diff --git a/cmd/geth/blocktest.go b/cmd/geth/blocktestcmd.go
similarity index 98%
rename from cmd/geth/blocktest.go
rename to cmd/geth/blocktestcmd.go
index 81a64b5f24e118db2635d87bd68cd28daed7835e..f4dcb0286c5c09485147e76c3ac3822da9d9a1dd 100644
--- a/cmd/geth/blocktest.go
+++ b/cmd/geth/blocktestcmd.go
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/tests"
 )
 
-var blocktestCmd = cli.Command{
+var blocktestCommand = cli.Command{
 	Action: runBlockTest,
 	Name:   "blocktest",
 	Usage:  `loads a block test file`,
diff --git a/cmd/geth/chaincmd.go b/cmd/geth/chaincmd.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..947532f408b1151fba870a30024c6f8468b1026f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/geth/chaincmd.go
@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strconv"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/codegangsta/cli"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/cmd/utils"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/state"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/types"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/logger/glog"
+)
+
+var (
+	importCommand = cli.Command{
+		Action: importChain,
+		Name:   "import",
+		Usage:  `import a blockchain file`,
+	}
+	exportCommand = cli.Command{
+		Action: exportChain,
+		Name:   "export",
+		Usage:  `export blockchain into file`,
+	}
+	upgradedbCommand = cli.Command{
+		Action: upgradeDB,
+		Name:   "upgradedb",
+		Usage:  "upgrade chainblock database",
+	}
+	removedbCommand = cli.Command{
+		Action: removeDB,
+		Name:   "removedb",
+		Usage:  "Remove blockchain and state databases",
+	}
+	dumpCommand = cli.Command{
+		Action: dump,
+		Name:   "dump",
+		Usage:  `dump a specific block from storage`,
+		Description: `
+The arguments are interpreted as block numbers or hashes.
+Use "ethereum dump 0" to dump the genesis block.
+`,
+	}
+)
+
+func importChain(ctx *cli.Context) {
+	if len(ctx.Args()) != 1 {
+		utils.Fatalf("This command requires an argument.")
+	}
+	chain, blockDB, stateDB, extraDB := utils.MakeChain(ctx)
+	start := time.Now()
+	err := utils.ImportChain(chain, ctx.Args().First())
+	closeAll(blockDB, stateDB, extraDB)
+	if err != nil {
+		utils.Fatalf("Import error: %v", err)
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("Import done in %v", time.Since(start))
+}
+
+func exportChain(ctx *cli.Context) {
+	if len(ctx.Args()) != 1 {
+		utils.Fatalf("This command requires an argument.")
+	}
+	chain, _, _, _ := utils.MakeChain(ctx)
+	start := time.Now()
+	if err := utils.ExportChain(chain, ctx.Args().First()); err != nil {
+		utils.Fatalf("Export error: %v\n", err)
+	}
+	fmt.Printf("Export done in %v", time.Since(start))
+}
+
+func removeDB(ctx *cli.Context) {
+	confirm, err := utils.PromptConfirm("Remove local databases?")
+	if err != nil {
+		utils.Fatalf("%v", err)
+	}
+
+	if confirm {
+		fmt.Println("Removing chain and state databases...")
+		start := time.Now()
+
+		os.RemoveAll(filepath.Join(ctx.GlobalString(utils.DataDirFlag.Name), "blockchain"))
+		os.RemoveAll(filepath.Join(ctx.GlobalString(utils.DataDirFlag.Name), "state"))
+
+		fmt.Printf("Removed in %v\n", time.Since(start))
+	} else {
+		fmt.Println("Operation aborted")
+	}
+}
+
+func upgradeDB(ctx *cli.Context) {
+	glog.Infoln("Upgrading blockchain database")
+
+	chain, blockDB, stateDB, extraDB := utils.MakeChain(ctx)
+	v, _ := blockDB.Get([]byte("BlockchainVersion"))
+	bcVersion := int(common.NewValue(v).Uint())
+	if bcVersion == 0 {
+		bcVersion = core.BlockChainVersion
+	}
+
+	// Export the current chain.
+	filename := fmt.Sprintf("blockchain_%d_%s.chain", bcVersion, time.Now().Format("20060102_150405"))
+	exportFile := filepath.Join(ctx.GlobalString(utils.DataDirFlag.Name), filename)
+	if err := utils.ExportChain(chain, exportFile); err != nil {
+		utils.Fatalf("Unable to export chain for reimport %s", err)
+	}
+	closeAll(blockDB, stateDB, extraDB)
+	os.RemoveAll(filepath.Join(ctx.GlobalString(utils.DataDirFlag.Name), "blockchain"))
+	os.RemoveAll(filepath.Join(ctx.GlobalString(utils.DataDirFlag.Name), "state"))
+
+	// Import the chain file.
+	chain, blockDB, stateDB, extraDB = utils.MakeChain(ctx)
+	blockDB.Put([]byte("BlockchainVersion"), common.NewValue(core.BlockChainVersion).Bytes())
+	err := utils.ImportChain(chain, exportFile)
+	closeAll(blockDB, stateDB, extraDB)
+	if err != nil {
+		utils.Fatalf("Import error %v (a backup is made in %s, use the import command to import it)", err, exportFile)
+	} else {
+		os.Remove(exportFile)
+		glog.Infoln("Import finished")
+	}
+}
+
+func dump(ctx *cli.Context) {
+	chain, _, stateDB, _ := utils.MakeChain(ctx)
+	for _, arg := range ctx.Args() {
+		var block *types.Block
+		if hashish(arg) {
+			block = chain.GetBlock(common.HexToHash(arg))
+		} else {
+			num, _ := strconv.Atoi(arg)
+			block = chain.GetBlockByNumber(uint64(num))
+		}
+		if block == nil {
+			fmt.Println("{}")
+			utils.Fatalf("block not found")
+		} else {
+			state := state.New(block.Root(), stateDB)
+			fmt.Printf("%s\n", state.Dump())
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// hashish returns true for strings that look like hashes.
+func hashish(x string) bool {
+	_, err := strconv.Atoi(x)
+	return err != nil
+}
+
+func closeAll(dbs ...common.Database) {
+	for _, db := range dbs {
+		db.Close()
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/geth/main.go b/cmd/geth/main.go
index 0cbf8e41a27f7d678c4db44954560c06ae8e1c90..eecd7546a8206b32c1cbddfc1507f6889bf816c8 100644
--- a/cmd/geth/main.go
+++ b/cmd/geth/main.go
@@ -24,27 +24,23 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"io/ioutil"
+	_ "net/http/pprof"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"runtime"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
-	"time"
 
