Merge pull request #2175 from karalabe/refactor-http-rpc

cmd, common, node, rpc: move HTTP RPC into node, drop singleton aspect

19 files changed, 654 insertions, 540 deletions

diff --git a/cmd/geth/js_test.go b/cmd/geth/js_test.go
index 19583c5ef..4330b484c 100644
--- a/cmd/geth/js_test.go
+++ b/cmd/geth/js_test.go
@@ -37,22 +37,21 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/eth"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/ethdb"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/node"
-	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/cmd/utils"
 )
 
 const (
 	testSolcPath = ""
-	solcVersion = "0.9.23"
+	solcVersion  = "0.9.23"
 
-	testKey = "e6fab74a43941f82d89cb7faa408e227cdad3153c4720e540e855c19b15e6674"
+	testKey     = "e6fab74a43941f82d89cb7faa408e227cdad3153c4720e540e855c19b15e6674"
 	testAddress = "0x8605cdbbdb6d264aa742e77020dcbc58fcdce182"
 	testBalance = "10000000000000000000"
-// of empty string
+	// of empty string
 	testHash = "0xc5d2460186f7233c927e7db2dcc703c0e500b653ca82273b7bfad8045d85a470"
 )
 
 var (
-	versionRE = regexp.MustCompile(strconv.Quote(`"compilerVersion":"` + solcVersion + `"`))
+	versionRE   = regexp.MustCompile(strconv.Quote(`"compilerVersion":"` + solcVersion + `"`))
 	testNodeKey = crypto.ToECDSA(common.Hex2Bytes("4b50fa71f5c3eeb8fdc452224b2395af2fcc3d125e06c32c82e048c0559db03f"))
 	testGenesis = `{"` + testAddress[2:] + `": {"balance": "` + testBalance + `"}}`
 )
@@ -141,8 +140,10 @@ func testREPL(t *testing.T, config func(*eth.Config)) (string, *testjethre, *nod
 	stack.Service(&ethereum)
 
 	assetPath := filepath.Join(os.Getenv("GOPATH"), "src", "github.com", "ethereum", "go-ethereum", "cmd", "mist", "assets", "ext")
-	//client := comms.NewInProcClient(codec.JSON)
-	client := utils.NewInProcRPCClient(stack)
+	client, err := stack.Attach()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to attach to node: %v", err)
+	}
 	tf := &testjethre{client: ethereum.HTTPClient()}
 	repl := newJSRE(stack, assetPath, "", client, false)
 	tf.jsre = repl
@@ -152,9 +153,6 @@ func testREPL(t *testing.T, config func(*eth.Config)) (string, *testjethre, *nod
 func TestNodeInfo(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Skip("broken after p2p update")
 	tmp, repl, ethereum := testJEthRE(t)
-	if err := ethereum.Start(); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("error starting ethereum: %v", err)
-	}
 	defer ethereum.Stop()
 	defer os.RemoveAll(tmp)
 
@@ -167,8 +165,8 @@ func TestAccounts(t *testing.T) {
 	defer node.Stop()
 	defer os.RemoveAll(tmp)
 
-	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `eth.accounts`, `["` + testAddress + `"]`)
-	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `eth.coinbase`, `"` + testAddress + `"`)
+	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `eth.accounts`, `["`+testAddress+`"]`)
+	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `eth.coinbase`, `"`+testAddress+`"`)
 	val, err := repl.re.Run(`jeth.newAccount("password")`)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Errorf("expected no error, got %v", err)
@@ -178,7 +176,7 @@ func TestAccounts(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("address not hex: %q", addr)
 	}
 
-	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `eth.accounts`, `["` + testAddress + `","` + addr + `"]`)
+	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `eth.accounts`, `["`+testAddress+`","`+addr+`"]`)
 
 }
 
@@ -206,13 +204,13 @@ func TestBlockChain(t *testing.T) {
 	node.Service(&ethereum)
 	ethereum.BlockChain().Reset()
 
-	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `admin.exportChain(` + tmpfileq + `)`, `true`)
+	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `admin.exportChain(`+tmpfileq+`)`, `true`)
 	if _, err := os.Stat(tmpfile); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
 	// check import, verify that dumpBlock gives the same result.
-	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `admin.importChain(` + tmpfileq + `)`, `true`)
+	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `admin.importChain(`+tmpfileq+`)`, `true`)
 	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `debug.dumpBlock(eth.blockNumber)`, beforeExport)
 }
 
@@ -240,7 +238,7 @@ func TestCheckTestAccountBalance(t *testing.T) {
 	defer os.RemoveAll(tmp)
 
 	repl.re.Run(`primary = "` + testAddress + `"`)
-	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `eth.getBalance(primary)`, `"` + testBalance + `"`)
+	checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `eth.getBalance(primary)`, `"`+testBalance+`"`)
 }
 
 func TestSignature(t *testing.T) {
@@ -301,11 +299,11 @@ func TestContract(t *testing.T) {
 	 */
 
 	source := `contract test {\n` +
-	"   /// @notice Will multiply `a` by 7." + `\n` +
-	`   function multiply(uint a) returns(uint d) {\n` +
-	`       return a * 7;\n` +
-	`   }\n` +
-	`}\n`
+		"   /// @notice Will multiply `a` by 7." + `\n` +
+		`   function multiply(uint a) returns(uint d) {\n` +
+		`       return a * 7;\n` +
+		`   }\n` +
+		`}\n`
 
 	if checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `admin.stopNatSpec()`, `true`) != nil {
 		return
@@ -315,10 +313,10 @@ func TestContract(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("%v", err)
 	}
-	if checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `primary = eth.accounts[0]`, `"` + testAddress + `"`) != nil {
+	if checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `primary = eth.accounts[0]`, `"`+testAddress+`"`) != nil {
 		return
 	}
-	if checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `source = "` + source + `"`, `"` + source + `"`) != nil {
+	if checkEvalJSON(t, repl, `source = "`+source+`"`, `"`+source+`"`) != nil {
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -396,7 +394,7 @@ multiply7 = Multiply7.at(contractaddress);
 
 	var contentHash = `"0x86d2b7cf1e72e9a7a3f8d96601f0151742a2f780f1526414304fbe413dc7f9bd"`
 	if sol != nil && solcVersion != sol.Version() {
-		modContractInfo := versionRE.ReplaceAll(contractInfo, []byte(`"compilerVersion":"` + sol.Version() + `"`))
+		modContractInfo := versionRE.ReplaceAll(contractInfo, []byte(`"compilerVersion":"`+sol.Version()+`"`))
 		fmt.Printf("modified contractinfo:\n%s\n", modContractInfo)
 		contentHash = `"` + common.ToHex(crypto.Sha3([]byte(modContractInfo))) + `"`
 	}
@@ -481,7 +479,7 @@ func processTxs(repl *testjethre, t *testing.T, expTxc int) bool {
 	repl.wait <- height
 	select {
 	case <-timer.C:
-	// if times out make sure the xeth loop does not block
+		// if times out make sure the xeth loop does not block
 		go func() {
 			select {
 			case repl.wait <- nil:
diff --git a/cmd/geth/main.go b/cmd/geth/main.go
index fa456a7ac..8594d18c5 100644
--- a/cmd/geth/main.go
+++ b/cmd/geth/main.go
@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ func attach(ctx *cli.Context) {
 	// attach to a running geth instance
 	client, err := utils.NewRemoteRPCClient(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
-		utils.Fatalf("Unable to attach to geth - %v", err)
+		utils.Fatalf("Unable to attach to geth: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	repl := newLightweightJSRE(
@@ -425,8 +425,10 @@ func console(ctx *cli.Context) {
 	startNode(ctx, node)
 
 	// Attach to the newly started node, and either execute script or become interactive
-	client := utils.NewInProcRPCClient(node)
-
+	client, err := node.Attach()
+	if err != nil {
+		utils.Fatalf("Failed to attach to the inproc geth: %v", err)
+	}
 	repl := newJSRE(node,
 		ctx.GlobalString(utils.JSpathFlag.Name),
 		ctx.GlobalString(utils.RPCCORSDomainFlag.Name),
@@ -449,8 +451,10 @@ func execScripts(ctx *cli.Context) {
 	startNode(ctx, node)
 
