diff --git a/CDB/thijs_ConfigDb.json b/CDB/thijs_ConfigDb.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..839a4e6d475d3f0783fb8a2bbda12e2163d93eb0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CDB/thijs_ConfigDb.json
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+{
+    "servers": {
+        "PCC": {
+            "1": {
+                "PCC": {
+                    "LTS/PCC/1": {
+                        "properties": {
+                            "OPC_Server_Name": [
+                                "host.docker.internal"
+                            ]
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        },
+        "SDP": {
+            "1": {
+                "SDP": {
+                    "LTS/SDP/1": {
+                        "properties": {
+                            "OPC_Server_Name": [
+                                "host.docker.internal"
+                            ]
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        },
+        "example_device": {
+            "1": {
+                "example_device": {
+                    "LTS/example_device/1": {
+                         "attribute_properties": {
+                            "Ant_mask_RW": {
+                                "archive_period": [
+                                    "600000"
+                                ]
+                            }
+						},
+                        "properties": {
+                            "OPC_Server_Name": [
+                                "host.docker.internal"
+                            ],
+                            "OPC_Server_Port": [
+                                "4842"
+                            ],
+                            "OPC_Time_Out": [
+                                "5.0"
+                            ]
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        },
+        "ini_device": {
+            "1": {
+                "ini_device": {
+                    "LTS/ini_device/1": {
+                         "attribute_properties": {
+                            "Ant_mask_RW": {
+                                "archive_period": [
+                                    "600000"
+                                ]
+                            }
+						},
+                        "properties": {
+                            "OPC_Server_Name": [
+                                "host.docker.internal"
+                            ],
+                            "OPC_Server_Port": [
+                                "4842"
+                            ],
+                            "OPC_Time_Out": [
+                                "5.0"
+                            ]
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        },
+        "SNMP": {
+            "1": {
+                "SNMP": {
+                    "LTS/SNMP/1": {
+                         "attribute_properties": {
+                            "Ant_mask_RW": {
+                                "archive_period": [
+                                    "600000"
+                                ]
+                            }
+						},
+                        "properties": {
+                            "SNMP_community": [
+                                "public"
+                            ],
+                            "SNMP_host": [
+                                "192.168.178.17"
+                            ],
+                            "SNMP_timeout": [
+                                "5.0"
+                            ]
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/devices/APSCTL.py b/devices/APSCTL.py
deleted file mode 100644
index e4c4dd38eaa9ab3aa18665093275749a54f3d94f..0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
--- a/devices/APSCTL.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,187 +0,0 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-#
-# This file is part of the SDP project
-#
-#
-#
-# Distributed under the terms of the APACHE license.
-# See LICENSE.txt for more info.
-
-""" SDP Device Server for LOFAR2.0
-
-"""
-
-# PyTango imports
-from tango.server import run
-from tango.server import device_property
-from tango import AttrWriteType
-
-#attribute extention and hardware device imports
-from src.attribute_wrapper import attribute_wrapper
-from src.hardware_device import hardware_device
-import numpy
-# Additional import
-
-from clients.opcua_connection import OPCUAConnection
-
-
-__all__ = ["APSCTL", "main"]
-
-class APSCTL(hardware_device):
-    """
-
-    **Properties:**
-
-    - Device Property
-        OPC_Server_Name
-            - Type:'DevString'
-        OPC_Server_Port
-            - Type:'DevULong'
-        OPC_Time_Out
-            - Type:'DevDouble'
-    """
-
-    # -----------------
-    # Device Properties
-    # -----------------
-
-    OPC_Server_Name = device_property(
-        dtype='DevString',
-        mandatory=True
-    )
-
-    OPC_Server_Port = device_property(
-        dtype='DevULong',
-        mandatory=True
-    )
-
-    OPC_Time_Out = device_property(
-        dtype='DevDouble',
-        mandatory=True
-    )
-
-    # ----------
-    # Attributes
-    # ----------
-    N_unb = 2
-    N_fpga = 4
-    N_ddr = 2
-    N_qsfp = 6
-
-
-    # Central CP per Uniboard
-    UNB2_Power_ON_OFF_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_Power_ON_OFF_RW"], datatype=numpy.bool_, dims=(N_unb,), access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
-    UNB2_Front_Panel_LED_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_Front_Panel_LED_RW"], datatype=numpy.uint8, dims=(N_unb,), access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
-    UNB2_Mask_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_Mask_RW"], datatype=numpy.bool_, dims=(N_unb,), access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
-    # Central MP per Uniboard
-    UNB2_I2C_bus_OK_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_I2C_bus_OK_R"], datatype=numpy.bool_, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_Front_Panel_LED_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_Front_Panel_LED_R"], datatype=numpy.uint8, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_EEPROM_Serial_Number_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_EEPROM_Serial_Number_R"], datatype=numpy.str, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_EEPROM_Unique_ID_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_EEPROM_Unique_ID_R"], datatype=numpy.uint32, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_DC_DC_48V_12V_VIN_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_DC_DC_48V_12V_VIN_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_DC_DC_48V_12V_VOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_DC_DC_48V_12V_VOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_DC_DC_48V_12V_IOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_DC_DC_48V_12V_IOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_DC_DC_48V_12V_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_DC_DC_48V_12V_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_QSFP_N01_VOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_QSFP_N01_VOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_QSFP_N01_IOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_QSFP_N01_IOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_QSFP_N01_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_QSFP_N01_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_QSFP_N23_VOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_QSFP_N23_VOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_QSFP_N23_IOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_QSFP_N23_IOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_QSFP_N23_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_QSFP_N23_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_SWITCH_1V2_VOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_SWITCH_1V2_VOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_SWITCH_1V2_IOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_SWITCH_1V2_IOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_SWITCH_1V2_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_SWITCH_1V2_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_SWITCH_PHY_VOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_SWITCH_PHY_VOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_SWITCH_PHY_IOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_SWITCH_PHY_IOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_SWITCH_PHY_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_SWITCH_PHY_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_CLOCK_VOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_CLOCK_VOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_CLOCK_IOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_CLOCK_IOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-    UNB2_POL_CLOCK_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_POL_CLOCK_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,))
-
-    # monitor points per FPGA
-    UNB2_FPGA_DDR4_SLOT_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_DDR4_SLOT_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_DDR4_SLOT_PART_NUMBER_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_DDR4_SLOT_PART_NUMBER_R"], datatype=numpy.str, dims=(N_unb * N_qsfp,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_0_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_0_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_1_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_1_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_2_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_2_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_3_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_3_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_4_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_4_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_5_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_5_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_0_LOS_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_0_LOS_R"], datatype=numpy.uint8, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_1_LOS_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_1_LOS_R"], datatype=numpy.uint8, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_2_LOS_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_2_LOS_R"], datatype=numpy.uint8, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_3_LOS_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_3_LOS_R"], datatype=numpy.uint8, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_4_LOS_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_4_LOS_R"], datatype=numpy.uint8, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_5_LOS_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_QSFP_CAGE_5_LOS_R"], datatype=numpy.uint8, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_CORE_VOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_CORE_VOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_CORE_IOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_CORE_IOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_CORE_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_CORE_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_ERAM_VOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_ERAM_VOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_ERAM_IOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_ERAM_IOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_ERAM_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_ERAM_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_RXGXB_VOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_RXGXB_VOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_RXGXB_IOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_RXGXB_IOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_RXGXB_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_RXGXB_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_TXGXB_VOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_TXGXB_VOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_TXGXB_IOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_TXGXB_IOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_TXGXB_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:PCC", "2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_TXGXB_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_HGXB_VOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_HGXB_VOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_HGXB_IOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_HGXB_IOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_HGXB_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_HGXB_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_PGM_VOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_PGM_VOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_PGM_IOUT_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_PGM_IOUT_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-    UNB2_FPGA_POL_PGM_TEMP_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation=["2:UNB2_FPGA_POL_PGM_TEMP_R"], datatype=numpy.double, dims=(N_unb,N_fpga))
-
-
-    def delete_device(self):
-        """Hook to delete resources allocated in init_device.
-
-        This method allows for any memory or other resources allocated in the
-        init_device method to be released.  This method is called by the device
-        destructor and by the device Init command (a Tango built-in).
-        """
-        self.debug_stream("Shutting down...")
-
-        self.Off()
-        self.debug_stream("Shut down.  Good bye.")
-
-    # --------
-    # overloaded functions
-    # --------
-    def off(self):
-        """ user code here. is called when the state is set to OFF """
-
-        # Stop keep-alive
-        self.opcua_connection.stop()
-
-    def initialise(self):
-        """ user code here. is called when the sate is set to INIT """
-        """Initialises the attributes and properties of the PCC."""
-
-        # set up the OPC ua client
-        self.OPCua_client = OPCUAConnection("opc.tcp://{}:{}/".format(self.OPC_Server_Name, self.OPC_Server_Port), "http://lofar.eu", self.OPC_Time_Out, self.Fault, self)
-
-        # map an access helper class
-        for i in self.attr_list():
-            try:
-                i.set_comm_client(self.OPCua_client)
-            except:
-                self.debug_stream("error in getting APSCTL attribute: {} from client".format(i))
-
-        self.OPCua_client.start()
-
-    # --------
-    # Commands
-    # --------
-
-# ----------
-# Run server
-# ----------
-def main(args=None, **kwargs):
-    """Main function of the SDP module."""
-    return run((APSCTL,), args=args, **kwargs)
-
-
-if __name__ == '__main__':
-    main()
-
diff --git a/devices/PCC.py b/devices/PCC.py
index 266725ab410b9b56c6d326a61f22cd8e332d54d6..ff0ed0914f43272ab195b8a55f8f550e7fdd3ceb 100644
--- a/devices/PCC.py
+++ b/devices/PCC.py
@@ -117,13 +117,13 @@ class PCC(hardware_device):
     # overloaded functions
     # --------
     @log_exceptions()
-    def off(self):
+    def configure_for_off(self):
         """ user code here. is called when the state is set to OFF """
         # Stop keep-alive
         self.OPCua_client.stop()
 
