diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 4d8ad7587..05c1a4a31 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ matrix:
       env: RUN_RUBY=true RUN_SCALA=false GEM_NAME=collins-client
     - jdk: oraclejdk7
       env: RUN_RUBY=true RUN_SCALA=false GEM_NAME=collins-state
+    - jdk: oraclejdk7
+      env: RUN_RUBY=true RUN_SCALA=false GEM_NAME=consolr
 script:
   - if $RUN_SCALA; then activator-1.3.4-minimal/activator test; fi
   - if $RUN_RUBY; then cd support/ruby/$GEM_NAME; bundle install --path ./vendor/bundle; bundle exec rake; fi
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/.gitignore b/support/ruby/consolr/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..404abb221
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+coverage/
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/.rspec b/support/ruby/consolr/.rspec
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..16f9cdb01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/.rspec
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+--color
+--format documentation
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/.versions.conf b/support/ruby/consolr/.versions.conf
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..20408990f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/.versions.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+ruby=ruby-2.2.1
+ruby-gemset=consolr
+#ruby-gem-install=bundler rake
+#ruby-bundle-install=true
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/Rakefile b/support/ruby/consolr/Rakefile
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..73d7aec3f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/Rakefile
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+require 'rspec/core'
+require 'rspec/core/rake_task'
+RSpec::Core::RakeTask.new(:spec) do |spec|
+  spec.fail_on_error = true
+  spec.pattern = FileList['spec/**/*_spec.rb']
+end
+
+task :default => :spec
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/bin/consolr b/support/ruby/consolr/bin/consolr
index 30d322650..f0a72234f 100755
--- a/support/ruby/consolr/bin/consolr
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/bin/consolr
@@ -1,6 +1,31 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env ruby
 
 require 'consolr'
+require 'consolr/version'
+
+options = {}
+opt_parser = OptionParser.new do |opt|
+  opt.banner = 'Usage: consolr [OPTIONS]'
+  opt.separator  ''
+  opt.separator  'Options'
+
+  opt.on('-c', '--console',         'console into node via SOL')               { options[:console] = true }
+  opt.on('-d', '--dangerous',       'list dangerous stuff')                    { options[:dangerous] = true }
+  opt.on('-f', '--force',           'force run dangerous actions')             { options[:force] = true }
+  opt.on('-H', '--hostname ASSET',  'asset hostname')                          { |hostname| options[:hostname] = hostname }
+  opt.on('-i', '--identify',        'turn on chassis UID')                     { options[:identify] = true }
+  opt.on('-k', '--kick',            'kick if someone is hogging the console')  { options[:kick] = true }
+  opt.on('-l', '--log LOG',         'System Event Log (SEL) [list|clear]')     { |log| options[:log] = log }
+  opt.on('-o', '--on',              'turn on node')                            { options[:on] = true }
+  opt.on('-r', '--reboot',          'restart node')                            { options[:reboot] = true }
+  opt.on('-s', '--sdr',             'Sensor Data Repository (SDR)')            { options[:sdr] = true }
+  opt.on('-t', '--tag ASSET',       'asset tag')                               { |tag| options[:tag] = tag }
+  opt.on('-x', '--off',             'turn off node')                           { options[:off] = true }
+
+  opt.on_tail('-h', '--help', 'help') { puts opt; exit 0 }
+  opt.on_tail('-v', '--version', 'version') { puts Consolr::VERSION; exit 0 }
+end
+opt_parser.parse!
 
 console = Consolr::Console.new
-console.start
+console.start options
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/consolr.gemspec b/support/ruby/consolr/consolr.gemspec
index 3ed8078cc..64d65df2b 100644
--- a/support/ruby/consolr/consolr.gemspec
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/consolr.gemspec
@@ -19,4 +19,10 @@ Gem::Specification.new do |spec|
   spec.require_paths = ["lib"]
 
   spec.add_runtime_dependency "collins_auth", "~> 0.1.2"
+  spec.add_runtime_dependency "net-ping", "~> 1.7.7"
+
+  spec.add_development_dependency "rake", "~> 10.4.2"
+  spec.add_development_dependency "rspec", "~> 3.3.0"
+  spec.add_development_dependency "simplecov", "~> 0.10.0"
+  spec.add_development_dependency "webmock", "~> 1.21.0"
 end
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/lib/consolr.rb b/support/ruby/consolr/lib/consolr.rb
index d8919b6f4..329ff5856 100755
--- a/support/ruby/consolr/lib/consolr.rb
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/lib/consolr.rb
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 $LOAD_PATH.unshift('./lib/')
 