 	// Attach to the newly started node and execute the given scripts
-	client := utils.NewInProcRPCClient(node)
-
+	client, err := node.Attach()
+	if err != nil {
+		utils.Fatalf("Failed to attach to the inproc geth: %v", err)
+	}
 	repl := newJSRE(node,
 		ctx.GlobalString(utils.JSpathFlag.Name),
 		ctx.GlobalString(utils.RPCCORSDomainFlag.Name),
@@ -503,16 +507,6 @@ func startNode(ctx *cli.Context, stack *node.Node) {
 		}
 	}
 	// Start auxiliary services if enabled
-	if ctx.GlobalBool(utils.RPCEnabledFlag.Name) {
-		if err := utils.StartRPC(stack, ctx); err != nil {
-			utils.Fatalf("Failed to start RPC: %v", err)
-		}
-	}
-	if ctx.GlobalBool(utils.WSEnabledFlag.Name) {
-		if err := utils.StartWS(stack, ctx); err != nil {
-			utils.Fatalf("Failed to start WS: %v", err)
-		}
-	}
 	if ctx.GlobalBool(utils.MiningEnabledFlag.Name) {
 		if err := ethereum.StartMining(ctx.GlobalInt(utils.MinerThreadsFlag.Name), ctx.GlobalString(utils.MiningGPUFlag.Name)); err != nil {
 			utils.Fatalf("Failed to start mining: %v", err)
diff --git a/cmd/geth/monitorcmd.go b/cmd/geth/monitorcmd.go
index 4d56f2289..ce3a20e8a 100644
--- a/cmd/geth/monitorcmd.go
+++ b/cmd/geth/monitorcmd.go
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ import (
 var (
 	monitorCommandAttachFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "attach",
-		Value: "ipc:" + node.DefaultIpcEndpoint(),
+		Value: "ipc:" + node.DefaultIPCEndpoint(),
 		Usage: "API endpoint to attach to",
 	}
 	monitorCommandRowsFlag = cli.IntFlag{
diff --git a/cmd/gethrpctest/main.go b/cmd/gethrpctest/main.go
index becd09f5a..38016fb35 100644
--- a/cmd/gethrpctest/main.go
+++ b/cmd/gethrpctest/main.go
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 package main
 
 import (
-	"errors"
 	"flag"
 	"io/ioutil"
 	"log"
@@ -26,10 +25,10 @@ import (
 	"os/signal"
 
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/accounts"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/crypto"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/eth"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/ethdb"
-	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/logger"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/logger/glog"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/node"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/tests"
@@ -84,12 +83,6 @@ func main() {
 	}
 	log.Println("Initial test suite passed...")
 
-	// Start the RPC interface and wait until terminated
-	if err := StartRPC(stack); err != nil {
-		log.Fatalf("Failed to start RPC interface: %v", err)
-	}
-	log.Println("RPC Interface started, accepting requests...")
-
 	quit := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
 	signal.Notify(quit, os.Interrupt)
 	<-quit
@@ -99,7 +92,16 @@ func main() {
 // keystore path and initial pre-state.
 func MakeSystemNode(keydir string, privkey string, test *tests.BlockTest) (*node.Node, error) {
 	// Create a networkless protocol stack
-	stack, err := node.New(&node.Config{IpcPath: node.DefaultIpcEndpoint(), NoDiscovery: true})
+	stack, err := node.New(&node.Config{
+		IPCPath:     node.DefaultIPCEndpoint(),
+		HTTPHost:    common.DefaultHTTPHost,
+		HTTPPort:    common.DefaultHTTPPort,
+		HTTPModules: []string{"admin", "db", "eth", "debug", "miner", "net", "shh", "txpool", "personal", "web3"},
+		WSHost:      common.DefaultWSHost,
+		WSPort:      common.DefaultWSPort,
+		WSModules:   []string{"admin", "db", "eth", "debug", "miner", "net", "shh", "txpool", "personal", "web3"},
+		NoDiscovery: true,
+	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -164,23 +166,3 @@ func RunTest(stack *node.Node, test *tests.BlockTest) error {
 	}
 	return nil
 }
-
-// StartRPC initializes an RPC interface to the given protocol stack.
-func StartRPC(stack *node.Node) error {
-	/*
-		web3 := NewPublicWeb3API(stack)
-		server.RegisterName("web3", web3)
-		net := NewPublicNetAPI(stack.Server(), ethereum.NetVersion())
-		server.RegisterName("net", net)
-	*/
-
-	for _, api := range stack.APIs() {
-		if adminApi, ok := api.Service.(*node.PrivateAdminAPI); ok {
-			_, err := adminApi.StartRPC("127.0.0.1", 8545, "", "admin,db,eth,debug,miner,net,shh,txpool,personal,web3")
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-
-	glog.V(logger.Error).Infof("Unable to start RPC-HTTP interface, could not find admin API")
-	return errors.New("Unable to start RPC-HTTP interface")
-}
diff --git a/cmd/utils/client.go b/cmd/utils/client.go
index 40ebcd729..3913d007b 100644
--- a/cmd/utils/client.go
+++ b/cmd/utils/client.go
@@ -17,132 +17,14 @@
 package utils
 
 import (
-	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
-
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/codegangsta/cli"
-	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/eth"
-	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/logger"
-	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/logger/glog"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/node"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/rpc"
 )
 
-// NewInProcRPCClient will start a new RPC server for the given node and returns a client to interact with it.
-func NewInProcRPCClient(stack *node.Node) *inProcClient {
-	server := rpc.NewServer()
-
-	offered := stack.APIs()
-	for _, api := range offered {
-		server.RegisterName(api.Namespace, api.Service)
-	}
-
-	web3 := node.NewPublicWeb3API(stack)
-	server.RegisterName("web3", web3)
-
-	var ethereum *eth.Ethereum
-	if err := stack.Service(&ethereum); err == nil {
-		net := eth.NewPublicNetAPI(stack.Server(), ethereum.NetVersion())
-		server.RegisterName("net", net)
-	} else {
-		glog.V(logger.Warn).Infof("%v\n", err)
-	}
-
-	buf := &buf{
-		requests:  make(chan []byte),
-		responses: make(chan []byte),
-	}
-	client := &inProcClient{
-		server: server,
-		buf:    buf,
-	}
-
-	go func() {
-		server.ServeCodec(rpc.NewJSONCodec(client.buf))
-	}()
-
-	return client
-}
-
-// buf represents the connection between the RPC server and console
-type buf struct {
-	readBuf   []byte      // store remaining request bytes after a partial read
-	requests  chan []byte // list with raw serialized requests
-	responses chan []byte // list with raw serialized responses
-}
-
-// will read the next request in json format
-func (b *buf) Read(p []byte) (int, error) {
-	// last read didn't read entire request, return remaining bytes
-	if len(b.readBuf) > 0 {
-		n := copy(p, b.readBuf)
-		if n < len(b.readBuf) {
-			b.readBuf = b.readBuf[:n]
-		} else {
-			b.readBuf = b.readBuf[:0]
-		}
-		return n, nil
-	}
-
-	// read next request
-	req := <-b.requests
-	n := copy(p, req)
-	if n < len(req) {
-		// buf too small, store remaining chunk for next read
-		b.readBuf = req[n:]
-	}
-
-	return n, nil
-}
-
-// Write send the given buffer to the backend
-func (b *buf) Write(p []byte) (n int, err error) {
-	b.responses <- p
-	return len(p), nil
-}
-
-// Close cleans up obtained resources.
-func (b *buf) Close() error {
-	close(b.requests)
-	close(b.responses)
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-// inProcClient starts a RPC server and uses buf to communicate with it.
-type inProcClient struct {
-	server *rpc.Server
-	buf    *buf
-}
-
-// Close will stop the RPC server
-func (c *inProcClient) Close() {
-	c.server.Stop()
-}
-
-// Send a msg to the endpoint
-func (c *inProcClient) Send(msg interface{}) error {
-	d, err := json.Marshal(msg)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	c.buf.requests <- d
-	return nil
-}
-
-// Recv reads a message and tries to parse it into the given msg
-func (c *inProcClient) Recv(msg interface{}) error {
-	data := <-c.buf.responses
-	return json.Unmarshal(data, &msg)
-}
-
-// Returns the collection of modules the RPC server offers.
-func (c *inProcClient) SupportedModules() (map[string]string, error) {
-	return rpc.SupportedModules(c)
-}
-
 // NewRemoteRPCClient returns a RPC client which connects to a running geth instance.
 // Depending on the given context this can either be a IPC or a HTTP client.
 func NewRemoteRPCClient(ctx *cli.Context) (rpc.Client, error) {
@@ -151,7 +33,7 @@ func NewRemoteRPCClient(ctx *cli.Context) (rpc.Client, error) {
 		return NewRemoteRPCClientFromString(endpoint)
 	}
 	// use IPC by default
-	return rpc.NewIPCClient(node.DefaultIpcEndpoint())
+	return rpc.NewIPCClient(node.DefaultIPCEndpoint())
 }
 