     @log_exceptions()
-    def initialise(self):
+    def configure_for_initialise(self):
         """ user code here. is called when the state is set to INIT """
 
         # Init the dict that contains function to OPC-UA function mappings.
diff --git a/devices/SDP.py b/devices/SDP.py
index 7db55b341b5a7a86bcef2b0e9f04a44639ad7d4b..2d14a96fc6f977749a920d7b1414a2febb7fe7b6 100644
--- a/devices/SDP.py
+++ b/devices/SDP.py
@@ -116,14 +116,14 @@ class SDP(hardware_device):
     # overloaded functions
     # --------
     @log_exceptions()
-    def off(self):
+    def configure_for_off(self):
         """ user code here. is called when the state is set to OFF """
 
         # Stop keep-alive
         self.opcua_connection.stop()
 
     @log_exceptions()
-    def initialise(self):
+    def configure_for_initialise(self):
         """ user code here. is called when the sate is set to INIT """
         """Initialises the attributes and properties of the SDP."""
 
diff --git a/devices/clients/ini_client.py b/devices/clients/ini_client.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..2f4d714b57dd57d327795fe59fd6edf43eb4c9fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/devices/clients/ini_client.py
@@ -0,0 +1,192 @@
+from util.comms_client import CommClient
+import configparser
+import numpy
+
+__all__ = ["ini_client"]
+
+
+numpy_to_ini_dict = {
+    numpy.int64: int,
+    numpy.double: float,
+    numpy.float64: float,
+    numpy.bool_: bool,
+    str: str
+}
+
+numpy_to_ini_get_dict = {
+    numpy.int64: configparser.ConfigParser.getint,
+    numpy.double: configparser.ConfigParser.getfloat,
+    numpy.float64: configparser.ConfigParser.getfloat,
+    numpy.bool_: configparser.ConfigParser.getboolean,
+    str: str
+}
+
+ini_to_numpy_dict = {
+    int: numpy.int64,
+    float: numpy.float64,
+    bool: numpy.bool_,
+    str: numpy.str_
+}
+
+import os
+
+class ini_client(CommClient):
+    """
+    this class provides an example implementation of a comms_client.
+    Durirng initialisation it creates a correctly shaped zero filled value. on read that value is returned and on write its modified.
+    """
+
+    def start(self):
+        super().start()
+
+    def __init__(self, filename, fault_func, streams, try_interval=2):
+        """
+        initialises the class and tries to connect to the client.
+        """
+        self.config = configparser.ConfigParser()
+        self.filename = filename
+
+        super().__init__(fault_func, streams, try_interval)
+
+        # Explicitly connect
+        if not self.connect():
+            # hardware or infra is down -- needs fixing first
+            fault_func()
+            return
+
+    def connect(self):
+        self.config_file = open(self.filename, "r")
+
+        self.connected = True  # set connected to true
+        return True  # if successful, return true. otherwise return false
+
+    def disconnect(self):
+        self.connected = False  # always force a reconnect, regardless of a successful disconnect
+        self.streams.debug_stream("disconnected from the 'client' ")
+
+    def _setup_annotation(self, annotation):
+        """
+        this function gives the client access to the comm client annotation data given to the attribute wrapper.
+        The annotation data can be used to provide whatever extra data is necessary in order to find/access the monitor/control point.
+
+        the annotation can be in whatever format may be required. it is up to the user to handle its content
+        example annotation may include:
+        - a file path and file line/location
+        - COM object path
+
+        Annotations:
+            name: Required, the name of the ini variable
+            section: Required,  the section of the ini variable
+
+        """
+
+        # as this is an example, just print the annotation
+        self.streams.debug_stream("annotation: {}".format(annotation))
+        name = annotation.get('name')
+        if name is None:
+            ValueError("ini client requires a variable `name` in the annotation to set/get")
+        section = annotation.get('section')
+        if section is None:
+            ValueError("requires a `section` specified in the annotation to open")
+
+        return section, name
+
+
+    def _setup_value_conversion(self, attribute):
+        """
+        gives the client access to the attribute_wrapper object in order to access all
+        necessary data such as dimensionality and data type
+        """
+
+        dim_y = attribute.dim_y
+        dim_x = attribute.dim_x
+
+        dtype = attribute.numpy_type
+
+        return dim_y, dim_x, dtype
+
+    def _setup_mapping(self, name, section, dtype, dim_y, dim_x):
+        """
+        takes all gathered data to configure and return the correct read and write functions
+        """
+
+        def read_function():
+            self.config.read_file(self.config_file)
+            value = self.config.get(section, name)
+
+            value = data_handler(value, dtype)
+
+            if dim_y > 1:
+                # if data is an image, slice it according to the y dimensions
