diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 2594469a..67a8f261 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -69,7 +69,8 @@ vet: ## Run go vet against code.
 
 .PHONY: test
 test: manifests generate fmt vet envtest ## Run tests.
-	KUBEBUILDER_ASSETS="$(shell $(ENVTEST) use $(ENVTEST_K8S_VERSION) -p path)" POD_NAMESPACE=default go test -v ./controllers/... -coverprofile cover.out
+	KUBEBUILDER_ASSETS="$(shell $(ENVTEST) use $(ENVTEST_K8S_VERSION) -p path)" POD_NAMESPACE=default \
+		MESH_NAMESPACE=istio-system CONTROL_PLANE_NAME=istio-system go test -v ./controllers/... -coverprofile cover.out
 
 .PHONY: e2e-test
 e2e-test: manifests generate fmt vet ## Run e2e-tests.
diff --git a/config/runtimes/vllm-template.yaml b/config/runtimes/vllm-template.yaml
index efb7b110..54d4bf26 100644
--- a/config/runtimes/vllm-template.yaml
+++ b/config/runtimes/vllm-template.yaml
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ objects:
             - "--port=8080"
             - "--model=/mnt/models"
             - "--served-model-name={{.Name}}"
-            - "--distributed-executor-backend=mp"
           env:
             - name: HF_HOME
               value: /tmp/hf_home
diff --git a/controllers/constants/constants.go b/controllers/constants/constants.go
index a5d83dcc..9dcb11d0 100644
--- a/controllers/constants/constants.go
+++ b/controllers/constants/constants.go
@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@ package constants
 const (
 	InferenceServiceKind = "InferenceService"
 
-	IstioNamespace                   = "istio-system"
-	IstioControlPlaneName            = "data-science-smcp"
 	ServiceMeshMemberRollName        = "default"
 	ServiceMeshMemberName            = "default"
 	IstioIngressService              = "istio-ingressgateway"
diff --git a/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_authconfig_test.go b/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_authconfig_test.go
index c3e21723..8dc775b7 100644
--- a/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_authconfig_test.go
+++ b/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_authconfig_test.go
@@ -332,7 +332,8 @@ func createAuthorizationPolicy(authPolicyFile string) error {
 
 	gvr := istiosec_v1b1.SchemeGroupVersion.WithResource("authorizationpolicies")
 	resource := dynamicClient.Resource(gvr)
-	_, createErr := resource.Namespace(constants.IstioNamespace).Create(context.TODO(), obj, metav1.CreateOptions{})
+	_, meshNamespace := utils.GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, cli)
+	_, createErr := resource.Namespace(meshNamespace).Create(context.TODO(), obj, metav1.CreateOptions{})
 
 	return createErr
 }
@@ -371,5 +372,6 @@ func deleteAuthorizationPolicy(authPolicyFile string) error {
 	}
 
 	gvr := istiosec_v1b1.SchemeGroupVersion.WithResource("authorizationpolicies")
-	return dynamicClient.Resource(gvr).Namespace(constants.IstioNamespace).Delete(context.TODO(), obj.GetName(), metav1.DeleteOptions{})
+	_, meshNamespace := utils.GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, cli)
+	return dynamicClient.Resource(gvr).Namespace(meshNamespace).Delete(context.TODO(), obj.GetName(), metav1.DeleteOptions{})
 }
diff --git a/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_mesh_test.go b/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_mesh_test.go
index d97d4b6a..720be204 100644
--- a/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_mesh_test.go
+++ b/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_mesh_test.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/client"
 
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/constants"
+	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/utils"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("The KServe mesh reconciler", func() {
@@ -43,6 +44,7 @@ var _ = Describe("The KServe mesh reconciler", func() {
 	}
 
