diff --git a/test/functional/assumevalid.py b/test/functional/assumevalid.py
index 36761d359e2..72da955641b 100755
--- a/test/functional/assumevalid.py
+++ b/test/functional/assumevalid.py
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ class AssumeValidTest(BitcoinTestFramework):
     def send_blocks_until_disconnected(self, p2p_conn):
         """Keep sending blocks to the node until we're disconnected."""
         for i in range(len(self.blocks)):
-            if not p2p_conn.connection:
+            if p2p_conn.state != "connected":
                 break
             try:
                 p2p_conn.send_message(msg_block(self.blocks[i]))
diff --git a/test/functional/bip9-softforks.py b/test/functional/bip9-softforks.py
index 904789301a1..ec4d1d93652 100755
--- a/test/functional/bip9-softforks.py
+++ b/test/functional/bip9-softforks.py
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ class BIP9SoftForksTest(ComparisonTestFramework):
         self.setup_network()
         self.test.add_all_connections(self.nodes)
         NetworkThread().start()
-        self.test.test_nodes[0].wait_for_verack()
+        self.test.p2p_connections[0].wait_for_verack()
 
     def get_tests(self):
         for test in itertools.chain(
diff --git a/test/functional/example_test.py b/test/functional/example_test.py
index ba40f33016f..54cabee51c2 100755
--- a/test/functional/example_test.py
+++ b/test/functional/example_test.py
@@ -49,14 +49,14 @@ class BaseNode(NodeConnCB):
         # Stores a dictionary of all blocks received
         self.block_receive_map = defaultdict(int)
 
-    def on_block(self, conn, message):
+    def on_block(self, message):
         """Override the standard on_block callback
 
         Store the hash of a received block in the dictionary."""
         message.block.calc_sha256()
         self.block_receive_map[message.block.sha256] += 1
 
-    def on_inv(self, conn, message):
+    def on_inv(self, message):
         """Override the standard on_inv callback"""
         pass
 
diff --git a/test/functional/maxuploadtarget.py b/test/functional/maxuploadtarget.py
index 88e2ff2e161..beb0d599d23 100755
--- a/test/functional/maxuploadtarget.py
+++ b/test/functional/maxuploadtarget.py
@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@ class TestNode(NodeConnCB):
         super().__init__()
         self.block_receive_map = defaultdict(int)
 
-    def on_inv(self, conn, message):
+    def on_inv(self, message):
         pass
 
-    def on_block(self, conn, message):
+    def on_block(self, message):
         message.block.calc_sha256()
         self.block_receive_map[message.block.sha256] += 1
 
diff --git a/test/functional/p2p-compactblocks.py b/test/functional/p2p-compactblocks.py
index d2c4d39305b..5aba1db8730 100755
--- a/test/functional/p2p-compactblocks.py
+++ b/test/functional/p2p-compactblocks.py
@@ -25,21 +25,21 @@ class TestNode(NodeConnCB):
         # so we can eg wait until a particular block is announced.
         self.announced_blockhashes = set()
 
-    def on_sendcmpct(self, conn, message):
+    def on_sendcmpct(self, message):
         self.last_sendcmpct.append(message)
 
-    def on_cmpctblock(self, conn, message):
+    def on_cmpctblock(self, message):
         self.block_announced = True
         self.last_message["cmpctblock"].header_and_shortids.header.calc_sha256()
         self.announced_blockhashes.add(self.last_message["cmpctblock"].header_and_shortids.header.sha256)
 
-    def on_headers(self, conn, message):
+    def on_headers(self, message):
         self.block_announced = True
         for x in self.last_message["headers"].headers:
             x.calc_sha256()
             self.announced_blockhashes.add(x.sha256)
 
-    def on_inv(self, conn, message):
+    def on_inv(self, message):
         for x in self.last_message["inv"].inv:
             if x.type == 2:
                 self.block_announced = True
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class TestNode(NodeConnCB):
         msg = msg_getheaders()
         msg.locator.vHave = locator
         msg.hashstop = hashstop
-        self.connection.send_message(msg)
+        self.send_message(msg)
 
     def send_header_for_blocks(self, new_blocks):
         headers_message = msg_headers()
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ class TestNode(NodeConnCB):
         This is used when we want to send a message into the node that we expect
         will get us disconnected, eg an invalid block."""
         self.send_message(message)
-        wait_until(lambda: not self.connected, timeout=timeout, lock=mininode_lock)
+        wait_until(lambda: self.state != "connected", timeout=timeout, lock=mininode_lock)
 
 class CompactBlocksTest(BitcoinTestFramework):
     def set_test_params(self):
diff --git a/test/functional/p2p-feefilter.py b/test/functional/p2p-feefilter.py
index 624278df40d..0ce3c3f4293 100755
--- a/test/functional/p2p-feefilter.py
+++ b/test/functional/p2p-feefilter.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ class TestNode(NodeConnCB):
         super().__init__()
         self.txinvs = []
 
-    def on_inv(self, conn, message):
+    def on_inv(self, message):
         for i in message.inv:
             if (i.type == 1):
                 self.txinvs.append(hashToHex(i.hash))
diff --git a/test/functional/p2p-leaktests.py b/test/functional/p2p-leaktests.py
index 719a03914d0..3634f3836dc 100755
--- a/test/functional/p2p-leaktests.py
+++ b/test/functional/p2p-leaktests.py
@@ -30,43 +30,42 @@ class CLazyNode(NodeConnCB):
         self.unexpected_msg = True
         self.log.info("should not have received message: %s" % message.command)
 
-    def on_open(self, conn):
-        self.connected = True
+    def on_open(self):
         self.ever_connected = True
 
-    def on_version(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_verack(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_reject(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_inv(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_addr(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_getdata(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_getblocks(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_tx(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_block(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_getaddr(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_headers(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_getheaders(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_ping(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_mempool(self, conn): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_pong(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_feefilter(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_sendheaders(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_sendcmpct(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_cmpctblock(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_getblocktxn(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
-    def on_blocktxn(self, conn, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_version(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_verack(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_reject(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_inv(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_addr(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_getdata(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_getblocks(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_tx(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_block(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_getaddr(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_headers(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_getheaders(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_ping(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_mempool(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_pong(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_feefilter(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_sendheaders(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_sendcmpct(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_cmpctblock(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_getblocktxn(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
+    def on_blocktxn(self, message): self.bad_message(message)
 
 # Node that never sends a version. We'll use this to send a bunch of messages
 # anyway, and eventually get disconnected.
 class CNodeNoVersionBan(CLazyNode):
     # send a bunch of veracks without sending a message. This should get us disconnected.
     # NOTE: implementation-specific check here. Remove if bitcoind ban behavior changes
-    def on_open(self, conn):
-        super().on_open(conn)
+    def on_open(self):
+        super().on_open()
         for i in range(banscore):
             self.send_message(msg_verack())
 
-    def on_reject(self, conn, message): pass
+    def on_reject(self, message): pass
 
 # Node that never sends a version. This one just sits idle and hopes to receive
 # any message (it shouldn't!)
@@ -80,15 +79,15 @@ class CNodeNoVerackIdle(CLazyNode):
         self.version_received = False
         super().__init__()
 
-    def on_reject(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_verack(self, conn, message): pass
+    def on_reject(self, message): pass
+    def on_verack(self, message): pass
     # When version is received, don't reply with a verack. Instead, see if the
     # node will give us a message that it shouldn't. This is not an exhaustive
     # list!
-    def on_version(self, conn, message):
+    def on_version(self, message):
         self.version_received = True
-        conn.send_message(msg_ping())
-        conn.send_message(msg_getaddr())
+        self.send_message(msg_ping())
+        self.send_message(msg_getaddr())
 
 class P2PLeakTest(BitcoinTestFramework):
     def set_test_params(self):
@@ -119,11 +118,11 @@ class P2PLeakTest(BitcoinTestFramework):
         time.sleep(5)
 
         #This node should have been banned
-        assert not no_version_bannode.connected
+        assert no_version_bannode.state != "connected"
 
         # These nodes should have been disconnected
-        assert not unsupported_service_bit5_node.connected
-        assert not unsupported_service_bit7_node.connected
+        assert unsupported_service_bit5_node.state != "connected"
+        assert unsupported_service_bit7_node.state != "connected"
 
         self.nodes[0].disconnect_p2ps()
 
diff --git a/test/functional/p2p-segwit.py b/test/functional/p2p-segwit.py
index 586f2d1b799..5776d99f6e1 100755
--- a/test/functional/p2p-segwit.py
+++ b/test/functional/p2p-segwit.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class TestNode(NodeConnCB):
         super().__init__()
         self.getdataset = set()
 
-    def on_getdata(self, conn, message):
+    def on_getdata(self, message):
         for inv in message.inv:
             self.getdataset.add(inv.hash)
 
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ class SegWitTest(BitcoinTestFramework):
     ''' Individual tests '''
     def test_witness_services(self):
         self.log.info("Verifying NODE_WITNESS service bit")
-        assert((self.test_node.connection.nServices & NODE_WITNESS) != 0)
+        assert((self.test_node.nServices & NODE_WITNESS) != 0)
 
 
     # See if sending a regular transaction works, and create a utxo
@@ -1876,11 +1876,11 @@ class SegWitTest(BitcoinTestFramework):
     def run_test(self):
         # Setup the p2p connections and start up the network thread.
         # self.test_node sets NODE_WITNESS|NODE_NETWORK
-        self.test_node = self.nodes[0].add_p2p_connection(p2p_conn=TestNode(), services=NODE_NETWORK|NODE_WITNESS)
+        self.test_node = self.nodes[0].add_p2p_connection(TestNode(), services=NODE_NETWORK|NODE_WITNESS)
         # self.old_node sets only NODE_NETWORK
-        self.old_node = self.nodes[0].add_p2p_connection(p2p_conn=TestNode(), services=NODE_NETWORK)
+        self.old_node = self.nodes[0].add_p2p_connection(TestNode(), services=NODE_NETWORK)
         # self.std_node is for testing node1 (fRequireStandard=true)
-        self.std_node = self.nodes[1].add_p2p_connection(p2p_conn=TestNode(), services=NODE_NETWORK|NODE_WITNESS)
+        self.std_node = self.nodes[1].add_p2p_connection(TestNode(), services=NODE_NETWORK|NODE_WITNESS)
 
         NetworkThread().start() # Start up network handling in another thread
 
diff --git a/test/functional/p2p-timeouts.py b/test/functional/p2p-timeouts.py
index 14a3bf48fbc..21ae29eb6a0 100755
--- a/test/functional/p2p-timeouts.py
+++ b/test/functional/p2p-timeouts.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
 from test_framework.util import *
 
 class TestNode(NodeConnCB):
-    def on_version(self, conn, message):
+    def on_version(self, message):
         # Don't send a verack in response
         pass
 
diff --git a/test/functional/p2p-versionbits-warning.py b/test/functional/p2p-versionbits-warning.py
index 464ca5a3125..a6265f6d9cf 100755
--- a/test/functional/p2p-versionbits-warning.py
+++ b/test/functional/p2p-versionbits-warning.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ WARN_UNKNOWN_RULES_ACTIVE = "unknown new rules activated (versionbit {})".format
 VB_PATTERN = re.compile("^Warning.*versionbit")
 
 class TestNode(NodeConnCB):
-    def on_inv(self, conn, message):
+    def on_inv(self, message):
         pass
 
 class VersionBitsWarningTest(BitcoinTestFramework):
diff --git a/test/functional/sendheaders.py b/test/functional/sendheaders.py
index 68c0d95b4f9..b589d0e8a56 100755
--- a/test/functional/sendheaders.py
+++ b/test/functional/sendheaders.py
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ DIRECT_FETCH_RESPONSE_TIME = 0.05
 class BaseNode(NodeConnCB):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__()
+
         self.block_announced = False
         self.last_blockhash_announced = None
 
@@ -121,18 +122,18 @@ class BaseNode(NodeConnCB):
         msg = msg_getdata()
         for x in block_hashes:
             msg.inv.append(CInv(2, x))
-        self.connection.send_message(msg)
+        self.send_message(msg)
 
     def send_get_headers(self, locator, hashstop):
         msg = msg_getheaders()
         msg.locator.vHave = locator
         msg.hashstop = hashstop
-        self.connection.send_message(msg)
+        self.send_message(msg)
 
     def send_block_inv(self, blockhash):
         msg = msg_inv()
         msg.inv = [CInv(2, blockhash)]
-        self.connection.send_message(msg)
+        self.send_message(msg)
 
     def send_header_for_blocks(self, new_blocks):
         headers_message = msg_headers()
@@ -155,11 +156,11 @@ class BaseNode(NodeConnCB):
         test_function = lambda: self.last_blockhash_announced == block_hash
         wait_until(test_function, timeout=timeout, lock=mininode_lock)
 
-    def on_inv(self, conn, message):
+    def on_inv(self, message):
         self.block_announced = True
         self.last_blockhash_announced = message.inv[-1].hash
 
-    def on_headers(self, conn, message):
+    def on_headers(self, message):
         if len(message.headers):
             self.block_announced = True
             message.headers[-1].calc_sha256()
diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/comptool.py b/test/functional/test_framework/comptool.py
index 723826bae4c..2f64fba7536 100755
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/comptool.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/comptool.py
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ class TestNode(NodeConnCB):
 
     def __init__(self, block_store, tx_store):
         super().__init__()
-        self.conn = None
         self.bestblockhash = None
         self.block_store = block_store
         self.block_request_map = {}
@@ -58,26 +57,23 @@ class TestNode(NodeConnCB):
         self.lastInv = []
         self.closed = False
 
-    def on_close(self, conn):
+    def on_close(self):
         self.closed = True
 
-    def add_connection(self, conn):
-        self.conn = conn
-
-    def on_headers(self, conn, message):
+    def on_headers(self, message):
         if len(message.headers) > 0:
             best_header = message.headers[-1]
             best_header.calc_sha256()
             self.bestblockhash = best_header.sha256
 
-    def on_getheaders(self, conn, message):
+    def on_getheaders(self, message):
         response = self.block_store.headers_for(message.locator, message.hashstop)
         if response is not None:
-            conn.send_message(response)
+            self.send_message(response)
 
-    def on_getdata(self, conn, message):
-        [conn.send_message(r) for r in self.block_store.get_blocks(message.inv)]
-        [conn.send_message(r) for r in self.tx_store.get_transactions(message.inv)]
+    def on_getdata(self, message):
+        [self.send_message(r) for r in self.block_store.get_blocks(message.inv)]
+        [self.send_message(r) for r in self.tx_store.get_transactions(message.inv)]
 
         for i in message.inv:
             if i.type == 1 or i.type == 1 | (1 << 30): # MSG_TX or MSG_WITNESS_TX
@@ -85,16 +81,16 @@ class TestNode(NodeConnCB):
             elif i.type == 2 or i.type == 2 | (1 << 30): # MSG_BLOCK or MSG_WITNESS_BLOCK
                 self.block_request_map[i.hash] = True
 
-    def on_inv(self, conn, message):
+    def on_inv(self, message):
         self.lastInv = [x.hash for x in message.inv]
 
-    def on_pong(self, conn, message):
+    def on_pong(self, message):
         try:
             del self.pingMap[message.nonce]
         except KeyError:
             raise AssertionError("Got pong for unknown ping [%s]" % repr(message))
 
-    def on_reject(self, conn, message):
+    def on_reject(self, message):
         if message.message == b'tx':
             self.tx_reject_map[message.data] = RejectResult(message.code, message.reason)
         if message.message == b'block':
@@ -102,30 +98,30 @@ class TestNode(NodeConnCB):
 
     def send_inv(self, obj):
         mtype = 2 if isinstance(obj, CBlock) else 1
-        self.conn.send_message(msg_inv([CInv(mtype, obj.sha256)]))
+        self.send_message(msg_inv([CInv(mtype, obj.sha256)]))
 
     def send_getheaders(self):
         # We ask for headers from their last tip.
         m = msg_getheaders()
         m.locator = self.block_store.get_locator(self.bestblockhash)
-        self.conn.send_message(m)
+        self.send_message(m)
 
     def send_header(self, header):
         m = msg_headers()
         m.headers.append(header)
-        self.conn.send_message(m)
+        self.send_message(m)
 
     # This assumes BIP31
     def send_ping(self, nonce):
         self.pingMap[nonce] = True
-        self.conn.send_message(msg_ping(nonce))
+        self.send_message(msg_ping(nonce))
 
     def received_ping_response(self, nonce):
         return nonce not in self.pingMap
 
     def send_mempool(self):
         self.lastInv = []
-        self.conn.send_message(msg_mempool())
+        self.send_message(msg_mempool())
 
 # TestInstance:
 #
@@ -166,8 +162,7 @@ class TestManager():
 
     def __init__(self, testgen, datadir):
         self.test_generator = testgen
-        self.connections    = []
-        self.test_nodes     = []
+        self.p2p_connections= []
         self.block_store    = BlockStore(datadir)
         self.tx_store       = TxStore(datadir)
         self.ping_counter   = 1
@@ -175,28 +170,24 @@ class TestManager():
     def add_all_connections(self, nodes):
         for i in range(len(nodes)):
             # Create a p2p connection to each node
-            test_node = TestNode(self.block_store, self.tx_store)
-            self.test_nodes.append(test_node)
-            self.connections.append(NodeConn('127.0.0.1', p2p_port(i), test_node))
-            # Make sure the TestNode (callback class) has a reference to its
-            # associated NodeConn
-            test_node.add_connection(self.connections[-1])
+            node = TestNode(self.block_store, self.tx_store)
+            node.peer_connect('127.0.0.1', p2p_port(i))
+            self.p2p_connections.append(node)
 
     def clear_all_connections(self):
-        self.connections    = []
-        self.test_nodes     = []
+        self.p2p_connections = []
 
     def wait_for_disconnections(self):
         def disconnected():
-            return all(node.closed for node in self.test_nodes)
+            return all(node.closed for node in self.p2p_connections)
         wait_until(disconnected, timeout=10, lock=mininode_lock)
 
     def wait_for_verack(self):
-        return all(node.wait_for_verack() for node in self.test_nodes)
+        return all(node.wait_for_verack() for node in self.p2p_connections)
 
     def wait_for_pings(self, counter):
         def received_pongs():
-            return all(node.received_ping_response(counter) for node in self.test_nodes)
+            return all(node.received_ping_response(counter) for node in self.p2p_connections)
         wait_until(received_pongs, lock=mininode_lock)
 