 // NewRemoteRPCClientFromString returns a RPC client which connects to the given
@@ -169,6 +51,5 @@ func NewRemoteRPCClientFromString(endpoint string) (rpc.Client, error) {
 	if strings.HasPrefix(endpoint, "ws:") {
 		return rpc.NewWSClient(endpoint)
 	}
-
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid endpoint")
 }
diff --git a/cmd/utils/flags.go b/cmd/utils/flags.go
index ca9fd74ba..8e89b9fb1 100644
--- a/cmd/utils/flags.go
+++ b/cmd/utils/flags.go
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ package utils
 
 import (
 	"crypto/ecdsa"
-	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io/ioutil"
 	"math"
@@ -233,12 +232,12 @@ var (
 	RPCListenAddrFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "rpcaddr",
 		Usage: "HTTP-RPC server listening interface",
-		Value: "127.0.0.1",
+		Value: common.DefaultHTTPHost,
 	}
 	RPCPortFlag = cli.IntFlag{
 		Name:  "rpcport",
 		Usage: "HTTP-RPC server listening port",
-		Value: 8545,
+		Value: common.DefaultHTTPPort,
 	}
 	RPCCORSDomainFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "rpccorsdomain",
@@ -248,7 +247,7 @@ var (
 	RPCApiFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "rpcapi",
 		Usage: "API's offered over the HTTP-RPC interface",
-		Value: rpc.DefaultHttpRpcApis,
+		Value: rpc.DefaultHTTPApis,
 	}
 	IPCDisabledFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
 		Name:  "ipcdisable",
@@ -257,12 +256,12 @@ var (
 	IPCApiFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "ipcapi",
 		Usage: "API's offered over the IPC-RPC interface",
-		Value: rpc.DefaultIpcApis,
+		Value: rpc.DefaultIPCApis,
 	}
 	IPCPathFlag = DirectoryFlag{
 		Name:  "ipcpath",
 		Usage: "Filename for IPC socket/pipe within the datadir (explicit paths escape it)",
-		Value: DirectoryString{common.DefaultIpcSocket()},
+		Value: DirectoryString{common.DefaultIPCSocket},
 	}
 	WSEnabledFlag = cli.BoolFlag{
 		Name:  "ws",
@@ -271,21 +270,21 @@ var (
 	WSListenAddrFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "wsaddr",
 		Usage: "WS-RPC server listening interface",
-		Value: "127.0.0.1",
+		Value: common.DefaultWSHost,
 	}
 	WSPortFlag = cli.IntFlag{
 		Name:  "wsport",
 		Usage: "WS-RPC server listening port",
-		Value: 8546,
+		Value: common.DefaultWSPort,
 	}
 	WSApiFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "wsapi",
 		Usage: "API's offered over the WS-RPC interface",
-		Value: rpc.DefaultHttpRpcApis,
+		Value: rpc.DefaultHTTPApis,
 	}
 	WSAllowedDomainsFlag = cli.StringFlag{
 		Name:  "wsdomains",
-		Usage: "Domains from which to accept websockets requests",
+		Usage: "Domains from which to accept websockets requests (can be spoofed)",
 		Value: "",
 	}
 	ExecFlag = cli.StringFlag{
@@ -394,9 +393,9 @@ func MustMakeDataDir(ctx *cli.Context) string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-// MakeIpcPath creates an IPC path configuration from the set command line flags,
+// MakeIPCPath creates an IPC path configuration from the set command line flags,
 // returning an empty string if IPC was explicitly disabled, or the set path.
-func MakeIpcPath(ctx *cli.Context) string {
+func MakeIPCPath(ctx *cli.Context) string {
 	if ctx.GlobalBool(IPCDisabledFlag.Name) {
 		return ""
 	}
@@ -482,6 +481,24 @@ func MakeNAT(ctx *cli.Context) nat.Interface {
 	return natif
 }
 
+// MakeHTTPRpcHost creates the HTTP RPC listener interface string from the set
+// command line flags, returning empty if the HTTP endpoint is disabled.
+func MakeHTTPRpcHost(ctx *cli.Context) string {
+	if !ctx.GlobalBool(RPCEnabledFlag.Name) {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return ctx.GlobalString(RPCListenAddrFlag.Name)
+}
+
+// MakeWSRpcHost creates the WebSocket RPC listener interface string from the set
+// command line flags, returning empty if the HTTP endpoint is disabled.
+func MakeWSRpcHost(ctx *cli.Context) string {
+	if !ctx.GlobalBool(WSEnabledFlag.Name) {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return ctx.GlobalString(WSListenAddrFlag.Name)
+}
+
 // MakeGenesisBlock loads up a genesis block from an input file specified in the
 // command line, or returns the empty string if none set.
 func MakeGenesisBlock(ctx *cli.Context) string {
@@ -591,7 +608,6 @@ func MakeSystemNode(name, version string, extra []byte, ctx *cli.Context) *node.
 	// Configure the node's service container
 	stackConf := &node.Config{
 		DataDir:         MustMakeDataDir(ctx),
-		IpcPath:         MakeIpcPath(ctx),
 		PrivateKey:      MakeNodeKey(ctx),
 		Name:            MakeNodeName(name, version, ctx),
 		NoDiscovery:     ctx.GlobalBool(NoDiscoverFlag.Name),
@@ -600,6 +616,15 @@ func MakeSystemNode(name, version string, extra []byte, ctx *cli.Context) *node.
 		NAT:             MakeNAT(ctx),
 		MaxPeers:        ctx.GlobalInt(MaxPeersFlag.Name),
 		MaxPendingPeers: ctx.GlobalInt(MaxPendingPeersFlag.Name),
+		IPCPath:         MakeIPCPath(ctx),
+		HTTPHost:        MakeHTTPRpcHost(ctx),
+		HTTPPort:        ctx.GlobalInt(RPCPortFlag.Name),
+		HTTPCors:        ctx.GlobalString(RPCCORSDomainFlag.Name),
+		HTTPModules:     strings.Split(ctx.GlobalString(RPCApiFlag.Name), ","),
+		WSHost:          MakeWSRpcHost(ctx),
+		WSPort:          ctx.GlobalInt(WSPortFlag.Name),
+		WSDomains:       ctx.GlobalString(WSAllowedDomainsFlag.Name),
+		WSModules:       strings.Split(ctx.GlobalString(WSApiFlag.Name), ","),
 	}
 	// Configure the Ethereum service
 	accman := MakeAccountManager(ctx)
@@ -740,48 +765,5 @@ func MakeChain(ctx *cli.Context) (chain *core.BlockChain, chainDb ethdb.Database
 	if err != nil {
 		Fatalf("Could not start chainmanager: %v", err)
 	}
-
 	return chain, chainDb
 }
-
-// StartRPC starts a HTTP JSON-RPC API server.
-func StartRPC(stack *node.Node, ctx *cli.Context) error {
-	for _, api := range stack.APIs() {
-		if adminApi, ok := api.Service.(*node.PrivateAdminAPI); ok {
-			address := ctx.GlobalString(RPCListenAddrFlag.Name)
-			port := ctx.GlobalInt(RPCPortFlag.Name)
-			cors := ctx.GlobalString(RPCCORSDomainFlag.Name)
-			apiStr := ""
-			if ctx.GlobalIsSet(RPCApiFlag.Name) {
-				apiStr = ctx.GlobalString(RPCApiFlag.Name)
-			}
-
-			_, err := adminApi.StartRPC(address, port, cors, apiStr)
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-
-	glog.V(logger.Error).Infof("Unable to start RPC-HTTP interface, could not find admin API")
-	return errors.New("Unable to start RPC-HTTP interface")
-}
-
-// StartWS starts a websocket JSON-RPC API server.
-func StartWS(stack *node.Node, ctx *cli.Context) error {
-	for _, api := range stack.APIs() {
-		if adminApi, ok := api.Service.(*node.PrivateAdminAPI); ok {
-			address := ctx.GlobalString(WSListenAddrFlag.Name)
-			port := ctx.GlobalInt(WSAllowedDomainsFlag.Name)
-			allowedDomains := ctx.GlobalString(WSAllowedDomainsFlag.Name)
-			apiStr := ""
-			if ctx.GlobalIsSet(WSApiFlag.Name) {
-				apiStr = ctx.GlobalString(WSApiFlag.Name)
-			}
-
-			_, err := adminApi.StartWS(address, port, allowedDomains, apiStr)
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-
-	glog.V(logger.Error).Infof("Unable to start RPC-WS interface, could not find admin API")
-	return errors.New("Unable to start RPC-WS interface")
-}
diff --git a/common/defaults.go b/common/defaults.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8a136fa80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/defaults.go
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+// Copyright 2016 The go-ethereum Authors
+// This file is part of the go-ethereum library.
+//
+// The go-ethereum library is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// The go-ethereum library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+// GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+// along with the go-ethereum library. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+package common
+
+import (
+	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+)
+
+const (
+	DefaultIPCSocket = "geth.ipc"  // Default (relative) name of the IPC RPC socket
+	DefaultHTTPHost  = "localhost" // Default host interface for the HTTP RPC server
+	DefaultHTTPPort  = 8545        // Default TCP port for the HTTP RPC server
+	DefaultWSHost    = "localhost" // Default host interface for the websocket RPC server
+	DefaultWSPort    = 8546        // Default TCP port for the websocket RPC server
+)
+
+// DefaultDataDir is the default data directory to use for the databases and other
+// persistence requirements.
+func DefaultDataDir() string {
+	// Try to place the data folder in the user's home dir
+	home := HomeDir()
+	if home != "" {
+		if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
+			return filepath.Join(home, "Library", "Ethereum")
+		} else if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+			return filepath.Join(home, "AppData", "Roaming", "Ethereum")
+		} else {
+			return filepath.Join(home, ".ethereum")
+		}
+	}
+	// As we cannot guess a stable location, return empty and handle later
+	return ""
+}
diff --git a/common/path.go b/common/path.go
index 38c213a12..75a8c1a3e 100644
--- a/common/path.go
+++ b/common/path.go
@@ -72,25 +72,3 @@ func HomeDir() string {
 	}
 	return ""
 }
-
-func DefaultDataDir() string {
-	// Try to place the data folder in the user's home dir
-	home := HomeDir()
-	if home != "" {
-		if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
-			return filepath.Join(home, "Library", "Ethereum")
-		} else if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
-			return filepath.Join(home, "AppData", "Roaming", "Ethereum")
-		} else {
-			return filepath.Join(home, ".ethereum")
-		}
-	}
-	// As we cannot guess a stable location, return empty and handle later
-	return ""
-}
-
-// DefaultIpcSocket returns the relative name of the default IPC socket. The path
-// resolution is done by a node with other contextual infos.
-func DefaultIpcSocket() string {
-	return "geth.ipc"
-}
diff --git a/node/api.go b/node/api.go
index bc1795407..48cbd0150 100644
--- a/node/api.go
+++ b/node/api.go
@@ -25,10 +25,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/crypto"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/p2p"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/p2p/discover"
-	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/rpc"
 	"github.com/rcrowley/go-metrics"
-
-	"gopkg.in/fatih/set.v0"
 )
 