 	createUserOwnedMeshEnrolment := func(namespace string) *maistrav1.ServiceMeshMember {
+		controlPlaneName, meshNamespace := utils.GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, cli)
 		smm := &maistrav1.ServiceMeshMember{
 			ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 				Name:        constants.ServiceMeshMemberName,
@@ -52,8 +54,8 @@ var _ = Describe("The KServe mesh reconciler", func() {
 			},
 			Spec: maistrav1.ServiceMeshMemberSpec{
 				ControlPlaneRef: maistrav1.ServiceMeshControlPlaneRef{
-					Name:      constants.IstioControlPlaneName,
-					Namespace: constants.IstioNamespace,
+					Name:      controlPlaneName,
+					Namespace: meshNamespace,
 				}},
 			Status: maistrav1.ServiceMeshMemberStatus{},
 		}
diff --git a/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_metrics_test.go b/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_metrics_test.go
index 2f7c3c8e..c63ef12d 100644
--- a/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_metrics_test.go
+++ b/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_metrics_test.go
@@ -20,9 +20,11 @@ const (
 	KserveOvmsInferenceServiceName         = "example-onnx-mnist"
 	UnsupportedMetricsInferenceServiceName = "sklearn-v2-iris"
 	NilRuntimeInferenceServiceName         = "sklearn-v2-iris-no-runtime"
+	NilModelInferenceServiceName           = "custom-runtime"
 	UnsupportedMetricsInferenceServicePath = "./testdata/deploy/kserve-unsupported-metrics-inference-service.yaml"
 	UnsupprtedMetricsServingRuntimePath    = "./testdata/deploy/kserve-unsupported-metrics-serving-runtime.yaml"
 	NilRuntimeInferenceServicePath         = "./testdata/deploy/kserve-nil-runtime-inference-service.yaml"
+	NilModelInferenceServicePath           = "./testdata/deploy/kserve-nil-model-inference-service.yaml"
 )
 
 var _ = Describe("The KServe Dashboard reconciler", func() {
@@ -126,6 +128,25 @@ var _ = Describe("The KServe Dashboard reconciler", func() {
 			}
 			Expect(compareConfigMap(metricsConfigMap, expectedmetricsConfigMap)).Should(BeTrue())
 		})
+
+		It("if the isvc does not have the model field specified, an unsupported metrics configmap should be created", func() {
+			_ = createInferenceService(testNs, NilModelInferenceServiceName, NilModelInferenceServicePath)
+
+			metricsConfigMap, err := waitForConfigMap(cli, testNs, NilModelInferenceServiceName+constants.KserveMetricsConfigMapNameSuffix, 30, 1*time.Second)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+			Expect(metricsConfigMap).NotTo(BeNil())
+
+			expectedCM := &corev1.ConfigMap{
+				ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+					Name:      NilModelInferenceServiceName + constants.KserveMetricsConfigMapNameSuffix,
+					Namespace: testNs,
+				},
+				Data: map[string]string{
+					"supported": "false",
+				},
+			}
+			Expect(compareConfigMap(metricsConfigMap, expectedCM)).Should(BeTrue())
+		})
 	})
 
 	When("deleting the deployed models", func() {
@@ -147,7 +168,7 @@ var _ = Describe("The KServe Dashboard reconciler", func() {
 			Expect(cli.Delete(ctx, SklearnInferenceService)).Should(Succeed())
 			Eventually(func() error {
 				configmap := &corev1.ConfigMap{}
-				key := types.NamespacedName{Name: KserveOvmsInferenceServiceName + constants.KserveMetricsConfigMapNameSuffix, Namespace: SklearnInferenceService.Namespace}
+				key := types.NamespacedName{Name: UnsupportedMetricsInferenceServiceName + constants.KserveMetricsConfigMapNameSuffix, Namespace: SklearnInferenceService.Namespace}
 				err := cli.Get(ctx, key, configmap)
 				return err
 			}, timeout, interval).ShouldNot(Succeed())
diff --git a/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_test.go b/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_test.go
index a5008dd3..b1f94451 100644
--- a/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_test.go
+++ b/controllers/kserve_inferenceservice_controller_test.go
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import (
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega/gstruct"
 	gomegatypes "github.com/onsi/gomega/types"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/constants"
+	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/utils"
 	routev1 "github.com/openshift/api/route/v1"
 	istioclientv1beta1 "istio.io/client-go/pkg/apis/networking/v1beta1"
 	corev1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ var _ = Describe("The Openshift Kserve model controller", func() {
 		})
 
