diff --git a/config/main.py b/config/main.py
index 738c2781ce..36f89b26ca 100644
--- a/config/main.py
+++ b/config/main.py
@@ -1163,14 +1163,18 @@ def validate_gre_type(ctx, _, value):
     except ValueError:
         raise click.UsageError("{} is not a valid GRE type".format(value))
 
-def validate_config_file(file):
+def validate_config_file(file, remove_tmp_file=False):
     """
-    A validator to check config files for syntax errors
+    A validator to check config files for syntax errors. If an exception is raised,
+    use remove_tmp_file to determine if a temporary file was used to store
+    /dev/stdin contents and should be deleted.
     """
     try:
         # Load golden config json
         read_json_file(file)
     except Exception as e:
+        if remove_tmp_file:
+            os.remove(file)
         click.secho("Bad format: json file '{}' broken.\n{}".format(file, str(e)),
                     fg='magenta')
         sys.exit(1)
@@ -1591,21 +1595,17 @@ def reload(db, filename, yes, load_sysinfo, no_service_restart, force, file_form
         if not sys.stdin.isatty():
             # Pathway to store /dev/stdin contents in a temporary file
             TMP_FILE = os.path.join('/', "tmp", f"tmp_config_stdin_{str(uuid.uuid4())}.json")
+
             if os.path.exists(TMP_FILE):
                 click.secho("Unable to validate '{}' contents".format(file),
                             fg='magenta')
                 sys.exit(1)
+
             with open(file, 'r' ) as input_file, open( TMP_FILE, 'w') as tmp:
                 for line in input_file:
                     tmp.write(line)
-            try:
-                # Load golden config json
-                read_json_file(file)
-            except Exception as e:
-                os.remove(TMP_FILE)
-                click.secho("Bad format: json file '{}' broken.\n{}".format(file, str(e)),
-                            fg='magenta')
-                sys.exit(1)
+
+            validate_config_file(TMP_FILE, remove_tmp_file=True)
             cfg_file_dict[inst] = [TMP_FILE, namespace, True]  
         else:
             validate_config_file(file)
@@ -1790,12 +1790,6 @@ def load_minigraph(db, no_service_restart, traffic_shift_away, override_config,
     if os.path.isfile('/etc/sonic/acl.json'):
         clicommon.run_command("acl-loader update full /etc/sonic/acl.json", display_cmd=True)
 
-    # get the device type
-    device_type = _get_device_type()
-
-    # Load backend acl
-    load_backend_acl(db.cfgdb, device_type)
-
     # Load port_config.json
     try:
         load_port_config(db.cfgdb, '/etc/sonic/port_config.json')
@@ -1805,6 +1799,8 @@ def load_minigraph(db, no_service_restart, traffic_shift_away, override_config,
     # generate QoS and Buffer configs
     clicommon.run_command("config qos reload --no-dynamic-buffer --no-delay", display_cmd=True)
 
+    # get the device type
+    device_type = _get_device_type()
     if device_type != 'MgmtToRRouter' and device_type != 'MgmtTsToR' and device_type != 'BmcMgmtToRRouter' and device_type != 'EPMS':
         clicommon.run_command("pfcwd start_default", display_cmd=True)
 
diff --git a/scripts/dropstat b/scripts/dropstat
index 4e9f5bb4d0..f98fc29197 100755
--- a/scripts/dropstat
+++ b/scripts/dropstat
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 # - Refactor calls to COUNTERS_DB to reduce redundancy
 # - Cache DB queries to reduce # of expensive queries
 
-import json
+import _pickle as pickle
 import argparse
 import os
 import socket
@@ -117,10 +117,10 @@ class DropStat(object):
         """
 
         try:
-            json.dump(self.get_counts_table(self.gather_counters(std_port_rx_counters + std_port_tx_counters, DEBUG_COUNTER_PORT_STAT_MAP), COUNTERS_PORT_NAME_MAP),
-                        open(self.port_drop_stats_file, 'w+'))
-            json.dump(self.get_counts(self.gather_counters([], DEBUG_COUNTER_SWITCH_STAT_MAP), self.get_switch_id()),
-                        open(self.switch_drop_stats_file, 'w+'))
+            pickle.dump(self.get_counts_table(self.gather_counters(std_port_rx_counters + std_port_tx_counters, DEBUG_COUNTER_PORT_STAT_MAP), COUNTERS_PORT_NAME_MAP),
+                        open(self.port_drop_stats_file, 'wb+'))
+            pickle.dump(self.get_counts(self.gather_counters([], DEBUG_COUNTER_SWITCH_STAT_MAP), self.get_switch_id()),
+                        open(self.switch_drop_stats_file, 'wb+'))
         except IOError as e:
             print(e)
             sys.exit(e.errno)
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ class DropStat(object):
 
         # Grab the latest clear checkpoint, if it exists
         if os.path.isfile(self.port_drop_stats_file):
-            port_drop_ckpt = json.load(open(self.port_drop_stats_file, 'r'))
+            port_drop_ckpt = pickle.load(open(self.port_drop_stats_file, 'rb'))
 
         counters = self.gather_counters(std_port_rx_counters + std_port_tx_counters, DEBUG_COUNTER_PORT_STAT_MAP, group, counter_type)
         headers = std_port_description_header + self.gather_headers(counters, DEBUG_COUNTER_PORT_STAT_MAP)
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ class DropStat(object):
 
         # Grab the latest clear checkpoint, if it exists
         if os.path.isfile(self.switch_drop_stats_file):
-            switch_drop_ckpt = json.load(open(self.switch_drop_stats_file, 'r'))
+            switch_drop_ckpt = pickle.load(open(self.switch_drop_stats_file, 'rb'))
 
         counters = self.gather_counters([], DEBUG_COUNTER_SWITCH_STAT_MAP, group, counter_type)
         headers = std_switch_description_header + self.gather_headers(counters, DEBUG_COUNTER_SWITCH_STAT_MAP)
diff --git a/scripts/flow_counters_stat b/scripts/flow_counters_stat
index 49b97e335b..ac5ef94beb 100755
--- a/scripts/flow_counters_stat
+++ b/scripts/flow_counters_stat
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 import argparse
 import os
-import json
+import _pickle as pickle
 import sys
 
 from natsort import natsorted
@@ -185,8 +185,8 @@ class FlowCounterStats(object):
             if os.path.exists(self.data_file):
                 os.remove(self.data_file)
 
-            with open(self.data_file, 'w') as f:
-                json.dump(data, f)
+            with open(self.data_file, 'wb') as f:
+                pickle.dump(data, f)
         except IOError as e:
             print('Failed to save statistic - {}'.format(repr(e)))
 
@@ -200,8 +200,8 @@ class FlowCounterStats(object):
             return None
 
         try:
-            with open(self.data_file, 'r') as f:
-                data = json.load(f)
+            with open(self.data_file, 'rb') as f:
+                data = pickle.load(f)
         except IOError as e:
             print('Failed to load statistic - {}'.format(repr(e)))
             return None
diff --git a/scripts/intfstat b/scripts/intfstat
index b4a770adeb..30cfbf084d 100755
--- a/scripts/intfstat
+++ b/scripts/intfstat
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 #
 #####################################################################
 
