diff --git a/app/api_report.go b/app/api_report.go
index f96cdc030..0aa046f04 100644
--- a/app/api_report.go
+++ b/app/api_report.go
@@ -2,12 +2,13 @@ package app
 
 import (
 	"net/http"
+
+	"golang.org/x/net/context"
 )
 
 // Raw report handler
-func makeRawReportHandler(rep Reporter) func(http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request) {
-	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		// r.ParseForm()
-		respondWith(w, http.StatusOK, rep.Report())
+func makeRawReportHandler(rep Reporter) CtxHandlerFunc {
+	return func(ctx context.Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		respondWith(w, http.StatusOK, rep.Report(ctx))
 	}
 }
diff --git a/app/api_topologies.go b/app/api_topologies.go
index 37f4f20eb..4d2e424e8 100644
--- a/app/api_topologies.go
+++ b/app/api_topologies.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 
 	"github.com/gorilla/mux"
+	"golang.org/x/net/context"
 
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/render"
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/report"
@@ -192,9 +193,9 @@ func (r *registry) walk(f func(APITopologyDesc)) {
 }
 
 // makeTopologyList returns a handler that yields an APITopologyList.
-func (r *registry) makeTopologyList(rep Reporter) func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
-		topologies := r.renderTopologies(rep.Report(), req)
+func (r *registry) makeTopologyList(rep Reporter) CtxHandlerFunc {
+	return func(ctx context.Context, w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
+		topologies := r.renderTopologies(rep.Report(ctx), req)
 		respondWith(w, http.StatusOK, topologies)
 	}
 }
@@ -252,27 +253,27 @@ func renderedForRequest(r *http.Request, topology APITopologyDesc) render.Render
 	return renderer
 }
 
-type reportRenderHandler func(Reporter, render.Renderer, http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request)
+type reportRenderHandler func(context.Context, Reporter, render.Renderer, http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request)
 
-func (r *registry) captureRenderer(rep Reporter, f reportRenderHandler) http.HandlerFunc {
-	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
+func (r *registry) captureRenderer(rep Reporter, f reportRenderHandler) CtxHandlerFunc {
+	return func(ctx context.Context, w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
 		topology, ok := r.get(mux.Vars(req)["topology"])
 		if !ok {
 			http.NotFound(w, req)
 			return
 		}
 		renderer := renderedForRequest(req, topology)
-		f(rep, renderer, w, req)
+		f(ctx, rep, renderer, w, req)
 	}
 }
 
-func (r *registry) captureRendererWithoutFilters(rep Reporter, topologyID string, f reportRenderHandler) http.HandlerFunc {
-	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
+func (r *registry) captureRendererWithoutFilters(rep Reporter, topologyID string, f reportRenderHandler) CtxHandlerFunc {
+	return func(ctx context.Context, w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
 		topology, ok := r.get(topologyID)
 		if !ok {
 			http.NotFound(w, req)
 			return
 		}
-		f(rep, topology.renderer, w, req)
+		f(ctx, rep, topology.renderer, w, req)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/app/api_topology.go b/app/api_topology.go
index 65aba207b..855e671fe 100644
--- a/app/api_topology.go
+++ b/app/api_topology.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 
 	log "github.com/Sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/gorilla/websocket"
+	"golang.org/x/net/context"
 
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/common/xfer"
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/render"
@@ -28,14 +29,14 @@ type APINode struct {
 }
 
 // Full topology.
-func handleTopology(rep Reporter, renderer render.Renderer, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+func handleTopology(ctx context.Context, rep Reporter, renderer render.Renderer, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	respondWith(w, http.StatusOK, APITopology{
-		Nodes: renderer.Render(rep.Report()).Prune(),
+		Nodes: renderer.Render(rep.Report(ctx)).Prune(),
 	})
 }
 
 // Websocket for the full topology. This route overlaps with the next.
-func handleWs(rep Reporter, renderer render.Renderer, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+func handleWs(ctx context.Context, rep Reporter, renderer render.Renderer, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	if err := r.ParseForm(); err != nil {
 		respondWith(w, http.StatusInternalServerError, err.Error())
 		return
@@ -48,15 +49,15 @@ func handleWs(rep Reporter, renderer render.Renderer, w http.ResponseWriter, r *
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	handleWebsocket(w, r, rep, renderer, loop)
+	handleWebsocket(ctx, w, r, rep, renderer, loop)
 }
 