+                value = numpy.array(numpy.split(value, indices_or_sections=dim_y))
+
+            return value
+
+        def write_function(value):
+
+            if type(value) is list:
+                write_value = ", ".join([str(v) for v in value])
+
+            else:
+                write_value = str(value)
+
+            self.config.read_file(self.config_file)
+            self.config.set(section, name, write_value)
+            fp = open(self.filename, 'w')
+            self.config.write(fp)
+
+        return read_function, write_function
+
+    def setup_attribute(self, annotation=None, attribute=None):
+        """
+        MANDATORY function: is used by the attribute wrapper to get read/write functions.
+        must return the read and write functions
+        """
+
+        # process the comms_annotation
+        section, name = self._setup_annotation(annotation)
+
+        # get all the necessary data to set up the read/write functions from the attribute_wrapper
+        dim_y, dim_x, dtype = self._setup_value_conversion(attribute)
+
+        # configure and return the read/write functions
+        read_function, write_function = self._setup_mapping(name, section, dtype, dim_y, dim_x)
+
+        # return the read/write functions
+        return read_function, write_function
+
+def data_handler(string, dtype):
+    value = []
+
+    if dtype is numpy.bool_:
+        # Handle special case for Bools
+        for i in string.split(","):
+            i = i.strip(" ")
+            if "True" == i:
+                value.append(True)
+            elif "False" == i:
+                value.append(False)
+            else:
+                raise ValueError("String to bool failed. String is not True/False, but is: '{}'".format(i))
+
+        value = dtype(value)
+
+    elif dtype is numpy.str_:
+        for i in string.split(","):
+            val = numpy.str_(i)
+            value.append(val)
+
+        value = numpy.array(value)
+
+    else:
+        # regular case, go through the separator
+        for i in string.split(","):
+            i = i.replace(" ", "")
+            val = dtype(i)
+            value.append(val)
+
+
+        # convert values from buildin type to numpy type
+        value = dtype(value)
+
+    return value
diff --git a/devices/ini_device.py b/devices/ini_device.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..0b81611830e9ed14e76141ee583a1e6a7ddb8c60
--- /dev/null
+++ b/devices/ini_device.py
@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+#
+# This file wraps around a tango device class and provides a number of abstractions useful for hardware devices. It works together
+#
+# Distributed under the terms of the APACHE license.
+# See LICENSE.txt for more info.
+
+"""
+
+"""
+
+# PyTango imports
+from tango.server import run
+from tango.server import device_property
+from tango import AttrWriteType
+from tango import DevState
+# Additional import
+from util.attribute_wrapper import attribute_wrapper
+from util.hardware_device import hardware_device
+
+
+import configparser
+import numpy
+
+from clients.ini_client import *
+
+
+__all__ = ["ini_device"]
+
+
+def write_ini_file(filename):
+    with open(filename, 'w') as configfile:
+
+        config = configparser.ConfigParser()
+        config['scalar'] = {}
+        config['scalar']['double_scalar_R'] = '1.2'
+        config['scalar']['bool_scalar_R'] = 'True'
+        config['scalar']['int_scalar_R'] = '5'
+        config['scalar']['str_scalar_R'] = 'this is a test'
+
+        config['spectrum'] = {}
+        config['spectrum']['double_spectrum_R'] = '1.2, 2.3, 3.4, 4.5'
+        config['spectrum']['bool_spectrum_R'] = 'True, True, False, False'
+        config['spectrum']['int_spectrum_R'] = '1, 2, 3, 4'
+        config['spectrum']['str_spectrum_R'] = '"a", "b", "c", "d"'
+
+        config['image'] = {}
+        config['image']['double_image_R'] = '1.2, 2.3, 3.4, 4.5, 5.6, 6.7'
+        config['image']['bool_image_R'] = 'True, True, False, False, True, False'
+        config['image']['int_image_R'] = '1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6'
+        config['image']['str_image_R'] = '"a", "b", "c", "d", "e", "f"'
+
+        config.write(configfile)
+
+
+
+class ini_device(hardware_device):
+    """
+    This class is the minimal (read empty) implementation of a class using 'hardware_device'
+    """
+
+    # ----------
+    # Attributes
+    # ----------
+    """
+    attribute wrapper objects can be declared here. All attribute wrapper objects will get automatically put in a list (attr_list) for easy access
+
+    example = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation="this is an example", datatype=numpy.double, dims=(8, 2), access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
+    ...
+
+    """
+    double_scalar_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "scalar", "name": "double_scalar_RW"}, datatype=numpy.double, access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
+    double_scalar_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "scalar", "name": "double_scalar_R"}, datatype=numpy.double)