+require 'consolr/version'
 require 'collins_auth'
+require 'net/ping'
 require 'optparse'
 require 'yaml'
-require 'consolr/version'
 
 module Consolr
   class Console
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ def initialize
         puts "------"
         exit 1
       end
-      
+
       begin
         @ipmitool_exec = config_params['ipmitool'] # ipmitool absolute path
       rescue Exception => e
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ def initialize
         puts "-------"
         exit 1
       end
-      
+
       # Will be ignored for dangerous actions, no matter what, even with --force
       begin
         @dangerous_assets = config_params['dangerous_assets']
@@ -72,50 +73,22 @@ def initialize
       end
 
       @dangerous_actions = [:off, :reboot] # Must match the symbol in options{}
-
-      @options = {}
-      @opt_parser = OptionParser.new do |opt|
-        opt.banner = 'Usage: consolr [OPTIONS]'
-        opt.separator  ''
-        opt.separator  'Options'
-        
-        opt.on('-c', '--console', 'console into node via SOL') { options[:console] = true }
-        opt.on('-d', '--dangerous', 'list dangerous stuff') { options[:dangerous] = true }
-        opt.on('-f', '--force', 'force run dangerous actions') { options[:force] = true }
-        opt.on('-H', '--hostname ASSET', 'asset hostname') { |hostname| options[:hostname] = hostname }
-        opt.on('-i', '--identify', 'turn on chassis UID') { options[:identify] = true }
-        opt.on('-k', '--kick', 'kick if someone is hogging the console') { options[:kick] = true }
-        opt.on('-l', '--log LOG', 'System Event Log (SEL) [list|clear]') { |log| options[:log] = log }
-        opt.on('-o', '--on', 'turn on node') { options[:on] = true }
-        opt.on('-r', '--reboot', 'restart node') { options[:reboot] = true }
-        opt.on('-s', '--sdr', 'Sensor Data Repository (SDR)') { options[:sdr] = true }
-        opt.on('-t', '--tag ASSET', 'asset tag') { |tag| options[:tag] = tag }
-        opt.on('-x', '--off', 'turn off node') { options[:off] = true }
-        opt.on_tail('-h', '--help', 'help') { puts opt; exit 0 }
-        opt.on_tail('-v', '--version', 'version') { puts Consolr::VERSION; exit 0 }
-      end
-    end
-    
-    def ipmitool_cmd action
-      system("#{@ipmitool_exec} -I lanplus -H #{@node.ipmi.address} -U #{@node.ipmi.username} -P #{@node.ipmi.password} #{action}")
-      return $?.exitstatus == 0 ? "SUCCESS" : "FAILED"
     end
 
-    def start
-      @opt_parser.parse! # extract from ARGV[]
+    def start options
       abort("Please pass either the asset tag or hostname") if options[:tag].nil? and options[:hostname].nil?
-      
+
       abort("Cannot find #{@ipmitool_exec}") unless File.exist?(@ipmitool_exec)
 