 // Individual nodes.
-func handleNode(nodeID string) func(Reporter, render.Renderer, http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request) {
-	return func(rep Reporter, renderer render.Renderer, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+func handleNode(nodeID string) func(context.Context, Reporter, render.Renderer, http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request) {
+	return func(ctx context.Context, rep Reporter, renderer render.Renderer, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		var (
-			rpt      = rep.Report()
-			node, ok = renderer.Render(rep.Report())[nodeID]
+			rpt      = rep.Report(ctx)
+			node, ok = renderer.Render(rep.Report(ctx))[nodeID]
 		)
 		if !ok {
 			http.NotFound(w, r)
@@ -71,6 +72,7 @@ var upgrader = websocket.Upgrader{
 }
 
 func handleWebsocket(
+	ctx context.Context,
 	w http.ResponseWriter,
 	r *http.Request,
 	rep Reporter,
@@ -88,6 +90,7 @@ func handleWebsocket(
 	go func(c *websocket.Conn) {
 		for { // just discard everything the browser sends
 			if _, _, err := c.NextReader(); err != nil {
+				log.Println("err:", err)
 				close(quit)
 				break
 			}
@@ -99,15 +102,16 @@ func handleWebsocket(
 		tick         = time.Tick(loop)
 		wait         = make(chan struct{}, 1)
 	)
-	rep.WaitOn(wait)
-	defer rep.UnWait(wait)
+	rep.WaitOn(ctx, wait)
+	defer rep.UnWait(ctx, wait)
 
 	for {
-		newTopo := renderer.Render(rep.Report()).Prune()
+		newTopo := renderer.Render(rep.Report(ctx)).Prune()
 		diff := render.TopoDiff(previousTopo, newTopo)
 		previousTopo = newTopo
 
 		if err := conn.SetWriteDeadline(time.Now().Add(websocketTimeout)); err != nil {
+			log.Println("err:", err)
 			return
 		}
 
diff --git a/app/collector.go b/app/collector.go
index fff99788c..6c2f72730 100644
--- a/app/collector.go
+++ b/app/collector.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/spaolacci/murmur3"
+	"golang.org/x/net/context"
 
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/report"
 )
@@ -13,15 +14,15 @@ import (
 // Reporter is something that can produce reports on demand. It's a convenient
 // interface for parts of the app, and several experimental components.
 type Reporter interface {
-	Report() report.Report
-	WaitOn(chan struct{})
-	UnWait(chan struct{})
+	Report(context.Context) report.Report
+	WaitOn(context.Context, chan struct{})
+	UnWait(context.Context, chan struct{})
 }
 
 // Adder is something that can accept reports. It's a convenient interface for
 // parts of the app, and several experimental components.
 type Adder interface {
-	Add(report.Report)
+	Add(context.Context, report.Report)
 }
 
 // A Collector is a Reporter and an Adder
@@ -45,13 +46,13 @@ type waitableCondition struct {
 	waiters map[chan struct{}]struct{}
 }
 
-func (wc *waitableCondition) WaitOn(waiter chan struct{}) {
+func (wc *waitableCondition) WaitOn(_ context.Context, waiter chan struct{}) {
 	wc.Lock()
 	wc.waiters[waiter] = struct{}{}
 	wc.Unlock()
 }
 
-func (wc *waitableCondition) UnWait(waiter chan struct{}) {
+func (wc *waitableCondition) UnWait(_ context.Context, waiter chan struct{}) {
 	wc.Lock()
 	delete(wc.waiters, waiter)
 	wc.Unlock()
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ func NewCollector(window time.Duration) Collector {
 var now = time.Now
 
 // Add adds a report to the collector's internal state. It implements Adder.
-func (c *collector) Add(rpt report.Report) {
+func (c *collector) Add(_ context.Context, rpt report.Report) {
 	c.mtx.Lock()
 	defer c.mtx.Unlock()
 	c.reports = append(c.reports, timestampReport{now(), rpt})
@@ -95,7 +96,7 @@ func (c *collector) Add(rpt report.Report) {
 
 // Report returns a merged report over all added reports. It implements
 // Reporter.
-func (c *collector) Report() report.Report {
+func (c *collector) Report(_ context.Context) report.Report {
 	c.mtx.Lock()
 	defer c.mtx.Unlock()
 
diff --git a/app/collector_test.go b/app/collector_test.go
index 672e4f433..4e8400cdf 100644
--- a/app/collector_test.go
+++ b/app/collector_test.go
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"golang.org/x/net/context"
+
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/app"
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/report"
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/test"
@@ -11,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestCollector(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
 	window := time.Millisecond
 	c := app.NewCollector(window)
 
@@ -20,32 +23,33 @@ func TestCollector(t *testing.T) {
 	r2 := report.MakeReport()
 	r2.Endpoint.AddNode("bar", report.MakeNode())
 
-	if want, have := report.MakeReport(), c.Report(); !reflect.DeepEqual(want, have) {
+	if want, have := report.MakeReport(), c.Report(ctx); !reflect.DeepEqual(want, have) {
 		t.Error(test.Diff(want, have))
 	}
 
-	c.Add(r1)
-	if want, have := r1, c.Report(); !reflect.DeepEqual(want, have) {
+	c.Add(ctx, r1)
+	if want, have := r1, c.Report(ctx); !reflect.DeepEqual(want, have) {
 		t.Error(test.Diff(want, have))
 	}
 