-import json
+import _pickle as pickle
 import argparse
 import datetime
 import sys
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ from collections import namedtuple, OrderedDict
 from natsort import natsorted
 from tabulate import tabulate
 from utilities_common.netstat import ns_diff, table_as_json, STATUS_NA, format_brate, format_prate
-from utilities_common.cli import json_serial, UserCache
+from utilities_common.cli import UserCache
 from swsscommon.swsscommon import SonicV2Connector
 
 nstat_fields = (
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ class Intfstat(object):
                 counter_data =  self.db.get(self.db.COUNTERS_DB, full_table_id, counter_name)
                 if counter_data:
                     fields[pos] = str(counter_data)
-            cntr = NStats._make(fields)._asdict()
+            cntr = NStats._make(fields)
             return cntr
 
         def get_rates(table_id):
@@ -153,14 +153,14 @@ class Intfstat(object):
             rates = ratestat_dict.get(key, RateStats._make([STATUS_NA] * len(rates_key_list)))
 
             table.append((key,
-                          data['rx_p_ok'],
+                          data.rx_p_ok,
                           format_brate(rates.rx_bps),
                           format_prate(rates.rx_pps),
-                          data['rx_p_err'],
-                          data['tx_p_ok'],
+                          data.rx_p_err,
+                          data.tx_p_ok,
                           format_brate(rates.tx_bps),
                           format_prate(rates.tx_pps),
-                          data['tx_p_err']))
+                          data.tx_p_err))
 
         if use_json:
             print(table_as_json(table, header))
@@ -186,24 +186,24 @@ class Intfstat(object):
 
             if old_cntr is not None:
                 table.append((key,
-                            ns_diff(cntr['rx_p_ok'], old_cntr['rx_p_ok']),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.rx_p_ok, old_cntr.rx_p_ok),
                             format_brate(rates.rx_bps),
                             format_prate(rates.rx_pps),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['rx_p_err'], old_cntr['rx_p_err']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['tx_p_ok'], old_cntr['tx_p_ok']),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.rx_p_err, old_cntr.rx_p_err),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.tx_p_ok, old_cntr.tx_p_ok),
                             format_brate(rates.tx_bps),
                             format_prate(rates.tx_pps),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['tx_p_err'], old_cntr['tx_p_err'])))
+                            ns_diff(cntr.tx_p_err, old_cntr.tx_p_err)))
             else:
                 table.append((key,
-                            cntr['rx_p_ok'],
+                            cntr.rx_p_ok,
                             format_brate(rates.rx_bps),
                             format_prate(rates.rx_pps),
-                            cntr['rx_p_err'],
-                            cntr['tx_p_ok'],
+                            cntr.rx_p_err,
+                            cntr.tx_p_ok,
                             format_brate(rates.tx_bps),
                             format_prate(rates.tx_pps),
-                            cntr['tx_p_err']))
+                            cntr.tx_p_err))
 
         if use_json:
             print(table_as_json(table, header))
@@ -229,17 +229,17 @@ class Intfstat(object):
 
         if cnstat_old_dict and cnstat_old_dict.get(rif):
             old_cntr = cnstat_old_dict.get(rif)
-            body = body % (ns_diff(cntr['rx_p_ok'], old_cntr['rx_p_ok']),
-                        ns_diff(cntr['rx_b_ok'], old_cntr['rx_b_ok']),
-                        ns_diff(cntr['rx_p_err'], old_cntr['rx_p_err']),
-                        ns_diff(cntr['rx_b_err'], old_cntr['rx_b_err']),
-                        ns_diff(cntr['tx_p_ok'], old_cntr['tx_p_ok']),
-                        ns_diff(cntr['tx_b_ok'], old_cntr['tx_b_ok']),
-                        ns_diff(cntr['tx_p_err'], old_cntr['tx_p_err']),
-                        ns_diff(cntr['tx_b_err'], old_cntr['tx_b_err']))
+            body = body % (ns_diff(cntr.rx_p_ok, old_cntr.rx_p_ok),
+                        ns_diff(cntr.rx_b_ok, old_cntr.rx_b_ok),
+                        ns_diff(cntr.rx_p_err, old_cntr.rx_p_err),
+                        ns_diff(cntr.rx_b_err, old_cntr.rx_b_err),
+                        ns_diff(cntr.tx_p_ok, old_cntr.tx_p_ok),
+                        ns_diff(cntr.tx_b_ok, old_cntr.tx_b_ok),
+                        ns_diff(cntr.tx_p_err, old_cntr.tx_p_err),
+                        ns_diff(cntr.tx_b_err, old_cntr.tx_b_err))
         else:
-            body = body % (cntr['rx_p_ok'], cntr['rx_b_ok'], cntr['rx_p_err'],cntr['rx_b_err'],
-                           cntr['tx_p_ok'], cntr['tx_b_ok'], cntr['tx_p_err'], cntr['tx_b_err'])
+            body = body % (cntr.rx_p_ok, cntr.rx_b_ok, cntr.rx_p_err,cntr.rx_b_err,
+                           cntr.tx_p_ok, cntr.tx_b_ok, cntr.tx_p_err, cntr.tx_b_err)
 
         print(header)
         print(body)
@@ -305,20 +305,20 @@ def main():
             if tag_name is not None:
                 if os.path.isfile(cnstat_fqn_general_file):
                     try:
-                        general_data = json.load(open(cnstat_fqn_general_file, 'r'))
+                        general_data = pickle.load(open(cnstat_fqn_general_file, 'rb'))
                         for key, val in cnstat_dict.items():
                             general_data[key] = val
-                        json.dump(general_data, open(cnstat_fqn_general_file, 'w'))
+                        pickle.dump(general_data, open(cnstat_fqn_general_file, 'wb'))
                     except IOError as e:
                         sys.exit(e.errno)
             # Add the information also to tag specific file
             if os.path.isfile(cnstat_fqn_file):
-                data = json.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'r'))
+                data = pickle.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'rb'))
                 for key, val in cnstat_dict.items():
                     data[key] = val
-                json.dump(data, open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'w'))
+                pickle.dump(data, open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'wb'))
             else:
-                json.dump(cnstat_dict, open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'w'), default=json_serial)
+                pickle.dump(cnstat_dict, open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'wb'))
         except IOError as e:
             sys.exit(e.errno)
         else:
@@ -330,9 +330,9 @@ def main():
             try:
                 cnstat_cached_dict = {}
                 if os.path.isfile(cnstat_fqn_file):
-                    cnstat_cached_dict = json.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'r'))
+                    cnstat_cached_dict = pickle.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'rb'))
                 else:
-                    cnstat_cached_dict = json.load(open(cnstat_fqn_general_file, 'r'))
+                    cnstat_cached_dict = pickle.load(open(cnstat_fqn_general_file, 'rb'))
 
                 print("Last cached time was " + str(cnstat_cached_dict.get('time')))
                 if interface_name:
diff --git a/scripts/pfcstat b/scripts/pfcstat
index 094c6e9380..fb7e6018b6 100755
--- a/scripts/pfcstat
+++ b/scripts/pfcstat
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 #
 #####################################################################
 
-import json
+import _pickle as pickle
 import argparse
 import datetime
 import os.path
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ except KeyError:
 from utilities_common.netstat import ns_diff, STATUS_NA, format_number_with_comma
 from utilities_common import multi_asic as multi_asic_util
 from utilities_common import constants
-from utilities_common.cli import json_serial, UserCache
+from utilities_common.cli import UserCache
 