 	"github.com/codegangsta/cli"
 	"github.com/ethereum/ethash"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/accounts"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/cmd/utils"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
-	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core"
-	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/state"
-	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/types"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/eth"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/logger"
 	"github.com/mattn/go-colorable"
 	"github.com/mattn/go-isatty"
 )
-import _ "net/http/pprof"
 
 const (
 	ClientIdentifier = "Geth"
@@ -68,7 +64,12 @@ func init() {
 	app.Action = run
 	app.HideVersion = true // we have a command to print the version
 	app.Commands = []cli.Command{
-		blocktestCmd,
+		blocktestCommand,
+		importCommand,
+		exportCommand,
+		upgradedbCommand,
+		removedbCommand,
+		dumpCommand,
 		{
 			Action: makedag,
 			Name:   "makedag",
@@ -193,15 +194,6 @@ nodes.
 				},
 			},
 		},
-		{
-			Action: dump,
-			Name:   "dump",
-			Usage:  `dump a specific block from storage`,
-			Description: `
-The arguments are interpreted as block numbers or hashes.
-Use "ethereum dump 0" to dump the genesis block.
-`,
-		},
 		{
 			Action: console,
 			Name:   "console",
@@ -221,26 +213,6 @@ The JavaScript VM exposes a node admin interface as well as the Ðapp
 JavaScript API. See https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/wiki/Javascipt-Console
 `,
 		},
-		{
-			Action: importchain,
-			Name:   "import",
-			Usage:  `import a blockchain file`,
-		},
-		{
-			Action: exportchain,
-			Name:   "export",
-			Usage:  `export blockchain into file`,
-		},
-		{
-			Action: upgradeDb,
-			Name:   "upgradedb",
-			Usage:  "upgrade chainblock database",
-		},
-		{
-			Action: removeDb,
-			Name:   "removedb",
-			Usage:  "Remove blockchain and state databases",
-		},
 	}
 	app.Flags = []cli.Flag{
 		utils.IdentityFlag,
@@ -282,17 +254,12 @@ JavaScript API. See https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/wiki/Javascipt-Conso
 		utils.SolcPathFlag,
 	}
 	app.Before = func(ctx *cli.Context) error {
+		utils.SetupLogger(ctx)
 		if ctx.GlobalBool(utils.PProfEanbledFlag.Name) {
 			utils.StartPProf(ctx)
 		}
 		return nil
 	}
-
-	// missing:
-	// flag.StringVar(&ConfigFile, "conf", defaultConfigFile, "config file")
-	// flag.BoolVar(&DiffTool, "difftool", false, "creates output for diff'ing. Sets LogLevel=0")
-	// flag.StringVar(&DiffType, "diff", "all", "sets the level of diff output [vm, all]. Has no effect if difftool=false")
-
 }
 