+    bool_scalar_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "scalar", "name": "bool_scalar_RW"}, datatype=numpy.bool_, access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
+    bool_scalar_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "scalar", "name": "bool_scalar_R"}, datatype=numpy.bool_)
+    int_scalar_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "scalar", "name": "int_scalar_RW"}, datatype=numpy.int64, access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
+    int_scalar_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "scalar", "name": "int_scalar_R"}, datatype=numpy.int64)
+    str_scalar_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "scalar", "name": "str_scalar_RW"}, datatype=numpy.str_, access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
+    str_scalar_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "scalar", "name": "str_scalar_R"}, datatype=numpy.str_)
+
+    double_spectrum_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "spectrum", "name": "double_spectrum_RW"}, datatype=numpy.double, dims=(4,), access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
+    double_spectrum_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "spectrum", "name": "double_spectrum_R"}, datatype=numpy.double, dims=(4,))
+    bool_spectrum_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "spectrum", "name": "bool_spectrum_RW"}, datatype=numpy.bool_, dims=(4,), access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
+    bool_spectrum_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "spectrum", "name": "bool_spectrum_R"}, datatype=numpy.bool_, dims=(4,))
+    int_spectrum_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "spectrum", "name": "int_spectrum_RW"}, datatype=numpy.int64, dims=(4,), access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
+    int_spectrum_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "spectrum", "name": "int_spectrum_R"}, datatype=numpy.int64, dims=(4,))
+    str_spectrum_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "spectrum", "name": "str_spectrum_RW"}, datatype=numpy.str_, dims=(4,), access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
+    str_spectrum_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "spectrum", "name": "str_spectrum_R"}, datatype=numpy.str_, dims=(4,))
+
+    double_image_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "image", "name": "double_image_RW"}, datatype=numpy.double, dims=(3, 2), access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
+    double_image_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "image", "name": "double_image_R"}, datatype=numpy.double, dims=(3, 2))
+    bool_image_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "image", "name": "bool_image_RW"}, datatype=numpy.bool_, dims=(3, 2), access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
+    bool_image_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "image", "name": "bool_image_R"}, datatype=numpy.bool_, dims=(3, 2))
+    int_image_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "image", "name": "int_image_RW"}, datatype=numpy.int64, dims=(3, 2), access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
+    int_image_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "image", "name": "int_image_R"}, datatype=numpy.int64, dims=(3, 2))
+    str_image_RW = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "image", "name": "str_image_RW"}, datatype=numpy.str_, dims=(3, 2), access=AttrWriteType.READ_WRITE)
+    str_image_R = attribute_wrapper(comms_annotation={"section": "image", "name": "str_image_R"}, datatype=numpy.str_, dims=(3, 2))
+
+    # --------
+    # overloaded functions
+    # --------
+    def configure_for_initialise(self):
+        """ user code here. is called when the sate is set to INIT """
+        """Initialises the attributes and properties of the PCC."""
+
+        # set up the OPC ua client
+        self.ini_client = ini_client("example.ini", self.Fault, self)
+
+        # map an access helper class
+        for i in self.attr_list():
+            i.set_comm_client(self.ini_client)
+
+        self.ini_client.start()
+
+
+# ----------
+# Run server
+# ----------
+def main(args=None, **kwargs):
+    write_ini_file("example.ini")
+
+
+    """Main function of the hardware device module."""
+    return run((ini_device,), args=args, **kwargs)
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    main()
diff --git a/devices/test_device.py b/devices/test_device.py
index 5659da595706cded1e786a479a12238d723e5f1c..6a62907112ea1cf081436285aa0d21532ba24d0a 100644
--- a/devices/test_device.py
+++ b/devices/test_device.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class test_device(hardware_device):
     # --------
     # overloaded functions
     # --------
-    def initialise(self):
+    def configure_for_initialise(self):
         """ user code here. is called when the sate is set to INIT """
         """Initialises the attributes and properties of the PCC."""
 