 		It("With Kserve InferenceService a Route be created", func() {
+			_, meshNamespace := utils.GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, cli)
 			inferenceService := &kservev1beta1.InferenceService{}
 			err := convertToStructuredResource(KserveInferenceServicePath1, inferenceService)
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
@@ -79,7 +81,7 @@ var _ = Describe("The Openshift Kserve model controller", func() {
 			By("By checking that the controller has not created the Route")
 			Consistently(func() error {
 				route := &routev1.Route{}
-				key := types.NamespacedName{Name: getKServeRouteName(inferenceService), Namespace: constants.IstioNamespace}
+				key := types.NamespacedName{Name: getKServeRouteName(inferenceService), Namespace: meshNamespace}
 				err = cli.Get(ctx, key, route)
 				return err
 			}, timeout, interval).Should(HaveOccurred())
@@ -98,7 +100,7 @@ var _ = Describe("The Openshift Kserve model controller", func() {
 			By("By checking that the controller has created the Route")
 			Eventually(func() error {
 				route := &routev1.Route{}
-				key := types.NamespacedName{Name: getKServeRouteName(inferenceService), Namespace: constants.IstioNamespace}
+				key := types.NamespacedName{Name: getKServeRouteName(inferenceService), Namespace: meshNamespace}
 				err = cli.Get(ctx, key, route)
 				return err
 			}, timeout, interval).Should(Succeed())
@@ -192,16 +194,18 @@ var _ = Describe("The Openshift Kserve model controller", func() {
 			err = cli.Status().Update(ctx, deployedInferenceService)
 			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
+			_, meshNamespace := utils.GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, cli)
+
 			// Verify that the certificate secret is created in the istio-system namespace.
 			Eventually(func() error {
 				secret := &corev1.Secret{}
-				return cli.Get(ctx, client.ObjectKey{Namespace: constants.IstioNamespace, Name: fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s", inferenceService.Name, inferenceService.Namespace)}, secret)
+				return cli.Get(ctx, client.ObjectKey{Namespace: meshNamespace, Name: fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s", inferenceService.Name, inferenceService.Namespace)}, secret)
 			}, timeout, interval).Should(Succeed())
 
 			// Verify that the gateway is updated in the istio-system namespace.
 			var gateway *istioclientv1beta1.Gateway
 			Eventually(func() error {
-				gateway, err = waitForUpdatedGatewayCompletion(cli, "add", constants.IstioNamespace, constants.KServeGatewayName, inferenceService.Name)
+				gateway, err = waitForUpdatedGatewayCompletion(cli, "add", meshNamespace, constants.KServeGatewayName, inferenceService.Name)
 				return err
 			}, timeout, interval).Should(Succeed())
 
@@ -246,6 +250,7 @@ var _ = Describe("The Openshift Kserve model controller", func() {
 			ctx := context.Background()
 			testNamespace := Namespaces.Create(cli)
 			testNs = testNamespace.Name
+			_, meshNamespace := utils.GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, cli)
 
 			inferenceServiceConfig := &corev1.ConfigMap{}
 			Expect(convertToStructuredResource(InferenceServiceConfigPath1, inferenceServiceConfig)).To(Succeed())
@@ -308,13 +313,13 @@ var _ = Describe("The Openshift Kserve model controller", func() {
 			}, timeout, interval).Should(Succeed())
 
 			Eventually(func() error {
-				return cli.Get(ctx, client.ObjectKey{Namespace: constants.IstioNamespace, Name: fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s", inferenceService.Name, inferenceService.Namespace)}, secret)
+				return cli.Get(ctx, client.ObjectKey{Namespace: meshNamespace, Name: fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s", inferenceService.Name, inferenceService.Namespace)}, secret)
 			}, timeout, interval).Should(Succeed())
 
 			// Verify that the gateway is updated in the istio-system namespace.
 			var gateway *istioclientv1beta1.Gateway
 			Eventually(func() error {
-				gateway, err = waitForUpdatedGatewayCompletion(cli, "add", constants.IstioNamespace, constants.KServeGatewayName, inferenceService.Name)
+				gateway, err = waitForUpdatedGatewayCompletion(cli, "add", meshNamespace, constants.KServeGatewayName, inferenceService.Name)
 				return err
 			}, timeout, interval).Should(Succeed())
 