 func main() {
@@ -427,7 +394,7 @@ func startEth(ctx *cli.Context, eth *eth.Ethereum) {
 }
 
 func accountList(ctx *cli.Context) {
-	am := utils.GetAccountManager(ctx)
+	am := utils.MakeAccountManager(ctx)
 	accts, err := am.Accounts()
 	if err != nil {
 		utils.Fatalf("Could not list accounts: %v", err)
@@ -469,7 +436,7 @@ func getPassPhrase(ctx *cli.Context, desc string, confirmation bool) (passphrase
 }
 
 func accountCreate(ctx *cli.Context) {
-	am := utils.GetAccountManager(ctx)
+	am := utils.MakeAccountManager(ctx)
 	passphrase := getPassPhrase(ctx, "Your new account is locked with a password. Please give a password. Do not forget this password.", true)
 	acct, err := am.NewAccount(passphrase)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -488,7 +455,7 @@ func importWallet(ctx *cli.Context) {
 		utils.Fatalf("Could not read wallet file: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	am := utils.GetAccountManager(ctx)
+	am := utils.MakeAccountManager(ctx)
 	passphrase := getPassPhrase(ctx, "", false)
 
 	acct, err := am.ImportPreSaleKey(keyJson, passphrase)
@@ -503,7 +470,7 @@ func accountImport(ctx *cli.Context) {
 	if len(keyfile) == 0 {
 		utils.Fatalf("keyfile must be given as argument")
 	}
-	am := utils.GetAccountManager(ctx)
+	am := utils.MakeAccountManager(ctx)
 	passphrase := getPassPhrase(ctx, "Your new account is locked with a password. Please give a password. Do not forget this password.", true)
 	acct, err := am.Import(keyfile, passphrase)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -512,153 +479,6 @@ func accountImport(ctx *cli.Context) {
 	fmt.Printf("Address: %x\n", acct)
 }
 