 
 PStats = namedtuple("PStats", "pfc0, pfc1, pfc2, pfc3, pfc4, pfc5, pfc6, pfc7")
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ class Pfcstat(object):
                     fields[pos] = STATUS_NA
                 else:
                     fields[pos] = str(int(counter_data))
-            cntr = PStats._make(fields)._asdict()
+            cntr = PStats._make(fields)
             return cntr
 
         # Get the info from database
@@ -144,14 +144,14 @@ class Pfcstat(object):
             if key == 'time':
                 continue
             table.append((key,
-                          format_number_with_comma(data['pfc0']),
-                          format_number_with_comma(data['pfc1']),
-                          format_number_with_comma(data['pfc2']),
-                          format_number_with_comma(data['pfc3']),
-                          format_number_with_comma(data['pfc4']),
-                          format_number_with_comma(data['pfc5']),
-                          format_number_with_comma(data['pfc6']),
-                          format_number_with_comma(data['pfc7'])))
+                          format_number_with_comma(data.pfc0),
+                          format_number_with_comma(data.pfc1),
+                          format_number_with_comma(data.pfc2),
+                          format_number_with_comma(data.pfc3),
+                          format_number_with_comma(data.pfc4),
+                          format_number_with_comma(data.pfc5),
+                          format_number_with_comma(data.pfc6),
+                          format_number_with_comma(data.pfc7)))
 
         if rx:
             print(tabulate(table, header_Rx, tablefmt='simple', stralign='right'))
@@ -173,24 +173,24 @@ class Pfcstat(object):
 
             if old_cntr is not None:
                 table.append((key,
-                            ns_diff(cntr['pfc0'], old_cntr['pfc0']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['pfc1'], old_cntr['pfc1']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['pfc2'], old_cntr['pfc2']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['pfc3'], old_cntr['pfc3']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['pfc4'], old_cntr['pfc4']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['pfc5'], old_cntr['pfc5']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['pfc6'], old_cntr['pfc6']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['pfc7'], old_cntr['pfc7'])))
+                            ns_diff(cntr.pfc0, old_cntr.pfc0),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.pfc1, old_cntr.pfc1),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.pfc2, old_cntr.pfc2),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.pfc3, old_cntr.pfc3),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.pfc4, old_cntr.pfc4),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.pfc5, old_cntr.pfc5),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.pfc6, old_cntr.pfc6),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.pfc7, old_cntr.pfc7)))
             else:
                 table.append((key,
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['pfc0']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['pfc1']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['pfc2']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['pfc3']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['pfc4']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['pfc5']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['pfc6']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['pfc7'])))
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.pfc0),
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.pfc1),
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.pfc2),
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.pfc3),
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.pfc4),
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.pfc5),
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.pfc6),
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.pfc7)))
 
         if rx:
             print(tabulate(table, header_Rx, tablefmt='simple', stralign='right'))
@@ -256,8 +256,8 @@ Examples:
 
     if save_fresh_stats:
         try:
-            json.dump(cnstat_dict_rx, open(cnstat_fqn_file_rx, 'w'), default=json_serial)
-            json.dump(cnstat_dict_tx, open(cnstat_fqn_file_tx, 'w'), default=json_serial)
+            pickle.dump(cnstat_dict_rx, open(cnstat_fqn_file_rx, 'wb'))
+            pickle.dump(cnstat_dict_tx, open(cnstat_fqn_file_tx, 'wb'))
         except IOError as e:
             print(e.errno, e)
             sys.exit(e.errno)
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ Examples:
     """
     if os.path.isfile(cnstat_fqn_file_rx):
         try:
-            cnstat_cached_dict = json.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file_rx, 'r'))
+            cnstat_cached_dict = pickle.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file_rx, 'rb'))
             print("Last cached time was " + str(cnstat_cached_dict.get('time')))
             pfcstat.cnstat_diff_print(cnstat_dict_rx, cnstat_cached_dict, True)
         except IOError as e:
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ Examples:
     """
     if os.path.isfile(cnstat_fqn_file_tx):
         try:
-            cnstat_cached_dict = json.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file_tx, 'r'))
+            cnstat_cached_dict = pickle.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file_tx, 'rb'))
             print("Last cached time was " + str(cnstat_cached_dict.get('time')))
             pfcstat.cnstat_diff_print(cnstat_dict_tx, cnstat_cached_dict, False)
         except IOError as e:
diff --git a/scripts/pg-drop b/scripts/pg-drop
index 7741593081..40b4e863d3 100755
--- a/scripts/pg-drop
+++ b/scripts/pg-drop
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 # pg-drop is a tool for show/clear ingress pg dropped packet stats.
 #
 #####################################################################
-import json
+import _pickle as pickle
 import argparse
 import os
 import sys
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ class PgDropStat(object):
         port_drop_ckpt = {}
         # Grab the latest clear checkpoint, if it exists
         if os.path.isfile(self.port_drop_stats_file):
-            port_drop_ckpt = json.load(open(self.port_drop_stats_file, 'r'))
+            port_drop_ckpt = pickle.load(open(self.port_drop_stats_file, 'rb'))
 
         # Header list contains the port name followed by the PGs. Fields is used to populate the pg values
         fields = ["0"]* (len(self.header_list) - 1)
@@ -216,10 +216,10 @@ class PgDropStat(object):
 
         counter_pg_drop_array = [ "SAI_INGRESS_PRIORITY_GROUP_STAT_DROPPED_PACKETS"]
         try:
-            json.dump(self.get_counts_table(
+            pickle.dump(self.get_counts_table(
                 counter_pg_drop_array,
                 COUNTERS_PG_NAME_MAP),
-                open(self.port_drop_stats_file, 'w+'))
+                open(self.port_drop_stats_file, 'wb+'))
         except IOError as e:
             print(e)
             sys.exit(e.errno)
diff --git a/scripts/portstat b/scripts/portstat
index 09ad88b08d..399733f69c 100755
--- a/scripts/portstat
+++ b/scripts/portstat
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 #
 #####################################################################
 
-import json
+import _pickle as pickle
 import argparse
 import datetime
 import os.path
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ from utilities_common.intf_filter import parse_interface_in_filter
 import utilities_common.multi_asic as multi_asic_util
 from utilities_common.netstat import ns_diff, table_as_json, format_brate, format_prate, format_util, format_number_with_comma
 
-from utilities_common.cli import json_serial, UserCache
+from utilities_common.cli import UserCache
 
 """
 The order and count of statistics mentioned below needs to be in sync with the values in portstat script
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ class Portstat(object):
                     elif fields[pos] != STATUS_NA:
                         fields[pos] = str(int(fields[pos]) + int(fvs[counter_name]))
 