 // PrivateAdminAPI is the collection of administrative API methods exposed only
@@ -61,83 +58,55 @@ func (api *PrivateAdminAPI) AddPeer(url string) (bool, error) {
 }
 
 // StartRPC starts the HTTP RPC API server.
-func (api *PrivateAdminAPI) StartRPC(address string, port int, cors string, apis string) (bool, error) {
-	var offeredAPIs []rpc.API
-	if len(apis) > 0 {
-		namespaces := set.New()
-		for _, a := range strings.Split(apis, ",") {
-			namespaces.Add(strings.TrimSpace(a))
-		}
-		for _, api := range api.node.APIs() {
-			if namespaces.Has(api.Namespace) {
-				offeredAPIs = append(offeredAPIs, api)
-			}
-		}
-	} else { // use by default all public API's
-		for _, api := range api.node.APIs() {
-			if api.Public {
-				offeredAPIs = append(offeredAPIs, api)
-			}
-		}
-	}
+func (api *PrivateAdminAPI) StartRPC(host string, port int, cors string, apis string) (bool, error) {
+	api.node.lock.Lock()
+	defer api.node.lock.Unlock()
 
-	if address == "" {
-		address = "127.0.0.1"
+	if api.node.httpHandler != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("HTTP RPC already running on %s", api.node.httpEndpoint)
 	}
-	if port == 0 {
-		port = 8545
+	if err := api.node.startHTTP(fmt.Sprintf("%s:%d", host, port), api.node.rpcAPIs, strings.Split(apis, ","), cors); err != nil {
+		return false, err
 	}
-
-	corsDomains := strings.Split(cors, " ")
-	err := rpc.StartHTTP(address, port, corsDomains, offeredAPIs)
-	return err == nil, err
+	return true, nil
 }
 
 // StopRPC terminates an already running HTTP RPC API endpoint.
 func (api *PrivateAdminAPI) StopRPC() (bool, error) {
-	err := rpc.StopHTTP()
-	return err == nil, err
+	api.node.lock.Lock()
+	defer api.node.lock.Unlock()
+
+	if api.node.httpHandler == nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("HTTP RPC not running")
+	}
+	api.node.stopHTTP()
+	return true, nil
 }
 
 // StartWS starts the websocket RPC API server.
-func (api *PrivateAdminAPI) StartWS(address string, port int, cors string, apis string) (bool, error) {
-	var offeredAPIs []rpc.API
-	if len(apis) > 0 {
-		namespaces := set.New()
-		for _, a := range strings.Split(apis, ",") {
-			namespaces.Add(strings.TrimSpace(a))
-		}
-		for _, api := range api.node.APIs() {
-			if namespaces.Has(api.Namespace) {
-				offeredAPIs = append(offeredAPIs, api)
-			}
-		}
-	} else {
-		// use by default all public API's
-		for _, api := range api.node.APIs() {
-			if api.Public {
-				offeredAPIs = append(offeredAPIs, api)
-			}
-		}
-	}
+func (api *PrivateAdminAPI) StartWS(host string, port int, cors string, apis string) (bool, error) {
+	api.node.lock.Lock()
+	defer api.node.lock.Unlock()
 
-	if address == "" {
-		address = "127.0.0.1"
+	if api.node.wsHandler != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("WebSocket RPC already running on %s", api.node.wsEndpoint)
 	}
-	if port == 0 {
-		port = 8546
+	if err := api.node.startWS(fmt.Sprintf("%s:%d", host, port), api.node.rpcAPIs, strings.Split(apis, ","), cors); err != nil {
+		return false, err
 	}
-
-	corsDomains := strings.Split(cors, " ")
-
-	err := rpc.StartWS(address, port, corsDomains, offeredAPIs)
-	return err == nil, err
+	return true, nil
 }
 
 // StopRPC terminates an already running websocket RPC API endpoint.
 func (api *PrivateAdminAPI) StopWS() (bool, error) {
-	err := rpc.StopWS()
-	return err == nil, err
+	api.node.lock.Lock()
+	defer api.node.lock.Unlock()
+
+	if api.node.wsHandler == nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("WebSocket RPC not running")
+	}
+	api.node.stopWS()
+	return true, nil
 }
 
 // PublicAdminAPI is the collection of administrative API methods exposed over
diff --git a/node/config.go b/node/config.go
index d3eb1c78b..301ec636e 100644
--- a/node/config.go
+++ b/node/config.go
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ package node
 import (
 	"crypto/ecdsa"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
 	"io/ioutil"
 	"net"
 	"os"
@@ -52,11 +53,11 @@ type Config struct {
 	// in memory.
 	DataDir string
 
-	// IpcPath is the requested location to place the IPC endpoint. If the path is
+	// IPCPath is the requested location to place the IPC endpoint. If the path is
 	// a simple file name, it is placed inside the data directory (or on the root
 	// pipe path on Windows), whereas if it's a resolvable path name (absolute or
 	// relative), then that specific path is enforced. An empty path disables IPC.
-	IpcPath string
+	IPCPath string
 