@@ -345,9 +350,10 @@ var _ = Describe("The Openshift Kserve model controller", func() {
 				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 
 				// Verify that the certificate secret in the istio-system namespace is updated.
+				_, meshNamespace := utils.GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, cli)
 				destSecret := &corev1.Secret{}
 				Eventually(func() error {
-					Expect(cli.Get(ctx, client.ObjectKey{Namespace: constants.IstioNamespace, Name: fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s", deployedInferenceService.Name, deployedInferenceService.Namespace)}, destSecret)).Should(Succeed())
+					Expect(cli.Get(ctx, client.ObjectKey{Namespace: meshNamespace, Name: fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s", deployedInferenceService.Name, deployedInferenceService.Namespace)}, destSecret)).Should(Succeed())
 					if string(destSecret.Data["tls.crt"]) != updatedDataString {
 						return fmt.Errorf("destSecret is not updated yet")
 					}
@@ -366,10 +372,12 @@ var _ = Describe("The Openshift Kserve model controller", func() {
 				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
 				Expect(cli.Delete(ctx, deployedInferenceService)).Should(Succeed())
 
+				_, meshNamespace := utils.GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, cli)
+
 				// Verify that the gateway is updated in the istio-system namespace.
 				var gateway *istioclientv1beta1.Gateway
 				Eventually(func() error {
-					gateway, err = waitForUpdatedGatewayCompletion(cli, "delete", constants.IstioNamespace, constants.KServeGatewayName, isvcName)
+					gateway, err = waitForUpdatedGatewayCompletion(cli, "delete", meshNamespace, constants.KServeGatewayName, isvcName)
 					return err
 				}, timeout, interval).Should(Succeed())
 
@@ -380,7 +388,7 @@ var _ = Describe("The Openshift Kserve model controller", func() {
 				// Ensure that the synced Secret is successfully deleted within the istio-system namespace.
 				secret := &corev1.Secret{}
 				Eventually(func() error {
-					return cli.Get(ctx, client.ObjectKey{Namespace: constants.IstioNamespace, Name: fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s", isvcName, constants.IstioNamespace)}, secret)
+					return cli.Get(ctx, client.ObjectKey{Namespace: meshNamespace, Name: fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s", isvcName, meshNamespace)}, secret)
 				}, timeout, interval).ShouldNot(Succeed())
 			})
 		})
diff --git a/controllers/reconcilers/kserve_authconfig_reconciler.go b/controllers/reconcilers/kserve_authconfig_reconciler.go
index 0c8ca412..515b4eb3 100644
--- a/controllers/reconcilers/kserve_authconfig_reconciler.go
+++ b/controllers/reconcilers/kserve_authconfig_reconciler.go
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ package reconcilers
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/utils"
 
 	"github.com/go-logr/logr"
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ func NewKserveAuthConfigReconciler(client client.Client) *KserveAuthConfigReconc
 
 func (r *KserveAuthConfigReconciler) Reconcile(ctx context.Context, log logr.Logger, isvc *kservev1beta1.InferenceService) error {
 	log.V(1).Info("Reconciling Authorino AuthConfig for InferenceService")
-	authorinoEnabled, capabilityErr := utils.VerifyIfMeshAuthorizationIsEnabled(context.Background(), r.client)
+	authorinoEnabled, capabilityErr := utils.VerifyIfMeshAuthorizationIsEnabled(ctx, r.client)
 	if capabilityErr != nil {
 		log.V(1).Error(capabilityErr, "Error while verifying if Authorino is enabled")
 		return nil
diff --git a/controllers/reconcilers/kserve_metrics_dashboard_reconciler.go b/controllers/reconcilers/kserve_metrics_dashboard_reconciler.go
index 0eec5261..e07c243c 100644
--- a/controllers/reconcilers/kserve_metrics_dashboard_reconciler.go
+++ b/controllers/reconcilers/kserve_metrics_dashboard_reconciler.go
@@ -95,17 +95,24 @@ func (r *KserveMetricsDashboardReconciler) createDesiredResource(ctx context.Con
 	var servingRuntime string
 	runtime := &kservev1alpha1.ServingRuntime{}
 	supported := false
+
+	// there is the possibility to also have and nil model field, e.g:
+	//predictor:
+	//	containers:
+	//		- name: kserve-container
+	//		image: user/custom-model:v1
+	if nil == isvc.Spec.Predictor.Model {
+		log.V(1).Info("no `predictor.model` field found in InferenceService, no metrics will be available")
+		return r.createConfigMap(isvc, false, log)
+	}
+
 	// resolve SR
 	isvcRuntime := isvc.Spec.Predictor.Model.Runtime
 	if isvcRuntime == nil {
 		runtime, err = utils.FindSupportingRuntimeForISvc(ctx, r.client, log, isvc)
 		if err != nil {
 			if errwrap.Contains(err, constants.NoSuitableRuntimeError) {
-				configmap, err := r.createConfigMap(isvc, false, log)
-				if err != nil {
-					return nil, err
-				}
-				return configmap, nil
+				return r.createConfigMap(isvc, false, log)
 			}
 			return nil, err
 		}
diff --git a/controllers/reconcilers/kserve_route_reconciler.go b/controllers/reconcilers/kserve_route_reconciler.go
index b4d4a103..97491240 100644
--- a/controllers/reconcilers/kserve_route_reconciler.go
+++ b/controllers/reconcilers/kserve_route_reconciler.go
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import (
 	constants2 "github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/constants"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/processors"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/resources"
+	utils2 "github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/utils"
 	v1 "github.com/openshift/api/route/v1"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/types"
@@ -75,7 +76,8 @@ func (r *KserveRouteReconciler) Reconcile(ctx context.Context, log logr.Logger,
 