-            cntr = NStats._make(fields)._asdict()
+            cntr = NStats._make(fields)
             return cntr
 
         def get_rates(table_id):
@@ -278,68 +278,69 @@ class Portstat(object):
             if print_all:
                 header = header_all
                 table.append((key, self.get_port_state(key),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['rx_ok']),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.rx_ok),
                               format_brate(rates.rx_bps),
                               format_prate(rates.rx_pps),
                               format_util(rates.rx_bps, port_speed),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['rx_err']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['rx_drop']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['rx_ovr']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['tx_ok']),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.rx_err),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.rx_drop),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.rx_ovr),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.tx_ok),
                               format_brate(rates.tx_bps),
                               format_prate(rates.tx_pps),
                               format_util(rates.tx_bps, port_speed),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['tx_err']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['tx_drop']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['tx_ovr'])))
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.tx_err),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.tx_drop),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.tx_ovr)))
             elif errors_only:
                 header = header_errors_only
                 table.append((key, self.get_port_state(key),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['rx_err']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['rx_drop']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['rx_ovr']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['tx_err']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['tx_drop']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['tx_ovr'])))
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.rx_err),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.rx_drop),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.rx_ovr),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.tx_err),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.tx_drop),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.tx_ovr)))
             elif fec_stats_only:
                 header = header_fec_only
                 table.append((key, self.get_port_state(key),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['fec_corr']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['fec_uncorr']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['fec_symbol_err'])))
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.fec_corr),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.fec_uncorr),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.fec_symbol_err)))
             elif rates_only:
                 header = header_rates_only
                 table.append((key, self.get_port_state(key),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['rx_ok']),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.rx_ok),
                               format_brate(rates.rx_bps),
                               format_prate(rates.rx_pps),
                               format_util(rates.rx_bps, port_speed),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['tx_ok']),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.tx_ok),
                               format_brate(rates.tx_bps),
                               format_prate(rates.tx_pps),
                               format_util(rates.tx_bps, port_speed)))
             else:
                 header = header_std
                 table.append((key, self.get_port_state(key),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['rx_ok']),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.rx_ok),
                               format_brate(rates.rx_bps),
                               format_util(rates.rx_bps, port_speed),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['rx_err']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['rx_drop']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['rx_ovr']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['tx_ok']),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.rx_err),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.rx_drop),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.rx_ovr),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.tx_ok),
                               format_brate(rates.tx_bps),
                               format_util(rates.tx_bps, port_speed),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['tx_err']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['tx_drop']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(data['tx_ovr'])))
 
-        if use_json:
-            print(table_as_json(table, header))
-        else:
-            print(tabulate(table, header, tablefmt='simple', stralign='right'))
-            if multi_asic.is_multi_asic() or device_info.is_chassis():
-                print("\nReminder: Please execute 'show interface counters -d all' to include internal links\n")
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.tx_err),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.tx_drop),
+                              format_number_with_comma(data.tx_ovr)))
+        if table:
+            if use_json:
+                print(table_as_json(table, header))
+            else:
+                print(tabulate(table, header, tablefmt='simple', stralign='right'))
+        if multi_asic.is_multi_asic() or device_info.is_chassis() and not use_json:
+            print("\nReminder: Please execute 'show interface counters -d all' to include internal links\n")
 
     def cnstat_intf_diff_print(self, cnstat_new_dict, cnstat_old_dict, intf_list):
         """
@@ -353,51 +354,51 @@ class Portstat(object):
             if key in cnstat_old_dict:
                 old_cntr = cnstat_old_dict.get(key)
             else:
-                old_cntr = NStats._make([0] * BUCKET_NUM)._asdict()
+                old_cntr = NStats._make([0] * BUCKET_NUM)
 
             if intf_list and key not in intf_list:
                 continue
 
-            print("Packets Received 64 Octets..................... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_64'], old_cntr['rx_64'])))
-            print("Packets Received 65-127 Octets................. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_65_127'], old_cntr['rx_65_127'])))
-            print("Packets Received 128-255 Octets................ {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_128_255'], old_cntr['rx_128_255'])))
-            print("Packets Received 256-511 Octets................ {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_256_511'], old_cntr['rx_256_511'])))
-            print("Packets Received 512-1023 Octets............... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_512_1023'], old_cntr['rx_512_1023'])))
-            print("Packets Received 1024-1518 Octets.............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_1024_1518'], old_cntr['rx_1024_1518'])))
-            print("Packets Received 1519-2047 Octets.............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_1519_2047'], old_cntr['rx_1519_2047'])))
-            print("Packets Received 2048-4095 Octets.............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_2048_4095'], old_cntr['rx_2048_4095'])))
-            print("Packets Received 4096-9216 Octets.............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_4096_9216'], old_cntr['rx_4096_9216'])))
-            print("Packets Received 9217-16383 Octets............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_9217_16383'], old_cntr['rx_9217_16383'])))
+            print("Packets Received 64 Octets..................... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_64, old_cntr.rx_64)))
+            print("Packets Received 65-127 Octets................. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_65_127, old_cntr.rx_65_127)))
+            print("Packets Received 128-255 Octets................ {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_128_255, old_cntr.rx_128_255)))
+            print("Packets Received 256-511 Octets................ {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_256_511, old_cntr.rx_256_511)))
+            print("Packets Received 512-1023 Octets............... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_512_1023, old_cntr.rx_512_1023)))
+            print("Packets Received 1024-1518 Octets.............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_1024_1518, old_cntr.rx_1024_1518)))
+            print("Packets Received 1519-2047 Octets.............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_1519_2047, old_cntr.rx_1519_2047)))
+            print("Packets Received 2048-4095 Octets.............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_2048_4095, old_cntr.rx_2048_4095)))
+            print("Packets Received 4096-9216 Octets.............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_4096_9216, old_cntr.rx_4096_9216)))
+            print("Packets Received 9217-16383 Octets............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_9217_16383, old_cntr.rx_9217_16383)))
 
             print("")
-            print("Total Packets Received Without Errors.......... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_all'], old_cntr['rx_all'])))
-            print("Unicast Packets Received....................... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_uca'], old_cntr['rx_uca'])))
-            print("Multicast Packets Received..................... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_mca'], old_cntr['rx_mca'])))
-            print("Broadcast Packets Received..................... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_bca'], old_cntr['rx_bca'])))
+            print("Total Packets Received Without Errors.......... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_all, old_cntr.rx_all)))
+            print("Unicast Packets Received....................... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_uca, old_cntr.rx_uca)))
+            print("Multicast Packets Received..................... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_mca, old_cntr.rx_mca)))
+            print("Broadcast Packets Received..................... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_bca, old_cntr.rx_bca)))
 
             print("")
-            print("Jabbers Received............................... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_jbr'], old_cntr['rx_jbr'])))
-            print("Fragments Received............................. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_frag'], old_cntr['rx_frag'])))
-            print("Undersize Received............................. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_usize'], old_cntr['rx_usize'])))
-            print("Overruns Received.............................. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['rx_ovrrun'], old_cntr['rx_ovrrun'])))
+            print("Jabbers Received............................... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_jbr, old_cntr.rx_jbr)))
+            print("Fragments Received............................. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_frag, old_cntr.rx_frag)))
+            print("Undersize Received............................. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_usize, old_cntr.rx_usize)))
+            print("Overruns Received.............................. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.rx_ovrrun, old_cntr.rx_ovrrun)))
 