-func importchain(ctx *cli.Context) {
-	if len(ctx.Args()) != 1 {
-		utils.Fatalf("This command requires an argument.")
-	}
-
-	cfg := utils.MakeEthConfig(ClientIdentifier, Version, ctx)
-	cfg.SkipBcVersionCheck = true
-
-	ethereum, err := eth.New(cfg)
-	if err != nil {
-		utils.Fatalf("%v\n", err)
-	}
-
-	chainmgr := ethereum.ChainManager()
-	start := time.Now()
-	err = utils.ImportChain(chainmgr, ctx.Args().First())
-	if err != nil {
-		utils.Fatalf("Import error: %v\n", err)
-	}
-
-	// force database flush
-	ethereum.BlockDb().Flush()
-	ethereum.StateDb().Flush()
-	ethereum.ExtraDb().Flush()
-
-	fmt.Printf("Import done in %v", time.Since(start))
-
-	return
-}
-
-func exportchain(ctx *cli.Context) {
-	if len(ctx.Args()) != 1 {
-		utils.Fatalf("This command requires an argument.")
-	}
-
-	cfg := utils.MakeEthConfig(ClientIdentifier, nodeNameVersion, ctx)
-	cfg.SkipBcVersionCheck = true
-
-	ethereum, err := eth.New(cfg)
-	if err != nil {
-		utils.Fatalf("%v\n", err)
-	}
-
-	chainmgr := ethereum.ChainManager()
-	start := time.Now()
-	err = utils.ExportChain(chainmgr, ctx.Args().First())
-	if err != nil {
-		utils.Fatalf("Export error: %v\n", err)
-	}
-	fmt.Printf("Export done in %v", time.Since(start))
-	return
-}
-
-func removeDb(ctx *cli.Context) {
-	confirm, err := utils.PromptConfirm("Remove local databases?")
-	if err != nil {
-		utils.Fatalf("%v", err)
-	}
-
-	if confirm {
-		fmt.Println("Removing chain and state databases...")
-		start := time.Now()
-
-		os.RemoveAll(filepath.Join(ctx.GlobalString(utils.DataDirFlag.Name), "blockchain"))
-		os.RemoveAll(filepath.Join(ctx.GlobalString(utils.DataDirFlag.Name), "state"))
-
-		fmt.Printf("Removed in %v\n", time.Since(start))
-	} else {
-		fmt.Println("Operation aborted")
-	}
-}
-
-func upgradeDb(ctx *cli.Context) {
-	fmt.Println("Upgrade blockchain DB")
-
-	cfg := utils.MakeEthConfig(ClientIdentifier, Version, ctx)
-	cfg.SkipBcVersionCheck = true
-
-	ethereum, err := eth.New(cfg)
-	if err != nil {
-		utils.Fatalf("%v\n", err)
-	}
-
-	v, _ := ethereum.BlockDb().Get([]byte("BlockchainVersion"))
-	bcVersion := int(common.NewValue(v).Uint())
-
-	if bcVersion == 0 {
-		bcVersion = core.BlockChainVersion
-	}
-
-	filename := fmt.Sprintf("blockchain_%d_%s.chain", bcVersion, time.Now().Format("20060102_150405"))
-	exportFile := filepath.Join(ctx.GlobalString(utils.DataDirFlag.Name), filename)
-
-	err = utils.ExportChain(ethereum.ChainManager(), exportFile)
-	if err != nil {
-		utils.Fatalf("Unable to export chain for reimport %s\n", err)
-	}
-
-	ethereum.BlockDb().Close()
-	ethereum.StateDb().Close()
-	ethereum.ExtraDb().Close()
-
-	os.RemoveAll(filepath.Join(ctx.GlobalString(utils.DataDirFlag.Name), "blockchain"))
-	os.RemoveAll(filepath.Join(ctx.GlobalString(utils.DataDirFlag.Name), "state"))
-
-	ethereum, err = eth.New(cfg)
-	if err != nil {
-		utils.Fatalf("%v\n", err)
-	}
-
-	ethereum.BlockDb().Put([]byte("BlockchainVersion"), common.NewValue(core.BlockChainVersion).Bytes())
-
-	err = utils.ImportChain(ethereum.ChainManager(), exportFile)
-	if err != nil {
-		utils.Fatalf("Import error %v (a backup is made in %s, use the import command to import it)\n", err, exportFile)
-	}
-
-	// force database flush
-	ethereum.BlockDb().Flush()
-	ethereum.StateDb().Flush()
-	ethereum.ExtraDb().Flush()
-
-	os.Remove(exportFile)
-
-	fmt.Println("Import finished")
-}
-
-func dump(ctx *cli.Context) {
-	chainmgr, _, stateDb := utils.GetChain(ctx)
-	for _, arg := range ctx.Args() {
-		var block *types.Block
-		if hashish(arg) {
-			block = chainmgr.GetBlock(common.HexToHash(arg))
-		} else {
-			num, _ := strconv.Atoi(arg)
-			block = chainmgr.GetBlockByNumber(uint64(num))
-		}
-		if block == nil {
-			fmt.Println("{}")
-			utils.Fatalf("block not found")
-		} else {
-			statedb := state.New(block.Root(), stateDb)
-			fmt.Printf("%s\n", statedb.Dump())
-		}
-	}
-}
-
 func makedag(ctx *cli.Context) {
 	args := ctx.Args()
 	wrongArgs := func() {
@@ -701,9 +521,3 @@ func version(c *cli.Context) {
 	fmt.Printf("GOPATH=%s\n", os.Getenv("GOPATH"))
 	fmt.Printf("GOROOT=%s\n", runtime.GOROOT())
 }
-
-// hashish returns true for strings that look like hashes.
-func hashish(x string) bool {
-	_, err := strconv.Atoi(x)
-	return err != nil
-}
diff --git a/cmd/mist/main.go b/cmd/mist/main.go
index 8365fcec15a4e485c478cfecd2c2f896cf0de084..e8ae9b5e1c7c15f07890ec77b2ede48f520a807d 100644
--- a/cmd/mist/main.go
+++ b/cmd/mist/main.go
@@ -86,6 +86,10 @@ func init() {
 		utils.BlockchainVersionFlag,
 		utils.NetworkIdFlag,
 	}
+	app.Before = func(ctx *cli.Context) error {
+		utils.SetupLogger(ctx)
+		return nil
+	}
 }
 