 	// This field should be a valid secp256k1 private key that will be used for both
 	// remote peer identification as well as network traffic encryption. If no key
@@ -97,37 +98,105 @@ type Config struct {
 	// handshake phase, counted separately for inbound and outbound connections.
 	// Zero defaults to preset values.
 	MaxPendingPeers int
+
+	// HTTPHost is the host interface on which to start the HTTP RPC server. If this
+	// field is empty, no HTTP API endpoint will be started.
+	HTTPHost string
+
+	// HTTPPort is the TCP port number on which to start the HTTP RPC server. The
+	// default zero value is/ valid and will pick a port number randomly (useful
+	// for ephemeral nodes).
+	HTTPPort int
+
+	// HTTPCors is the Cross-Origin Resource Sharing header to send to requesting
+	// clients. Please be aware that CORS is a browser enforced security, it's fully
+	// useless for custom HTTP clients.
+	HTTPCors string
+
+	// HTTPModules is a list of API modules to expose via the HTTP RPC interface.
+	// If the module list is empty, all RPC API endpoints designated public will be
+	// exposed.
+	HTTPModules []string
+
+	// WSHost is the host interface on which to start the websocket RPC server. If
+	// this field is empty, no websocket API endpoint will be started.
+	WSHost string
+
+	// WSPort is the TCP port number on which to start the websocket RPC server. The
+	// default zero value is/ valid and will pick a port number randomly (useful for
+	// ephemeral nodes).
+	WSPort int
+
+	// WSDomains is the list of domain to accept websocket requests from. Please be
+	// aware that the server can only act upon the HTTP request the client sends and
+	// cannot verify the validity of the request header.
+	WSDomains string
+
+	// WSModules is a list of API modules to expose via the websocket RPC interface.
+	// If the module list is empty, all RPC API endpoints designated public will be
+	// exposed.
+	WSModules []string
 }
 
-// IpcEndpoint resolves an IPC endpoint based on a configured value, taking into
+// IPCEndpoint resolves an IPC endpoint based on a configured value, taking into
 // account the set data folders as well as the designated platform we're currently
 // running on.
-func (c *Config) IpcEndpoint() string {
+func (c *Config) IPCEndpoint() string {
 	// Short circuit if IPC has not been enabled
-	if c.IpcPath == "" {
+	if c.IPCPath == "" {
 		return ""
 	}
 	// On windows we can only use plain top-level pipes
 	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
-		if strings.HasPrefix(c.IpcPath, `\\.\pipe\`) {
-			return c.IpcPath
+		if strings.HasPrefix(c.IPCPath, `\\.\pipe\`) {
+			return c.IPCPath
 		}
-		return `\\.\pipe\` + c.IpcPath
+		return `\\.\pipe\` + c.IPCPath
 	}
 	// Resolve names into the data directory full paths otherwise
-	if filepath.Base(c.IpcPath) == c.IpcPath {
+	if filepath.Base(c.IPCPath) == c.IPCPath {
 		if c.DataDir == "" {
-			return filepath.Join(os.TempDir(), c.IpcPath)
+			return filepath.Join(os.TempDir(), c.IPCPath)
 		}
-		return filepath.Join(c.DataDir, c.IpcPath)
+		return filepath.Join(c.DataDir, c.IPCPath)
+	}
+	return c.IPCPath
+}
+
+// DefaultIPCEndpoint returns the IPC path used by default.
+func DefaultIPCEndpoint() string {
+	config := &Config{DataDir: common.DefaultDataDir(), IPCPath: common.DefaultIPCSocket}
+	return config.IPCEndpoint()
+}
+
+// HTTPEndpoint resolves an HTTP endpoint based on the configured host interface
+// and port parameters.
+func (c *Config) HTTPEndpoint() string {
+	if c.HTTPHost == "" {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s:%d", c.HTTPHost, c.HTTPPort)
+}
+
+// DefaultHTTPEndpoint returns the HTTP endpoint used by default.
+func DefaultHTTPEndpoint() string {
+	config := &Config{HTTPHost: common.DefaultHTTPHost, HTTPPort: common.DefaultHTTPPort}
+	return config.HTTPEndpoint()
+}
+
+// WSEndpoint resolves an websocket endpoint based on the configured host interface
+// and port parameters.
+func (c *Config) WSEndpoint() string {
+	if c.WSHost == "" {
+		return ""
 	}
-	return c.IpcPath
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%s:%d", c.WSHost, c.WSPort)
 }
 
-// DefaultIpcEndpoint returns the IPC path used by default.
-func DefaultIpcEndpoint() string {
-	config := &Config{DataDir: common.DefaultDataDir(), IpcPath: common.DefaultIpcSocket()}
-	return config.IpcEndpoint()
+// DefaultWSEndpoint returns the websocket endpoint used by default.
+func DefaultWSEndpoint() string {
+	config := &Config{WSHost: common.DefaultWSHost, WSPort: common.DefaultWSPort}
+	return config.WSEndpoint()
 }
 
 // NodeKey retrieves the currently configured private key of the node, checking
diff --git a/node/config_test.go b/node/config_test.go
index efb864ce4..45a54d184 100644
--- a/node/config_test.go
+++ b/node/config_test.go
@@ -63,10 +63,10 @@ func TestDatadirCreation(t *testing.T) {
 
 // Tests that IPC paths are correctly resolved to valid endpoints of different
 // platforms.
-func TestIpcPathResolution(t *testing.T) {
+func TestIPCPathResolution(t *testing.T) {
 	var tests = []struct {
 		DataDir  string
-		IpcPath  string
+		IPCPath  string
 		Windows  bool
 		Endpoint string
 	}{
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ func TestIpcPathResolution(t *testing.T) {
 	for i, test := range tests {
 		// Only run when platform/test match
 		if (runtime.GOOS == "windows") == test.Windows {
-			if endpoint := (&Config{DataDir: test.DataDir, IpcPath: test.IpcPath}).IpcEndpoint(); endpoint != test.Endpoint {
+			if endpoint := (&Config{DataDir: test.DataDir, IPCPath: test.IPCPath}).IPCEndpoint(); endpoint != test.Endpoint {
 				t.Errorf("test %d: IPC endpoint mismatch: have %s, want %s", i, endpoint, test.Endpoint)
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/node/node.go b/node/node.go
index e3fc03360..7d3a10874 100644
--- a/node/node.go
+++ b/node/node.go
@@ -55,10 +55,25 @@ type Node struct {
 	serviceFuncs []ServiceConstructor     // Service constructors (in dependency order)
 	services     map[reflect.Type]Service // Currently running services
 
+	rpcAPIs       []rpc.API   // List of APIs currently provided by the node
+	inprocHandler *rpc.Server // In-process RPC request handler to process the API requests
+
 	ipcEndpoint string       // IPC endpoint to listen at (empty = IPC disabled)
 	ipcListener net.Listener // IPC RPC listener socket to serve API requests
 	ipcHandler  *rpc.Server  // IPC RPC request handler to process the API requests
 
+	httpEndpoint  string       // HTTP endpoint (interface + port) to listen at (empty = HTTP disabled)
+	httpWhitelist []string     // HTTP RPC modules to allow through this endpoint
+	httpCors      string       // HTTP RPC Cross-Origin Resource Sharing header
+	httpListener  net.Listener // HTTP RPC listener socket to server API requests
+	httpHandler   *rpc.Server  // HTTP RPC request handler to process the API requests
+
+	wsEndpoint  string       // Websocket endpoint (interface + port) to listen at (empty = websocket disabled)
+	wsWhitelist []string     // Websocket RPC modules to allow through this endpoint
+	wsDomains   string       // Websocket RPC allowed origin domains
+	wsListener  net.Listener // Websocket RPC listener socket to server API requests
+	wsHandler   *rpc.Server  // Websocket RPC request handler to process the API requests
+
 	stop chan struct{} // Channel to wait for termination notifications
 	lock sync.RWMutex
 }
@@ -93,9 +108,15 @@ func New(conf *Config) (*Node, error) {
 			MaxPeers:        conf.MaxPeers,
 			MaxPendingPeers: conf.MaxPendingPeers,
 		},
-		serviceFuncs: []ServiceConstructor{},
-		ipcEndpoint:  conf.IpcEndpoint(),
-		eventmux:     new(event.TypeMux),
+		serviceFuncs:  []ServiceConstructor{},
+		ipcEndpoint:   conf.IPCEndpoint(),
+		httpEndpoint:  conf.HTTPEndpoint(),
+		httpWhitelist: conf.HTTPModules,
+		httpCors:      conf.HTTPCors,
+		wsEndpoint:    conf.WSEndpoint(),
+		wsWhitelist:   conf.WSModules,
+		wsDomains:     conf.WSDomains,
+		eventmux:      new(event.TypeMux),
 	}, nil
 }
 