       dangerous_body = "Dangerous actions: #{dangerous_actions.join(', ')}\n"\
         "Dangerous status: #{dangerous_status.join(', ')} (override with --force)\n"\
         "Dangerous assets: #{dangerous_assets.join(', ')} (ignored no matter what, even with --force)"
-      
+
       if options[:dangerous]
         puts dangerous_body
         exit 1
       end
-      
+
       begin
         collins = Collins::Authenticator.setup_client
       rescue Exception => e
@@ -125,25 +98,24 @@ def start
         puts "-------"
         exit 1
       end
-      
+
       if options[:tag] and options[:hostname]
         abort("Please pass either the hostname OR the tag but not both.")
       end
-     
+
       # match assets like vm-67f5eh, zt-*, etc.
       nodes = options[:tag] ? (collins.find :tag => options[:tag]) : (collins.find :hostname => options[:hostname])
       @node = nodes.length == 1 ? nodes.first : abort("Found #{nodes.length} assets, aborting.")
-      
-      %x(/bin/ping -c 1 #{@node.ipmi.address})
-      abort("Cannot ping IP #{@node.ipmi.address} (#{@node.tag})") unless $?.exitstatus == 0
-      
-      if dangerous_assets.include?(@node.tag) and dangerous_actions.any?
-        puts "Asset #{@node.tag} is a crucial asset. Can't execute dangerous actions on this asset."
+
+      abort("Cannot ping IP #{@node.ipmi.address} (#{@node.tag})") unless Net::Ping::External.new(@node.ipmi.address).ping?
+
+      selected_dangerous_actions = dangerous_actions.select { |o| options[o] }
+      if dangerous_assets.include?(@node.tag) and selected_dangerous_actions.any?
+        abort "Asset #{@node.tag} is a crucial asset. Can't ever execute dangerous actions on this asset.\n#{dangerous_body}"
       end
-      
-      if options[:force].nil? and dangerous_actions.any? and dangerous_status.include?(@node.status)
-        puts "Cannot run dangerous commands on #{@node.hostname} (#{@node.tag} - #{@node.status})"
-        abort dangerous_body
+
+      if options[:force].nil? and selected_dangerous_actions.any? and dangerous_status.include?(@node.status)
+        abort "Cannot run dangerous commands on #{@node.hostname} (#{@node.tag} - #{@node.status}) because it is in a protected status. This can be overridden with the --force flag\n#{dangerous_body}"
       end
 
       case
@@ -171,12 +143,18 @@ def start
           raise OptionParser::MissingArgument, "specify an action"
         rescue OptionParser::MissingArgument => e
           puts e
-          puts @opt_parser
-          exit 0
+          exit 1
         end
       end
     end
 
+    private
+
+    def ipmitool_cmd action
+      system("#{@ipmitool_exec} -I lanplus -H #{@node.ipmi.address} -U #{@node.ipmi.username} -P #{@node.ipmi.password} #{action}")
+      return $?.exitstatus == 0 ? "SUCCESS" : "FAILED"
+    end
+
   end
 