 func (r *KserveRouteReconciler) Delete(ctx context.Context, log logr.Logger, isvc *kservev1beta1.InferenceService) error {
 	log.V(1).Info("Deleting Kserve inference service generic route")
-	return r.routeHandler.DeleteRoute(ctx, types.NamespacedName{Name: getKServeRouteName(isvc), Namespace: constants2.IstioNamespace})
+	_, meshNamespace := utils2.GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, r.client)
+	return r.routeHandler.DeleteRoute(ctx, types.NamespacedName{Name: getKServeRouteName(isvc), Namespace: meshNamespace})
 }
 
 func (r *KserveRouteReconciler) Cleanup(_ context.Context, _ logr.Logger, _ string) error {
@@ -129,10 +131,12 @@ func (r *KserveRouteReconciler) createDesiredResource(isvc *kservev1beta1.Infere
 			}
 		}
 
+		_, meshNamespace := utils2.GetIstioControlPlaneName(context.Background(), r.client)
+
 		route := &v1.Route{
 			ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 				Name:        getKServeRouteName(isvc),
-				Namespace:   constants2.IstioNamespace,
+				Namespace:   meshNamespace,
 				Annotations: annotations,
 				Labels:      isvc.Labels,
 			},
@@ -159,7 +163,8 @@ func (r *KserveRouteReconciler) createDesiredResource(isvc *kservev1beta1.Infere
 }
 
 func (r *KserveRouteReconciler) getExistingResource(ctx context.Context, log logr.Logger, isvc *kservev1beta1.InferenceService) (*v1.Route, error) {
-	return r.routeHandler.FetchRoute(ctx, log, types.NamespacedName{Name: getKServeRouteName(isvc), Namespace: constants2.IstioNamespace})
+	_, meshNamespace := utils2.GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, r.client)
+	return r.routeHandler.FetchRoute(ctx, log, types.NamespacedName{Name: getKServeRouteName(isvc), Namespace: meshNamespace})
 }
 
 func (r *KserveRouteReconciler) processDelta(ctx context.Context, log logr.Logger, desiredRoute *v1.Route, existingRoute *v1.Route) (err error) {
diff --git a/controllers/storageconfig_controller.go b/controllers/storageconfig_controller.go
index d9ae80eb..d111f4c7 100644
--- a/controllers/storageconfig_controller.go
+++ b/controllers/storageconfig_controller.go
@@ -108,7 +108,14 @@ func (r *StorageSecretReconciler) reconcileSecret(secret *corev1.Secret,
 		Namespace: secret.Namespace,
 	}, odhGlobalCertConfigMap)
 