 func main() {
diff --git a/cmd/utils/cmd.go b/cmd/utils/cmd.go
index 39b4e46da2cabf13069d0f5b8397f89ff10426e6..e5413973de8c675578507c77a2c5563781bc5e1f 100644
--- a/cmd/utils/cmd.go
+++ b/cmd/utils/cmd.go
@@ -40,6 +40,10 @@ import (
 	"github.com/peterh/liner"
 )
 
+const (
+	importBatchSize = 2500
+)
+
 var interruptCallbacks = []func(os.Signal){}
 
 // Register interrupt handlers callbacks
@@ -125,10 +129,17 @@ func initDataDir(Datadir string) {
 	}
 }
 
-// Fatalf formats a message to standard output and exits the program.
+// Fatalf formats a message to standard error and exits the program.
+// The message is also printed to standard output if standard error
+// is redirected to a different file.
 func Fatalf(format string, args ...interface{}) {
-	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Fatal: "+format+"\n", args...)
-	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stdout, "Fatal: "+format+"\n", args...)
+	w := io.MultiWriter(os.Stdout, os.Stderr)
+	outf, _ := os.Stdout.Stat()
+	errf, _ := os.Stderr.Stat()
+	if outf != nil && errf != nil && os.SameFile(outf, errf) {
+		w = os.Stderr
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintf(w, "Fatal: "+format+"\n", args...)
 	logger.Flush()
 	os.Exit(1)
 }
@@ -166,53 +177,86 @@ func FormatTransactionData(data string) []byte {
 	return d
 }
 
-func ImportChain(chainmgr *core.ChainManager, fn string) error {
-	fmt.Printf("importing blockchain '%s'\n", fn)
-	fh, err := os.OpenFile(fn, os.O_RDONLY, os.ModePerm)
+func ImportChain(chain *core.ChainManager, fn string) error {
+	// Watch for Ctrl-C while the import is running.
+	// If a signal is received, the import will stop at the next batch.
+	interrupt := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
+	stop := make(chan struct{})
+	signal.Notify(interrupt, os.Interrupt)
+	defer signal.Stop(interrupt)
+	defer close(interrupt)
+	go func() {
+		if _, ok := <-interrupt; ok {
+			glog.Info("caught interrupt during import, will stop at next batch")
+		}
+		close(stop)
+	}()
+	checkInterrupt := func() bool {
+		select {
+		case <-stop:
+			return true
+		default:
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+
+	glog.Infoln("Importing blockchain", fn)
+	fh, err := os.Open(fn)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	defer fh.Close()
-
-	chainmgr.Reset()
 	stream := rlp.NewStream(fh, 0)
-	var i, n int
-
-	batchSize := 2500
-	blocks := make(types.Blocks, batchSize)
 
-	for ; ; i++ {
-		var b types.Block
-		if err := stream.Decode(&b); err == io.EOF {
-			break
-		} else if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("at block %d: %v", i, err)
+	// Run actual the import.
+	blocks := make(types.Blocks, importBatchSize)
+	n := 0
+	for batch := 0; ; batch++ {
+		// Load a batch of RLP blocks.
+		if checkInterrupt() {
+			return fmt.Errorf("interrupted")
 		}
-
-		blocks[n] = &b
-		n++
-
-		if n == batchSize {
-			if _, err := chainmgr.InsertChain(blocks); err != nil {
-				return fmt.Errorf("invalid block %v", err)
+		i := 0
+		for ; i < importBatchSize; i++ {
+			var b types.Block
+			if err := stream.Decode(&b); err == io.EOF {
+				break
+			} else if err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("at block %d: %v", n, err)
 			}
-			n = 0
-			blocks = make(types.Blocks, batchSize)
+			blocks[i] = &b
+			n++
+		}
+		if i == 0 {
+			break
+		}
+		// Import the batch.
+		if checkInterrupt() {
+			return fmt.Errorf("interrupted")
+		}
+		if hasAllBlocks(chain, blocks[:i]) {
+			glog.Infof("skipping batch %d, all blocks present [%x / %x]",
+				batch, blocks[0].Hash().Bytes()[:4], blocks[i-1].Hash().Bytes()[:4])
+			continue
+		}
+		if _, err := chain.InsertChain(blocks[:i]); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("invalid block %d: %v", n, err)
 		}
 	}
+	return nil
+}
 
