..62e7df64 100644
--- a/daemon/examples/python/distributed_ptp.py
+++ b/daemon/examples/python/distributed_ptp.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ def main():
 
     # initialize distributed
     server_name = "core2"
-    session.add_distributed(server_name, remote)
+    session.distributed.add_server(server_name, remote)
 
     # must be in configuration state for nodes to start, when using "node_add" below
     session.set_state(EventTypes.CONFIGURATION_STATE)
diff --git a/daemon/examples/python/distributed_switches.py b/daemon/examples/python/distributed_switches.py
index bc13bf2c..f9b69757 100644
--- a/daemon/examples/python/distributed_switches.py
+++ b/daemon/examples/python/distributed_switches.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ def main():
 
     # initialize distributed
     server_name = "core2"
-    session.add_distributed(server_name, remote)
+    session.distributed.add_server(server_name, remote)
 
     # must be in configuration state for nodes to start, when using "node_add" below
     session.set_state(EventTypes.CONFIGURATION_STATE)
diff --git a/daemon/examples/python/distributed_wlan.py b/daemon/examples/python/distributed_wlan.py
index f8af1f5f..10f25aa8 100644
--- a/daemon/examples/python/distributed_wlan.py
+++ b/daemon/examples/python/distributed_wlan.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def main():
 
     # initialize distributed
     server_name = "core2"
-    session.add_distributed(server_name, remote)
+    session.distributed.add_server(server_name, remote)
 
     # must be in configuration state for nodes to start, when using "node_add" below
     session.set_state(EventTypes.CONFIGURATION_STATE)
diff --git a/daemon/tests/test_gui.py b/daemon/tests/test_gui.py
index 02e634be..c07e2bd3 100644
--- a/daemon/tests/test_gui.py
+++ b/daemon/tests/test_gui.py
@@ -763,11 +763,11 @@ class TestGui:
                 (ConfigTlvs.VALUES, "%s:%s:%s" % (server, host, port)),
             ],
         )
-        coreserver.session.add_distributed = mock.MagicMock()
+        coreserver.session.distributed.add_server = mock.MagicMock()
 
         coreserver.request_handler.handle_message(message)
 
-        coreserver.session.add_distributed.assert_called_once_with(server, host)
+        coreserver.session.distributed.add_server.assert_called_once_with(server, host)
 
     def test_config_services_request_all(self, coreserver):
         message = coreapi.CoreConfMessage.create(