-	c.Add(r2)
+	c.Add(ctx, r2)
 
 	merged := report.MakeReport()
 	merged = merged.Merge(r1)
 	merged = merged.Merge(r2)
-	if want, have := merged, c.Report(); !reflect.DeepEqual(want, have) {
+	if want, have := merged, c.Report(ctx); !reflect.DeepEqual(want, have) {
 		t.Error(test.Diff(want, have))
 	}
 }
 
 func TestCollectorWait(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
 	window := time.Millisecond
 	c := app.NewCollector(window)
 
 	waiter := make(chan struct{}, 1)
-	c.WaitOn(waiter)
-	defer c.UnWait(waiter)
+	c.WaitOn(ctx, waiter)
+	defer c.UnWait(ctx, waiter)
 	c.(interface {
 		Broadcast()
 	}).Broadcast()
diff --git a/app/control_router.go b/app/control_router.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..dd28febec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/control_router.go
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"math/rand"
+	"sync"
+
+	"golang.org/x/net/context"
+
+	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/common/xfer"
+)
+
+// ControlRouter is a thing that can route control requests and responses
+// between the UI and a probe.
+type ControlRouter interface {
+	Handle(ctx context.Context, probeID string, req xfer.Request) (xfer.Response, error)
+	Register(ctx context.Context, probeID string, handler xfer.ControlHandlerFunc) (int64, error)
+	Deregister(ctx context.Context, probeID string, id int64) error
+}
+
+// NewLocalControlRouter creates a new ControlRouter that does everything
+// locally, in memory.
+func NewLocalControlRouter() ControlRouter {
+	return &localControlRouter{
+		probes: map[string]probe{},
+	}
+}
+
+type localControlRouter struct {
+	sync.Mutex
+	probes map[string]probe
+}
+
+type probe struct {
+	id      int64
+	handler xfer.ControlHandlerFunc
+}
+
+func (l *localControlRouter) Handle(_ context.Context, probeID string, req xfer.Request) (xfer.Response, error) {
+	l.Lock()
+	probe, ok := l.probes[probeID]
+	l.Unlock()
+	if !ok {
+		return xfer.Response{}, fmt.Errorf("Probe %s is not connected right now...", probeID)
+	}
+	return probe.handler(req), nil
+}
+
+func (l *localControlRouter) Register(_ context.Context, probeID string, handler xfer.ControlHandlerFunc) (int64, error) {
+	l.Lock()
+	defer l.Unlock()
+	id := rand.Int63()
+	l.probes[probeID] = probe{
+		id:      id,
+		handler: handler,
+	}
+	return id, nil
+}
+
+func (l *localControlRouter) Deregister(_ context.Context, probeID string, id int64) error {
+	l.Lock()
+	defer l.Unlock()
+	// NB probe might have reconnected in the mean time, need to ensure we do not
+	// delete new connection!  Also, it might have connected then deleted itself!
+	if l.probes[probeID].id == id {
+		delete(l.probes, probeID)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/app/controls.go b/app/controls.go
index 0f5c38f6b..791d922c7 100644
--- a/app/controls.go
+++ b/app/controls.go
@@ -1,122 +1,84 @@
 package app
 
 import (
-	"math/rand"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/rpc"
-	"sync"
 
 	log "github.com/Sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/gorilla/mux"
+	"golang.org/x/net/context"
 
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/common/xfer"
 )
 
 // RegisterControlRoutes registers the various control routes with a http mux.
-func RegisterControlRoutes(router *mux.Router) {
-	controlRouter := &controlRouter{
-		probes: map[string]controlHandler{},
-	}
-	router.Methods("GET").Path("/api/control/ws").HandlerFunc(controlRouter.handleProbeWS)
-	router.Methods("POST").MatcherFunc(URLMatcher("/api/control/{probeID}/{nodeID}/{control}")).HandlerFunc(controlRouter.handleControl)
-}
-
-type controlHandler struct {
-	id     int64
-	client *rpc.Client
-}
-
-type controlRouter struct {
-	sync.Mutex
-	probes map[string]controlHandler
-}
-
-func (ch *controlHandler) handle(req xfer.Request) xfer.Response {
-	var res xfer.Response
-	if err := ch.client.Call("control.Handle", req, &res); err != nil {
-		return xfer.ResponseError(err)
-	}
-	return res
-}
-
-func (cr *controlRouter) get(probeID string) (controlHandler, bool) {
-	cr.Lock()
-	defer cr.Unlock()
-	handler, ok := cr.probes[probeID]
-	return handler, ok
-}
-
-func (cr *controlRouter) set(probeID string, handler controlHandler) {
-	cr.Lock()
-	defer cr.Unlock()
-	cr.probes[probeID] = handler
-}
-
-func (cr *controlRouter) rm(probeID string, handler controlHandler) {
-	cr.Lock()
-	defer cr.Unlock()
-	// NB probe might have reconnected in the mean time, need to ensure we do not
-	// delete new connection!  Also, it might have connected then deleted itself!
-	if cr.probes[probeID].id == handler.id {
-		delete(cr.probes, probeID)
-	}
+func RegisterControlRoutes(router *mux.Router, cr ControlRouter) {
+	router.Methods("GET").Path("/api/control/ws").
+		HandlerFunc(requestContextDecorator(handleProbeWS(cr)))
+	router.Methods("POST").MatcherFunc(URLMatcher("/api/control/{probeID}/{nodeID}/{control}")).
+		HandlerFunc(requestContextDecorator(handleControl(cr)))
 }
 