-	if n > 0 {
-		if _, err := chainmgr.InsertChain(blocks[:n]); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("invalid block %v", err)
+func hasAllBlocks(chain *core.ChainManager, bs []*types.Block) bool {
+	for _, b := range bs {
+		if !chain.HasBlock(b.Hash()) {
+			return false
 		}
 	}
-
-	fmt.Printf("imported %d blocks\n", i)
-	return nil
+	return true
 }
 
 func ExportChain(chainmgr *core.ChainManager, fn string) error {
-	fmt.Printf("exporting blockchain '%s'\n", fn)
+	glog.Infoln("Exporting blockchain to", fn)
 	fh, err := os.OpenFile(fn, os.O_CREATE|os.O_WRONLY|os.O_TRUNC, os.ModePerm)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -221,6 +265,6 @@ func ExportChain(chainmgr *core.ChainManager, fn string) error {
 	if err := chainmgr.Export(fh); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	fmt.Printf("exported blockchain\n")
+	glog.Infoln("Exported blockchain to", fn)
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/cmd/utils/flags.go b/cmd/utils/flags.go
index 155110ddced1a0c9407fb2453f97746f0a816adb..d319055b17bafc14f82c63f7bd8de72c32140be7 100644
--- a/cmd/utils/flags.go
+++ b/cmd/utils/flags.go
@@ -256,7 +256,8 @@ var (
 	}
 )
 
-func GetNAT(ctx *cli.Context) nat.Interface {
+// MakeNAT creates a port mapper from set command line flags.
+func MakeNAT(ctx *cli.Context) nat.Interface {
 	natif, err := nat.Parse(ctx.GlobalString(NATFlag.Name))
 	if err != nil {
 		Fatalf("Option %s: %v", NATFlag.Name, err)
@@ -264,7 +265,8 @@ func GetNAT(ctx *cli.Context) nat.Interface {
 	return natif
 }
 
-func GetNodeKey(ctx *cli.Context) (key *ecdsa.PrivateKey) {
+// MakeNodeKey creates a node key from set command line flags.
+func MakeNodeKey(ctx *cli.Context) (key *ecdsa.PrivateKey) {
 	hex, file := ctx.GlobalString(NodeKeyHexFlag.Name), ctx.GlobalString(NodeKeyFileFlag.Name)
 	var err error
 	switch {
@@ -282,21 +284,12 @@ func GetNodeKey(ctx *cli.Context) (key *ecdsa.PrivateKey) {
 	return key
 }
 
+// MakeEthConfig creates ethereum options from set command line flags.
 func MakeEthConfig(clientID, version string, ctx *cli.Context) *eth.Config {
-	// Set verbosity on glog
-	glog.SetV(ctx.GlobalInt(VerbosityFlag.Name))
-	glog.CopyStandardLogTo("INFO")
-	// Set the log type
-	//glog.SetToStderr(ctx.GlobalBool(LogToStdErrFlag.Name))
-	glog.SetToStderr(true)
-	// Set the log dir
-	glog.SetLogDir(ctx.GlobalString(LogFileFlag.Name))
-
 	customName := ctx.GlobalString(IdentityFlag.Name)
 	if len(customName) > 0 {
 		clientID += "/" + customName
 	}
-
 	return &eth.Config{
 		Name:               common.MakeName(clientID, version),
 		DataDir:            ctx.GlobalString(DataDirFlag.Name),
@@ -309,15 +302,15 @@ func MakeEthConfig(clientID, version string, ctx *cli.Context) *eth.Config {
 		LogJSON:            ctx.GlobalString(LogJSONFlag.Name),
 		Etherbase:          ctx.GlobalString(EtherbaseFlag.Name),
 		MinerThreads:       ctx.GlobalInt(MinerThreadsFlag.Name),
-		AccountManager:     GetAccountManager(ctx),
+		AccountManager:     MakeAccountManager(ctx),
 		VmDebug:            ctx.GlobalBool(VMDebugFlag.Name),
 		MaxPeers:           ctx.GlobalInt(MaxPeersFlag.Name),
 		MaxPendingPeers:    ctx.GlobalInt(MaxPendingPeersFlag.Name),
 		Port:               ctx.GlobalString(ListenPortFlag.Name),
-		NAT:                GetNAT(ctx),
+		NAT:                MakeNAT(ctx),
 		NatSpec:            ctx.GlobalBool(NatspecEnabledFlag.Name),
 		Discovery:          !ctx.GlobalBool(NoDiscoverFlag.Name),
-		NodeKey:            GetNodeKey(ctx),
+		NodeKey:            MakeNodeKey(ctx),
 		Shh:                ctx.GlobalBool(WhisperEnabledFlag.Name),
 		Dial:               true,
 		BootNodes:          ctx.GlobalString(BootnodesFlag.Name),
@@ -327,35 +320,39 @@ func MakeEthConfig(clientID, version string, ctx *cli.Context) *eth.Config {
 	}
 }
 