             print("")
-            print("Packets Transmitted 64 Octets.................. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['tx_64'], old_cntr['tx_64'])))
-            print("Packets Transmitted 65-127 Octets.............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['tx_65_127'], old_cntr['tx_65_127'])))
-            print("Packets Transmitted 128-255 Octets............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['tx_128_255'], old_cntr['tx_128_255'])))
-            print("Packets Transmitted 256-511 Octets............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['tx_256_511'], old_cntr['tx_256_511'])))
-            print("Packets Transmitted 512-1023 Octets............ {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['tx_512_1023'], old_cntr['tx_512_1023'])))
-            print("Packets Transmitted 1024-1518 Octets........... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['tx_1024_1518'], old_cntr['tx_1024_1518'])))
-            print("Packets Transmitted 1519-2047 Octets........... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['tx_1519_2047'], old_cntr['tx_1519_2047'])))
-            print("Packets Transmitted 2048-4095 Octets........... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['tx_2048_4095'], old_cntr['tx_2048_4095'])))
-            print("Packets Transmitted 4096-9216 Octets........... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['tx_4096_9216'], old_cntr['tx_4096_9216'])))
-            print("Packets Transmitted 9217-16383 Octets.......... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['tx_9217_16383'], old_cntr['tx_9217_16383'])))
+            print("Packets Transmitted 64 Octets.................. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.tx_64, old_cntr.tx_64)))
+            print("Packets Transmitted 65-127 Octets.............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.tx_65_127, old_cntr.tx_65_127)))
+            print("Packets Transmitted 128-255 Octets............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.tx_128_255, old_cntr.tx_128_255)))
+            print("Packets Transmitted 256-511 Octets............. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.tx_256_511, old_cntr.tx_256_511)))
+            print("Packets Transmitted 512-1023 Octets............ {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.tx_512_1023, old_cntr.tx_512_1023)))
+            print("Packets Transmitted 1024-1518 Octets........... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.tx_1024_1518, old_cntr.tx_1024_1518)))
+            print("Packets Transmitted 1519-2047 Octets........... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.tx_1519_2047, old_cntr.tx_1519_2047)))
+            print("Packets Transmitted 2048-4095 Octets........... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.tx_2048_4095, old_cntr.tx_2048_4095)))
+            print("Packets Transmitted 4096-9216 Octets........... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.tx_4096_9216, old_cntr.tx_4096_9216)))
+            print("Packets Transmitted 9217-16383 Octets.......... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.tx_9217_16383, old_cntr.tx_9217_16383)))
 
             print("")
-            print("Total Packets Transmitted Successfully......... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['tx_all'], old_cntr['tx_all'])))
-            print("Unicast Packets Transmitted.................... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['tx_uca'], old_cntr['tx_uca'])))
-            print("Multicast Packets Transmitted.................. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['tx_mca'], old_cntr['tx_mca'])))
-            print("Broadcast Packets Transmitted.................. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr['tx_bca'], old_cntr['tx_bca'])))
+            print("Total Packets Transmitted Successfully......... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.tx_all, old_cntr.tx_all)))
+            print("Unicast Packets Transmitted.................... {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.tx_uca, old_cntr.tx_uca)))
+            print("Multicast Packets Transmitted.................. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.tx_mca, old_cntr.tx_mca)))
+            print("Broadcast Packets Transmitted.................. {}".format(ns_diff(cntr.tx_bca, old_cntr.tx_bca)))
 
             print("Time Since Counters Last Cleared............... " + str(cnstat_old_dict.get('time')))
 
@@ -434,88 +435,88 @@ class Portstat(object):
                 header = header_all
                 if old_cntr is not None:
                     table.append((key, self.get_port_state(key),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['rx_ok'], old_cntr['rx_ok']),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.rx_ok, old_cntr.rx_ok),
                                   format_brate(rates.rx_bps),
                                   format_prate(rates.rx_pps),
                                   format_util(rates.rx_bps, port_speed),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['rx_err'], old_cntr['rx_err']),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['rx_drop'], old_cntr['rx_drop']),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['rx_ovr'], old_cntr['rx_ovr']),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['tx_ok'], old_cntr['tx_ok']),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.rx_err, old_cntr.rx_err),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.rx_drop, old_cntr.rx_drop),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.rx_ovr, old_cntr.rx_ovr),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.tx_ok, old_cntr.tx_ok),
                                   format_brate(rates.tx_bps),
                                   format_prate(rates.tx_pps),
                                   format_util(rates.tx_bps, port_speed),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['tx_err'], old_cntr['tx_err']),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['tx_drop'], old_cntr['tx_drop']),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['tx_ovr'], old_cntr['tx_ovr'])))
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.tx_err, old_cntr.tx_err),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.tx_drop, old_cntr.tx_drop),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.tx_ovr, old_cntr.tx_ovr)))
                 else:
                     table.append((key, self.get_port_state(key),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['rx_ok']),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.rx_ok),
                                   format_brate(rates.rx_bps),
                                   format_prate(rates.rx_pps),
                                   format_util(rates.rx_bps, port_speed),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['rx_err']),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['rx_drop']),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['rx_ovr']),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['tx_ok']),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.rx_err),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.rx_drop),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.rx_ovr),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.tx_ok),
                                   format_brate(rates.tx_bps),
                                   format_prate(rates.tx_pps),
                                   format_util(rates.tx_bps, port_speed),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['tx_err']),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['tx_drop']),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['tx_ovr'])))
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.tx_err),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.tx_drop),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.tx_ovr)))
             elif errors_only:
                 header = header_errors_only
                 if old_cntr is not None:
                     table.append((key, self.get_port_state(key),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['rx_err'], old_cntr['rx_err']),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['rx_drop'], old_cntr['rx_drop']),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['rx_ovr'], old_cntr['rx_ovr']),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['tx_err'], old_cntr['tx_err']),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['tx_drop'], old_cntr['tx_drop']),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['tx_ovr'], old_cntr['tx_ovr'])))
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.rx_err, old_cntr.rx_err),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.rx_drop, old_cntr.rx_drop),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.rx_ovr, old_cntr.rx_ovr),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.tx_err, old_cntr.tx_err),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.tx_drop, old_cntr.tx_drop),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.tx_ovr, old_cntr.tx_ovr)))
                 else:
                     table.append((key, self.get_port_state(key),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['rx_err']),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['rx_drop']),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['rx_ovr']),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['tx_err']),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['tx_drop']),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['tx_ovr'])))
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.rx_err),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.rx_drop),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.rx_ovr),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.tx_err),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.tx_drop),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.tx_ovr)))
             elif fec_stats_only:
                 header = header_fec_only
                 if old_cntr is not None:
                     table.append((key, self.get_port_state(key),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['fec_corr'], old_cntr['fec_corr']),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['fec_uncorr'], old_cntr['fec_uncorr']),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['fec_symbol_err'], old_cntr['fec_symbol_err'])))
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.fec_corr, old_cntr.fec_corr),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.fec_uncorr, old_cntr.fec_uncorr),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.fec_symbol_err, old_cntr.fec_symbol_err)))
                 else:
                     table.append((key, self.get_port_state(key),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['fec_corr']),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['fec_uncorr']),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['fec_symbol_err'])))
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.fec_corr),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.fec_uncorr),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.fec_symbol_err)))
 