-	if err == nil {
+	if err != nil {
+		if apierrs.IsNotFound(err) {
+			log.Info("unable to fetch the ODH Global Cert ConfigMap", "error", err)
+
+		} else {
+			return err
+		}
+	} else {
 		odhCustomCertData = odhGlobalCertConfigMap.Data[constants.ODHCustomCACertFileName]
 	}
 
diff --git a/controllers/storageconfig_controller_test.go b/controllers/storageconfig_controller_test.go
index 5dc07674..8ab1ea68 100644
--- a/controllers/storageconfig_controller_test.go
+++ b/controllers/storageconfig_controller_test.go
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ import (
 const (
 	dataconnectionStringPath            = "./testdata/secrets/dataconnection-string.yaml"
 	storageconfigEncodedPath            = "./testdata/secrets/storageconfig-encoded.yaml"
+	storageconfigCertString             = "./testdata/secrets/storageconfig-cert-string.yaml"
 	storageconfigEncodedUnmanagedPath   = "./testdata/secrets/storageconfig-encoded-unmanaged.yaml"
 	storageconfigCertEncodedPath        = "./testdata/secrets/storageconfig-cert-encoded.yaml"
 	storageconfigUpdatedCertEncodedPath = "./testdata/secrets/storageconfig-updated-cert-encoded.yaml"
@@ -183,6 +184,39 @@ var _ = Describe("StorageConfig controller", func() {
 			Expect(compareSecrets(updatedStorageconfigSecret, expectedUpdatedStorageConfigSecret)).Should((BeTrue()))
 		})
 	})
+
+	Context("when a configmap odh-trusted-ca-bundle does not exists", func() {
+		It("should not return error", func() {
+			dataconnectionStringSecret := &corev1.Secret{}
+
+			By("creating data connection secret")
+			err := convertToStructuredResource(dataconnectionStringPath, dataconnectionStringSecret)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+			Expect(cli.Create(ctx, dataconnectionStringSecret)).Should(Succeed())
+
+			storageconfigSecret, err := waitForSecret(cli, WorkingNamespace, constants.DefaultStorageConfig, 30, 1*time.Second)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+			// Check storage-config secret
+			expectedStorageConfigSecret := &corev1.Secret{}
+			err = convertToStructuredResource(storageconfigEncodedPath, expectedStorageConfigSecret)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+			stringMap := make(map[string]string)
+			for key, value := range storageconfigSecret.Data {
+				stringValue := string(value)
+				stringMap[key] = stringValue
+			}
+			fmt.Printf("storageconfigSecret %s\n", stringMap)
+			stringMap1 := make(map[string]string)
+			for key, value := range expectedStorageConfigSecret.Data {
+				stringValue := string(value)
+				stringMap1[key] = stringValue
+			}
+			Expect(compareSecrets(storageconfigSecret, expectedStorageConfigSecret)).Should((BeTrue()))
+		})
+	})
+
 })
 
 func updateSecretData(cli client.Client, namespace, secretName string, dataKey string, dataValue string) error {
diff --git a/controllers/suite_test.go b/controllers/suite_test.go
index b073adf2..4590760d 100644
--- a/controllers/suite_test.go
+++ b/controllers/suite_test.go
@@ -18,13 +18,14 @@ package controllers
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
-	apierrs "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/errors"
 	"math/rand"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	apierrs "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/errors"
+
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1/unstructured"
 	utilruntime "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/runtime"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/metrics/server"
@@ -52,7 +53,6 @@ import (
 	logf "sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/log"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/log/zap"
 
-	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/constants"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/utils"
 	//+kubebuilder:scaffold:imports
 )
@@ -140,10 +140,11 @@ var _ = BeforeSuite(func() {
 	Expect(cli).NotTo(BeNil())
 