 // handleControl routes control requests from the client to the appropriate
 // probe.  Its is blocking.
-func (cr *controlRouter) handleControl(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	var (
-		vars    = mux.Vars(r)
-		probeID = vars["probeID"]
-		nodeID  = vars["nodeID"]
-		control = vars["control"]
-	)
-	handler, ok := cr.get(probeID)
-	if !ok {
-		log.Errorf("Probe %s is not connected right now...", probeID)
-		http.NotFound(w, r)
-		return
+func handleControl(cr ControlRouter) CtxHandlerFunc {
+	return func(ctx context.Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		var (
+			vars    = mux.Vars(r)
+			probeID = vars["probeID"]
+			nodeID  = vars["nodeID"]
+			control = vars["control"]
+		)
+		result, err := cr.Handle(ctx, probeID, xfer.Request{
+			AppID:   UniqueID,
+			NodeID:  nodeID,
+			Control: control,
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			respondWith(w, http.StatusBadRequest, err.Error())
+			return
+		}
+		if result.Error != "" {
+			respondWith(w, http.StatusBadRequest, result.Error)
+			return
+		}
+		respondWith(w, http.StatusOK, result)
 	}
-
-	result := handler.handle(xfer.Request{
-		AppID:   UniqueID,
-		NodeID:  nodeID,
-		Control: control,
-	})
-	if result.Error != "" {
-		respondWith(w, http.StatusBadRequest, result.Error)
-		return
-	}
-	respondWith(w, http.StatusOK, result)
 }
 
 // handleProbeWS accepts websocket connections from the probe and registers
 // them in the control router, such that HandleControl calls can find them.
-func (cr *controlRouter) handleProbeWS(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	probeID := r.Header.Get(xfer.ScopeProbeIDHeader)
-	if probeID == "" {
-		respondWith(w, http.StatusBadRequest, xfer.ScopeProbeIDHeader)
-		return
+func handleProbeWS(cr ControlRouter) CtxHandlerFunc {
+	return func(ctx context.Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		probeID := r.Header.Get(xfer.ScopeProbeIDHeader)
+		if probeID == "" {
+			respondWith(w, http.StatusBadRequest, xfer.ScopeProbeIDHeader)
+			return
+		}
+
+		conn, err := upgrader.Upgrade(w, r, nil)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Printf("Error upgrading control websocket: %v", err)
+			return
+		}
+		defer conn.Close()
+
+		codec := xfer.NewJSONWebsocketCodec(conn)
+		client := rpc.NewClientWithCodec(codec)
+		defer client.Close()
+
+		id, err := cr.Register(ctx, probeID, func(req xfer.Request) xfer.Response {
+			var res xfer.Response
+			if err := client.Call("control.Handle", req, &res); err != nil {
+				return xfer.ResponseError(err)
+			}
+			return res
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			respondWith(w, http.StatusBadRequest, err.Error())
+			return
+		}
+		defer cr.Deregister(ctx, probeID, id)
+		codec.WaitForReadError()
 	}
-
-	conn, err := upgrader.Upgrade(w, r, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("Error upgrading to websocket: %v", err)
-		return
-	}
-	defer conn.Close()
-
-	codec := xfer.NewJSONWebsocketCodec(conn)
-	client := rpc.NewClientWithCodec(codec)
-	handler := controlHandler{
-		id:     rand.Int63(),
-		client: client,
-	}
-
-	cr.set(probeID, handler)
-
-	codec.WaitForReadError()
-
-	cr.rm(probeID, handler)
-	client.Close()
 }
diff --git a/app/controls_test.go b/app/controls_test.go
index ff01023e8..2e1a7c520 100644
--- a/app/controls_test.go
+++ b/app/controls_test.go
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import (
 
 func TestControl(t *testing.T) {
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
-	app.RegisterControlRoutes(router)
+	app.RegisterControlRoutes(router, app.NewLocalControlRouter())
 	server := httptest.NewServer(router)
 	defer server.Close()
 
diff --git a/app/mock_reporter_test.go b/app/mock_reporter_test.go
index 625791dec..b5efe5e5b 100644
--- a/app/mock_reporter_test.go
+++ b/app/mock_reporter_test.go
@@ -3,12 +3,14 @@ package app_test
 import (
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/report"
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/test/fixture"
+
+	"golang.org/x/net/context"
 )
 
 // StaticReport is used as a fixture in tests. It emulates an xfer.Collector.
 type StaticReport struct{}
 
-func (s StaticReport) Report() report.Report { return fixture.Report }
-func (s StaticReport) Add(report.Report)     {}
-func (s StaticReport) WaitOn(chan struct{})  {}
-func (s StaticReport) UnWait(chan struct{})  {}
+func (s StaticReport) Report(context.Context) report.Report  { return fixture.Report }
+func (s StaticReport) Add(context.Context, report.Report)    {}
+func (s StaticReport) WaitOn(context.Context, chan struct{}) {}
+func (s StaticReport) UnWait(context.Context, chan struct{}) {}
diff --git a/app/pipe_router.go b/app/pipe_router.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5bdfdf9c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/pipe_router.go
@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+package app
+
+import (
+	"io"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/Sirupsen/logrus"
+	"golang.org/x/net/context"
+
+	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/common/mtime"
+	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/common/xfer"
+)
+
+const (
+	gcInterval  = 30 * time.Second // we check all the pipes every 30s
+	pipeTimeout = 1 * time.Minute  // pipes are closed when a client hasn't been connected for 1 minute
+	gcTimeout   = 10 * time.Minute // after another 10 minutes, tombstoned pipes are forgotten
+)
+
+// End is an enum for either end of the pipe.
+type End int
+
+// Valid values of type End
+const (
+	UIEnd = iota
+	ProbeEnd
+)
+
+// PipeRouter stores pipes and allows you to connect to either end of them.
+type PipeRouter interface {
+	Get(context.Context, string, End) (xfer.Pipe, io.ReadWriter, bool)
+	Release(context.Context, string, End)
+	Delete(context.Context, string)
+	Stop()
+}
+
+// PipeRouter connects incoming and outgoing pipes.
+type localPipeRouter struct {
+	sync.Mutex
+	wait  sync.WaitGroup
+	quit  chan struct{}
+	pipes map[string]*pipe
+}
+
+// for each end of the pipe, we keep a reference count & lastUsedTIme,
+// such that we can timeout pipes when either end is inactive.
+type pipe struct {
+	xfer.Pipe
+
+	tombstoneTime time.Time
+
+	ui, probe end
+}
+
+type end struct {
+	refCount     int
+	lastUsedTime time.Time
+}
+
+func (p *pipe) end(end End) (*end, io.ReadWriter) {
+	ui, probe := p.Ends()
+	if end == UIEnd {
+		return &p.ui, ui
+	}
+	return &p.probe, probe
+}
+
+// NewLocalPipeRouter returns a new local (in-memory) pipe router.
+func NewLocalPipeRouter() PipeRouter {
+	pipeRouter := &localPipeRouter{
+		quit:  make(chan struct{}),
+		pipes: map[string]*pipe{},
+	}
+	pipeRouter.wait.Add(1)
+	go pipeRouter.gcLoop()
+	return pipeRouter
+}
+
+func (pr *localPipeRouter) Get(_ context.Context, id string, e End) (xfer.Pipe, io.ReadWriter, bool) {
+	pr.Lock()
+	defer pr.Unlock()
+	p, ok := pr.pipes[id]
+	if !ok {
+		log.Infof("Creating pipe id %s", id)
+		p = &pipe{
+			ui:    end{lastUsedTime: mtime.Now()},
+			probe: end{lastUsedTime: mtime.Now()},
+			Pipe:  xfer.NewPipe(),
+		}
+		pr.pipes[id] = p
+	}
+	if p.Closed() {
+		return nil, nil, false
+	}
+	end, endIO := p.end(e)
+	end.refCount++
+	return p, endIO, true
+}
+
+func (pr *localPipeRouter) Release(_ context.Context, id string, e End) {
+	pr.Lock()
+	defer pr.Unlock()
+
+	p, ok := pr.pipes[id]
+	if !ok {
+		// uh oh
+		return
+	}
+
+	end, _ := p.end(e)
+	end.refCount--
+	if end.refCount > 0 {
+		return
+	}
+
+	if !p.Closed() {
+		end.lastUsedTime = mtime.Now()
+	}
+}
+
+func (pr *localPipeRouter) Delete(_ context.Context, id string) {
+	pr.Lock()
+	defer pr.Unlock()
+	p, ok := pr.pipes[id]
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+	p.Close()
+	p.tombstoneTime = mtime.Now()
+}
+
+func (pr *localPipeRouter) Stop() {
+	close(pr.quit)
+	pr.wait.Wait()
+}
+
+func (pr *localPipeRouter) gcLoop() {
+	defer pr.wait.Done()
+	ticker := time.Tick(gcInterval)
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-pr.quit:
+			return
+		case <-ticker:
+		}
+
+		pr.timeout()
+		pr.garbageCollect()
+	}
+}
+
+func (pr *localPipeRouter) timeout() {
+	pr.Lock()
+	defer pr.Unlock()
+	now := mtime.Now()
+	for id, pipe := range pr.pipes {
+		if pipe.Closed() || (pipe.ui.refCount > 0 && pipe.probe.refCount > 0) {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if (pipe.ui.refCount == 0 && now.Sub(pipe.ui.lastUsedTime) >= pipeTimeout) ||
+			(pipe.probe.refCount == 0 && now.Sub(pipe.probe.lastUsedTime) >= pipeTimeout) {
+			log.Infof("Timing out pipe %s", id)
+			pipe.Close()
+			pipe.tombstoneTime = now
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (pr *localPipeRouter) garbageCollect() {
+	pr.Lock()
+	defer pr.Unlock()
+	now := mtime.Now()
+	for pipeID, pipe := range pr.pipes {
+		if pipe.Closed() && now.Sub(pipe.tombstoneTime) >= gcTimeout {
+			delete(pr.pipes, pipeID)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/app/pipes.go b/app/pipes.go
index bed35309b..9f5cb71cc 100644
--- a/app/pipes.go
+++ b/app/pipes.go
@@ -1,199 +1,54 @@
 package app
 
 import (
-	"io"
 	"net/http"
-	"sync"
-	"time"
 
 	log "github.com/Sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/gorilla/mux"
-
-	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/common/mtime"
-	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/common/xfer"
+	"golang.org/x/net/context"
 )
 