     # sync_blocks: Wait for all connections to request the blockhash given
@@ -206,17 +197,17 @@ class TestManager():
         def blocks_requested():
             return all(
                 blockhash in node.block_request_map and node.block_request_map[blockhash]
-                for node in self.test_nodes
+                for node in self.p2p_connections
             )
 
         # --> error if not requested
         wait_until(blocks_requested, attempts=20*num_blocks, lock=mininode_lock)
 
         # Send getheaders message
-        [ c.cb.send_getheaders() for c in self.connections ]
+        [ c.send_getheaders() for c in self.p2p_connections ]
 
         # Send ping and wait for response -- synchronization hack
-        [ c.cb.send_ping(self.ping_counter) for c in self.connections ]
+        [ c.send_ping(self.ping_counter) for c in self.p2p_connections ]
         self.wait_for_pings(self.ping_counter)
         self.ping_counter += 1
 
@@ -226,42 +217,42 @@ class TestManager():
         def transaction_requested():
             return all(
                 txhash in node.tx_request_map and node.tx_request_map[txhash]
-                for node in self.test_nodes
+                for node in self.p2p_connections
             )
 
         # --> error if not requested
         wait_until(transaction_requested, attempts=20*num_events, lock=mininode_lock)
 
         # Get the mempool
-        [ c.cb.send_mempool() for c in self.connections ]
+        [ c.send_mempool() for c in self.p2p_connections ]
 
         # Send ping and wait for response -- synchronization hack
-        [ c.cb.send_ping(self.ping_counter) for c in self.connections ]
+        [ c.send_ping(self.ping_counter) for c in self.p2p_connections ]
         self.wait_for_pings(self.ping_counter)
         self.ping_counter += 1
 
         # Sort inv responses from each node
         with mininode_lock:
-            [ c.cb.lastInv.sort() for c in self.connections ]
+            [ c.lastInv.sort() for c in self.p2p_connections ]
 
     # Verify that the tip of each connection all agree with each other, and
     # with the expected outcome (if given)
     def check_results(self, blockhash, outcome):
         with mininode_lock:
-            for c in self.connections:
+            for c in self.p2p_connections:
                 if outcome is None:
-                    if c.cb.bestblockhash != self.connections[0].cb.bestblockhash:
+                    if c.bestblockhash != self.p2p_connections[0].bestblockhash:
                         return False
                 elif isinstance(outcome, RejectResult): # Check that block was rejected w/ code
-                    if c.cb.bestblockhash == blockhash:
+                    if c.bestblockhash == blockhash:
                         return False
-                    if blockhash not in c.cb.block_reject_map:
+                    if blockhash not in c.block_reject_map:
                         logger.error('Block not in reject map: %064x' % (blockhash))
                         return False
-                    if not outcome.match(c.cb.block_reject_map[blockhash]):
-                        logger.error('Block rejected with %s instead of expected %s: %064x' % (c.cb.block_reject_map[blockhash], outcome, blockhash))
+                    if not outcome.match(c.block_reject_map[blockhash]):
+                        logger.error('Block rejected with %s instead of expected %s: %064x' % (c.block_reject_map[blockhash], outcome, blockhash))
                         return False
-                elif ((c.cb.bestblockhash == blockhash) != outcome):
+                elif ((c.bestblockhash == blockhash) != outcome):
                     return False
             return True
 
@@ -273,21 +264,21 @@ class TestManager():
     # a particular tx's existence in the mempool is the same across all nodes.
     def check_mempool(self, txhash, outcome):
         with mininode_lock:
-            for c in self.connections:
+            for c in self.p2p_connections:
                 if outcome is None:
                     # Make sure the mempools agree with each other
-                    if c.cb.lastInv != self.connections[0].cb.lastInv:
+                    if c.lastInv != self.p2p_connections[0].lastInv:
                         return False
                 elif isinstance(outcome, RejectResult): # Check that tx was rejected w/ code
-                    if txhash in c.cb.lastInv:
+                    if txhash in c.lastInv:
                         return False
-                    if txhash not in c.cb.tx_reject_map:
+                    if txhash not in c.tx_reject_map:
                         logger.error('Tx not in reject map: %064x' % (txhash))
                         return False
-                    if not outcome.match(c.cb.tx_reject_map[txhash]):
-                        logger.error('Tx rejected with %s instead of expected %s: %064x' % (c.cb.tx_reject_map[txhash], outcome, txhash))
+                    if not outcome.match(c.tx_reject_map[txhash]):
+                        logger.error('Tx rejected with %s instead of expected %s: %064x' % (c.tx_reject_map[txhash], outcome, txhash))
                         return False
-                elif ((txhash in c.cb.lastInv) != outcome):
+                elif ((txhash in c.lastInv) != outcome):
                     return False
             return True
 
@@ -332,25 +323,25 @@ class TestManager():
                         first_block_with_hash = False
                     with mininode_lock:
                         self.block_store.add_block(block)
-                        for c in self.connections:
-                            if first_block_with_hash and block.sha256 in c.cb.block_request_map and c.cb.block_request_map[block.sha256] == True:
+                        for c in self.p2p_connections:
+                            if first_block_with_hash and block.sha256 in c.block_request_map and c.block_request_map[block.sha256] == True:
                                 # There was a previous request for this block hash
                                 # Most likely, we delivered a header for this block
                                 # but never had the block to respond to the getdata
                                 c.send_message(msg_block(block))
                             else:
-                                c.cb.block_request_map[block.sha256] = False
+                                c.block_request_map[block.sha256] = False
                     # Either send inv's to each node and sync, or add
                     # to invqueue for later inv'ing.
                     if (test_instance.sync_every_block):
                         # if we expect success, send inv and sync every block
                         # if we expect failure, just push the block and see what happens.
                         if outcome == True:
-                            [ c.cb.send_inv(block) for c in self.connections ]
+                            [ c.send_inv(block) for c in self.p2p_connections ]
                             self.sync_blocks(block.sha256, 1)
                         else:
-                            [ c.send_message(msg_block(block)) for c in self.connections ]
-                            [ c.cb.send_ping(self.ping_counter) for c in self.connections ]
+                            [ c.send_message(msg_block(block)) for c in self.p2p_connections ]
+                            [ c.send_ping(self.ping_counter) for c in self.p2p_connections ]
                             self.wait_for_pings(self.ping_counter)
                             self.ping_counter += 1
                         if (not self.check_results(tip, outcome)):
@@ -360,7 +351,7 @@ class TestManager():
                 elif isinstance(b_or_t, CBlockHeader):
                     block_header = b_or_t
                     self.block_store.add_header(block_header)
-                    [ c.cb.send_header(block_header) for c in self.connections ]
+                    [ c.send_header(block_header) for c in self.p2p_connections ]
 
                 else:  # Tx test runner
                     assert(isinstance(b_or_t, CTransaction))
@@ -369,11 +360,11 @@ class TestManager():
                     # Add to shared tx store and clear map entry
                     with mininode_lock:
                         self.tx_store.add_transaction(tx)
-                        for c in self.connections:
-                            c.cb.tx_request_map[tx.sha256] = False
+                        for c in self.p2p_connections:
+                            c.tx_request_map[tx.sha256] = False
                     # Again, either inv to all nodes or save for later
                     if (test_instance.sync_every_tx):
-                        [ c.cb.send_inv(tx) for c in self.connections ]
+                        [ c.send_inv(tx) for c in self.p2p_connections ]
                         self.sync_transaction(tx.sha256, 1)
                         if (not self.check_mempool(tx.sha256, outcome)):
                             raise AssertionError("Test failed at test %d" % test_number)
@@ -381,26 +372,26 @@ class TestManager():
                         invqueue.append(CInv(1, tx.sha256))
                 # Ensure we're not overflowing the inv queue
                 if len(invqueue) == MAX_INV_SZ:
-                    [ c.send_message(msg_inv(invqueue)) for c in self.connections ]
+                    [ c.send_message(msg_inv(invqueue)) for c in self.p2p_connections ]
                     invqueue = []
 
             # Do final sync if we weren't syncing on every block or every tx.
             if (not test_instance.sync_every_block and block is not None):
                 if len(invqueue) > 0:
-                    [ c.send_message(msg_inv(invqueue)) for c in self.connections ]
+                    [ c.send_message(msg_inv(invqueue)) for c in self.p2p_connections ]
                     invqueue = []
                 self.sync_blocks(block.sha256, len(test_instance.blocks_and_transactions))
                 if (not self.check_results(tip, block_outcome)):
                     raise AssertionError("Block test failed at test %d" % test_number)
             if (not test_instance.sync_every_tx and tx is not None):
                 if len(invqueue) > 0:
-                    [ c.send_message(msg_inv(invqueue)) for c in self.connections ]
+                    [ c.send_message(msg_inv(invqueue)) for c in self.p2p_connections ]
                     invqueue = []
                 self.sync_transaction(tx.sha256, len(test_instance.blocks_and_transactions))
                 if (not self.check_mempool(tx.sha256, tx_outcome)):
                     raise AssertionError("Mempool test failed at test %d" % test_number)
 
-        [ c.disconnect_node() for c in self.connections ]
+        [ c.disconnect_node() for c in self.p2p_connections ]
         self.wait_for_disconnections()
         self.block_store.close()
         self.tx_store.close()
diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/mininode.py b/test/functional/test_framework/mininode.py
index 2b888949f4b..09a382c727a 100755
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/mininode.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/mininode.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import sys
 from threading import RLock, Thread
 
 from test_framework.messages import *
+from test_framework.util import wait_until
 
 logger = logging.getLogger("TestFramework.mininode")
 
@@ -57,12 +58,24 @@ MAGIC_BYTES = {
 }
 
 class NodeConn(asyncore.dispatcher):
-    """The actual NodeConn class
+    """A low-level connection object to a node's P2P interface.
 