 	// Create istio-system namespace
+	_, meshNamespace := utils.GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, cli)
 	istioNamespace := &corev1.Namespace{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-			Name:      constants.IstioNamespace,
-			Namespace: constants.IstioNamespace,
+			Name:      meshNamespace,
+			Namespace: meshNamespace,
 		},
 	}
 	Expect(cli.Create(ctx, istioNamespace)).Should(Succeed())
@@ -212,7 +213,8 @@ var _ = AfterSuite(func() {
 var _ = AfterEach(func() {
 	cleanUp := func(namespace string, cli client.Client) {
 		inNamespace := client.InNamespace(namespace)
-		istioNamespace := client.InNamespace(constants.IstioNamespace)
+		_, meshNamespace := utils.GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, cli)
+		istioNamespace := client.InNamespace(meshNamespace)
 		Expect(cli.DeleteAllOf(context.TODO(), &kservev1alpha1.ServingRuntime{}, inNamespace)).ToNot(HaveOccurred())
 		Expect(cli.DeleteAllOf(context.TODO(), &kservev1beta1.InferenceService{}, inNamespace)).ToNot(HaveOccurred())
 		Expect(cli.DeleteAllOf(context.TODO(), &routev1.Route{}, inNamespace)).ToNot(HaveOccurred())
diff --git a/controllers/testdata/deploy/kserve-nil-model-inference-service.yaml b/controllers/testdata/deploy/kserve-nil-model-inference-service.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..774dc91b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/controllers/testdata/deploy/kserve-nil-model-inference-service.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+apiVersion: serving.kserve.io/v1beta1
+kind: InferenceService
+metadata:
+  name: custom-model
+  namespace: default
+spec:
+  predictor:
+    containers:
+      - name: kserve-container
+        image: user/custom-model:v1
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/controllers/utils/utils.go b/controllers/utils/utils.go
index 73780906..4fa955d1 100644
--- a/controllers/utils/utils.go
+++ b/controllers/utils/utils.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 
 	kservev1beta1 "github.com/kserve/kserve/pkg/apis/serving/v1beta1"
 	"github.com/kuadrant/authorino/pkg/log"
+	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/constants"
 	v1beta12 "istio.io/api/security/v1beta1"
 	"istio.io/client-go/pkg/apis/security/v1beta1"
 	corev1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
@@ -26,8 +27,6 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/client-go/discovery"
 	"k8s.io/client-go/rest"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/client"
-
-	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/constants"
 )
 
 type IsvcDeploymentMode string
@@ -193,8 +192,8 @@ func GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx context.Context, cli client.Client) (istioCont
 		log.V(1).Info("Trying to read Istio Control Plane name and namespace from DSCI")
 		objectList, err := getDSCIObject(ctx, cli)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.V(0).Error(err, "Failed to fetch the DSCI object, using default values")
-			return constants.IstioControlPlaneName, constants.IstioNamespace
+			log.V(0).Error(err, "Failed to fetch the DSCI object")
+			panic("error reading Istio Control Plane name and namespace from DSCI.")
 		}
 		for _, item := range objectList.Items {
 			if len(istioControlPlane) == 0 {
@@ -203,8 +202,8 @@ func GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx context.Context, cli client.Client) (istioCont
 					istioControlPlane = name
 				} else {
 					log.V(1).Info("Istio Control Plane name is not set in DSCI")
-					// at this point, it is not set anywhere, lets just use the default
-					istioControlPlane = constants.IstioControlPlaneName
+					// at this point, it is not set anywhere, lets return an error
+					panic("error setting Istio Control Plane in DSCI.")
 				}
 			}
 
@@ -214,8 +213,8 @@ func GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx context.Context, cli client.Client) (istioCont
 					meshNamespace = namespace
 				} else {
 					log.V(1).Info("Mesh Namespace is not set in DSCI")
-					// at this point, it is not set anywhere, lets just use the default
-					meshNamespace = constants.IstioNamespace
+					// at this point, it is not set anywhere, lets return an error
+					panic("error setting Mesh Namespace in DSCI.")
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -246,7 +245,8 @@ func VerifyIfMeshAuthorizationIsEnabled(ctx context.Context, cli client.Client)
 	// is available, taking into account both managed an unmanaged configurations.
 
 	authPolicies := &v1beta1.AuthorizationPolicyList{}
-	if err := cli.List(ctx, authPolicies, client.InNamespace(constants.IstioNamespace)); err != nil && !meta.IsNoMatchError(err) {
+	_, meshNamespace := GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, cli)
+	if err := cli.List(ctx, authPolicies, client.InNamespace(meshNamespace)); err != nil && !meta.IsNoMatchError(err) {
 		return false, err
 	}
 	if len(authPolicies.Items) == 0 {
diff --git a/controllers/webhook/ksvc_validator.go b/controllers/webhook/ksvc_validator.go
index 1e629a8c..4f28a813 100644
--- a/controllers/webhook/ksvc_validator.go
+++ b/controllers/webhook/ksvc_validator.go
@@ -3,9 +3,10 @@ package webhook
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
-	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/webhook/admission"
 	"strings"
 