diff --git a/devices/util/archiver.py b/devices/util/archiver.py
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
diff --git a/devices/util/get_internal_attribute_history.py b/devices/util/get_internal_attribute_history.py
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
diff --git a/devices/util/hardware_device.py b/devices/util/hardware_device.py
index 3dea7b7c06c5fea821895f958823ff80e3aafa72..e0c9154c703a7cb82c42e9cdd7db76d68a011e05 100644
--- a/devices/util/hardware_device.py
+++ b/devices/util/hardware_device.py
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class hardware_device(Device):
         self.set_state(DevState.INIT)
         self.setup_value_dict()
 
-        self.initialise()
+        self.configure_for_initialise()
 
         self.set_state(DevState.STANDBY)
 
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ class hardware_device(Device):
 
         :return:None
         """
-        self.on()
+        self.configure_for_on()
         self.set_state(DevState.ON)
 
     @command()
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ class hardware_device(Device):
         # Turn off
         self.set_state(DevState.OFF)
 
-        self.off()
+        self.configure_for_off()
 
         # Turn off again, in case of race conditions through reconnecting
         self.set_state(DevState.OFF)
@@ -138,18 +138,18 @@ class hardware_device(Device):
 
         :return:None
         """
-        self.fault()
+        self.configure_for_fault()
         self.set_state(DevState.FAULT)
 