@@ -188,58 +209,234 @@ func (n *Node) Start() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// startRPC initializes and starts the IPC RPC endpoints.
+// startRPC is a helper method to start all the various RPC endpoint during node
+// startup. It's not meant to be called at any time afterwards as it makes certain
+// assumptions about the state of the node.
 func (n *Node) startRPC(services map[reflect.Type]Service) error {
-	// Gather and register all the APIs exposed by the services
+	// Gather all the possible APIs to surface
 	apis := n.apis()
 	for _, service := range services {
 		apis = append(apis, service.APIs()...)
 	}
-	ipcHandler := rpc.NewServer()
+	// Start the various API endpoints, terminating all in case of errors
+	if err := n.startInProc(apis); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := n.startIPC(apis); err != nil {
+		n.stopInProc()
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := n.startHTTP(n.httpEndpoint, apis, n.httpWhitelist, n.httpCors); err != nil {
+		n.stopIPC()
+		n.stopInProc()
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := n.startWS(n.wsEndpoint, apis, n.wsWhitelist, n.wsDomains); err != nil {
+		n.stopHTTP()
+		n.stopIPC()
+		n.stopInProc()
+		return err
+	}
+	// All API endpoints started successfully
+	n.rpcAPIs = apis
+	return nil
+}
+
+// startInProc initializes an in-process RPC endpoint.
+func (n *Node) startInProc(apis []rpc.API) error {
+	// Register all the APIs exposed by the services
+	handler := rpc.NewServer()
+	for _, api := range apis {
+		if err := handler.RegisterName(api.Namespace, api.Service); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		glog.V(logger.Debug).Infof("InProc registered %T under '%s'", api.Service, api.Namespace)
+	}
+	n.inprocHandler = handler
+	return nil
+}
+
+// stopInProc terminates the in-process RPC endpoint.
+func (n *Node) stopInProc() {
+	if n.inprocHandler != nil {
+		n.inprocHandler.Stop()
+		n.inprocHandler = nil
+	}
+}
+
+// startIPC initializes and starts the IPC RPC endpoint.
+func (n *Node) startIPC(apis []rpc.API) error {
+	// Short circuit if the IPC endpoint isn't being exposed
+	if n.ipcEndpoint == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	// Register all the APIs exposed by the services
+	handler := rpc.NewServer()
 	for _, api := range apis {
-		if err := ipcHandler.RegisterName(api.Namespace, api.Service); err != nil {
+		if err := handler.RegisterName(api.Namespace, api.Service); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		glog.V(logger.Debug).Infof("Register %T under namespace '%s'", api.Service, api.Namespace)
+		glog.V(logger.Debug).Infof("IPC registered %T under '%s'", api.Service, api.Namespace)
 	}
-	// All APIs registered, start the IPC and HTTP listeners
+	// All APIs registered, start the IPC listener
 	var (
-		ipcListener net.Listener
-		err         error
+		listener net.Listener
+		err      error
 	)
-	if n.ipcEndpoint != "" {
-		if ipcListener, err = rpc.CreateIPCListener(n.ipcEndpoint); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		go func() {
-			glog.V(logger.Info).Infof("IPC endpoint opened: %s", n.ipcEndpoint)
-			defer glog.V(logger.Info).Infof("IPC endpoint closed: %s", n.ipcEndpoint)
-
-			for {
-				conn, err := ipcListener.Accept()
-				if err != nil {
-					// Terminate if the listener was closed
-					n.lock.RLock()
-					closed := n.ipcListener == nil
-					n.lock.RUnlock()
-					if closed {
-						return
-					}
-					// Not closed, just some error; report and continue
-					glog.V(logger.Error).Infof("IPC accept failed: %v", err)
-					continue
+	if listener, err = rpc.CreateIPCListener(n.ipcEndpoint); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	go func() {
+		glog.V(logger.Info).Infof("IPC endpoint opened: %s", n.ipcEndpoint)
+
+		for {
+			conn, err := listener.Accept()
+			if err != nil {
+				// Terminate if the listener was closed
+				n.lock.RLock()
+				closed := n.ipcListener == nil
+				n.lock.RUnlock()
+				if closed {
+					return
 				}
-				go ipcHandler.ServeCodec(rpc.NewJSONCodec(conn))
+				// Not closed, just some error; report and continue
+				glog.V(logger.Error).Infof("IPC accept failed: %v", err)
+				continue
+			}
+			go handler.ServeCodec(rpc.NewJSONCodec(conn))
+		}
+	}()
+	// All listeners booted successfully
+	n.ipcListener = listener
+	n.ipcHandler = handler
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// stopIPC terminates the IPC RPC endpoint.
+func (n *Node) stopIPC() {
+	if n.ipcListener != nil {
+		n.ipcListener.Close()
+		n.ipcListener = nil
+
+		glog.V(logger.Info).Infof("IPC endpoint closed: %s", n.ipcEndpoint)
+	}
+	if n.ipcHandler != nil {
+		n.ipcHandler.Stop()
+		n.ipcHandler = nil
+	}
+}
+
+// startHTTP initializes and starts the HTTP RPC endpoint.
+func (n *Node) startHTTP(endpoint string, apis []rpc.API, modules []string, cors string) error {
+	// Short circuit if the HTTP endpoint isn't being exposed
+	if endpoint == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	// Generate the whitelist based on the allowed modules
+	whitelist := make(map[string]bool)
+	for _, module := range modules {
+		whitelist[module] = true
+	}
+	// Register all the APIs exposed by the services
+	handler := rpc.NewServer()
+	for _, api := range apis {
+		if whitelist[api.Namespace] || (len(whitelist) == 0 && api.Public) {
+			if err := handler.RegisterName(api.Namespace, api.Service); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			glog.V(logger.Debug).Infof("HTTP registered %T under '%s'", api.Service, api.Namespace)
+		}
+	}
+	// All APIs registered, start the HTTP listener
+	var (
+		listener net.Listener
+		err      error
+	)
+	if listener, err = net.Listen("tcp", endpoint); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	go rpc.NewHTTPServer(cors, handler).Serve(listener)
+	glog.V(logger.Info).Infof("HTTP endpoint opened: http://%s", endpoint)
+
+	// All listeners booted successfully
+	n.httpEndpoint = endpoint
+	n.httpListener = listener
+	n.httpHandler = handler
+	n.httpCors = cors
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// stopHTTP terminates the HTTP RPC endpoint.
+func (n *Node) stopHTTP() {
+	if n.httpListener != nil {
+		n.httpListener.Close()
+		n.httpListener = nil
+
+		glog.V(logger.Info).Infof("HTTP endpoint closed: http://%s", n.httpEndpoint)
+	}
+	if n.httpHandler != nil {
+		n.httpHandler.Stop()
+		n.httpHandler = nil
+	}
+}
+
+// startWS initializes and starts the websocket RPC endpoint.
+func (n *Node) startWS(endpoint string, apis []rpc.API, modules []string, cors string) error {
+	// Short circuit if the WS endpoint isn't being exposed
+	if endpoint == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	// Generate the whitelist based on the allowed modules
+	whitelist := make(map[string]bool)
+	for _, module := range modules {
+		whitelist[module] = true
+	}
+	// Register all the APIs exposed by the services
+	handler := rpc.NewServer()
+	for _, api := range apis {
+		if whitelist[api.Namespace] || (len(whitelist) == 0 && api.Public) {
+			if err := handler.RegisterName(api.Namespace, api.Service); err != nil {
+				return err
 			}
-		}()
+			glog.V(logger.Debug).Infof("WebSocket registered %T under '%s'", api.Service, api.Namespace)
+		}
+	}
+	// All APIs registered, start the HTTP listener
+	var (
+		listener net.Listener
+		err      error
+	)
+	if listener, err = net.Listen("tcp", endpoint); err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
+	go rpc.NewWSServer(cors, handler).Serve(listener)
+	glog.V(logger.Info).Infof("WebSocket endpoint opened: ws://%s", endpoint)
+
 	// All listeners booted successfully
-	n.ipcListener = ipcListener
-	n.ipcHandler = ipcHandler
+	n.wsEndpoint = endpoint
+	n.wsListener = listener
+	n.wsHandler = handler
+	n.wsDomains = cors
 