+	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/webhook/admission"
+
 	kservev1beta1 "github.com/kserve/kserve/pkg/apis/serving/v1beta1"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime"
 	types2 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/types"
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/constants"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/resources"
+	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/utils"
 )
 
 // +kubebuilder:webhook:admissionReviewVersions=v1,path=/validate-serving-knative-dev-v1-service,mutating=false,failurePolicy=fail,groups="serving.knative.dev",resources=services,verbs=create,versions=v1,name=validating.ksvc.odh-model-controller.opendatahub.io,sideEffects=None
@@ -76,13 +78,14 @@ func (v *ksvcValidator) ValidateCreate(ctx context.Context, obj runtime.Object)
 	// member. If it is still not a member, reject creation of the Ksvc to prevent
 	// creation of a Pod that would not be in the Mesh.
 	smmrQuerier := resources.NewServiceMeshMemberRole(v.client)
-	smmr, fetchSmmrErr := smmrQuerier.FetchSMMR(ctx, log, types2.NamespacedName{Name: constants.ServiceMeshMemberRollName, Namespace: constants.IstioNamespace})
+	_, meshNamespace := utils.GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, v.client)
+	smmr, fetchSmmrErr := smmrQuerier.FetchSMMR(ctx, log, types2.NamespacedName{Name: constants.ServiceMeshMemberRollName, Namespace: meshNamespace})
 	if fetchSmmrErr != nil {
-		log.Error(fetchSmmrErr, "Error when fetching ServiceMeshMemberRoll", "smmr.namespace", constants.IstioNamespace, "smmr.name", constants.ServiceMeshMemberRollName)
+		log.Error(fetchSmmrErr, "Error when fetching ServiceMeshMemberRoll", "smmr.namespace", meshNamespace, "smmr.name", constants.ServiceMeshMemberRollName)
 		return nil, fetchSmmrErr
 	}
 	if smmr == nil {
-		log.Info("Rejecting Knative service because the ServiceMeshMemberRoll does not exist", "smmr.namespace", constants.IstioNamespace, "smmr.name", constants.ServiceMeshMemberRollName)
+		log.Info("Rejecting Knative service because the ServiceMeshMemberRoll does not exist", "smmr.namespace", meshNamespace, "smmr.name", constants.ServiceMeshMemberRollName)
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("rejecting creation of Knative service %s on namespace %s because the ServiceMeshMemberRoll does not exist", ksvc.Name, ksvc.Namespace)
 	}
 
diff --git a/controllers/webhook_ksvc_validator_test.go b/controllers/webhook_ksvc_validator_test.go
index b8d00f81..2b09636f 100644
--- a/controllers/webhook_ksvc_validator_test.go
+++ b/controllers/webhook_ksvc_validator_test.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
 	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/constants"
+	"github.com/opendatahub-io/odh-model-controller/controllers/utils"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/errors"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/types"
@@ -17,6 +18,7 @@ import (
 
 var _ = Describe("Knative validator webhook", func() {
 	var validator admission.CustomValidator
+	var meshNamespace string
 
 	createKserveOwnedKsvc := func() *knservingv1.Service {
 		return &knservingv1.Service{
@@ -39,7 +41,7 @@ var _ = Describe("Knative validator webhook", func() {
 		smmr := &v1.ServiceMeshMemberRoll{
 			ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
 				Name:      constants.ServiceMeshMemberRollName,
-				Namespace: constants.IstioNamespace,
+				Namespace: meshNamespace,
 			},
 		}
 
@@ -52,13 +54,14 @@ var _ = Describe("Knative validator webhook", func() {
 	}
 
 	BeforeEach(func() {
+		_, meshNamespace = utils.GetIstioControlPlaneName(ctx, cli)
 		validator = webhook.NewKsvcValidator(cli)
 
 		// Other tests may create a ServiceMeshMemberRoll.
 		// If there is one, delete it because it conflicts with tests in this file.
 		smmr := v1.ServiceMeshMemberRoll{}
 		getErr := cli.Get(ctx, types.NamespacedName{
-			Namespace: constants.IstioNamespace,
+			Namespace: meshNamespace,
 			Name:      constants.ServiceMeshMemberRollName,
 		}, &smmr)
 		if getErr != nil {