-const (
-	gcInterval  = 30 * time.Second // we check all the pipes every 30s
-	pipeTimeout = 1 * time.Minute  // pipes are closed when a client hasn't been connected for 1 minute
-	gcTimeout   = 10 * time.Minute // after another 10 minutes, tombstoned pipes are forgotten
-)
-
-// PipeRouter connects incoming and outgoing pipes.
-type PipeRouter struct {
-	sync.Mutex
-	wait  sync.WaitGroup
-	quit  chan struct{}
-	pipes map[string]*pipe
-}
-
-// for each end of the pipe, we keep a reference count & lastUsedTIme,
-// such that we can timeout pipes when either end is inactive.
-type end struct {
-	refCount     int
-	lastUsedTime time.Time
-}
-
-type pipe struct {
-	ui, probe     end
-	tombstoneTime time.Time
-
-	xfer.Pipe
-}
-
 // RegisterPipeRoutes registers the pipe routes
-func RegisterPipeRoutes(router *mux.Router) *PipeRouter {
-	pipeRouter := &PipeRouter{
-		quit:  make(chan struct{}),
-		pipes: map[string]*pipe{},
-	}
-	pipeRouter.wait.Add(1)
-	go pipeRouter.gcLoop()
+func RegisterPipeRoutes(router *mux.Router, pr PipeRouter) {
 	router.Methods("GET").
 		Path("/api/pipe/{pipeID}").
-		HandlerFunc(pipeRouter.handleWs(func(p *pipe) (*end, io.ReadWriter) {
-		uiEnd, _ := p.Ends()
-		return &p.ui, uiEnd
-	}))
+		HandlerFunc(requestContextDecorator(handlePipeWs(pr, UIEnd)))
+
 	router.Methods("GET").
 		Path("/api/pipe/{pipeID}/probe").
-		HandlerFunc(pipeRouter.handleWs(func(p *pipe) (*end, io.ReadWriter) {
-		_, probeEnd := p.Ends()
-		return &p.probe, probeEnd
-	}))
+		HandlerFunc(requestContextDecorator(handlePipeWs(pr, ProbeEnd)))
+
 	router.Methods("DELETE", "POST").
 		Path("/api/pipe/{pipeID}").
-		HandlerFunc(pipeRouter.delete)
-	return pipeRouter
+		HandlerFunc(requestContextDecorator(deletePipe(pr)))
 }
 
-// Stop stops the pipeRouter
-func (pr *PipeRouter) Stop() {
-	close(pr.quit)
-	pr.wait.Wait()
-}
-
-func (pr *PipeRouter) gcLoop() {
-	defer pr.wait.Done()
-	ticker := time.Tick(gcInterval)
-	for {
-		select {
-		case <-pr.quit:
-			return
-		case <-ticker:
-		}
-
-		pr.timeout()
-		pr.garbageCollect()
-	}
-}
-
-func (pr *PipeRouter) timeout() {
-	pr.Lock()
-	defer pr.Unlock()
-	now := mtime.Now()
-	for id, pipe := range pr.pipes {
-		if pipe.Closed() || (pipe.ui.refCount > 0 && pipe.probe.refCount > 0) {
-			continue
-		}
-
-		if (pipe.ui.refCount == 0 && now.Sub(pipe.ui.lastUsedTime) >= pipeTimeout) ||
-			(pipe.probe.refCount == 0 && now.Sub(pipe.probe.lastUsedTime) >= pipeTimeout) {
-			log.Infof("Timing out pipe %s", id)
-			pipe.Close()
-			pipe.tombstoneTime = now
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-func (pr *PipeRouter) garbageCollect() {
-	pr.Lock()
-	defer pr.Unlock()
-	now := mtime.Now()
-	for pipeID, pipe := range pr.pipes {
-		if pipe.Closed() && now.Sub(pipe.tombstoneTime) >= gcTimeout {
-			delete(pr.pipes, pipeID)
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-func (pr *PipeRouter) getOrCreate(id string) (*pipe, bool) {
-	pr.Lock()
-	defer pr.Unlock()
-	p, ok := pr.pipes[id]
-	if !ok {
-		log.Infof("Creating pipe id %s", id)
-		p = &pipe{
-			ui:    end{lastUsedTime: mtime.Now()},
-			probe: end{lastUsedTime: mtime.Now()},
-			Pipe:  xfer.NewPipe(),
-		}
-		pr.pipes[id] = p
-	}
-	if p.Closed() {
-		return nil, false
-	}
-	return p, true
-}
-
-func (pr *PipeRouter) retain(id string, pipe *pipe, end *end) bool {
-	pr.Lock()
-	defer pr.Unlock()
-	if pipe.Closed() {
-		return false
-	}
-	end.refCount++
-	return true
-}
-
-func (pr *PipeRouter) release(id string, pipe *pipe, end *end) {
-	pr.Lock()
-	defer pr.Unlock()
-
-	end.refCount--
-	if end.refCount != 0 {
-		return
-	}
-
-	if !pipe.Closed() {
-		end.lastUsedTime = mtime.Now()
-	}
-}
-
-func (pr *PipeRouter) handleWs(endSelector func(*pipe) (*end, io.ReadWriter)) func(http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request) {
-	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		pipeID := mux.Vars(r)["pipeID"]
-		pipe, ok := pr.getOrCreate(pipeID)
+func handlePipeWs(pr PipeRouter, end End) CtxHandlerFunc {
+	return func(ctx context.Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		id := mux.Vars(r)["pipeID"]
+		pipe, endIO, ok := pr.Get(ctx, id, end)
 		if !ok {
 			http.NotFound(w, r)
 			return
 		}
-
-		endRef, endIO := endSelector(pipe)
-		if !pr.retain(pipeID, pipe, endRef) {
-			http.NotFound(w, r)
-			return
-		}
-		defer pr.release(pipeID, pipe, endRef)
+		defer pr.Release(ctx, id, end)
 