 
     # functions that can be overloaded
-    def fault(self):
+    def configure_for_fault(self):
         pass
-    def off(self):
+    def configure_for_off(self):
         pass
-    def on(self):
+    def configure_for_on(self):
         pass
-    def initialise(self):
+    def configure_for_initialise(self):
         pass
 
     def always_executed_hook(self):
diff --git a/devices/util/lofar2_config.py b/devices/util/lofar2_config.py
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
diff --git a/devices/util/lofar_logging.py b/devices/util/lofar_logging.py
index aa7d3633138679c63fd1934cf8d5638df7b1cedf..4bedad018047614c16d65b75816ac12dc7dbd7d0 100644
--- a/devices/util/lofar_logging.py
+++ b/devices/util/lofar_logging.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import logging
 from functools import wraps
+import sys
 
 # Always also log the hostname because it makes the origin of the log clear.
 import socket
@@ -14,7 +15,7 @@ def configure_logger(logger: logging.Logger, log_extra=None):
         # log to the tcp_input of logstash in our ELK stack
         handler = AsynchronousLogstashHandler("elk", 5959, database_path='pending_log_messages.db')
 
-        # configure log messages 
+        # configure log messages
         formatter = LogstashFormatter(extra=log_extra, tags=["python", "lofar"])
         handler.setFormatter(formatter)
 