 	return nil
 }
 
+// stopWS terminates the websocket RPC endpoint.
+func (n *Node) stopWS() {
+	if n.wsListener != nil {
+		n.wsListener.Close()
+		n.wsListener = nil
+
+		glog.V(logger.Info).Infof("WebSocket endpoint closed: ws://%s", n.wsEndpoint)
+	}
+	if n.wsHandler != nil {
+		n.wsHandler.Stop()
+		n.wsHandler = nil
+	}
+}
+
 // Stop terminates a running node along with all it's services. In the node was
 // not started, an error is returned.
 func (n *Node) Stop() error {
@@ -251,14 +448,11 @@ func (n *Node) Stop() error {
 		return ErrNodeStopped
 	}
 	// Otherwise terminate the API, all services and the P2P server too
-	if n.ipcListener != nil {
-		n.ipcListener.Close()
-		n.ipcListener = nil
-	}
-	if n.ipcHandler != nil {
-		n.ipcHandler.Stop()
-		n.ipcHandler = nil
-	}
+	n.stopWS()
+	n.stopHTTP()
+	n.stopIPC()
+	n.rpcAPIs = nil
+
 	failure := &StopError{
 		Services: make(map[reflect.Type]error),
 	}
@@ -304,6 +498,19 @@ func (n *Node) Restart() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// Attach creates an RPC client attached to an in-process API handler.
+func (n *Node) Attach() (rpc.Client, error) {
+	n.lock.RLock()
+	defer n.lock.RUnlock()
+
+	// Short circuit if the node's not running
+	if n.server == nil {
+		return nil, ErrNodeStopped
+	}
+	// Otherwise attach to the API and return
+	return rpc.NewInProcRPCClient(n.inprocHandler), nil
+}
+
 // Server retrieves the currently running P2P network layer. This method is meant
 // only to inspect fields of the currently running server, life cycle management
 // should be left to this Node entity.
@@ -337,11 +544,21 @@ func (n *Node) DataDir() string {
 	return n.datadir
 }
 
-// IpcEndpoint retrieves the current IPC endpoint used by the protocol stack.
-func (n *Node) IpcEndpoint() string {
+// IPCEndpoint retrieves the current IPC endpoint used by the protocol stack.
+func (n *Node) IPCEndpoint() string {
 	return n.ipcEndpoint
 }
 
+// HTTPEndpoint retrieves the current HTTP endpoint used by the protocol stack.
+func (n *Node) HTTPEndpoint() string {
+	return n.httpEndpoint
+}
+
+// WSEndpoint retrieves the current WS endpoint used by the protocol stack.
+func (n *Node) WSEndpoint() string {
+	return n.wsEndpoint
+}
+
 // EventMux retrieves the event multiplexer used by all the network services in
 // the current protocol stack.
 func (n *Node) EventMux() *event.TypeMux {
@@ -377,14 +594,3 @@ func (n *Node) apis() []rpc.API {
 		},
 	}
 }
-
-// APIs returns the collection of RPC descriptor this node offers. This method
-// is just a quick placeholder passthrough for the RPC update, which in the next
-// step will be fully integrated into the node itself.
-func (n *Node) APIs() []rpc.API {
-	apis := n.apis()
-	for _, api := range n.services {
-		apis = append(apis, api.APIs()...)
-	}
-	return apis
-}
diff --git a/node/node_test.go b/node/node_test.go
index 53dcbcf74..532115d3c 100644
--- a/node/node_test.go
+++ b/node/node_test.go
@@ -18,9 +18,7 @@ package node
 
 import (
 	"errors"
-	"fmt"
 	"io/ioutil"
-	"math/rand"
 	"os"
 	"reflect"
 	"testing"
@@ -37,7 +35,6 @@ var (
 
 func testNodeConfig() *Config {
 	return &Config{
-		IpcPath:    fmt.Sprintf("test-%d.ipc", rand.Int63()),
 		PrivateKey: testNodeKey,
 		Name:       "test node",
 	}
@@ -541,10 +538,11 @@ func TestAPIGather(t *testing.T) {
 	defer stack.Stop()
 
 	// Connect to the RPC server and verify the various registered endpoints
-	ipcClient, err := rpc.NewIPCClient(stack.IpcEndpoint())
+	client, err := stack.Attach()
 	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("failed to connect to the IPC API server: %v", err)
+		t.Fatalf("failed to connect to the inproc API server: %v", err)
 	}
+	defer client.Close()
 
 	tests := []struct {
 		Method string
@@ -556,11 +554,11 @@ func TestAPIGather(t *testing.T) {
 		{"multi.v2.nested_theOneMethod", "multi.v2.nested"},
 	}
 	for i, test := range tests {
-		if err := ipcClient.Send(rpc.JSONRequest{Id: new(int64), Version: "2.0", Method: test.Method}); err != nil {
+		if err := client.Send(rpc.JSONRequest{Id: new(int64), Version: "2.0", Method: test.Method}); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("test %d: failed to send API request: %v", i, err)
 		}
 		reply := new(rpc.JSONSuccessResponse)
-		if err := ipcClient.Recv(reply); err != nil {
+		if err := client.Recv(reply); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("test %d: failed to read API reply: %v", i, err)
 		}
 		select {
diff --git a/rpc/http.go b/rpc/http.go
index c5eb41af1..d9053b003 100644
--- a/rpc/http.go
+++ b/rpc/http.go
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ import (
 	"bufio"
 	"bytes"
 	"encoding/json"
-	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"io/ioutil"
@@ -29,7 +28,6 @@ import (
 	"net/url"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
-	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/logger"
@@ -41,12 +39,6 @@ const (
 	httpReadDeadLine = 60 * time.Second // wait max httpReadDeadeline for next request
 )
 
-var (
-	httpServerMu  sync.Mutex   // prevent concurrent access to the httpListener and httpServer
-	httpListener  net.Listener // listener for the http server
-	httpRPCServer *Server      // the node can only start 1 HTTP RPC server instance
-)
-
 // httpMessageStream is the glue between a HTTP connection which is message based
 // and the RPC codecs that expect json requests to be read from a stream. It will
 // parse HTTP messages and offer the bodies of these requests as a stream through
@@ -249,53 +241,14 @@ func (h *httpConnHijacker) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
 	go h.rpcServer.ServeCodec(codec)
 }
 
-// StartHTTP will start the JSONRPC HTTP RPC interface when its not yet running.
-func StartHTTP(address string, port int, corsdomains []string, apis []API) error {
-	httpServerMu.Lock()
-	defer httpServerMu.Unlock()
-
-	if httpRPCServer != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("HTTP RPC interface already started on %s", httpListener.Addr())
-	}
-
-	rpcServer := NewServer()
-
-	for _, api := range apis {
-		if err := rpcServer.RegisterName(api.Namespace, api.Service); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-
-	listener, err := net.Listen("tcp", fmt.Sprintf("%s:%d", address, port))
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
+// NewHTTPServer creates a new HTTP RPC server around an API provider.
+func NewHTTPServer(cors string, handler *Server) *http.Server {
+	return &http.Server{
+		Handler: &httpConnHijacker{
+			corsdomains: strings.Split(cors, ","),
+			rpcServer:   handler,
+		},
 	}
-
-	httpServer := http.Server{Handler: &httpConnHijacker{corsdomains, rpcServer}}
-	go httpServer.Serve(listener)
-
-	httpListener = listener
-	httpRPCServer = rpcServer
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-// StopHTTP will stop the running HTTP interface. If it is not running an error will be returned.
-func StopHTTP() error {
-	httpServerMu.Lock()
-	defer httpServerMu.Unlock()
-
-	if httpRPCServer == nil {
-		return errors.New("HTTP RPC interface not started")
-	}
-
-	httpListener.Close()
-	httpRPCServer.Stop()
-
-	httpRPCServer = nil
-	httpListener = nil
-
-	return nil
 }
 
 // httpClient connects to a geth RPC server over HTTP.
@@ -306,7 +259,7 @@ type httpClient struct {
 