             elif rates_only:
                 header = header_rates_only
                 if old_cntr is not None:
                     table.append((key,
                                   self.get_port_state(key),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['rx_ok'], old_cntr['rx_ok']),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.rx_ok, old_cntr.rx_ok),
                                   format_brate(rates.rx_bps),
                                   format_prate(rates.rx_pps),
                                   format_util(rates.rx_bps, port_speed),
-                                  ns_diff(cntr['tx_ok'], old_cntr['tx_ok']),
+                                  ns_diff(cntr.tx_ok, old_cntr.tx_ok),
                                   format_brate(rates.tx_bps),
                                   format_prate(rates.tx_pps),
                                   format_util(rates.tx_bps, port_speed)))
                 else:
                     table.append((key,
                                   self.get_port_state(key),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['rx_ok']),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.rx_ok),
                                   format_brate(rates.rx_bps),
                                   format_prate(rates.rx_pps),
                                   format_util(rates.rx_bps, port_speed),
-                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr['tx_ok']),
+                                  format_number_with_comma(cntr.tx_ok),
                                   format_brate(rates.tx_bps),
                                   format_prate(rates.tx_pps),
                                   format_util(rates.tx_bps, port_speed)))
@@ -524,40 +525,40 @@ class Portstat(object):
                 if old_cntr is not None:
                     table.append((key,
                               self.get_port_state(key),
-                              ns_diff(cntr['rx_ok'], old_cntr['rx_ok']),
+                              ns_diff(cntr.rx_ok, old_cntr.rx_ok),
                               format_brate(rates.rx_bps),
                               format_util(rates.rx_bps, port_speed),
-                              ns_diff(cntr['rx_err'], old_cntr['rx_err']),
-                              ns_diff(cntr['rx_drop'], old_cntr['rx_drop']),
-                              ns_diff(cntr['rx_ovr'], old_cntr['rx_ovr']),
-                              ns_diff(cntr['tx_ok'], old_cntr['tx_ok']),
+                              ns_diff(cntr.rx_err, old_cntr.rx_err),
+                              ns_diff(cntr.rx_drop, old_cntr.rx_drop),
+                              ns_diff(cntr.rx_ovr, old_cntr.rx_ovr),
+                              ns_diff(cntr.tx_ok, old_cntr.tx_ok),
                               format_brate(rates.tx_bps),
                               format_util(rates.tx_bps, port_speed),
-                              ns_diff(cntr['tx_err'], old_cntr['tx_err']),
-                              ns_diff(cntr['tx_drop'], old_cntr['tx_drop']),
-                              ns_diff(cntr['tx_ovr'], old_cntr['tx_ovr'])))
+                              ns_diff(cntr.tx_err, old_cntr.tx_err),
+                              ns_diff(cntr.tx_drop, old_cntr.tx_drop),
+                              ns_diff(cntr.tx_ovr, old_cntr.tx_ovr)))
                 else:
                     table.append((key,
                               self.get_port_state(key),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['rx_ok']),
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.rx_ok),
                               format_brate(rates.rx_bps),
                               format_util(rates.rx_bps, port_speed),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['rx_err']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['rx_drop']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['rx_ovr']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['tx_ok']),
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.rx_err),
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.rx_drop),
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.rx_ovr),
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.tx_ok),
                               format_brate(rates.tx_bps),
                               format_util(rates.tx_bps, port_speed),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['tx_err']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['tx_drop']),
-                              format_number_with_comma(cntr['tx_ovr'])))
-
-        if use_json:
-            print(table_as_json(table, header))
-        else:
-            print(tabulate(table, header, tablefmt='simple', stralign='right'))
-            if multi_asic.is_multi_asic() or device_info.is_chassis():
-                print("\nReminder: Please execute 'show interface counters -d all' to include internal links\n")
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.tx_err),
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.tx_drop),
+                              format_number_with_comma(cntr.tx_ovr)))
+        if table:
+            if use_json:
+                print(table_as_json(table, header))
+            else:
+                print(tabulate(table, header, tablefmt='simple', stralign='right'))
+        if multi_asic.is_multi_asic() or device_info.is_chassis() and not use_json:
+            print("\nReminder: Please execute 'show interface counters -d all' to include internal links\n")
 
 def main():
     parser  = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='Display the ports state and counters',
@@ -641,7 +642,7 @@ Examples:
 
     if save_fresh_stats:
         try:
-            json.dump(cnstat_dict, open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'w'), default=json_serial)
+            pickle.dump(cnstat_dict, open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'wb'))
         except IOError as e:
             sys.exit(e.errno)
         else:
@@ -652,7 +653,7 @@ Examples:
         cnstat_cached_dict = OrderedDict()
         if os.path.isfile(cnstat_fqn_file):
             try:
-                cnstat_cached_dict = json.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'r'))
+                cnstat_cached_dict = pickle.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'rb'))
                 if not detail:
                     print("Last cached time was " + str(cnstat_cached_dict.get('time')))
                 portstat.cnstat_diff_print(cnstat_dict, cnstat_cached_dict, ratestat_dict, intf_list, use_json, print_all, errors_only, fec_stats_only, rates_only, detail)
diff --git a/scripts/queuestat b/scripts/queuestat
index d82e7e4a6a..96a24b51a3 100755
--- a/scripts/queuestat
+++ b/scripts/queuestat
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 #
 #####################################################################
 
-import json
+import _pickle as pickle
 import argparse
 import datetime
 import os.path
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ except KeyError:
     pass
 
 from swsscommon.swsscommon import SonicV2Connector
-from utilities_common.cli import json_serial, UserCache
+from utilities_common.cli import UserCache
 from utilities_common import constants
 import utilities_common.multi_asic as multi_asic_util
 
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ class Queuestat(object):
                     fields[pos] = STATUS_NA
                 elif fields[pos] != STATUS_NA:
                     fields[pos] = str(int(counter_data))
-            cntr = QueueStats._make(fields)._asdict()
+            cntr = QueueStats._make(fields)
             return cntr
 
        # Build a dictionary of the stats
@@ -211,9 +211,9 @@ class Queuestat(object):
                 if json_opt:
                     json_output[port][key] = data
                 continue
-            table.append((port, data['queuetype'] + str(data['queueindex']),
-                        data['totalpacket'], data['totalbytes'],
-                        data['droppacket'], data['dropbytes']))
+            table.append((port, data.queuetype + str(data.queueindex),
+                        data.totalpacket, data.totalbytes,
+                        data.droppacket, data.dropbytes))
 
         if json_opt:
             json_output[port].update(build_json(port, table))
@@ -241,15 +241,15 @@ class Queuestat(object):
                 old_cntr = cnstat_old_dict.get(key)
 
             if old_cntr is not None:
-                table.append((port, cntr['queuetype'] + str(cntr['queueindex']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['totalpacket'], old_cntr['totalpacket']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['totalbytes'], old_cntr['totalbytes']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['droppacket'], old_cntr['droppacket']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['dropbytes'], old_cntr['dropbytes'])))
+                table.append((port, cntr.queuetype + str(cntr.queueindex),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.totalpacket, old_cntr.totalpacket),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.totalbytes, old_cntr.totalbytes),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.droppacket, old_cntr.droppacket),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.dropbytes, old_cntr.dropbytes)))
             else:
-                table.append((port, cntr['queuetype'] + str(cntr['queueindex']),
-                        cntr['totalpacket'], cntr['totalbytes'],
-                        cntr['droppacket'], cntr['dropbytes']))
+                table.append((port, cntr.queuetype + str(cntr.queueindex),
+                        cntr.totalpacket, cntr.totalbytes,
+                        cntr.droppacket, cntr.dropbytes))
 