 end
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/lib/consolr/version.rb b/support/ruby/consolr/lib/consolr/version.rb
index f3b3e49db..da5e04f56 100644
--- a/support/ruby/consolr/lib/consolr/version.rb
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/lib/consolr/version.rb
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 module Consolr
-  VERSION = "1.0.1"
+  VERSION = "1.0.2"
 end
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/spec/configs/collins_rspec.yml b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/configs/collins_rspec.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0ddcceb58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/configs/collins_rspec.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+host: https://collins.example.net
+username: "collins_user"
+password: "collins_pass"
+timeout: 30
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/spec/configs/consolr_rspec.yml b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/configs/consolr_rspec.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3688295fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/configs/consolr_rspec.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+# this is a dummy config for the unit tests
+ipmitool: spec/rspec_ipmi
+dangerous_assets:
+  - "dangerous-allocated-tag"
+  - "dangerous-maintenance-tag"
+dangerous_status:
+  - "Allocated"
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/spec/consolr_spec.rb b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/consolr_spec.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..188368d47
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/consolr_spec.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+require 'spec_helper'
+
+describe Consolr::Console do
+
+  before (:each) do
+    @console = Consolr::Console.new
+  end
+
+  it 'fails if no hostname is provided' do
+    expect { @console.start( {:hostname => nil}) }.to raise_error(SystemExit, /asset tag or hostname/)
+  end
+
+  it 'fails if both tag and hostname are passed' do
+    expect { @console.start({:hostname => 'host.dc.net', :tag => '001234' }) }.to raise_error(SystemExit, /not both/)
+  end
+
+  it 'fails if tag cannot be found' do
+    expect { @console.start({:tag => 'bogus_tag'}) }.to raise_error(SystemExit, /Found 0 assets/)
+  end
+
+  it 'fails if hostname cannot be found' do
+    expect { @console.start({:hostname => 'bogus_hostname'}) }.to raise_error(SystemExit, /Found 0 assets/)
+  end
+
+  it 'fails if multiple hosts are found' do
+    expect { @console.start({:hostname => 'hostname-with-multiple-assets.dc.net'}) }.to raise_error(SystemExit, /Found \d+ assets/)
+  end
+
+  safe_boolean_actions = {:console => "--> Opening SOL session (type ~~. to quit)\nsol activate", :kick => 'sol deactivate', :identify => 'chassis identify', :sdr => 'sdr elist all', :on => 'power on'}
+  dangerous_boolean_actions = {:off => 'power off', :reboot => 'power cycle'}
+
+  describe 'safe allocated asset' do
+    safe_allocated_tag = 'safe-allocated-tag'
+    safe_boolean_actions.each do |action, response|
+      it "does #{action}" do
+        expect { @console.start({:tag => safe_allocated_tag, action => true}) }.to output("#{response}\nSUCCESS\n").to_stdout_from_any_process
+      end
+    end
+
+    dangerous_boolean_actions.each do |action, response|
+      it "refuses to do dangerous action #{action}" do
+        expect { @console.start({:tag => safe_allocated_tag, action => true}) }.to raise_error(SystemExit, /Cannot run dangerous command/)
+      end
+      it "can force dangerous action #{action}" do
+        expect { @console.start({:tag => safe_allocated_tag, action => true, :force => true}) }.to output("#{response}\nSUCCESS\n").to_stdout_from_any_process
+      end
+    end
+
+    it 'does log list' do
+      expect { @console.start({:tag => safe_allocated_tag, :log => 'list'}) }.to output("sel list\nSUCCESS\n").to_stdout_from_any_process
+    end
+
+    it 'does log clear' do
+      expect { @console.start({:tag => safe_allocated_tag, :log => 'clear'}) }.to output("sel clear\nSUCCESS\n").to_stdout_from_any_process
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe 'safe maintenance asset' do
+    safe_maintenance_tag= 'safe-maintenance-tag'
+    safe_boolean_actions.each do |action, response|
+      it "does #{action}" do
+        expect { @console.start({:tag => safe_maintenance_tag, action => true}) }.to output("#{response}\nSUCCESS\n").to_stdout_from_any_process
+      end
+    end
+
+    dangerous_boolean_actions.each do |action, response|
+      it "does dangerous action #{action}" do
+        expect { @console.start({:tag => safe_maintenance_tag, action => true, :force => true}) }.to output("#{response}\nSUCCESS\n").to_stdout_from_any_process
+      end
+    end
+
+    it 'does log list' do
+      expect { @console.start({:tag => safe_maintenance_tag, :log => 'list'}) }.to output("sel list\nSUCCESS\n").to_stdout_from_any_process
+    end
+
+    it 'does log clear' do
+      expect { @console.start({:tag => safe_maintenance_tag, :log => 'clear'}) }.to output("sel clear\nSUCCESS\n").to_stdout_from_any_process
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe 'dangerous allocated asset' do
+    dangerous_allocated_tag= 'dangerous-allocated-tag'
+    safe_boolean_actions.each do |action, response|
+      it "does #{action}" do