-    This class provides an interface for a p2p connection to a specified node."""
+    This class is responsible for:
 
-    def __init__(self, dstaddr, dstport, callback, net="regtest", services=NODE_NETWORK|NODE_WITNESS, send_version=True):
-        asyncore.dispatcher.__init__(self, map=mininode_socket_map)
+    - opening and closing the TCP connection to the node
+    - reading bytes from and writing bytes to the socket
+    - deserializing and serializing the P2P message header
+    - logging messages as they are sent and received
+
+    This class contains no logic for handing the P2P message payloads. It must be
+    sub-classed and the on_message() callback overridden.
+
+    TODO: rename this class P2PConnection."""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__(map=mininode_socket_map)
+
+    def peer_connect(self, dstaddr, dstport, net="regtest", services=NODE_NETWORK|NODE_WITNESS, send_version=True):
         self.dstaddr = dstaddr
         self.dstport = dstport
         self.create_socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
@@ -71,9 +84,7 @@ class NodeConn(asyncore.dispatcher):
         self.recvbuf = b""
         self.state = "connecting"
         self.network = net
-        self.cb = callback
         self.disconnect = False
-        self.nServices = 0
 
         if send_version:
             # stuff version msg into sendbuf
@@ -92,6 +103,11 @@ class NodeConn(asyncore.dispatcher):
         except:
             self.handle_close()
 
+    def peer_disconnect(self):
+        # Connection could have already been closed by other end.
+        if self.state == "connected":
+            self.disconnect_node()
+
     # Connection and disconnection methods
 
     def handle_connect(self):
@@ -99,7 +115,7 @@ class NodeConn(asyncore.dispatcher):
         if self.state != "connected":
             logger.debug("Connected & Listening: %s:%d" % (self.dstaddr, self.dstport))
             self.state = "connected"
-            self.cb.on_open(self)
+            self.on_open()
 
     def handle_close(self):
         """asyncore callback when a connection is closed."""
@@ -111,7 +127,7 @@ class NodeConn(asyncore.dispatcher):
             self.close()
         except:
             pass
-        self.cb.on_close(self)
+        self.on_close()
 
     def disconnect_node(self):
         """Disconnect the p2p connection.
@@ -166,8 +182,8 @@ class NodeConn(asyncore.dispatcher):
             raise
 
     def on_message(self, message):
-        """Callback for processing a P2P payload. Calls into NodeConnCB."""
-        self.cb.on_message(self, message)
+        """Callback for processing a P2P payload. Must be overridden by derived class."""
+        raise NotImplementedError
 
     # Socket write methods
 
@@ -238,15 +254,19 @@ class NodeConn(asyncore.dispatcher):
         logger.debug(log_message)
 
 
-class NodeConnCB():
-    """Callback and helper functions for P2P connection to a bitcoind node.
+class NodeConnCB(NodeConn):
+    """A high-level P2P interface class for communicating with a Bitcoin node.
+
+    This class provides high-level callbacks for processing P2P message
+    payloads, as well as convenience methods for interacting with the
+    node over P2P.
 
     Individual testcases should subclass this and override the on_* methods
-    if they want to alter message handling behaviour."""
+    if they want to alter message handling behaviour.
+
+    TODO: rename this class P2PInterface"""
     def __init__(self):
-        # Track whether we have a P2P connection open to the node
-        self.connected = False
-        self.connection = None
+        super().__init__()
 
         # Track number of messages of each type received and the most recent
         # message of each type
@@ -256,9 +276,12 @@ class NodeConnCB():
         # A count of the number of ping messages we've sent to the node
         self.ping_counter = 1
 
+        # The network services received from the peer
+        self.nServices = 0
+
     # Message receiving methods
 
-    def on_message(self, conn, message):
+    def on_message(self, message):
         """Receive message and dispatch message to appropriate callback.
 
         We keep a count of how many of each message type has been received
@@ -268,66 +291,61 @@ class NodeConnCB():
                 command = message.command.decode('ascii')
                 self.message_count[command] += 1
                 self.last_message[command] = message
-                getattr(self, 'on_' + command)(conn, message)
+                getattr(self, 'on_' + command)(message)
             except:
-                print("ERROR delivering %s (%s)" % (repr(message),
-                                                    sys.exc_info()[0]))
+                print("ERROR delivering %s (%s)" % (repr(message), sys.exc_info()[0]))
                 raise
 
     # Callback methods. Can be overridden by subclasses in individual test
     # cases to provide custom message handling behaviour.
 