 // NewHTTPClient create a new RPC clients that connection to a geth RPC server
 // over HTTP.
-func NewHTTPClient(endpoint string) (*httpClient, error) {
+func NewHTTPClient(endpoint string) (Client, error) {
 	url, err := url.Parse(endpoint)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/rpc/inproc.go b/rpc/inproc.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e138ba2c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rpc/inproc.go
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+// Copyright 2016 The go-ethereum Authors
+// This file is part of the go-ethereum library.
+//
+// The go-ethereum library is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// The go-ethereum library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+// GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+// along with the go-ethereum library. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+package rpc
+
+import "encoding/json"
+
+// NewInProcRPCClient creates an in-process buffer stream attachment to a given
+// RPC server.
+func NewInProcRPCClient(handler *Server) Client {
+	buffer := &inprocBuffer{
+		requests:  make(chan []byte, 16),
+		responses: make(chan []byte, 16),
+	}
+	client := &inProcClient{
+		server: handler,
+		buffer: buffer,
+	}
+	go handler.ServeCodec(NewJSONCodec(client.buffer))
+	return client
+}
+
+// inProcClient is an in-process buffer stream attached to an RPC server.
+type inProcClient struct {
+	server *Server
+	buffer *inprocBuffer
+}
+
+// Close tears down the request channel of the in-proc client.
+func (c *inProcClient) Close() {
+	c.buffer.Close()
+}
+
+// Send marshals a message into a json format and injects in into the client
+// request channel.
+func (c *inProcClient) Send(msg interface{}) error {
+	d, err := json.Marshal(msg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	c.buffer.requests <- d
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Recv reads a message from the response channel and tries to parse it into the
+// given msg interface.
+func (c *inProcClient) Recv(msg interface{}) error {
+	data := <-c.buffer.responses
+	return json.Unmarshal(data, &msg)
+}
+
+// Returns the collection of modules the RPC server offers.
+func (c *inProcClient) SupportedModules() (map[string]string, error) {
+	return SupportedModules(c)
+}
+
+// inprocBuffer represents the connection between the RPC server and console
+type inprocBuffer struct {
+	readBuf   []byte      // store remaining request bytes after a partial read
+	requests  chan []byte // list with raw serialized requests
+	responses chan []byte // list with raw serialized responses
+}
+
+// Read will read the next request in json format.
+func (b *inprocBuffer) Read(p []byte) (int, error) {
+	// last read didn't read entire request, return remaining bytes
+	if len(b.readBuf) > 0 {
+		n := copy(p, b.readBuf)
+		if n < len(b.readBuf) {
+			b.readBuf = b.readBuf[:n]
+		} else {
+			b.readBuf = b.readBuf[:0]
+		}
+		return n, nil
+	}
+	// read next request
+	req := <-b.requests
+	n := copy(p, req)
+	if n < len(req) {
+		// inprocBuffer too small, store remaining chunk for next read
+		b.readBuf = req[n:]
+	}
+	return n, nil
+}
+
+// Write sends the given buffer to the backend.
+func (b *inprocBuffer) Write(p []byte) (n int, err error) {
+	b.responses <- p
+	return len(p), nil
+}
+
+// Close cleans up obtained resources.
+func (b *inprocBuffer) Close() error {
+	close(b.requests)
+	close(b.responses)
+
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/rpc/ipc.go b/rpc/ipc.go
index b87bfcbd7..05d8909ca 100644
--- a/rpc/ipc.go
+++ b/rpc/ipc.go
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ type ipcClient struct {
 // NewIPCClient create a new IPC client that will connect on the given endpoint. Messages are JSON encoded and encoded.
 // On Unix it assumes the endpoint is the full path to a unix socket, and Windows the endpoint is an identifier for a
 // named pipe.
-func NewIPCClient(endpoint string) (*ipcClient, error) {
+func NewIPCClient(endpoint string) (Client, error) {
 	conn, err := newIPCConnection(endpoint)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/rpc/server.go b/rpc/server.go
index 5b88d843a..f42ee2d37 100644
--- a/rpc/server.go
+++ b/rpc/server.go
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ import (
 const (
 	stopPendingRequestTimeout = 3 * time.Second // give pending requests stopPendingRequestTimeout the time to finish when the server is stopped
 
-	DefaultIpcApis     = "admin,eth,debug,miner,net,shh,txpool,personal,web3"
-	DefaultHttpRpcApis = "eth,net,web3"
+	DefaultIPCApis  = "admin,eth,debug,miner,net,shh,txpool,personal,web3"
+	DefaultHTTPApis = "eth,net,web3"
 )
 
 // NewServer will create a new server instance with no registered handlers.
diff --git a/rpc/utils.go b/rpc/utils.go
index 39acf8196..fa114284d 100644
--- a/rpc/utils.go
+++ b/rpc/utils.go
@@ -20,13 +20,12 @@ import (
 	"crypto/rand"
 	"encoding/hex"
 	"errors"
+	"fmt"
 	"math/big"
 	"reflect"
 	"unicode"
 	"unicode/utf8"
 
-	"fmt"
-
 	"golang.org/x/net/context"
 )
 
diff --git a/rpc/websocket.go b/rpc/websocket.go
index b5bcbf4f6..92615494e 100644
--- a/rpc/websocket.go
+++ b/rpc/websocket.go
@@ -17,13 +17,11 @@
 package rpc
 
 import (
-	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"net"
 	"net/http"
-	"sync"
-
 	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
 
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/logger"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/logger/glog"
@@ -31,12 +29,6 @@ import (
 	"gopkg.in/fatih/set.v0"
 )
 
-var (
-	wsServerMu  sync.Mutex
-	wsRPCServer *Server
-	wsListener  net.Listener
-)
-
 // wsReaderWriterCloser reads and write payloads from and to a websocket  connection.
 type wsReaderWriterCloser struct {
 	c *websocket.Conn
@@ -57,14 +49,6 @@ func (rw *wsReaderWriterCloser) Close() error {
 	return rw.c.Close()
 }
 
-// wsHandler accepts a websocket connection and handles incoming RPC requests.
-// Will return when the websocket connection is closed, either by the client or
-// server.
-func wsHandler(conn *websocket.Conn) {
-	rwc := &wsReaderWriterCloser{conn}
-	wsRPCServer.ServeCodec(NewJSONCodec(rwc))
-}
-
 // wsHandshakeValidator returns a handler that verifies the origin during the
 // websocket upgrade process. When a '*' is specified as an allowed origins all
 // connections are accepted.
@@ -103,54 +87,16 @@ func wsHandshakeValidator(allowedOrigins []string) func(*websocket.Config, *http
 	return f
 }
 
-// StartWS will start a websocket RPC server on the given address and port.
-func StartWS(address string, port int, corsdomains []string, apis []API) error {
-	wsServerMu.Lock()
-	defer wsServerMu.Unlock()
-
-	if wsRPCServer != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("WS RPC interface already started on %s", wsListener.Addr())
-	}
-
-	rpcServer := NewServer()
-	for _, api := range apis {
-		if err := rpcServer.RegisterName(api.Namespace, api.Service); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
+// NewWSServer creates a new websocket RPC server around an API provider.
+func NewWSServer(cors string, handler *Server) *http.Server {
+	return &http.Server{
+		Handler: websocket.Server{
+			Handshake: wsHandshakeValidator(strings.Split(cors, ",")),
+			Handler: func(conn *websocket.Conn) {
+				handler.ServeCodec(NewJSONCodec(&wsReaderWriterCloser{conn}))
+			},
+		},
 	}
-
-	listener, err := net.Listen("tcp", fmt.Sprintf("%s:%d", address, port))
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	wsServer := websocket.Server{Handshake: wsHandshakeValidator(corsdomains), Handler: wsHandler}
-	wsHTTPServer := http.Server{Handler: wsServer}
-
-	go wsHTTPServer.Serve(listener)
-
-	wsListener = listener
-	wsRPCServer = rpcServer
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-// StopWS stops the running websocket RPC server.
-func StopWS() error {
-	wsServerMu.Lock()
-	defer wsServerMu.Unlock()
-
-	if wsRPCServer == nil {
-		return errors.New("HTTP RPC interface not started")
-	}
-
-	wsListener.Close()
-	wsRPCServer.Stop()
-
-	wsRPCServer = nil
-	wsListener = nil
-
-	return nil
 }
 
 // wsClient represents a RPC client that communicates over websockets with a
@@ -163,7 +109,7 @@ type wsClient struct {
 
 // NewWSClientj creates a new RPC client that communicates with a RPC server
 // that is listening on the given endpoint using JSON encoding.
-func NewWSClient(endpoint string) (*wsClient, error) {
+func NewWSClient(endpoint string) (Client, error) {
 	return &wsClient{endpoint: endpoint}, nil
 }