+        expect { @console.start({:tag => dangerous_allocated_tag, action => true}) }.to output("#{response}\nSUCCESS\n").to_stdout_from_any_process
+      end
+    end
+
+    dangerous_boolean_actions.each do |action, response|
+      it "refuses to do dangerous action #{action}" do
+        expect { @console.start({:tag => dangerous_allocated_tag, action => true}) }.to raise_error(SystemExit, /Asset .* is a crucial asset/)
+      end
+      it "refuses to do dangerous action #{action} with force" do
+        expect { @console.start({:tag => dangerous_allocated_tag, action => true, :force => true}) }.to raise_error(SystemExit, /Asset .* is a crucial asset/)
+      end
+    end
+
+    it 'does log list' do
+      expect { @console.start({:tag => dangerous_allocated_tag, :log => 'list'}) }.to output("sel list\nSUCCESS\n").to_stdout_from_any_process
+    end
+
+    it 'does log clear' do
+      expect { @console.start({:tag => dangerous_allocated_tag, :log => 'clear'}) }.to output("sel clear\nSUCCESS\n").to_stdout_from_any_process
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe 'dangerous maintenance asset' do
+    dangerous_maintenance_tag= 'dangerous-maintenance-tag'
+    safe_boolean_actions.each do |action, response|
+      it "does #{action}" do
+        expect { @console.start({:tag => dangerous_maintenance_tag, action => true}) }.to output("#{response}\nSUCCESS\n").to_stdout_from_any_process
+      end
+    end
+
+    dangerous_boolean_actions.each do |action, response|
+      it "refuses to do dangerous action #{action}" do
+        expect { @console.start({:tag => dangerous_maintenance_tag, action => true}) }.to raise_error(SystemExit, /Asset .* is a crucial asset/)
+      end
+      it "refuses to do dangerous action #{action} with force" do
+        expect { @console.start({:tag => dangerous_maintenance_tag, action => true, :force=> true}) }.to raise_error(SystemExit, /Asset .* is a crucial asset/)
+      end
+
+    end
+
+    it 'does log list' do
+      expect { @console.start({:tag => dangerous_maintenance_tag, :log => 'list'}) }.to output("sel list\nSUCCESS\n").to_stdout_from_any_process
+    end
+
+    it 'does log clear' do
+      expect { @console.start({:tag => dangerous_maintenance_tag, :log => 'clear'}) }.to output("sel clear\nSUCCESS\n").to_stdout_from_any_process
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/spec/fixtures/assets/dangerous-allocated-tag.yml b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/fixtures/assets/dangerous-allocated-tag.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2f16dfe4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/fixtures/assets/dangerous-allocated-tag.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+--- !ruby/object:Collins::Asset
+extras:
+  ATTRIBS:
+    '0':
+      HOSTNAME: web-dc0ce734.ewr01.tumblr.net
+id: 1
+status: Allocated
+tag: dangerous-allocated-tag
+type: SERVER_NODE
+state: !ruby/object:Collins::AssetState
+  description: A service in this state is operational.
+  id: 3
+  label: Running
+  name: RUNNING
+  status: !ruby/object:OpenStruct
+    table: {}
+ipmi: !ruby/object:Collins::Ipmi
+  address: 1.2.3.4
+  asset_id: 3812
+  gateway: 1.2.3.1
+  id: 2
+  netmask: 255.255.240.0
+  password: ipmi-test-tag-password
+  username: ipmi-test-tag-user
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/spec/fixtures/assets/dangerous-maintenance-tag.yml b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/fixtures/assets/dangerous-maintenance-tag.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2056bcb15
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/fixtures/assets/dangerous-maintenance-tag.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+--- !ruby/object:Collins::Asset
+extras:
+  ATTRIBS:
+    '0':
+      HOSTNAME: web-dc0ce734.ewr01.tumblr.net
+id: 1
+status: Maintenance
+tag: dangerous-maintenance-tag
+type: SERVER_NODE
+state: !ruby/object:Collins::AssetState
+  description: A service in this state is operational.
+  id: 3
+  label: Running
+  name: RUNNING
+  status: !ruby/object:OpenStruct
+    table: {}
+ipmi: !ruby/object:Collins::Ipmi
+  address: 1.2.3.4
+  asset_id: 3812
+  gateway: 1.2.3.1
+  id: 2
+  netmask: 255.255.240.0
+  password: ipmi-test-tag-password
+  username: ipmi-test-tag-user
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/spec/fixtures/assets/safe-allocated-tag.yml b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/fixtures/assets/safe-allocated-tag.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..99377c5d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/fixtures/assets/safe-allocated-tag.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+--- !ruby/object:Collins::Asset
+extras:
+  ATTRIBS:
+    '0':
+      HOSTNAME: web-dc0ce734.ewr01.tumblr.net
+id: 1
+status: Allocated
+tag: safe-allocated-tag
+type: SERVER_NODE
+state: !ruby/object:Collins::AssetState
+  description: A service in this state is operational.
+  id: 3
+  label: Running
+  name: RUNNING
+  status: !ruby/object:OpenStruct
+    table: {}
+ipmi: !ruby/object:Collins::Ipmi
+  address: 1.2.3.4
+  asset_id: 3812
+  gateway: 1.2.3.1
+  id: 2
+  netmask: 255.255.240.0
+  password: ipmi-test-tag-password
+  username: ipmi-test-tag-user
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/spec/fixtures/assets/safe-maintenance-tag.yml b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/fixtures/assets/safe-maintenance-tag.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a44e23142