-    def on_open(self, conn):
-        self.connected = True
+    def on_open(self):
+        pass
 
-    def on_close(self, conn):
-        self.connected = False
-        self.connection = None
+    def on_close(self):
+        pass
 
-    def on_addr(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_block(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_blocktxn(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_cmpctblock(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_feefilter(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_getaddr(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_getblocks(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_getblocktxn(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_getdata(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_getheaders(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_headers(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_mempool(self, conn): pass
-    def on_pong(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_reject(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_sendcmpct(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_sendheaders(self, conn, message): pass
-    def on_tx(self, conn, message): pass
+    def on_addr(self, message): pass
+    def on_block(self, message): pass
+    def on_blocktxn(self, message): pass
+    def on_cmpctblock(self, message): pass
+    def on_feefilter(self, message): pass
+    def on_getaddr(self, message): pass
+    def on_getblocks(self, message): pass
+    def on_getblocktxn(self, message): pass
+    def on_getdata(self, message): pass
+    def on_getheaders(self, message): pass
+    def on_headers(self, message): pass
+    def on_mempool(self, message): pass
+    def on_pong(self, message): pass
+    def on_reject(self, message): pass
+    def on_sendcmpct(self, message): pass
+    def on_sendheaders(self, message): pass
+    def on_tx(self, message): pass
 
-    def on_inv(self, conn, message):
+    def on_inv(self, message):
         want = msg_getdata()
         for i in message.inv:
             if i.type != 0:
                 want.inv.append(i)
         if len(want.inv):
-            conn.send_message(want)
+            self.send_message(want)
 
-    def on_ping(self, conn, message):
-        conn.send_message(msg_pong(message.nonce))
+    def on_ping(self, message):
+        self.send_message(msg_pong(message.nonce))
 
-    def on_verack(self, conn, message):
+    def on_verack(self, message):
         self.verack_received = True
 
-    def on_version(self, conn, message):
+    def on_version(self, message):
         assert message.nVersion >= MIN_VERSION_SUPPORTED, "Version {} received. Test framework only supports versions greater than {}".format(message.nVersion, MIN_VERSION_SUPPORTED)
-        conn.send_message(msg_verack())
-        conn.nServices = message.nServices
+        self.send_message(msg_verack())
+        self.nServices = message.nServices
 
     # Connection helper methods
 
-    def add_connection(self, conn):
-        self.connection = conn
-
     def wait_for_disconnect(self, timeout=60):
-        test_function = lambda: not self.connected
+        test_function = lambda: self.state != "connected"
         wait_until(test_function, timeout=timeout, lock=mininode_lock)
 
     # Message receiving helper methods
@@ -359,12 +377,6 @@ class NodeConnCB():
 
     # Message sending helper functions
 
-    def send_message(self, message):
-        if self.connection:
-            self.connection.send_message(message)
-        else:
-            logger.error("Cannot send message. No connection to node!")
-
     def send_and_ping(self, message):
         self.send_message(message)
         self.sync_with_ping()
diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/test_node.py b/test/functional/test_framework/test_node.py
index 34b458482a8..a9248c764e3 100755
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/test_node.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/test_node.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ import subprocess
 import time
 
 from .authproxy import JSONRPCException
-from .mininode import NodeConn
 from .util import (
     assert_equal,
     get_rpc_proxy,
@@ -158,7 +157,7 @@ class TestNode():
         self.encryptwallet(passphrase)
         self.wait_until_stopped()
 
-    def add_p2p_connection(self, p2p_conn, **kwargs):
+    def add_p2p_connection(self, p2p_conn, *args, **kwargs):
         """Add a p2p connection to the node.
 
         This method adds the p2p connection to the self.p2ps list and also
@@ -167,9 +166,9 @@ class TestNode():
             kwargs['dstport'] = p2p_port(self.index)
         if 'dstaddr' not in kwargs:
             kwargs['dstaddr'] = '127.0.0.1'
+
+        p2p_conn.peer_connect(*args, **kwargs)
         self.p2ps.append(p2p_conn)
-        kwargs.update({'callback': p2p_conn})
-        p2p_conn.add_connection(NodeConn(**kwargs))
 
         return p2p_conn
 
@@ -185,10 +184,8 @@ class TestNode():
     def disconnect_p2ps(self):
         """Close all p2p connections to the node."""
         for p in self.p2ps:
-            # Connection could have already been closed by other end.
-            if p.connection is not None:
-                p.connection.disconnect_node()
-        self.p2ps = []
+            p.peer_disconnect()
+        del self.p2ps[:]
 
 
 class TestNodeCLI():