diff --git a/devices/util/startup.py b/devices/util/startup.py
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
index f98097f994afc340fdb168311bcb524445658f1d..0f4bcbe702b1bd1edb873234763d56455b6009b4
--- a/devices/util/startup.py
+++ b/devices/util/startup.py
@@ -34,4 +34,3 @@ def startup(device: str, force_restart: bool):
     else:
         print("Device {} has successfully reached ON state.".format(device))
     return proxy
-
diff --git a/jupyter-notebooks/ini_device.ipynb b/jupyter-notebooks/ini_device.ipynb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..ba365f263ca35e627b0430f26a02d53af059333a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/jupyter-notebooks/ini_device.ipynb
@@ -0,0 +1,238 @@
+{
+ "cells": [
+  {
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": 128,
+   "id": "waiting-chance",
+   "metadata": {},
+   "outputs": [],
+   "source": [
+    "import time\n",
+    "import numpy"
+   ]
+  },
+  {
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": 146,
+   "id": "moving-alexandria",
+   "metadata": {},
+   "outputs": [],
+   "source": [
+    "d=DeviceProxy(\"LTS/ini_device/1\")"
+   ]
+  },
+  {
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": 198,
+   "id": "ranking-aluminum",
+   "metadata": {},
+   "outputs": [
+    {
+     "name": "stdout",
+     "output_type": "stream",
+     "text": [
+      "Device is now in on state\n"
+     ]
+    }
+   ],
+   "source": [
+    "state = str(d.state())\n",
+    "\n",
+    "if state == \"OFF\":\n",
+    "    d.initialise()\n",
+    "    time.sleep(1)\n",
+    "state = str(d.state())\n",
+    "if state == \"STANDBY\":\n",
+    "    d.on()\n",
+    "state = str(d.state())\n",
+    "if state == \"ON\":\n",
+    "    print(\"Device is now in on state\")\n"
+   ]
+  },
+  {
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": 199,
+   "id": "beneficial-evidence",
+   "metadata": {},
+   "outputs": [
+    {
+     "name": "stdout",
+     "output_type": "stream",
+     "text": [
+      "double_scalar_RW [0.]\n",
+      "double_scalar_R [1.2]\n",
+      "bool_scalar_RW [False]\n",
+      "bool_scalar_R [ True]\n",
+      "int_scalar_RW [0]\n",
+      "int_scalar_R [5]\n",
+      "str_scalar_RW ('',)\n",
+      "str_scalar_R ('this is',)\n",
+      "double_spectrum_RW [0. 0. 0. 0.]\n",
+      "double_spectrum_R [1.2 2.3 3.4 4.5]\n",
+      "bool_spectrum_RW [False False False False]\n",
+      "bool_spectrum_R [ True  True False False]\n",
+      "int_spectrum_RW [0 0 0 0]\n",
+      "int_spectrum_R [1 2 3 4]\n",
+      "str_spectrum_RW ('', '', '', '')\n",
+      "str_spectrum_R ('\"a\"', ' \"b\"', ' \"c\"', ' \"d\"')\n",
+      "double_image_RW [[0. 0. 0.]\n",
+      " [0. 0. 0.]]\n",
+      "double_image_R [[1.2 2.3 3.4]\n",
+      " [4.5 5.6 6.7]]\n",
+      "bool_image_RW [[False False False]\n",
+      " [False False False]]\n",
+      "bool_image_R [[ True  True False]\n",
+      " [False  True False]]\n",
+      "int_image_RW [[0 0 0]\n",
+      " [0 0 0]]\n",
+      "int_image_R [[1 2 3]\n",
+      " [4 5 6]]\n",
+      "str_image_RW (('', '', ''), ('', '', ''))\n",
+      "str_image_R (('\"a\"', ' \"b\"', ' \"c\"'), (' \"d\"', ' \"e\"', ' \"f\"'))\n",
+      "State <function __get_command_func.<locals>.f at 0x7f3efee95c80>\n",
+      "Status <function __get_command_func.<locals>.f at 0x7f3efee95c80>\n"
+     ]
+    }
+   ],
+   "source": [
+    "attr_names = d.get_attribute_list()\n",
+    "\n",
+    "for i in attr_names:\n",
+    "    try:\n",
+    "        exec(\"print(i, d.{})\".format(i))\n",
+    "    except:\n",
+    "        pass\n"
+   ]
+  },
+  {
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": 93,
+   "id": "sharing-mechanics",
+   "metadata": {},
+   "outputs": [
+    {
+     "data": {
+      "text/plain": [
+       "array([0])"
+      ]
+     },
+     "execution_count": 93,
+     "metadata": {},
+     "output_type": "execute_result"
+    }
+   ],
+   "source": [
+    "d.int_scalar_RW"
+   ]
+  },
+  {
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": 203,
+   "id": "2f03759a",
+   "metadata": {},
+   "outputs": [],
+   "source": [
+    "d.str_image_RW = [[\"1\", \"2\", \"3\"],[\"4\", \"5\", \"6\"]]"
+   ]
+  },
+  {
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": 204,
+   "id": "3187f3bb",
+   "metadata": {},
+   "outputs": [
+    {
+     "data": {
+      "text/plain": [
+       "(('1', '2', '3'), ('4', '5', '6'))"
+      ]
+     },
+     "execution_count": 204,
+     "metadata": {},
+     "output_type": "execute_result"
+    }
+   ],
+   "source": [
+    "d.str_image_RW"
+   ]
+  },
+  {
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": 192,
+   "id": "eb406dce",
+   "metadata": {},
+   "outputs": [
+    {
+     "data": {
+      "text/plain": [
+       "\"['a', 'b', 'c', 'd', 'e', 'f']\""
+      ]
+     },
+     "execution_count": 192,
+     "metadata": {},
+     "output_type": "execute_result"
+    }
+   ],
+   "source": [
+    "numpy.str_([\"a\", \"b\", \"c\", \"d\", \"e\", \"f\"])"
+   ]
+  },
+  {
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": 197,
+   "id": "7b270085",
+   "metadata": {},
+   "outputs": [
+    {
+     "data": {
+      "text/plain": [
+       "6"
+      ]
+     },
+     "execution_count": 197,
+     "metadata": {},
+     "output_type": "execute_result"
+    }
+   ],
+   "source": [
+    "array = []\n",
+    "string = '\"a\", \"b\", \"c\", \"d\", \"e\", \"f\"'\n",
+    "\n",
+    "for i in string.split(\",\"):\n",
+    "    value = numpy.str_(i)\n",
+    "    array.append(value)\n",
+    "\n",
+    "len(array)"
+   ]
+  },
+  {
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": null,
+   "id": "69ecc437",
+   "metadata": {},
+   "outputs": [],
+   "source": []
+  }
+ ],
+ "metadata": {
+  "kernelspec": {
+   "display_name": "StationControl",
+   "language": "python",
+   "name": "stationcontrol"
+  },
+  "language_info": {
+   "codemirror_mode": {
+    "name": "ipython",
+    "version": 3
+   },
+   "file_extension": ".py",
+   "mimetype": "text/x-python",
+   "name": "python",
+   "nbconvert_exporter": "python",
+   "pygments_lexer": "ipython3",
+   "version": "3.7.3"
+  }
+ },
+ "nbformat": 4,
+ "nbformat_minor": 5
+}