         if json_opt:
             json_output[port].update(build_json(port, table))
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ class Queuestat(object):
             cnstat_fqn_file_name = cnstat_fqn_file + port
             if os.path.isfile(cnstat_fqn_file_name):
                 try:
-                    cnstat_cached_dict = json.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file_name, 'r'))
+                    cnstat_cached_dict = pickle.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file_name, 'rb'))
                     if json_opt:
                         json_output[port].update({"cached_time":cnstat_cached_dict.get('time')})
                         json_output.update(self.cnstat_diff_print(port, cnstat_dict, cnstat_cached_dict, json_opt))
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ class Queuestat(object):
         json_output[port] = {}
         if os.path.isfile(cnstat_fqn_file_name):
             try:
-                cnstat_cached_dict = json.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file_name, 'r'))
+                cnstat_cached_dict = pickle.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file_name, 'rb'))
                 if json_opt:
                     json_output[port].update({"cached_time":cnstat_cached_dict.get('time')})
                     json_output.update(self.cnstat_diff_print(port, cnstat_dict, cnstat_cached_dict, json_opt))
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ class Queuestat(object):
         for port in natsorted(self.counter_port_name_map):
             cnstat_dict = self.get_cnstat(self.port_queues_map[port])
             try:
-                json.dump(cnstat_dict, open(cnstat_fqn_file + port, 'w'), default=json_serial)
+                pickle.dump(cnstat_dict, open(cnstat_fqn_file + port, 'wb'))
             except IOError as e:
                 print(e.errno, e)
                 sys.exit(e.errno)
diff --git a/scripts/tunnelstat b/scripts/tunnelstat
index 3d7423e86b..8b045ec684 100755
--- a/scripts/tunnelstat
+++ b/scripts/tunnelstat
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 #
 #####################################################################
 
-import json
+import _pickle as pickle
 import argparse
 import datetime
 import sys
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ from collections import namedtuple, OrderedDict
 from natsort import natsorted
 from tabulate import tabulate
 from utilities_common.netstat import ns_diff, table_as_json, STATUS_NA, format_prate
-from utilities_common.cli import json_serial, UserCache
+from utilities_common.cli import UserCache
 from swsscommon.swsscommon import SonicV2Connector
 
 
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ class Tunnelstat(object):
                 counter_data =  self.db.get(self.db.COUNTERS_DB, full_table_id, counter_name)
                 if counter_data:
                     fields[pos] = str(counter_data)
-            cntr = NStats._make(fields)._asdict()
+            cntr = NStats._make(fields)
             return cntr
 
         def get_rates(table_id):
@@ -149,8 +149,8 @@ class Tunnelstat(object):
                 continue
 
             rates = ratestat_dict.get(key, RateStats._make([STATUS_NA] * len(rates_key_list)))
-            table.append((key, data['rx_p_ok'], data['rx_b_ok'], format_prate(rates.rx_pps),
-                               data['tx_p_ok'], data['tx_b_ok'], format_prate(rates.tx_pps)))
+            table.append((key, data.rx_p_ok, data.rx_b_ok, format_prate(rates.rx_pps),
+                               data.tx_p_ok, data.tx_b_ok, format_prate(rates.tx_pps)))
 
         if use_json:
             print(table_as_json(table, header))
@@ -175,19 +175,19 @@ class Tunnelstat(object):
             rates = ratestat_dict.get(key, RateStats._make([STATUS_NA] * len(rates_key_list)))
             if old_cntr is not None:
                 table.append((key,
-                            ns_diff(cntr['rx_p_ok'], old_cntr['rx_p_ok']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['rx_b_ok'], old_cntr['rx_b_ok']),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.rx_p_ok, old_cntr.rx_p_ok),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.rx_b_ok, old_cntr.rx_b_ok),
                             format_prate(rates.rx_pps),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['tx_p_ok'], old_cntr['tx_p_ok']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['tx_b_ok'], old_cntr['tx_b_ok']),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.tx_p_ok, old_cntr.tx_p_ok),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.tx_b_ok, old_cntr.tx_b_ok),
                             format_prate(rates.tx_pps)))
             else:
                 table.append((key,
-                            cntr['rx_p_ok'],
-                            cntr['rx_b_ok'],
+                            cntr.rx_p_ok,
+                            cntr.rx_b_ok,
                             format_prate(rates.rx_pps),
-                            cntr['tx_p_ok'],
-                            cntr['tx_b_ok'],
+                            cntr.tx_p_ok,
+                            cntr.tx_b_ok,
                             format_prate(rates.tx_pps)))
         if use_json:
             print(table_as_json(table, header))
@@ -210,12 +210,12 @@ class Tunnelstat(object):
         if cnstat_old_dict:
             old_cntr = cnstat_old_dict.get(tunnel)
             if old_cntr:
-                body = body % (ns_diff(cntr['rx_p_ok'], old_cntr['rx_p_ok']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['rx_b_ok'], old_cntr['rx_b_ok']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['tx_p_ok'], old_cntr['tx_p_ok']),
-                            ns_diff(cntr['tx_b_ok'], old_cntr['tx_b_ok']))
+                body = body % (ns_diff(cntr.rx_p_ok, old_cntr.rx_p_ok),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.rx_b_ok, old_cntr.rx_b_ok),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.tx_p_ok, old_cntr.tx_p_ok),
+                            ns_diff(cntr.tx_b_ok, old_cntr.tx_b_ok))
         else:
-            body = body % (cntr['rx_p_ok'], cntr['rx_b_ok'], cntr['tx_p_ok'], cntr['tx_b_ok'])
+            body = body % (cntr.rx_p_ok, cntr.rx_b_ok, cntr.tx_p_ok, cntr.tx_b_ok)
 
         print(header)
         print(body)
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ def main():
 
     if save_fresh_stats:
         try:
-            json.dump(cnstat_dict, open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'w'), default=json_serial)
+            pickle.dump(cnstat_dict, open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'wb'))
         except IOError as e:
             sys.exit(e.errno)
         else:
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ def main():
     if wait_time_in_seconds == 0:
         if os.path.isfile(cnstat_fqn_file):
             try:
-                cnstat_cached_dict = json.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'r'))
+                cnstat_cached_dict = pickle.load(open(cnstat_fqn_file, 'rb'))
                 print("Last cached time was " + str(cnstat_cached_dict.get('time')))
                 if tunnel_name:
                     tunnelstat.cnstat_single_tunnel(tunnel_name, cnstat_dict, cnstat_cached_dict)
diff --git a/tests/config_test.py b/tests/config_test.py
index 25d249645b..18ac823b82 100644
--- a/tests/config_test.py
+++ b/tests/config_test.py
@@ -83,17 +83,18 @@
 Please note loaded setting will be lost after system reboot. To preserve setting, run `config save`.
 """
 
-RELOAD_CONFIG_DB_OUTPUT = """Stopping SONiC target ...
+RELOAD_CONFIG_DB_OUTPUT = \
+"""Stopping SONiC target ...
 Running command: /usr/local/bin/sonic-cfggen  -j (.*?) --write-to-db
 Restarting SONiC target ...
 Reloading Monit configuration ...
 """
 
-RELOAD_CONFIG_DB_OUTPUT_INVALID_MSG = """\
-Bad format: json file"""
+RELOAD_CONFIG_DB_OUTPUT_INVALID_MSG = \
+"""Bad format: json file"""
 