 		conn, err := upgrader.Upgrade(w, r, nil)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Errorf("Error upgrading to websocket: %v", err)
+			log.Errorf("Error upgrading pipe %s (%d) websocket: %v", id, end, err)
 			return
 		}
 		defer conn.Close()
 
+		log.Infof("Pipe success %s (%d)", id, end)
 		pipe.CopyToWebsocket(endIO, conn)
 	}
 }
 
-func (pr *PipeRouter) delete(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-	pipeID := mux.Vars(r)["pipeID"]
-	pipe, ok := pr.getOrCreate(pipeID)
-	if ok && pr.retain(pipeID, pipe, &pipe.ui) {
+func deletePipe(pr PipeRouter) CtxHandlerFunc {
+	return func(ctx context.Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		pipeID := mux.Vars(r)["pipeID"]
 		log.Infof("Closing pipe %s", pipeID)
-		pipe.Close()
-		pipe.tombstoneTime = mtime.Now()
-		pr.release(pipeID, pipe, &pipe.ui)
+		pr.Delete(ctx, pipeID)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/app/pipes_internal_test.go b/app/pipes_internal_test.go
index 69615c5ac..1a6643933 100644
--- a/app/pipes_internal_test.go
+++ b/app/pipes_internal_test.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/gorilla/mux"
 	"github.com/gorilla/websocket"
+	"golang.org/x/net/context"
 
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/common/mtime"
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/common/xfer"
@@ -22,7 +23,8 @@ import (
 
 func TestPipeTimeout(t *testing.T) {
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
-	pr := RegisterPipeRoutes(router)
+	pr := NewLocalPipeRouter().(*localPipeRouter)
+	RegisterPipeRoutes(router, pr)
 	pr.Stop() // we don't want the loop running in the background
 
 	mtime.NowForce(time.Now())
@@ -30,7 +32,8 @@ func TestPipeTimeout(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// create a new pipe.
 	id := "foo"
-	pipe, ok := pr.getOrCreate(id)
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	pipe, _, ok := pr.Get(ctx, id, UIEnd)
 	if !ok {
 		t.Fatalf("not ok")
 	}
@@ -65,7 +68,8 @@ func (a adapter) PipeClose(_, pipeID string) error {
 
 func TestPipeClose(t *testing.T) {
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
-	pr := RegisterPipeRoutes(router)
+	pr := NewLocalPipeRouter()
+	RegisterPipeRoutes(router, pr)
 	defer pr.Stop()
 
 	server := httptest.NewServer(router)
diff --git a/app/router.go b/app/router.go
index e8c25abff..a414950fd 100644
--- a/app/router.go
+++ b/app/router.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/PuerkitoBio/ghost/handlers"
 	"github.com/gorilla/mux"
 	"github.com/ugorji/go/codec"
+	"golang.org/x/net/context"
 
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/common/hostname"
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/common/xfer"
@@ -24,6 +25,19 @@ var (
 	UniqueID = "0"
 )
 