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/fixtures/assets/safe-maintenance-tag.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+--- !ruby/object:Collins::Asset
+extras:
+  ATTRIBS:
+    '0':
+      HOSTNAME: web-dc0ce734.ewr01.tumblr.net
+id: 1
+status: Maintenance
+tag: safe-maintenance-tag
+type: SERVER_NODE
+state: !ruby/object:Collins::AssetState
+  description: A service in this state is operational.
+  id: 3
+  label: Running
+  name: RUNNING
+  status: !ruby/object:OpenStruct
+    table: {}
+ipmi: !ruby/object:Collins::Ipmi
+  address: 1.2.3.4
+  asset_id: 3812
+  gateway: 1.2.3.1
+  id: 2
+  netmask: 255.255.240.0
+  password: ipmi-test-tag-password
+  username: ipmi-test-tag-user
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/spec/mocks/collins.rb b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/mocks/collins.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ec7066b80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/mocks/collins.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+module MockCollinsMixin
+  require 'collins_client'
+
+  def test_assets
+    Dir.glob('spec/fixtures/assets/*.yml').map do |f|
+      YAML.load(File.read(f))
+    end
+  end
+
+  def get_test_asset tag
+    test_assets.select { |a| a.tag == tag }
+  end
+
+  def mock_collins
+    allow_any_instance_of(Collins::Client).to receive(:find).
+                                               with(Hash).
+                                               and_return([])
+
+    allow_any_instance_of(Collins::Client).to receive(:find).
+                                              with(hash_including(:hostname => 'hostname-with-multiple-assets.dc.net')).
+                                              and_return(['asset1', 'asset2'])
+
+
+    ['safe-allocated-tag', 'safe-maintenance-tag', 'dangerous-allocated-tag', 'dangerous-maintenance-tag'].each do |tag|
+      allow_any_instance_of(Collins::Client).to receive(:find).
+                                                 with(hash_including(:tag => tag)).
+                                                 and_return(get_test_asset(tag))
+    end
+  end
+
+end
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/spec/mocks/collins_auth.rb b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/mocks/collins_auth.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d728235ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/mocks/collins_auth.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+module MockCollinsAuthMixin
+  require 'collins_auth'
+  require 'collins_client'
+
+  def mock_collins_auth
+    allow_any_instance_of(Collins::Authenticator).to receive(:setup_client).
+                                                     and_return(Collins::Client)
+
+  end
+
+end
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/spec/mocks/ping.rb b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/mocks/ping.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..68532709a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/mocks/ping.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+module MockPingMixin
+  require 'net/ping'
+
+  def mock_ping
+    allow_any_instance_of(Net::Ping::External).to receive(:ping?).
+                                                   and_return(true)
+
+  end
+
+end
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/spec/rspec_ipmi b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/rspec_ipmi
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..9462e21e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/rspec_ipmi
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env ruby
+# mock impitool script
+
+require 'optparse'
+
+options = {}
+OptionParser.new do |opts|
+  opts.banner = "Usage: example.rb [options]"
+
+  # compatibility arguments that are ignored
+  opts.on("-I", "--interface [INTERFACE]",  "compatibility with real tool. Ignored")
+  opts.on("-H", "--hostname [HOSTNAME]",    "compatibility with real tool. Ignored")
+  opts.on("-U", "--user [USERNAME]",        "compatibility with real tool. Ignored")
+  opts.on("-P", "--password [PASSWORD]",    "compatibility with real tool. Ignored")
+end.parse!
+
+# ARGV options is the action to take
+# for testing, just return the action taken
+puts ARGV.join(' ')
diff --git a/support/ruby/consolr/spec/spec_helper.rb b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/spec_helper.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b5f06a804
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/ruby/consolr/spec/spec_helper.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+require 'simplecov'
+SimpleCov.start do
+  add_filter "/spec/"
+end
+
+require 'consolr'
+
+# require our mocks
+require 'mocks/collins_auth'
+require 'mocks/collins'
+require 'mocks/ping'
+require 'webmock/rspec'
+
+WebMock.disable_net_connect!()
+
+# make sure we use the rspec config file
+ENV['CONSOLR_CONFIG'] = "#{File.dirname(__FILE__)}/configs/consolr_rspec.yml"
+ENV['COLLINS_CLIENT_CONFIG'] = "#{File.dirname(__FILE__)}/configs/collins_rspec.yml"
+
+RSpec.configure do |config|
+  config.include MockCollinsAuthMixin
+  config.include MockCollinsMixin
+  config.include MockPingMixin
+
+  config.before(:example) do |example|
+    mock_collins_auth
+    mock_collins
+    mock_ping
+  end
+
+end