-RELOAD_CONFIG_DB_OUTPUT_INVALID_ERROR = """\
-Expecting ',' delimiter: line 12 column 5 (char 321)"""
+RELOAD_CONFIG_DB_OUTPUT_INVALID_ERROR = \
+"""Expecting ',' delimiter: line 12 column 5 (char 321)"""
 
 RELOAD_YANG_CFG_OUTPUT = """\
 Stopping SONiC target ...
@@ -102,7 +103,8 @@
 Reloading Monit configuration ...
 """
 
-RELOAD_MASIC_CONFIG_DB_OUTPUT = """Stopping SONiC target ...
+RELOAD_MASIC_CONFIG_DB_OUTPUT = \
+"""Stopping SONiC target ...
 Running command: /usr/local/bin/sonic-cfggen  -j (.*?)  --write-to-db
 Running command: /usr/local/bin/sonic-cfggen  -j (.*?)  -n asic0  --write-to-db
 Running command: /usr/local/bin/sonic-cfggen  -j (.*?)  -n asic1  --write-to-db
@@ -110,8 +112,8 @@
 Reloading Monit configuration ...
 """
 
-RELOAD_MASIC_CONFIG_DB_OUTPUT_FILE_NOT_EXIST = """\
-Stopping SONiC target ...
+RELOAD_MASIC_CONFIG_DB_OUTPUT_FILE_NOT_EXIST = \
+"""Stopping SONiC target ...
 Running command: /usr/local/bin/sonic-cfggen  -j (.*?)  --write-to-db
 The config file non_exist.json doesn't exist
 Running command: /usr/local/bin/sonic-cfggen  -j (.*?)  -n asic1  --write-to-db
@@ -122,7 +124,8 @@
 reload_config_with_sys_info_command_output="""\
 Running command: /usr/local/bin/sonic-cfggen -H -k Seastone-DX010-25-50 --write-to-db"""
 
-reload_config_with_disabled_service_output="""Stopping SONiC target ...
+reload_config_with_disabled_service_output= \
+"""Stopping SONiC target ...
 Running command: /usr/local/bin/sonic-cfggen  -j (.*?)  --write-to-db
 Restarting SONiC target ...
 Reloading Monit configuration ...
@@ -370,49 +373,6 @@ def test_load_minigraph_with_port_config(self, get_cmd_module, setup_single_broa
             port_config = [{"PORT": {"Ethernet0": {"admin_status": "up"}}}]
             self.check_port_config(db, config, port_config, "config interface startup Ethernet0")
 
-    def test_load_backend_acl(self, get_cmd_module, setup_single_broadcom_asic):
-        db = Db()
-        db.cfgdb.set_entry("DEVICE_METADATA", "localhost", {"storage_device": "true"})
-        self.check_backend_acl(get_cmd_module, db, device_type='BackEndToRRouter', condition=True)
-
-    def test_load_backend_acl_not_storage(self, get_cmd_module, setup_single_broadcom_asic):
-        db = Db()
-        self.check_backend_acl(get_cmd_module, db, device_type='BackEndToRRouter', condition=False)
-
-    def test_load_backend_acl_storage_leaf(self, get_cmd_module, setup_single_broadcom_asic):
-        db = Db()
-        db.cfgdb.set_entry("DEVICE_METADATA", "localhost", {"storage_device": "true"})
-        self.check_backend_acl(get_cmd_module, db, device_type='BackEndLeafRouter', condition=False)
-
-    def test_load_backend_acl_storage_no_dataacl(self, get_cmd_module, setup_single_broadcom_asic):
-        db = Db()
-        db.cfgdb.set_entry("DEVICE_METADATA", "localhost", {"storage_device": "true"})
-        db.cfgdb.set_entry("ACL_TABLE", "DATAACL", None)
-        self.check_backend_acl(get_cmd_module, db, device_type='BackEndToRRouter', condition=False)
-
-    def check_backend_acl(self, get_cmd_module, db, device_type='BackEndToRRouter', condition=True):
-        def is_file_side_effect(filename):
-            return True if 'backend_acl' in filename else False
-        with mock.patch('os.path.isfile', mock.MagicMock(side_effect=is_file_side_effect)):
-            with mock.patch('config.main._get_device_type', mock.MagicMock(return_value=device_type)):
-                with mock.patch(
-                    "utilities_common.cli.run_command",
-                    mock.MagicMock(side_effect=mock_run_command_side_effect)) as mock_run_command:
-                    (config, show) = get_cmd_module
-                    runner = CliRunner()
-                    result = runner.invoke(config.config.commands["load_minigraph"], ["-y"], obj=db)
-                    print(result.exit_code)
-                    expected_output = ['Running command: acl-loader update incremental /etc/sonic/backend_acl.json',
-                                       'Running command: /usr/local/bin/sonic-cfggen -d -t /usr/share/sonic/templates/backend_acl.j2,/etc/sonic/backend_acl.json'
-                                      ]
-                    print(result.output)
-                    assert result.exit_code == 0
-                    output = result.output.split('\n')
-                    if condition:
-                        assert set(expected_output).issubset(set(output))
-                    else:
-                        assert not(set(expected_output).issubset(set(output)))
-
     def check_port_config(self, db, config, port_config, expected_output):
         def read_json_file_side_effect(filename):
             return port_config
@@ -526,6 +486,13 @@ def test_reload_config(self, get_cmd_module, setup_single_broadcom_asic):
             output = "\n".join([l.rstrip() for l in result.output.split('\n')])
             assert re.match(RELOAD_CONFIG_DB_OUTPUT, output)
 
+    def test_validate_config_file_invalid(self):
+        import pytest
+        with pytest.raises(SystemExit) as e:
+            config.validate_config_file("dummy.json")
+        assert e.type == SystemExit
+        assert e.value.code == 1
+
     def test_reload_config_invalid_config_file(self, get_cmd_module, setup_single_broadcom_asic):
         with mock.patch(
                 "utilities_common.cli.run_command",
diff --git a/tests/route_check_test.py b/tests/route_check_test.py
index 4d93c74e2d..118e9eab56 100644
--- a/tests/route_check_test.py
+++ b/tests/route_check_test.py
@@ -277,17 +277,12 @@ def test_route_check(self, mock_dbs, test_num):
         with patch('sys.argv', ct_data[ARGS].split()), \
             patch('route_check.subprocess.check_output') as mock_check_output:
 
-            check_frr_patch = patch('route_check.check_frr_pending_routes', lambda: [])
+            routes = ct_data.get(FRR_ROUTES, {})
 
-            if FRR_ROUTES in ct_data:
-                routes = ct_data[FRR_ROUTES]
+            def side_effect(*args, **kwargs):
+                return json.dumps(routes)
 
-                def side_effect(*args, **kwargs):
-                    return json.dumps(routes)
-
-                mock_check_output.side_effect = side_effect
-            else:
-                check_frr_patch.start()
+            mock_check_output.side_effect = side_effect
 
             ret, res = route_check.main()
             expect_ret = ct_data[RET] if RET in ct_data else 0
@@ -299,8 +294,6 @@ def side_effect(*args, **kwargs):
             assert ret == expect_ret
             assert res == expect_res
 
-            check_frr_patch.stop()
-
     def test_timeout(self, mock_dbs, force_hang):
         # Test timeout
         ex_raised = False