+// RequestCtxKey is key used for request entry in context
+const RequestCtxKey = "request"
+
+// CtxHandlerFunc is a http.HandlerFunc, with added contexts
+type CtxHandlerFunc func(context.Context, http.ResponseWriter, *http.Request)
+
+func requestContextDecorator(f CtxHandlerFunc) http.HandlerFunc {
+	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		ctx := context.WithValue(context.Background(), RequestCtxKey, r)
+		f(ctx, w, r)
+	}
+}
+
 // URLMatcher uses request.RequestURI (the raw, unparsed request) to attempt
 // to match pattern.  It does this as go's URL.Parse method is broken, and
 // mistakenly unescapes the Path before parsing it.  This breaks %2F (encoded
@@ -76,13 +90,13 @@ func gzipHandler(h http.HandlerFunc) http.HandlerFunc {
 // routes should be added to a router and passed to postRoutes.
 func TopologyHandler(c Reporter, preRoutes *mux.Router, postRoutes http.Handler) http.Handler {
 	get := preRoutes.Methods("GET").Subrouter()
-	get.HandleFunc("/api", gzipHandler(apiHandler))
-	get.HandleFunc("/api/topology", gzipHandler(topologyRegistry.makeTopologyList(c)))
+	get.HandleFunc("/api", gzipHandler(requestContextDecorator(apiHandler)))
+	get.HandleFunc("/api/topology", gzipHandler(requestContextDecorator(topologyRegistry.makeTopologyList(c))))
 	get.HandleFunc("/api/topology/{topology}",
-		gzipHandler(topologyRegistry.captureRenderer(c, handleTopology)))
+		gzipHandler(requestContextDecorator(topologyRegistry.captureRenderer(c, handleTopology))))
 	get.HandleFunc("/api/topology/{topology}/ws",
-		topologyRegistry.captureRenderer(c, handleWs)) // NB not gzip!
-	get.HandleFunc("/api/report", gzipHandler(makeRawReportHandler(c)))
+		requestContextDecorator(topologyRegistry.captureRenderer(c, handleWs))) // NB not gzip!
+	get.HandleFunc("/api/report", gzipHandler(requestContextDecorator(makeRawReportHandler(c))))
 
 	// We pull in the http.DefaultServeMux to get the pprof routes
 	preRoutes.PathPrefix("/debug/pprof").Handler(http.DefaultServeMux)
@@ -107,9 +121,9 @@ func TopologyHandler(c Reporter, preRoutes *mux.Router, postRoutes http.Handler)
 			return
 		}
 
-		handler := gzipHandler(topologyRegistry.captureRendererWithoutFilters(
+		handler := gzipHandler(requestContextDecorator(topologyRegistry.captureRendererWithoutFilters(
 			c, topologyID, handleNode(nodeID),
-		))
+		)))
 		handler.ServeHTTP(w, r)
 	})
 }
@@ -117,7 +131,7 @@ func TopologyHandler(c Reporter, preRoutes *mux.Router, postRoutes http.Handler)
 // RegisterReportPostHandler registers the handler for report submission
 func RegisterReportPostHandler(a Adder, router *mux.Router) {
 	post := router.Methods("POST").Subrouter()
-	post.HandleFunc("/api/report", func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	post.HandleFunc("/api/report", requestContextDecorator(func(ctx context.Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		var (
 			rpt    report.Report
 			reader = r.Body
@@ -142,15 +156,15 @@ func RegisterReportPostHandler(a Adder, router *mux.Router) {
 			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusBadRequest)
 			return
 		}
-		a.Add(rpt)
+		a.Add(ctx, rpt)
 		if len(rpt.Pod.Nodes) > 0 {
 			topologyRegistry.enableKubernetesTopologies()
 		}
 		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
-	})
+	}))
 }
 
-func apiHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+func apiHandler(_ context.Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	respondWith(w, http.StatusOK, xfer.Details{
 		ID:       UniqueID,
 		Version:  Version,
diff --git a/app/router_test.go b/app/router_test.go
index 6a369497a..cc80b522c 100644
--- a/app/router_test.go
+++ b/app/router_test.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/gorilla/mux"
 	"github.com/ugorji/go/codec"
+	"golang.org/x/net/context"
 
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/app"
 	"github.com/weaveworks/scope/test"
@@ -73,7 +74,8 @@ func TestReportPostHandler(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Fatalf("Error posting report: %d", resp.StatusCode)
 		}
 
-		if want, have := fixture.Report.Endpoint.Nodes, c.Report().Endpoint.Nodes; len(have) == 0 || len(want) != len(have) {
+		ctx := context.Background()
+		if want, have := fixture.Report.Endpoint.Nodes, c.Report(ctx).Endpoint.Nodes; len(have) == 0 || len(want) != len(have) {
 			t.Fatalf("Content-Type %s: %v", contentType, test.Diff(have, want))
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/prog/app.go b/prog/app.go
index a53ec62f0..fc71d7657 100644
--- a/prog/app.go
+++ b/prog/app.go
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ import (
 func router(c app.Collector) http.Handler {
 	router := mux.NewRouter()
 	app.RegisterReportPostHandler(c, router)
-	app.RegisterControlRoutes(router)
-	app.RegisterPipeRoutes(router)
+	app.RegisterControlRoutes(router, app.NewLocalControlRouter())
+	app.RegisterPipeRoutes(router, app.NewLocalPipeRouter())
 	return app.TopologyHandler(c, router, http.FileServer(FS(false)))
 }