-func GetChain(ctx *cli.Context) (*core.ChainManager, common.Database, common.Database) {
-	dataDir := ctx.GlobalString(DataDirFlag.Name)
+// SetupLogger configures glog from the logging-related command line flags.
+func SetupLogger(ctx *cli.Context) {
+	glog.SetV(ctx.GlobalInt(VerbosityFlag.Name))
+	glog.CopyStandardLogTo("INFO")
+	glog.SetToStderr(true)
+	glog.SetLogDir(ctx.GlobalString(LogFileFlag.Name))
+}
 
-	blockDb, err := ethdb.NewLDBDatabase(filepath.Join(dataDir, "blockchain"))
-	if err != nil {
+// MakeChain creates a chain manager from set command line flags.
+func MakeChain(ctx *cli.Context) (chain *core.ChainManager, blockDB, stateDB, extraDB common.Database) {
+	dd := ctx.GlobalString(DataDirFlag.Name)
+	var err error
+	if blockDB, err = ethdb.NewLDBDatabase(filepath.Join(dd, "blockchain")); err != nil {
 		Fatalf("Could not open database: %v", err)
 	}
-
-	stateDb, err := ethdb.NewLDBDatabase(filepath.Join(dataDir, "state"))
-	if err != nil {
+	if stateDB, err = ethdb.NewLDBDatabase(filepath.Join(dd, "state")); err != nil {
 		Fatalf("Could not open database: %v", err)
 	}
-
-	extraDb, err := ethdb.NewLDBDatabase(filepath.Join(dataDir, "extra"))
-	if err != nil {
+	if extraDB, err = ethdb.NewLDBDatabase(filepath.Join(dd, "extra")); err != nil {
 		Fatalf("Could not open database: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	eventMux := new(event.TypeMux)
 	pow := ethash.New()
-	chainManager := core.NewChainManager(blockDb, stateDb, pow, eventMux)
-	txPool := core.NewTxPool(eventMux, chainManager.State, chainManager.GasLimit)
-	blockProcessor := core.NewBlockProcessor(stateDb, extraDb, pow, txPool, chainManager, eventMux)
-	chainManager.SetProcessor(blockProcessor)
-
-	return chainManager, blockDb, stateDb
+	chain = core.NewChainManager(blockDB, stateDB, pow, eventMux)
+	txpool := core.NewTxPool(eventMux, chain.State, chain.GasLimit)
+	proc := core.NewBlockProcessor(stateDB, extraDB, pow, txpool, chain, eventMux)
+	chain.SetProcessor(proc)
+	return chain, blockDB, stateDB, extraDB
 }
 
-func GetAccountManager(ctx *cli.Context) *accounts.Manager {
+// MakeChain creates an account manager from set command line flags.
+func MakeAccountManager(ctx *cli.Context) *accounts.Manager {
 	dataDir := ctx.GlobalString(DataDirFlag.Name)
 	ks := crypto.NewKeyStorePassphrase(filepath.Join(dataDir, "keystore"))
 	return accounts.NewManager(ks)
diff --git a/p2p/nat/nat_test.go b/p2p/nat/nat_test.go
index 95c50522e28f1f3463d00b41a262154fe494b905..b62640b4b39191ef8dd64fd067b757b3152ea3b9 100644
--- a/p2p/nat/nat_test.go
+++ b/p2p/nat/nat_test.go
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ func TestAutoDiscRace(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Check that they all return the correct result within the deadline.
-	deadline := time.After(550 * time.Millisecond)
+	deadline := time.After(2 * time.Second)
 	for i := 0; i < cap(results); i++ {
 		select {
 		case <-deadline: