diff --git a/builtin/plugin/backend.go b/builtin/plugin/backend.go
index 3945f78d2..a1c781f57 100644
--- a/builtin/plugin/backend.go
+++ b/builtin/plugin/backend.go
@@ -3,13 +3,20 @@ package plugin
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"net/rpc"
+	"reflect"
 	"sync"
 
 	uuid "github.com/hashicorp/go-uuid"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/logical"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/logical/framework"
 	bplugin "github.com/hashicorp/vault/logical/plugin"
 )
 
+var (
+	ErrMismatchType  = fmt.Errorf("mismatch on mounted backend and plugin backend type")
+	ErrMismatchPaths = fmt.Errorf("mismatch on mounted backend and plugin backend special paths")
+)
+
 // Factory returns a configured plugin logical.Backend.
 func Factory(conf *logical.BackendConfig) (logical.Backend, error) {
 	_, ok := conf.Config["plugin_name"]
@@ -31,14 +38,33 @@ func Factory(conf *logical.BackendConfig) (logical.Backend, error) {
 // or as a concrete implementation if builtin, casted as logical.Backend.
 func Backend(conf *logical.BackendConfig) (logical.Backend, error) {
 	var b backend
+
 	name := conf.Config["plugin_name"]
 	sys := conf.System
 
-	raw, err := bplugin.NewBackend(name, sys, conf.Logger)
+	// NewBackend with isMetadataMode set to true
+	raw, err := bplugin.NewBackend(name, sys, conf.Logger, true)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	b.Backend = raw
+	err = raw.Setup(conf)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	// Get SpecialPaths and BackendType
+	paths := raw.SpecialPaths()
+	btype := raw.Type()
+
+	// Cleanup meta plugin backend
+	raw.Cleanup()
+
+	// Initialize b.Backend with dummy backend since plugin
+	// backends will need to be lazy loaded.
+	b.Backend = &framework.Backend{
+		PathsSpecial: paths,
+		BackendType:  btype,
+	}
+
 	b.config = conf
 
 	return &b, nil
@@ -53,16 +79,24 @@ type backend struct {
 
 	// Used to detect if we already reloaded
 	canary string
+
+	// Used to detect if plugin is set
+	loaded bool
 }
 
 func (b *backend) reloadBackend() error {
+	b.Logger().Trace("plugin: reloading plugin backend", "plugin", b.config.Config["plugin_name"])
+	return b.startBackend()
+}
+
+// startBackend starts a plugin backend
+func (b *backend) startBackend() error {
 	pluginName := b.config.Config["plugin_name"]
-	b.Logger().Trace("plugin: reloading plugin backend", "plugin", pluginName)
 
 	// Ensure proper cleanup of the backend (i.e. call client.Kill())
 	b.Backend.Cleanup()
 
-	nb, err := bplugin.NewBackend(pluginName, b.config.System, b.config.Logger)
+	nb, err := bplugin.NewBackend(pluginName, b.config.System, b.config.Logger, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -70,7 +104,29 @@ func (b *backend) reloadBackend() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+
+	// If the backend has not been loaded (i.e. still in metadata mode),
+	// check if type and special paths still matches
+	if !b.loaded {
+		if b.Backend.Type() != nb.Type() {
+			nb.Cleanup()
+			b.Logger().Warn("plugin: failed to start plugin process", "plugin", b.config.Config["plugin_name"], "error", ErrMismatchType)
+			return ErrMismatchType
+		}
+		if !reflect.DeepEqual(b.Backend.SpecialPaths(), nb.SpecialPaths()) {
+			nb.Cleanup()
+			b.Logger().Warn("plugin: failed to start plugin process", "plugin", b.config.Config["plugin_name"], "error", ErrMismatchPaths)
+			return ErrMismatchPaths
+		}
+	}
+
 	b.Backend = nb
+	b.loaded = true
+
+	// Call initialize
+	if err := b.Backend.Initialize(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 
 	return nil
 }
@@ -79,6 +135,23 @@ func (b *backend) reloadBackend() error {
 func (b *backend) HandleRequest(req *logical.Request) (*logical.Response, error) {
 	b.RLock()
 	canary := b.canary
+
+	// Lazy-load backend
+	if !b.loaded {
+		// Upgrade lock
+		b.RUnlock()
+		b.Lock()
+		// Check once more after lock swap
+		if !b.loaded {
+			err := b.startBackend()
+			if err != nil {
+				b.Unlock()
+				return nil, err
+			}
+		}
+		b.Unlock()
+		b.RLock()
+	}
 	resp, err := b.Backend.HandleRequest(req)
 	b.RUnlock()
 	// Need to compare string value for case were err comes from plugin RPC
@@ -112,6 +185,24 @@ func (b *backend) HandleRequest(req *logical.Request) (*logical.Response, error)
 func (b *backend) HandleExistenceCheck(req *logical.Request) (bool, bool, error) {
 	b.RLock()
 	canary := b.canary
+
+	// Lazy-load backend
+	if !b.loaded {
+		// Upgrade lock
+		b.RUnlock()
+		b.Lock()
+		// Check once more after lock swap
+		if !b.loaded {
+			err := b.startBackend()
+			if err != nil {
+				b.Unlock()
+				return false, false, err
+			}
+		}
+		b.Unlock()
+		b.RLock()
+	}
+
 	checkFound, exists, err := b.Backend.HandleExistenceCheck(req)
 	b.RUnlock()
 	if err != nil && err.Error() == rpc.ErrShutdown.Error() {
diff --git a/builtin/plugin/backend_test.go b/builtin/plugin/backend_test.go
index 0a37691d6..5b0719709 100644
--- a/builtin/plugin/backend_test.go
+++ b/builtin/plugin/backend_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package plugin
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -39,7 +40,8 @@ func TestBackend_Factory(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestBackend_PluginMain(t *testing.T) {
-	if os.Getenv(pluginutil.PluginUnwrapTokenEnv) == "" {
+	args := []string{}
+	if os.Getenv(pluginutil.PluginUnwrapTokenEnv) == "" && os.Getenv(pluginutil.PluginMetadaModeEnv) != "true" {
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -48,7 +50,7 @@ func TestBackend_PluginMain(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("CA cert not passed in")
 	}
 
-	args := []string{"--ca-cert=" + caPEM}
+	args = append(args, fmt.Sprintf("--ca-cert=%s", caPEM))
 
 	apiClientMeta := &pluginutil.APIClientMeta{}
 	flags := apiClientMeta.FlagSet()
diff --git a/helper/pluginutil/mlock.go b/helper/pluginutil/mlock.go
index dd9115a89..1660ca8e0 100644
--- a/helper/pluginutil/mlock.go
+++ b/helper/pluginutil/mlock.go
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 var (
-	// PluginUnwrapTokenEnv is the ENV name used to pass the configuration for
+	// PluginMlockEnabled is the ENV name used to pass the configuration for
 	// enabling mlock
 	PluginMlockEnabled = "VAULT_PLUGIN_MLOCK_ENABLED"
 )
diff --git a/helper/pluginutil/runner.go b/helper/pluginutil/runner.go
index e34f070c2..2047651ed 100644
--- a/helper/pluginutil/runner.go
+++ b/helper/pluginutil/runner.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package pluginutil
 
 import (
 	"crypto/sha256"
+	"crypto/tls"
 	"flag"
 	"fmt"
 	"os/exec"
@@ -22,6 +23,7 @@ type Looker interface {
 // Wrapper interface defines the functions needed by the runner to wrap the
 // metadata needed to run a plugin process. This includes looking up Mlock
 // configuration and wrapping data in a respose wrapped token.
+// logical.SystemView implementataions satisfy this interface.
 type RunnerUtil interface {
 	ResponseWrapData(data map[string]interface{}, ttl time.Duration, jwt bool) (*wrapping.ResponseWrapInfo, error)
 	MlockEnabled() bool
@@ -44,56 +46,82 @@ type PluginRunner struct {
 	BuiltinFactory func() (interface{}, error) `json:"-" structs:"-"`
 }
 
-// Run takes a wrapper instance, and the go-plugin paramaters and executes a
-// plugin.
+// Run takes a wrapper RunnerUtil instance along with the go-plugin paramaters and
+// returns a configured plugin.Client with TLS Configured and a wrapping token set
+// on PluginUnwrapTokenEnv for plugin process consumption.
 func (r *PluginRunner) Run(wrapper RunnerUtil, pluginMap map[string]plugin.Plugin, hs plugin.HandshakeConfig, env []string, logger log.Logger) (*plugin.Client, error) {
-	// Get a CA TLS Certificate
-	certBytes, key, err := generateCert()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	return r.runCommon(wrapper, pluginMap, hs, env, logger, false)
+}
 
-	// Use CA to sign a client cert and return a configured TLS config
-	clientTLSConfig, err := createClientTLSConfig(certBytes, key)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+// RunMetadataMode returns a configured plugin.Client that will dispense a plugin
+// in metadata mode. The PluginMetadaModeEnv is passed in as part of the Cmd to
+// plugin.Client, and consumed by the plugin process on pluginutil.VaultPluginTLSProvider.
+func (r *PluginRunner) RunMetadataMode(wrapper RunnerUtil, pluginMap map[string]plugin.Plugin, hs plugin.HandshakeConfig, env []string, logger log.Logger) (*plugin.Client, error) {
+	return r.runCommon(wrapper, pluginMap, hs, env, logger, true)
 
-	// Use CA to sign a server cert and wrap the values in a response wrapped
-	// token.
-	wrapToken, err := wrapServerConfig(wrapper, certBytes, key)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+}
 
+func (r *PluginRunner) runCommon(wrapper RunnerUtil, pluginMap map[string]plugin.Plugin, hs plugin.HandshakeConfig, env []string, logger log.Logger, isMetadataMode bool) (*plugin.Client, error) {
 	cmd := exec.Command(r.Command, r.Args...)
 	cmd.Env = append(cmd.Env, env...)
-	// Add the response wrap token to the ENV of the plugin
-	cmd.Env = append(cmd.Env, fmt.Sprintf("%s=%s", PluginUnwrapTokenEnv, wrapToken))
+
 	// Add the mlock setting to the ENV of the plugin
 	if wrapper.MlockEnabled() {
 		cmd.Env = append(cmd.Env, fmt.Sprintf("%s=%s", PluginMlockEnabled, "true"))
 	}
 
-	secureConfig := &plugin.SecureConfig{
-		Checksum: r.Sha256,
-		Hash:     sha256.New(),
-	}
-
 	// Create logger for the plugin client
 	clogger := &hclogFaker{
 		logger: logger,
 	}
 	namedLogger := clogger.ResetNamed("plugin")
 
-	client := plugin.NewClient(&plugin.ClientConfig{
+	var clientTLSConfig *tls.Config
+	if !isMetadataMode {
+		// Add the metadata mode ENV and set it to false
+		cmd.Env = append(cmd.Env, fmt.Sprintf("%s=%s", PluginMetadaModeEnv, "false"))
+
+		// Get a CA TLS Certificate
+		certBytes, key, err := generateCert()
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		// Use CA to sign a client cert and return a configured TLS config
+		clientTLSConfig, err = createClientTLSConfig(certBytes, key)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		// Use CA to sign a server cert and wrap the values in a response wrapped
+		// token.
+		wrapToken, err := wrapServerConfig(wrapper, certBytes, key)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		// Add the response wrap token to the ENV of the plugin
+		cmd.Env = append(cmd.Env, fmt.Sprintf("%s=%s", PluginUnwrapTokenEnv, wrapToken))
+	} else {
+		namedLogger = clogger.ResetNamed("plugin.metadata")
+		cmd.Env = append(cmd.Env, fmt.Sprintf("%s=%s", PluginMetadaModeEnv, "true"))
+	}
+
+	secureConfig := &plugin.SecureConfig{
+		Checksum: r.Sha256,
+		Hash:     sha256.New(),
+	}
+
+	clientConfig := &plugin.ClientConfig{
 		HandshakeConfig: hs,
 		Plugins:         pluginMap,
 		Cmd:             cmd,
-		TLSConfig:       clientTLSConfig,
 		SecureConfig:    secureConfig,
+		TLSConfig:       clientTLSConfig,
 		Logger:          namedLogger,
-	})
+	}
+
+	client := plugin.NewClient(clientConfig)
 
 	return client, nil
 }
@@ -108,7 +136,7 @@ type APIClientMeta struct {
 }
 
 func (f *APIClientMeta) FlagSet() *flag.FlagSet {
-	fs := flag.NewFlagSet("tls settings", flag.ContinueOnError)
+	fs := flag.NewFlagSet("vault plugin settings", flag.ContinueOnError)
 
 	fs.StringVar(&f.flagCACert, "ca-cert", "", "")
 	fs.StringVar(&f.flagCAPath, "ca-path", "", "")
diff --git a/helper/pluginutil/tls.go b/helper/pluginutil/tls.go
index d31344e3c..112d33cf0 100644
--- a/helper/pluginutil/tls.go
+++ b/helper/pluginutil/tls.go
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ var (
 	// PluginCACertPEMEnv is an ENV name used for holding a CA PEM-encoded
 	// string. Used for testing.
 	PluginCACertPEMEnv = "VAULT_TESTING_PLUGIN_CA_PEM"
+
+	// PluginMetadaModeEnv is an ENV name used to disable TLS communication
+	// to bootstrap mounting plugins.
+	PluginMetadaModeEnv = "VAULT_PLUGIN_METADATA_MODE"
 )
 
 // generateCert is used internally to create certificates for the plugin
@@ -124,6 +128,10 @@ func wrapServerConfig(sys RunnerUtil, certBytes []byte, key *ecdsa.PrivateKey) (
 // VaultPluginTLSProvider is run inside a plugin and retrives the response
 // wrapped TLS certificate from vault. It returns a configured TLS Config.
 func VaultPluginTLSProvider(apiTLSConfig *api.TLSConfig) func() (*tls.Config, error) {
+	if os.Getenv(PluginMetadaModeEnv) == "true" {
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	return func() (*tls.Config, error) {
 		unwrapToken := os.Getenv(PluginUnwrapTokenEnv)
 
@@ -157,7 +165,10 @@ func VaultPluginTLSProvider(apiTLSConfig *api.TLSConfig) func() (*tls.Config, er
 		clientConf := api.DefaultConfig()
 		clientConf.Address = vaultAddr
 		if apiTLSConfig != nil {
-			clientConf.ConfigureTLS(apiTLSConfig)
+			err := clientConf.ConfigureTLS(apiTLSConfig)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, errwrap.Wrapf("error configuring api client {{err}}", err)
+			}
 		}
 		client, err := api.NewClient(clientConf)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/logical/plugin/backend.go b/logical/plugin/backend.go
index 8a80be029..081922c9b 100644
--- a/logical/plugin/backend.go
+++ b/logical/plugin/backend.go
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@ import (
 
 // BackendPlugin is the plugin.Plugin implementation
 type BackendPlugin struct {
-	Factory func(*logical.BackendConfig) (logical.Backend, error)
+	Factory      func(*logical.BackendConfig) (logical.Backend, error)
+	metadataMode bool
 }
 
 // Server gets called when on plugin.Serve()
@@ -19,5 +20,5 @@ func (b *BackendPlugin) Server(broker *plugin.MuxBroker) (interface{}, error) {
 
 // Client gets called on plugin.NewClient()
 func (b BackendPlugin) Client(broker *plugin.MuxBroker, c *rpc.Client) (interface{}, error) {
-	return &backendPluginClient{client: c, broker: broker}, nil
+	return &backendPluginClient{client: c, broker: broker, metadataMode: b.metadataMode}, nil
 }
diff --git a/logical/plugin/backend_client.go b/logical/plugin/backend_client.go
index f18564b13..cc2d83bcf 100644
--- a/logical/plugin/backend_client.go
+++ b/logical/plugin/backend_client.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package plugin
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"net/rpc"
 
 	"github.com/hashicorp/go-plugin"
@@ -8,11 +9,16 @@ import (
 	log "github.com/mgutz/logxi/v1"
 )
 
+var (
+	ErrClientInMetadataMode = errors.New("plugin client can not perform action while in metadata mode")
+)
+
 // backendPluginClient implements logical.Backend and is the
 // go-plugin client.
 type backendPluginClient struct {
-	broker *plugin.MuxBroker
-	client *rpc.Client
+	broker       *plugin.MuxBroker
+	client       *rpc.Client
+	metadataMode bool
 
 	system logical.SystemView
 	logger log.Logger
@@ -83,6 +89,10 @@ type RegisterLicenseReply struct {
 }
 
 func (b *backendPluginClient) HandleRequest(req *logical.Request) (*logical.Response, error) {
+	if b.metadataMode {
+		return nil, ErrClientInMetadataMode
+	}
+
 	// Do not send the storage, since go-plugin cannot serialize
 	// interfaces. The server will pick up the storage from the shim.
 	req.Storage = nil
@@ -136,6 +146,10 @@ func (b *backendPluginClient) Logger() log.Logger {
 }
 
 func (b *backendPluginClient) HandleExistenceCheck(req *logical.Request) (bool, bool, error) {
+	if b.metadataMode {
+		return false, false, ErrClientInMetadataMode
+	}
+
 	// Do not send the storage, since go-plugin cannot serialize
 	// interfaces. The server will pick up the storage from the shim.
 	req.Storage = nil
@@ -172,31 +186,49 @@ func (b *backendPluginClient) Cleanup() {
 }
 
 func (b *backendPluginClient) Initialize() error {
+	if b.metadataMode {
+		return ErrClientInMetadataMode
+	}
 	err := b.client.Call("Plugin.Initialize", new(interface{}), &struct{}{})
 	return err
 }
 
 func (b *backendPluginClient) InvalidateKey(key string) {
+	if b.metadataMode {
+		return
+	}
 	b.client.Call("Plugin.InvalidateKey", key, &struct{}{})
 }
 
 func (b *backendPluginClient) Setup(config *logical.BackendConfig) error {
 	// Shim logical.Storage
+	storageImpl := config.StorageView
+	if b.metadataMode {
+		storageImpl = &NOOPStorage{}
+	}
 	storageID := b.broker.NextId()
 	go b.broker.AcceptAndServe(storageID, &StorageServer{
-		impl: config.StorageView,
+		impl: storageImpl,
 	})
 
 	// Shim log.Logger
+	loggerImpl := config.Logger
+	if b.metadataMode {
+		loggerImpl = log.NullLog
+	}
 	loggerID := b.broker.NextId()
 	go b.broker.AcceptAndServe(loggerID, &LoggerServer{
-		logger: config.Logger,
+		logger: loggerImpl,
 	})
 
 	// Shim logical.SystemView
+	sysViewImpl := config.System
+	if b.metadataMode {
+		sysViewImpl = &logical.StaticSystemView{}
+	}
 	sysViewID := b.broker.NextId()
 	go b.broker.AcceptAndServe(sysViewID, &SystemViewServer{
-		impl: config.System,
+		impl: sysViewImpl,
 	})
 
 	args := &SetupArgs{
@@ -233,6 +265,10 @@ func (b *backendPluginClient) Type() logical.BackendType {
 }
 
 func (b *backendPluginClient) RegisterLicense(license interface{}) error {
+	if b.metadataMode {
+		return ErrClientInMetadataMode
+	}
+
 	var reply RegisterLicenseReply
 	args := RegisterLicenseArgs{
 		License: license,
diff --git a/logical/plugin/backend_server.go b/logical/plugin/backend_server.go
index 335bfa5f7..47045b1c1 100644
--- a/logical/plugin/backend_server.go
+++ b/logical/plugin/backend_server.go
@@ -1,12 +1,19 @@
 package plugin
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"net/rpc"
+	"os"
 
 	"github.com/hashicorp/go-plugin"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/pluginutil"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/logical"
 )
 
+var (
+	ErrServerInMetadataMode = errors.New("plugin server can not perform action while in metadata mode")
+)
+
 // backendPluginServer is the RPC server that backendPluginClient talks to,
 // it methods conforming to requirements by net/rpc
 type backendPluginServer struct {
@@ -19,7 +26,15 @@ type backendPluginServer struct {
 	storageClient *rpc.Client
 }
 
+func inMetadataMode() bool {
+	return os.Getenv(pluginutil.PluginMetadaModeEnv) == "true"
+}
+
 func (b *backendPluginServer) HandleRequest(args *HandleRequestArgs, reply *HandleRequestReply) error {
+	if inMetadataMode() {
+		return ErrServerInMetadataMode
+	}
+
 	storage := &StorageClient{client: b.storageClient}
 	args.Request.Storage = storage
 
@@ -40,6 +55,10 @@ func (b *backendPluginServer) SpecialPaths(_ interface{}, reply *SpecialPathsRep
 }
 
 func (b *backendPluginServer) HandleExistenceCheck(args *HandleExistenceCheckArgs, reply *HandleExistenceCheckReply) error {
+	if inMetadataMode() {
+		return ErrServerInMetadataMode
+	}
+
 	storage := &StorageClient{client: b.storageClient}
 	args.Request.Storage = storage
 
@@ -64,11 +83,19 @@ func (b *backendPluginServer) Cleanup(_ interface{}, _ *struct{}) error {
 }
 
 func (b *backendPluginServer) Initialize(_ interface{}, _ *struct{}) error {
+	if inMetadataMode() {
+		return ErrServerInMetadataMode
+	}
+
 	err := b.backend.Initialize()
 	return err
 }
 
 func (b *backendPluginServer) InvalidateKey(args string, _ *struct{}) error {
+	if inMetadataMode() {
+		return ErrServerInMetadataMode
+	}
+
 	b.backend.InvalidateKey(args)
 	return nil
 }
@@ -145,6 +172,10 @@ func (b *backendPluginServer) Type(_ interface{}, reply *TypeReply) error {
 }
 
 func (b *backendPluginServer) RegisterLicense(args *RegisterLicenseArgs, reply *RegisterLicenseReply) error {
+	if inMetadataMode() {
+		return ErrServerInMetadataMode
+	}
+
 	err := b.backend.RegisterLicense(args.License)
 	if err != nil {
 		*reply = RegisterLicenseReply{
diff --git a/logical/plugin/mock/backend.go b/logical/plugin/mock/backend.go
index 5f4c97749..ac8c0ba88 100644
--- a/logical/plugin/mock/backend.go
+++ b/logical/plugin/mock/backend.go
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ func Backend() *backend {
 			kvPaths(&b),
 			[]*framework.Path{
 				pathInternal(&b),
+				pathSpecial(&b),
 			},
 		),
 		PathsSpecial: &logical.Paths{
diff --git a/logical/plugin/mock/mock-plugin/main.go b/logical/plugin/mock/mock-plugin/main.go
index 1cb47bfcf..b1b7fbd71 100644
--- a/logical/plugin/mock/mock-plugin/main.go
+++ b/logical/plugin/mock/mock-plugin/main.go
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import (
 func main() {
 	apiClientMeta := &pluginutil.APIClientMeta{}
 	flags := apiClientMeta.FlagSet()
-	flags.Parse(os.Args)
+	flags.Parse(os.Args[1:]) // Ignore command, strictly parse flags
 
 	tlsConfig := apiClientMeta.GetTLSConfig()
 	tlsProviderFunc := pluginutil.VaultPluginTLSProvider(tlsConfig)
diff --git a/logical/plugin/mock/path_special.go b/logical/plugin/mock/path_special.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f695e209e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/logical/plugin/mock/path_special.go
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+package mock
+
+import (
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/logical"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/logical/framework"
+)
+
+// pathSpecial is used to test special paths.
+func pathSpecial(b *backend) *framework.Path {
+	return &framework.Path{
+		Pattern: "special",
+		Callbacks: map[logical.Operation]framework.OperationFunc{
+			logical.ReadOperation: b.pathSpecialRead,
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func (b *backend) pathSpecialRead(
+	req *logical.Request, data *framework.FieldData) (*logical.Response, error) {
+	// Return the secret
+	return &logical.Response{
+		Data: map[string]interface{}{
+			"data": "foo",
+		},
+	}, nil
+
+}
diff --git a/logical/plugin/plugin.go b/logical/plugin/plugin.go
index eeb6e073c..7eba9ed5c 100644
--- a/logical/plugin/plugin.go
+++ b/logical/plugin/plugin.go
@@ -40,8 +40,9 @@ func (b *BackendPluginClient) Cleanup() {
 
 // NewBackend will return an instance of an RPC-based client implementation of the backend for
 // external plugins, or a concrete implementation of the backend if it is a builtin backend.
-// The backend is returned as a logical.Backend interface.
-func NewBackend(pluginName string, sys pluginutil.LookRunnerUtil, logger log.Logger) (logical.Backend, error) {
+// The backend is returned as a logical.Backend interface. The isMetadataMode param determines whether
+// the plugin should run in metadata mode.
+func NewBackend(pluginName string, sys pluginutil.LookRunnerUtil, logger log.Logger, isMetadataMode bool) (logical.Backend, error) {
 	// Look for plugin in the plugin catalog
 	pluginRunner, err := sys.LookupPlugin(pluginName)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@ func NewBackend(pluginName string, sys pluginutil.LookRunnerUtil, logger log.Log
 
 	} else {
 		// create a backendPluginClient instance
-		backend, err = newPluginClient(sys, pluginRunner, logger)
+		backend, err = newPluginClient(sys, pluginRunner, logger, isMetadataMode)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -74,12 +75,21 @@ func NewBackend(pluginName string, sys pluginutil.LookRunnerUtil, logger log.Log
 	return backend, nil
 }
 
-func newPluginClient(sys pluginutil.RunnerUtil, pluginRunner *pluginutil.PluginRunner, logger log.Logger) (logical.Backend, error) {
+func newPluginClient(sys pluginutil.RunnerUtil, pluginRunner *pluginutil.PluginRunner, logger log.Logger, isMetadataMode bool) (logical.Backend, error) {
 	// pluginMap is the map of plugins we can dispense.
 	pluginMap := map[string]plugin.Plugin{
-		"backend": &BackendPlugin{},
+		"backend": &BackendPlugin{
+			metadataMode: isMetadataMode,
+		},
+	}
+
+	var client *plugin.Client
+	var err error
+	if isMetadataMode {
+		client, err = pluginRunner.RunMetadataMode(sys, pluginMap, handshakeConfig, []string{}, logger)
+	} else {
+		client, err = pluginRunner.Run(sys, pluginMap, handshakeConfig, []string{}, logger)
 	}
-	client, err := pluginRunner.Run(sys, pluginMap, handshakeConfig, []string{}, logger)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/logical/plugin/serve.go b/logical/plugin/serve.go
index 4eb69a8c5..7a52754c3 100644
--- a/logical/plugin/serve.go
+++ b/logical/plugin/serve.go
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ type ServeOpts struct {
 	TLSProviderFunc    TLSProdiverFunc
 }
 
-// Serve is used to serve a backend plugin
+// Serve is a helper function used to serve a backend plugin. This
+// should be ran on the plugin's main process.
 func Serve(opts *ServeOpts) error {
 	// pluginMap is the map of plugins we can dispense.
 	var pluginMap = map[string]plugin.Plugin{
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ func Serve(opts *ServeOpts) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	// If FetchMetadata is true, run without TLSProvider
 	plugin.Serve(&plugin.ServeConfig{
 		HandshakeConfig: handshakeConfig,
 		Plugins:         pluginMap,
diff --git a/logical/plugin/storage.go b/logical/plugin/storage.go
index 55cea8449..99c21f646 100644
--- a/logical/plugin/storage.go
+++ b/logical/plugin/storage.go
@@ -117,3 +117,23 @@ type StoragePutReply struct {
 type StorageDeleteReply struct {
 	Error *plugin.BasicError
 }
+
+// NOOPStorage is used to deny access to the storage interface while running a
+// backend plugin in metadata mode.
+type NOOPStorage struct{}
+
+func (s *NOOPStorage) List(prefix string) ([]string, error) {
+	return []string{}, nil
+}
+
+func (s *NOOPStorage) Get(key string) (*logical.StorageEntry, error) {
+	return nil, nil
+}
+
+func (s *NOOPStorage) Put(entry *logical.StorageEntry) error {
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *NOOPStorage) Delete(key string) error {
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/vault/auth.go b/vault/auth.go
index 608a217a5..3cd93be2a 100644
--- a/vault/auth.go
+++ b/vault/auth.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"strings"
 
+	"github.com/hashicorp/errwrap"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/go-uuid"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/jsonutil"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/logical"
@@ -397,7 +398,6 @@ func (c *Core) persistAuth(table *MountTable, localOnly bool) error {
 // setupCredentials is invoked after we've loaded the auth table to
 // initialize the credential backends and setup the router
 func (c *Core) setupCredentials() error {
-	var backend logical.Backend
 	var view *BarrierView
 	var err error
 	var persistNeeded bool
@@ -406,6 +406,7 @@ func (c *Core) setupCredentials() error {
 	defer c.authLock.Unlock()
 
 	for _, entry := range c.auth.Entries {
+		var backend logical.Backend
 		// Work around some problematic code that existed in master for a while
 		if strings.HasPrefix(entry.Path, credentialRoutePrefix) {
 			entry.Path = strings.TrimPrefix(entry.Path, credentialRoutePrefix)
@@ -425,6 +426,9 @@ func (c *Core) setupCredentials() error {
 		backend, err = c.newCredentialBackend(entry.Type, sysView, view, conf)
 		if err != nil {
 			c.logger.Error("core: failed to create credential entry", "path", entry.Path, "error", err)
+			if errwrap.Contains(err, ErrPluginNotFound.Error()) && entry.Type == "plugin" {
+				goto ROUTER_MOUNT
+			}
 			return errLoadAuthFailed
 		}
 		if backend == nil {
@@ -432,15 +436,14 @@ func (c *Core) setupCredentials() error {
 		}
 
 		// Check for the correct backend type
-		backendType := backend.Type()
-		if entry.Type == "plugin" && backendType != logical.TypeCredential {
-			return fmt.Errorf("cannot mount '%s' of type '%s' as an auth backend", entry.Config.PluginName, backendType)
+		if entry.Type == "plugin" && backend.Type() != logical.TypeCredential {
+			return fmt.Errorf("cannot mount '%s' of type '%s' as an auth backend", entry.Config.PluginName, backend.Type())
 		}
 
 		if err := backend.Initialize(); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-
+	ROUTER_MOUNT:
 		// Mount the backend
 		path := credentialRoutePrefix + entry.Path
 		err = c.router.Mount(backend, path, entry, view)
diff --git a/vault/core.go b/vault/core.go
index e63e29aaf..b79f3fbde 100644
--- a/vault/core.go
+++ b/vault/core.go
@@ -1369,9 +1369,6 @@ func (c *Core) postUnseal() (retErr error) {
 	if err := c.setupMounts(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if err := c.startRollback(); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
 	if err := c.setupPolicyStore(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -1384,6 +1381,9 @@ func (c *Core) postUnseal() (retErr error) {
 	if err := c.setupCredentials(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	if err := c.startRollback(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 	if err := c.setupExpiration(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/vault/dynamic_system_view.go b/vault/dynamic_system_view.go
index af6cb7fbe..3a6456364 100644
--- a/vault/dynamic_system_view.go
+++ b/vault/dynamic_system_view.go
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/hashicorp/errwrap"
+
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/consts"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/pluginutil"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/wrapping"
@@ -132,7 +134,7 @@ func (d dynamicSystemView) LookupPlugin(name string) (*pluginutil.PluginRunner,
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	if r == nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("no plugin found with name: %s", name)
+		return nil, errwrap.Wrapf(fmt.Sprintf("{{err}}: %s", name), ErrPluginNotFound)
 	}
 
 	return r, nil
diff --git a/vault/logical_system_integ_test.go b/vault/logical_system_integ_test.go
index 599c5de2a..60eab6b69 100644
--- a/vault/logical_system_integ_test.go
+++ b/vault/logical_system_integ_test.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/builtin/plugin"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/pluginutil"
@@ -15,17 +16,196 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestSystemBackend_Plugin_secret(t *testing.T) {
-	cluster := testSystemBackendMock(t, 2, logical.TypeLogical)
+	cluster := testSystemBackendMock(t, 1, 1, logical.TypeLogical)
 	defer cluster.Cleanup()
+
+	core := cluster.Cores[0]
+
+	// Make a request to lazy load the plugin
+	req := logical.TestRequest(t, logical.ReadOperation, "mock-0/internal")
+	req.ClientToken = core.Client.Token()
+	resp, err := core.HandleRequest(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
+	}
+	if resp == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("bad: response should not be nil")
+	}
+
+	// Seal the cluster
+	cluster.EnsureCoresSealed(t)
+
+	// Unseal the cluster
+	barrierKeys := cluster.BarrierKeys
+	for _, core := range cluster.Cores {
+		for _, key := range barrierKeys {
+			_, err := core.Unseal(vault.TestKeyCopy(key))
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}
+		sealed, err := core.Sealed()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("err checking seal status: %s", err)
+		}
+		if sealed {
+			t.Fatal("should not be sealed")
+		}
+		// Wait for active so post-unseal takes place
+		// If it fails, it means unseal process failed
+		vault.TestWaitActive(t, core.Core)
+	}
 }
 
 func TestSystemBackend_Plugin_auth(t *testing.T) {
-	cluster := testSystemBackendMock(t, 2, logical.TypeCredential)
+	cluster := testSystemBackendMock(t, 1, 1, logical.TypeCredential)
 	defer cluster.Cleanup()
+
+	core := cluster.Cores[0]
+
+	// Make a request to lazy load the plugin
+	req := logical.TestRequest(t, logical.ReadOperation, "auth/mock-0/internal")
+	req.ClientToken = core.Client.Token()
+	resp, err := core.HandleRequest(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
+	}
+	if resp == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("bad: response should not be nil")
+	}
+
+	// Seal the cluster
+	cluster.EnsureCoresSealed(t)
+
+	// Unseal the cluster
+	barrierKeys := cluster.BarrierKeys
+	for _, core := range cluster.Cores {
+		for _, key := range barrierKeys {
+			_, err := core.Unseal(vault.TestKeyCopy(key))
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}
+		sealed, err := core.Sealed()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("err checking seal status: %s", err)
+		}
+		if sealed {
+			t.Fatal("should not be sealed")
+		}
+		// Wait for active so post-unseal takes place
+		// If it fails, it means unseal process failed
+		vault.TestWaitActive(t, core.Core)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSystemBackend_Plugin_MismatchType(t *testing.T) {
+	cluster := testSystemBackendMock(t, 1, 1, logical.TypeLogical)
+	defer cluster.Cleanup()
+
+	core := cluster.Cores[0]
+
+	// Replace the plugin with a credential backend
+	vault.TestAddTestPlugin(t, core.Core, "mock-plugin", "TestBackend_PluginMainCredentials")
+
+	// Make a request to lazy load the now-credential plugin
+	// and expect an error
+	req := logical.TestRequest(t, logical.ReadOperation, "mock-0/internal")
+	req.ClientToken = core.Client.Token()
+	_, err := core.HandleRequest(req)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected error due to mismatch on error type: %s", err)
+	}
+
+	// Sleep a bit before cleanup is called
+	time.Sleep(1 * time.Second)
+}
+
+func TestSystemBackend_Plugin_CatalogRemoved(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("secret", func(t *testing.T) {
+		testPlugin_CatalogRemoved(t, logical.TypeLogical, false)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("auth", func(t *testing.T) {
+		testPlugin_CatalogRemoved(t, logical.TypeCredential, false)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("secret-mount-existing", func(t *testing.T) {
+		testPlugin_CatalogRemoved(t, logical.TypeLogical, true)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("auth-mount-existing", func(t *testing.T) {
+		testPlugin_CatalogRemoved(t, logical.TypeCredential, true)
+	})
+}
+
+func testPlugin_CatalogRemoved(t *testing.T, btype logical.BackendType, testMount bool) {
+	cluster := testSystemBackendMock(t, 1, 1, btype)
+	defer cluster.Cleanup()
+
+	core := cluster.Cores[0]
+
+	// Remove the plugin from the catalog
+	req := logical.TestRequest(t, logical.DeleteOperation, "sys/plugins/catalog/mock-plugin")
+	req.ClientToken = core.Client.Token()
+	resp, err := core.HandleRequest(req)
+	if err != nil || (resp != nil && resp.IsError()) {
+		t.Fatalf("err:%v resp:%#v", err, resp)
+	}
+
+	// Seal the cluster
+	cluster.EnsureCoresSealed(t)
+
+	// Unseal the cluster
+	barrierKeys := cluster.BarrierKeys
+	for _, core := range cluster.Cores {
+		for _, key := range barrierKeys {
+			_, err := core.Unseal(vault.TestKeyCopy(key))
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}
+		sealed, err := core.Sealed()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("err checking seal status: %s", err)
+		}
+		if sealed {
+			t.Fatal("should not be sealed")
+		}
+		// Wait for active so post-unseal takes place
+		// If it fails, it means unseal process failed
+		vault.TestWaitActive(t, core.Core)
+	}
+
+	if testMount {
+		// Add plugin back to the catalog
+		vault.TestAddTestPlugin(t, core.Core, "mock-plugin", "TestBackend_PluginMainLogical")
+
+		// Mount the plugin at the same path after plugin is re-added to the catalog
+		// and expect an error due to existing path.
+		var err error
+		switch btype {
+		case logical.TypeLogical:
+			_, err = core.Client.Logical().Write("sys/mounts/mock-0", map[string]interface{}{
+				"type": "plugin",
+				"config": map[string]interface{}{
+					"plugin_name": "mock-plugin",
+				},
+			})
+		case logical.TypeCredential:
+			_, err = core.Client.Logical().Write("sys/auth/mock-0", map[string]interface{}{
+				"type":        "plugin",
+				"plugin_name": "mock-plugin",
+			})
+		}
+		if err == nil {
+			t.Fatal("expected error when mounting on existing path")
+		}
+	}
 }
 
 func TestSystemBackend_Plugin_autoReload(t *testing.T) {
-	cluster := testSystemBackendMock(t, 1, logical.TypeLogical)
+	cluster := testSystemBackendMock(t, 1, 1, logical.TypeLogical)
 	defer cluster.Cleanup()
 
 	core := cluster.Cores[0]
@@ -65,6 +245,35 @@ func TestSystemBackend_Plugin_autoReload(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestSystemBackend_Plugin_SealUnseal(t *testing.T) {
+	cluster := testSystemBackendMock(t, 1, 1, logical.TypeLogical)
+	defer cluster.Cleanup()
+
+	// Seal the cluster
+	cluster.EnsureCoresSealed(t)
+
+	// Unseal the cluster
+	barrierKeys := cluster.BarrierKeys
+	for _, core := range cluster.Cores {
+		for _, key := range barrierKeys {
+			_, err := core.Unseal(vault.TestKeyCopy(key))
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}
+		sealed, err := core.Sealed()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("err checking seal status: %s", err)
+		}
+		if sealed {
+			t.Fatal("should not be sealed")
+		}
+		// Wait for active so post-unseal takes place
+		// If it fails, it means unseal process failed
+		vault.TestWaitActive(t, core.Core)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestSystemBackend_Plugin_reload(t *testing.T) {
 	data := map[string]interface{}{
 		"plugin": "mock-plugin",
@@ -77,8 +286,9 @@ func TestSystemBackend_Plugin_reload(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("mounts", func(t *testing.T) { testSystemBackend_PluginReload(t, data) })
 }
 
+// Helper func to test different reload methods on plugin reload endpoint
 func testSystemBackend_PluginReload(t *testing.T, reqData map[string]interface{}) {
-	cluster := testSystemBackendMock(t, 2, logical.TypeLogical)
+	cluster := testSystemBackendMock(t, 1, 2, logical.TypeLogical)
 	defer cluster.Cleanup()
 
 	core := cluster.Cores[0]
@@ -123,7 +333,7 @@ func testSystemBackend_PluginReload(t *testing.T, reqData map[string]interface{}
 
 // testSystemBackendMock returns a systemBackend with the desired number
 // of mounted mock plugin backends
-func testSystemBackendMock(t *testing.T, numMounts int, backendType logical.BackendType) *vault.TestCluster {
+func testSystemBackendMock(t *testing.T, numCores, numMounts int, backendType logical.BackendType) *vault.TestCluster {
 	coreConfig := &vault.CoreConfig{
 		LogicalBackends: map[string]logical.Factory{
 			"plugin": plugin.Factory,
@@ -134,7 +344,9 @@ func testSystemBackendMock(t *testing.T, numMounts int, backendType logical.Back
 	}
 
 	cluster := vault.NewTestCluster(t, coreConfig, &vault.TestClusterOptions{
-		HandlerFunc: vaulthttp.Handler,
+		HandlerFunc:        vaulthttp.Handler,
+		KeepStandbysSealed: true,
+		NumCores:           numCores,
 	})
 	cluster.Start()
 
@@ -197,7 +409,8 @@ func testSystemBackendMock(t *testing.T, numMounts int, backendType logical.Back
 }
 
 func TestBackend_PluginMainLogical(t *testing.T) {
-	if os.Getenv(pluginutil.PluginUnwrapTokenEnv) == "" {
+	args := []string{}
+	if os.Getenv(pluginutil.PluginUnwrapTokenEnv) == "" && os.Getenv(pluginutil.PluginMetadaModeEnv) != "true" {
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -205,16 +418,16 @@ func TestBackend_PluginMainLogical(t *testing.T) {
 	if caPEM == "" {
 		t.Fatal("CA cert not passed in")
 	}
-
-	factoryFunc := mock.FactoryType(logical.TypeLogical)
-
-	args := []string{"--ca-cert=" + caPEM}
+	args = append(args, fmt.Sprintf("--ca-cert=%s", caPEM))
 
 	apiClientMeta := &pluginutil.APIClientMeta{}
 	flags := apiClientMeta.FlagSet()
 	flags.Parse(args)
 	tlsConfig := apiClientMeta.GetTLSConfig()
 	tlsProviderFunc := pluginutil.VaultPluginTLSProvider(tlsConfig)
+
+	factoryFunc := mock.FactoryType(logical.TypeLogical)
+
 	err := lplugin.Serve(&lplugin.ServeOpts{
 		BackendFactoryFunc: factoryFunc,
 		TLSProviderFunc:    tlsProviderFunc,
@@ -225,7 +438,8 @@ func TestBackend_PluginMainLogical(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestBackend_PluginMainCredentials(t *testing.T) {
-	if os.Getenv(pluginutil.PluginUnwrapTokenEnv) == "" {
+	args := []string{}
+	if os.Getenv(pluginutil.PluginUnwrapTokenEnv) == "" && os.Getenv(pluginutil.PluginMetadaModeEnv) != "true" {
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -233,16 +447,16 @@ func TestBackend_PluginMainCredentials(t *testing.T) {
 	if caPEM == "" {
 		t.Fatal("CA cert not passed in")
 	}
-
-	factoryFunc := mock.FactoryType(logical.TypeCredential)
-
-	args := []string{"--ca-cert=" + caPEM}
+	args = append(args, fmt.Sprintf("--ca-cert=%s", caPEM))
 
 	apiClientMeta := &pluginutil.APIClientMeta{}
 	flags := apiClientMeta.FlagSet()
 	flags.Parse(args)
 	tlsConfig := apiClientMeta.GetTLSConfig()
 	tlsProviderFunc := pluginutil.VaultPluginTLSProvider(tlsConfig)
+
+	factoryFunc := mock.FactoryType(logical.TypeCredential)
+
 	err := lplugin.Serve(&lplugin.ServeOpts{
 		BackendFactoryFunc: factoryFunc,
 		TLSProviderFunc:    tlsProviderFunc,
diff --git a/vault/mount.go b/vault/mount.go
index 16b048a69..1fd5f748c 100644
--- a/vault/mount.go
+++ b/vault/mount.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/hashicorp/errwrap"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/go-uuid"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/consts"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/jsonutil"
@@ -663,11 +664,12 @@ func (c *Core) setupMounts() error {
 	c.mountsLock.Lock()
 	defer c.mountsLock.Unlock()
 
-	var backend logical.Backend
 	var view *BarrierView
 	var err error
 
 	for _, entry := range c.mounts.Entries {
+		var backend logical.Backend
+
 		// Initialize the backend, special casing for system
 		barrierPath := backendBarrierPrefix + entry.UUID + "/"
 		if entry.Type == "system" {
@@ -686,6 +688,9 @@ func (c *Core) setupMounts() error {
 		backend, err = c.newLogicalBackend(entry.Type, sysView, view, conf)
 		if err != nil {
 			c.logger.Error("core: failed to create mount entry", "path", entry.Path, "error", err)
+			if errwrap.Contains(err, ErrPluginNotFound.Error()) && entry.Type == "plugin" {
+				goto ROUTER_MOUNT
+			}
 			return errLoadMountsFailed
 		}
 		if backend == nil {
@@ -693,9 +698,8 @@ func (c *Core) setupMounts() error {
 		}
 
 		// Check for the correct backend type
-		backendType := backend.Type()
-		if entry.Type == "plugin" && backendType != logical.TypeLogical {
-			return fmt.Errorf("cannot mount '%s' of type '%s' as a logical backend", entry.Config.PluginName, backendType)
+		if entry.Type == "plugin" && backend.Type() != logical.TypeLogical {
+			return fmt.Errorf("cannot mount '%s' of type '%s' as a logical backend", entry.Config.PluginName, backend.Type())
 		}
 
 		if err := backend.Initialize(); err != nil {
@@ -710,7 +714,7 @@ func (c *Core) setupMounts() error {
 			ch.saltUUID = entry.UUID
 			ch.storageView = view
 		}
-
+	ROUTER_MOUNT:
 		// Mount the backend
 		err = c.router.Mount(backend, entry.Path, entry, view)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/vault/plugin_catalog.go b/vault/plugin_catalog.go
index 09f612cc8..3e2466ff6 100644
--- a/vault/plugin_catalog.go
+++ b/vault/plugin_catalog.go
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import (
 var (
 	pluginCatalogPath         = "core/plugin-catalog/"
 	ErrDirectoryNotConfigured = errors.New("could not set plugin, plugin directory is not configured")
+	ErrPluginNotFound         = errors.New("plugin not found in the catalog")
 )
 
 // PluginCatalog keeps a record of plugins known to vault. External plugins need
@@ -37,6 +38,10 @@ func (c *Core) setupPluginCatalog() error {
 		directory:   c.pluginDirectory,
 	}
 
+	if c.logger.IsInfo() {
+		c.logger.Info("core: successfully setup plugin catalog", "plugin-directory", c.pluginDirectory)
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/vault/router.go b/vault/router.go
index e6c36c4c9..6e516be6a 100644
--- a/vault/router.go
+++ b/vault/router.go
@@ -64,9 +64,12 @@ func (r *Router) Mount(backend logical.Backend, prefix string, mountEntry *Mount
 	}
 
 	// Build the paths
-	paths := backend.SpecialPaths()
-	if paths == nil {
-		paths = new(logical.Paths)
+	paths := new(logical.Paths)
+	if backend != nil {
+		specialPaths := backend.SpecialPaths()
+		if specialPaths != nil {
+			paths = specialPaths
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Create a mount entry
diff --git a/vault/testing.go b/vault/testing.go
index 3c6a2713c..f4d2cfc5d 100644
--- a/vault/testing.go
+++ b/vault/testing.go
@@ -335,11 +335,17 @@ func TestAddTestPlugin(t testing.T, c *Core, name, testFunc string) {
 	}
 
 	sum := hash.Sum(nil)
-	c.pluginCatalog.directory, err = filepath.EvalSymlinks(os.Args[0])
+
+	// Determine plugin directory path
+	fullPath, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(os.Args[0])
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	c.pluginCatalog.directory = filepath.Dir(c.pluginCatalog.directory)
+	directoryPath := filepath.Dir(fullPath)
+
+	// Set core's plugin directory and plugin catalog directory
+	c.pluginDirectory = directoryPath
+	c.pluginCatalog.directory = directoryPath
 
 	command := fmt.Sprintf("%s --test.run=%s", filepath.Base(os.Args[0]), testFunc)
 	err = c.pluginCatalog.Set(name, command, sum)
@@ -585,6 +591,7 @@ func GenerateRandBytes(length int) ([]byte, error) {
 }
 
 func TestWaitActive(t testing.T, core *Core) {
+	t.Helper()
 	start := time.Now()
 	var standby bool
 	var err error
@@ -627,6 +634,13 @@ func (c *TestCluster) Start() {
 	}
 }
 
+func (c *TestCluster) EnsureCoresSealed(t testing.T) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if err := c.ensureCoresSealed(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
+
 func (c *TestCluster) Cleanup() {
 	// Close listeners
 	for _, core := range c.Cores {
@@ -638,25 +652,7 @@ func (c *TestCluster) Cleanup() {
 	}
 
 	// Seal the cores
-	for _, core := range c.Cores {
-		if err := core.Shutdown(); err != nil {
-			continue
-		}
-		timeout := time.Now().Add(60 * time.Second)
-		for {
-			if time.Now().After(timeout) {
-				continue
-			}
-			sealed, err := core.Sealed()
-			if err != nil {
-				continue
-			}
-			if sealed {
-				break
-			}
-			time.Sleep(250 * time.Millisecond)
-		}
-	}
+	c.ensureCoresSealed()
 
 	// Remove any temp dir that exists
 	if c.TempDir != "" {
@@ -667,6 +663,29 @@ func (c *TestCluster) Cleanup() {
 	time.Sleep(time.Second)
 }
 
+func (c *TestCluster) ensureCoresSealed() error {
+	for _, core := range c.Cores {
+		if err := core.Shutdown(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		timeout := time.Now().Add(60 * time.Second)
+		for {
+			if time.Now().After(timeout) {
+				return fmt.Errorf("timeout waiting for core to seal")
+			}
+			sealed, err := core.Sealed()
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if sealed {
+				break
+			}
+			time.Sleep(250 * time.Millisecond)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 type TestListener struct {
 	net.Listener
 	Address *net.TCPAddr
@@ -692,9 +711,29 @@ type TestClusterOptions struct {
 	KeepStandbysSealed bool
 	HandlerFunc        func(*Core) http.Handler
 	BaseListenAddress  string
+	NumCores           int
 }
 
+var DefaultNumCores = 3
+
+type certInfo struct {
+	cert      *x509.Certificate
+	certPEM   []byte
+	certBytes []byte
+	key       *ecdsa.PrivateKey
+	keyPEM    []byte
+}
+
+// NewTestCluster creates a new test cluster based on the provided core config
+// and test cluster options.
 func NewTestCluster(t testing.T, base *CoreConfig, opts *TestClusterOptions) *TestCluster {
+	var numCores int
+	if opts == nil || opts.NumCores == 0 {
+		numCores = DefaultNumCores
+	} else {
+		numCores = opts.NumCores
+	}
+
 	certIPs := []net.IP{
 		net.IPv6loopback,
 		net.ParseIP("127.0.0.1"),
@@ -770,270 +809,131 @@ func NewTestCluster(t testing.T, base *CoreConfig, opts *TestClusterOptions) *Te
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	s1Key, err := ecdsa.GenerateKey(elliptic.P256(), rand.Reader)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s1CertTemplate := &x509.Certificate{
-		Subject: pkix.Name{
-			CommonName: "localhost",
-		},
-		DNSNames:    []string{"localhost"},
-		IPAddresses: certIPs,
-		ExtKeyUsage: []x509.ExtKeyUsage{
-			x509.ExtKeyUsageServerAuth,
-			x509.ExtKeyUsageClientAuth,
-		},
-		KeyUsage:     x509.KeyUsageDigitalSignature | x509.KeyUsageKeyEncipherment | x509.KeyUsageKeyAgreement,
-		SerialNumber: big.NewInt(mathrand.Int63()),
-		NotBefore:    time.Now().Add(-30 * time.Second),
-		NotAfter:     time.Now().Add(262980 * time.Hour),
-	}
-	s1CertBytes, err := x509.CreateCertificate(rand.Reader, s1CertTemplate, caCert, s1Key.Public(), caKey)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s1Cert, err := x509.ParseCertificate(s1CertBytes)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s1CertPEMBlock := &pem.Block{
-		Type:  "CERTIFICATE",
-		Bytes: s1CertBytes,
-	}
-	s1CertPEM := pem.EncodeToMemory(s1CertPEMBlock)
-	s1MarshaledKey, err := x509.MarshalECPrivateKey(s1Key)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s1KeyPEMBlock := &pem.Block{
-		Type:  "EC PRIVATE KEY",
-		Bytes: s1MarshaledKey,
-	}
-	s1KeyPEM := pem.EncodeToMemory(s1KeyPEMBlock)
+	var certInfoSlice []*certInfo
 
-	s2Key, err := ecdsa.GenerateKey(elliptic.P256(), rand.Reader)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s2CertTemplate := &x509.Certificate{
-		Subject: pkix.Name{
-			CommonName: "localhost",
-		},
-		DNSNames:    []string{"localhost"},
-		IPAddresses: certIPs,
-		ExtKeyUsage: []x509.ExtKeyUsage{
-			x509.ExtKeyUsageServerAuth,
-			x509.ExtKeyUsageClientAuth,
-		},
-		KeyUsage:     x509.KeyUsageDigitalSignature | x509.KeyUsageKeyEncipherment | x509.KeyUsageKeyAgreement,
-		SerialNumber: big.NewInt(mathrand.Int63()),
-		NotBefore:    time.Now().Add(-30 * time.Second),
-		NotAfter:     time.Now().Add(262980 * time.Hour),
-	}
-	s2CertBytes, err := x509.CreateCertificate(rand.Reader, s2CertTemplate, caCert, s2Key.Public(), caKey)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s2Cert, err := x509.ParseCertificate(s2CertBytes)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s2CertPEMBlock := &pem.Block{
-		Type:  "CERTIFICATE",
-		Bytes: s2CertBytes,
-	}
-	s2CertPEM := pem.EncodeToMemory(s2CertPEMBlock)
-	s2MarshaledKey, err := x509.MarshalECPrivateKey(s2Key)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s2KeyPEMBlock := &pem.Block{
-		Type:  "EC PRIVATE KEY",
-		Bytes: s2MarshaledKey,
-	}
-	s2KeyPEM := pem.EncodeToMemory(s2KeyPEMBlock)
+	//
+	// Certs generation
+	//
+	for i := 0; i < numCores; i++ {
+		key, err := ecdsa.GenerateKey(elliptic.P256(), rand.Reader)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		certTemplate := &x509.Certificate{
+			Subject: pkix.Name{
+				CommonName: "localhost",
+			},
+			DNSNames:    []string{"localhost"},
+			IPAddresses: certIPs,
+			ExtKeyUsage: []x509.ExtKeyUsage{
+				x509.ExtKeyUsageServerAuth,
+				x509.ExtKeyUsageClientAuth,
+			},
+			KeyUsage:     x509.KeyUsageDigitalSignature | x509.KeyUsageKeyEncipherment | x509.KeyUsageKeyAgreement,
+			SerialNumber: big.NewInt(mathrand.Int63()),
+			NotBefore:    time.Now().Add(-30 * time.Second),
+			NotAfter:     time.Now().Add(262980 * time.Hour),
+		}
+		certBytes, err := x509.CreateCertificate(rand.Reader, certTemplate, caCert, key.Public(), caKey)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		cert, err := x509.ParseCertificate(certBytes)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		certPEMBlock := &pem.Block{
+			Type:  "CERTIFICATE",
+			Bytes: certBytes,
+		}
+		certPEM := pem.EncodeToMemory(certPEMBlock)
+		marshaledKey, err := x509.MarshalECPrivateKey(key)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		keyPEMBlock := &pem.Block{
+			Type:  "EC PRIVATE KEY",
+			Bytes: marshaledKey,
+		}
+		keyPEM := pem.EncodeToMemory(keyPEMBlock)
 
-	s3Key, err := ecdsa.GenerateKey(elliptic.P256(), rand.Reader)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
+		certInfoSlice = append(certInfoSlice, &certInfo{
+			cert:      cert,
+			certPEM:   certPEM,
+			certBytes: certBytes,
+			key:       key,
+			keyPEM:    keyPEM,
+		})
 	}
-	s3CertTemplate := &x509.Certificate{
-		Subject: pkix.Name{
-			CommonName: "localhost",
-		},
-		DNSNames:    []string{"localhost"},
-		IPAddresses: certIPs,
-		ExtKeyUsage: []x509.ExtKeyUsage{
-			x509.ExtKeyUsageServerAuth,
-			x509.ExtKeyUsageClientAuth,
-		},
-		KeyUsage:     x509.KeyUsageDigitalSignature | x509.KeyUsageKeyEncipherment | x509.KeyUsageKeyAgreement,
-		SerialNumber: big.NewInt(mathrand.Int63()),
-		NotBefore:    time.Now().Add(-30 * time.Second),
-		NotAfter:     time.Now().Add(262980 * time.Hour),
-	}
-	s3CertBytes, err := x509.CreateCertificate(rand.Reader, s3CertTemplate, caCert, s3Key.Public(), caKey)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s3Cert, err := x509.ParseCertificate(s3CertBytes)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s3CertPEMBlock := &pem.Block{
-		Type:  "CERTIFICATE",
-		Bytes: s3CertBytes,
-	}
-	s3CertPEM := pem.EncodeToMemory(s3CertPEMBlock)
-	s3MarshaledKey, err := x509.MarshalECPrivateKey(s3Key)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s3KeyPEMBlock := &pem.Block{
-		Type:  "EC PRIVATE KEY",
-		Bytes: s3MarshaledKey,
-	}
-	s3KeyPEM := pem.EncodeToMemory(s3KeyPEMBlock)
-
-	logger := logformat.NewVaultLogger(log.LevelTrace)
 
 	//
 	// Listener setup
 	//
-	ports := []int{0, 0, 0}
+	logger := logformat.NewVaultLogger(log.LevelTrace)
+	ports := make([]int, numCores)
 	if baseAddr != nil {
-		ports = []int{baseAddr.Port, baseAddr.Port + 1, baseAddr.Port + 2}
+		for i := 0; i < numCores; i++ {
+			ports[i] = baseAddr.Port + i
+		}
 	} else {
 		baseAddr = &net.TCPAddr{
 			IP:   net.ParseIP("127.0.0.1"),
 			Port: 0,
 		}
 	}
-	baseAddr.Port = ports[0]
-	ln, err := net.ListenTCP("tcp", baseAddr)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s1CertFile := filepath.Join(testCluster.TempDir, fmt.Sprintf("node1_port_%d_cert.pem", ln.Addr().(*net.TCPAddr).Port))
-	s1KeyFile := filepath.Join(testCluster.TempDir, fmt.Sprintf("node1_port_%d_key.pem", ln.Addr().(*net.TCPAddr).Port))
-	err = ioutil.WriteFile(s1CertFile, s1CertPEM, 0755)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	err = ioutil.WriteFile(s1KeyFile, s1KeyPEM, 0755)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s1TLSCert, err := tls.X509KeyPair(s1CertPEM, s1KeyPEM)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s1CertGetter := reload.NewCertificateGetter(s1CertFile, s1KeyFile)
-	s1TLSConfig := &tls.Config{
-		Certificates:   []tls.Certificate{s1TLSCert},
-		RootCAs:        testCluster.RootCAs,
-		ClientCAs:      testCluster.RootCAs,
-		ClientAuth:     tls.VerifyClientCertIfGiven,
-		NextProtos:     []string{"h2", "http/1.1"},
-		GetCertificate: s1CertGetter.GetCertificate,
-	}
-	s1TLSConfig.BuildNameToCertificate()
-	c1lns := []*TestListener{&TestListener{
-		Listener: tls.NewListener(ln, s1TLSConfig),
-		Address:  ln.Addr().(*net.TCPAddr),
-	},
-	}
-	var handler1 http.Handler = http.NewServeMux()
-	server1 := &http.Server{
-		Handler: handler1,
-	}
-	if err := http2.ConfigureServer(server1, nil); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
 
-	baseAddr.Port = ports[1]
-	ln, err = net.ListenTCP("tcp", baseAddr)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s2CertFile := filepath.Join(testCluster.TempDir, fmt.Sprintf("node2_port_%d_cert.pem", ln.Addr().(*net.TCPAddr).Port))
-	s2KeyFile := filepath.Join(testCluster.TempDir, fmt.Sprintf("node2_port_%d_key.pem", ln.Addr().(*net.TCPAddr).Port))
-	err = ioutil.WriteFile(s2CertFile, s2CertPEM, 0755)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	err = ioutil.WriteFile(s2KeyFile, s2KeyPEM, 0755)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s2TLSCert, err := tls.X509KeyPair(s2CertPEM, s2KeyPEM)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s2CertGetter := reload.NewCertificateGetter(s2CertFile, s2KeyFile)
-	s2TLSConfig := &tls.Config{
-		Certificates:   []tls.Certificate{s2TLSCert},
-		RootCAs:        testCluster.RootCAs,
-		ClientCAs:      testCluster.RootCAs,
-		ClientAuth:     tls.VerifyClientCertIfGiven,
-		NextProtos:     []string{"h2", "http/1.1"},
-		GetCertificate: s2CertGetter.GetCertificate,
-	}
-	s2TLSConfig.BuildNameToCertificate()
-	c2lns := []*TestListener{&TestListener{
-		Listener: tls.NewListener(ln, s2TLSConfig),
-		Address:  ln.Addr().(*net.TCPAddr),
-	},
-	}
-	var handler2 http.Handler = http.NewServeMux()
-	server2 := &http.Server{
-		Handler: handler2,
-	}
-	if err := http2.ConfigureServer(server2, nil); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-
-	baseAddr.Port = ports[2]
-	ln, err = net.ListenTCP("tcp", baseAddr)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s3CertFile := filepath.Join(testCluster.TempDir, fmt.Sprintf("node3_port_%d_cert.pem", ln.Addr().(*net.TCPAddr).Port))
-	s3KeyFile := filepath.Join(testCluster.TempDir, fmt.Sprintf("node3_port_%d_key.pem", ln.Addr().(*net.TCPAddr).Port))
-	err = ioutil.WriteFile(s3CertFile, s3CertPEM, 0755)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	err = ioutil.WriteFile(s3KeyFile, s3KeyPEM, 0755)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s3TLSCert, err := tls.X509KeyPair(s3CertPEM, s3KeyPEM)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s3CertGetter := reload.NewCertificateGetter(s3CertFile, s3KeyFile)
-	s3TLSConfig := &tls.Config{
-		Certificates:   []tls.Certificate{s3TLSCert},
-		RootCAs:        testCluster.RootCAs,
-		ClientCAs:      testCluster.RootCAs,
-		ClientAuth:     tls.VerifyClientCertIfGiven,
-		NextProtos:     []string{"h2", "http/1.1"},
-		GetCertificate: s3CertGetter.GetCertificate,
-	}
-	s3TLSConfig.BuildNameToCertificate()
-	c3lns := []*TestListener{&TestListener{
-		Listener: tls.NewListener(ln, s3TLSConfig),
-		Address:  ln.Addr().(*net.TCPAddr),
-	},
-	}
-	var handler3 http.Handler = http.NewServeMux()
-	server3 := &http.Server{
-		Handler: handler3,
-	}
-	if err := http2.ConfigureServer(server3, nil); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
+	listeners := [][]*TestListener{}
+	servers := []*http.Server{}
+	handlers := []http.Handler{}
+	tlsConfigs := []*tls.Config{}
+	certGetters := []*reload.CertificateGetter{}
+	for i := 0; i < numCores; i++ {
+		baseAddr.Port = ports[i]
+		ln, err := net.ListenTCP("tcp", baseAddr)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		certFile := filepath.Join(testCluster.TempDir, fmt.Sprintf("node%d_port_%d_cert.pem", i+1, ln.Addr().(*net.TCPAddr).Port))
+		keyFile := filepath.Join(testCluster.TempDir, fmt.Sprintf("node%d_port_%d_key.pem", i+1, ln.Addr().(*net.TCPAddr).Port))
+		err = ioutil.WriteFile(certFile, certInfoSlice[i].certPEM, 0755)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		err = ioutil.WriteFile(keyFile, certInfoSlice[i].keyPEM, 0755)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		tlsCert, err := tls.X509KeyPair(certInfoSlice[i].certPEM, certInfoSlice[i].keyPEM)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		certGetter := reload.NewCertificateGetter(certFile, keyFile)
+		certGetters = append(certGetters, certGetter)
+		tlsConfig := &tls.Config{
+			Certificates:   []tls.Certificate{tlsCert},
+			RootCAs:        testCluster.RootCAs,
+			ClientCAs:      testCluster.RootCAs,
+			ClientAuth:     tls.VerifyClientCertIfGiven,
+			NextProtos:     []string{"h2", "http/1.1"},
+			GetCertificate: certGetter.GetCertificate,
+		}
+		tlsConfig.BuildNameToCertificate()
+		tlsConfigs = append(tlsConfigs, tlsConfig)
+		lns := []*TestListener{&TestListener{
+			Listener: tls.NewListener(ln, tlsConfig),
+			Address:  ln.Addr().(*net.TCPAddr),
+		},
+		}
+		listeners = append(listeners, lns)
+		var handler http.Handler = http.NewServeMux()
+		handlers = append(handlers, handler)
+		server := &http.Server{
+			Handler: handler,
+		}
+		servers = append(servers, server)
+		if err := http2.ConfigureServer(server, nil); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Create three cores with the same physical and different redirect/cluster
@@ -1049,8 +949,8 @@ func NewTestCluster(t testing.T, base *CoreConfig, opts *TestClusterOptions) *Te
 		LogicalBackends:    make(map[string]logical.Factory),
 		CredentialBackends: make(map[string]logical.Factory),
 		AuditBackends:      make(map[string]audit.Factory),
-		RedirectAddr:       fmt.Sprintf("https://127.0.0.1:%d", c1lns[0].Address.Port),
-		ClusterAddr:        fmt.Sprintf("https://127.0.0.1:%d", c1lns[0].Address.Port+105),
+		RedirectAddr:       fmt.Sprintf("https://127.0.0.1:%d", listeners[0][0].Address.Port),
+		ClusterAddr:        fmt.Sprintf("https://127.0.0.1:%d", listeners[0][0].Address.Port+105),
 		DisableMlock:       true,
 		EnableUI:           true,
 	}
@@ -1126,39 +1026,21 @@ func NewTestCluster(t testing.T, base *CoreConfig, opts *TestClusterOptions) *Te
 		coreConfig.HAPhysical = haPhys.(physical.HABackend)
 	}
 
-	c1, err := NewCore(coreConfig)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
-	}
-	if opts != nil && opts.HandlerFunc != nil {
-		handler1 = opts.HandlerFunc(c1)
-		server1.Handler = handler1
-	}
-
-	coreConfig.RedirectAddr = fmt.Sprintf("https://127.0.0.1:%d", c2lns[0].Address.Port)
-	if coreConfig.ClusterAddr != "" {
-		coreConfig.ClusterAddr = fmt.Sprintf("https://127.0.0.1:%d", c2lns[0].Address.Port+105)
-	}
-	c2, err := NewCore(coreConfig)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
-	}
-	if opts != nil && opts.HandlerFunc != nil {
-		handler2 = opts.HandlerFunc(c2)
-		server2.Handler = handler2
-	}
-
-	coreConfig.RedirectAddr = fmt.Sprintf("https://127.0.0.1:%d", c3lns[0].Address.Port)
-	if coreConfig.ClusterAddr != "" {
-		coreConfig.ClusterAddr = fmt.Sprintf("https://127.0.0.1:%d", c3lns[0].Address.Port+105)
-	}
-	c3, err := NewCore(coreConfig)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
-	}
-	if opts != nil && opts.HandlerFunc != nil {
-		handler3 = opts.HandlerFunc(c3)
-		server3.Handler = handler3
+	cores := []*Core{}
+	for i := 0; i < numCores; i++ {
+		coreConfig.RedirectAddr = fmt.Sprintf("https://127.0.0.1:%d", listeners[i][0].Address.Port)
+		if coreConfig.ClusterAddr != "" {
+			coreConfig.ClusterAddr = fmt.Sprintf("https://127.0.0.1:%d", listeners[i][0].Address.Port+105)
+		}
+		c, err := NewCore(coreConfig)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
+		}
+		cores = append(cores, c)
+		if opts != nil && opts.HandlerFunc != nil {
+			handlers[i] = opts.HandlerFunc(c)
+			servers[i].Handler = handlers[i]
+		}
 	}
 
 	//
@@ -1175,16 +1057,19 @@ func NewTestCluster(t testing.T, base *CoreConfig, opts *TestClusterOptions) *Te
 		return ret
 	}
 
-	c2.SetClusterListenerAddrs(clusterAddrGen(c2lns))
-	c2.SetClusterHandler(handler2)
-	c3.SetClusterListenerAddrs(clusterAddrGen(c3lns))
-	c3.SetClusterHandler(handler3)
+	if numCores > 1 {
+		for i := 1; i < numCores; i++ {
+			cores[i].SetClusterListenerAddrs(clusterAddrGen(listeners[i]))
+			cores[i].SetClusterHandler(handlers[i])
+		}
+	}
 
-	keys, root := TestCoreInitClusterWrapperSetup(t, c1, clusterAddrGen(c1lns), handler1)
+	keys, root := TestCoreInitClusterWrapperSetup(t, cores[0], clusterAddrGen(listeners[0]), handlers[0])
 	barrierKeys, _ := copystructure.Copy(keys)
 	testCluster.BarrierKeys = barrierKeys.([][]byte)
 	testCluster.RootToken = root
 
+	// Write root token and barrier keys
 	err = ioutil.WriteFile(filepath.Join(testCluster.TempDir, "root_token"), []byte(root), 0755)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
@@ -1201,14 +1086,15 @@ func NewTestCluster(t testing.T, base *CoreConfig, opts *TestClusterOptions) *Te
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
+	// Unseal first core
 	for _, key := range keys {
-		if _, err := c1.Unseal(TestKeyCopy(key)); err != nil {
+		if _, err := cores[0].Unseal(TestKeyCopy(key)); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("unseal err: %s", err)
 		}
 	}
 
 	// Verify unsealed
-	sealed, err := c1.Sealed()
+	sealed, err := cores[0].Sealed()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("err checking seal status: %s", err)
 	}
@@ -1216,41 +1102,38 @@ func NewTestCluster(t testing.T, base *CoreConfig, opts *TestClusterOptions) *Te
 		t.Fatal("should not be sealed")
 	}
 
-	TestWaitActive(t, c1)
+	TestWaitActive(t, cores[0])
 
-	if opts == nil || !opts.KeepStandbysSealed {
-		for _, key := range keys {
-			if _, err := c2.Unseal(TestKeyCopy(key)); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("unseal err: %s", err)
-			}
-		}
-		for _, key := range keys {
-			if _, err := c3.Unseal(TestKeyCopy(key)); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("unseal err: %s", err)
+	// Unseal other cores unless otherwise specified
+	if (opts == nil || !opts.KeepStandbysSealed) && numCores > 1 {
+		for i := 1; i < numCores; i++ {
+			for _, key := range keys {
+				if _, err := cores[i].Unseal(TestKeyCopy(key)); err != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("unseal err: %s", err)
+				}
 			}
 		}
 
 		// Let them come fully up to standby
 		time.Sleep(2 * time.Second)
 
-		// Ensure cluster connection info is populated
-		isLeader, _, _, err := c2.Leader()
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-		if isLeader {
-			t.Fatal("c2 should not be leader")
-		}
-		isLeader, _, _, err = c3.Leader()
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-		if isLeader {
-			t.Fatal("c3 should not be leader")
+		// Ensure cluster connection info is populated.
+		// Other cores should not come up as leaders.
+		for i := 1; i < numCores; i++ {
+			isLeader, _, _, err := cores[i].Leader()
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if isLeader {
+				t.Fatalf("core[%d] should not be leader", i)
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
-	cluster, err := c1.Cluster()
+	//
+	// Set test cluster core(s) and test cluster
+	//
+	cluster, err := cores[0].Cluster()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -1278,65 +1161,27 @@ func NewTestCluster(t testing.T, base *CoreConfig, opts *TestClusterOptions) *Te
 	}
 
 	var ret []*TestClusterCore
-	t1 := &TestClusterCore{
-		Core:            c1,
-		ServerKey:       s1Key,
-		ServerKeyPEM:    s1KeyPEM,
-		ServerCert:      s1Cert,
-		ServerCertBytes: s1CertBytes,
-		ServerCertPEM:   s1CertPEM,
-		Listeners:       c1lns,
-		Handler:         handler1,
-		Server:          server1,
-		TLSConfig:       s1TLSConfig,
-		Client:          getAPIClient(c1lns[0].Address.Port, s1TLSConfig),
+	for i := 0; i < numCores; i++ {
+		tcc := &TestClusterCore{
+			Core:            cores[i],
+			ServerKey:       certInfoSlice[i].key,
+			ServerKeyPEM:    certInfoSlice[i].keyPEM,
+			ServerCert:      certInfoSlice[i].cert,
+			ServerCertBytes: certInfoSlice[i].certBytes,
+			ServerCertPEM:   certInfoSlice[i].certPEM,
+			Listeners:       listeners[i],
+			Handler:         handlers[i],
+			Server:          servers[i],
+			TLSConfig:       tlsConfigs[i],
+			Client:          getAPIClient(listeners[i][0].Address.Port, tlsConfigs[i]),
+		}
+		tcc.ReloadFuncs = &cores[i].reloadFuncs
+		tcc.ReloadFuncsLock = &cores[i].reloadFuncsLock
+		tcc.ReloadFuncsLock.Lock()
+		(*tcc.ReloadFuncs)["listener|tcp"] = []reload.ReloadFunc{certGetters[i].Reload}
+		tcc.ReloadFuncsLock.Unlock()
+		ret = append(ret, tcc)
 	}
-	t1.ReloadFuncs = &c1.reloadFuncs
-	t1.ReloadFuncsLock = &c1.reloadFuncsLock
-	t1.ReloadFuncsLock.Lock()
-	(*t1.ReloadFuncs)["listener|tcp"] = []reload.ReloadFunc{s1CertGetter.Reload}
-	t1.ReloadFuncsLock.Unlock()
-	ret = append(ret, t1)
-
-	t2 := &TestClusterCore{
-		Core:            c2,
-		ServerKey:       s2Key,
-		ServerKeyPEM:    s2KeyPEM,
-		ServerCert:      s2Cert,
-		ServerCertBytes: s2CertBytes,
-		ServerCertPEM:   s2CertPEM,
-		Listeners:       c2lns,
-		Handler:         handler2,
-		Server:          server2,
-		TLSConfig:       s2TLSConfig,
-		Client:          getAPIClient(c2lns[0].Address.Port, s2TLSConfig),
-	}
-	t2.ReloadFuncs = &c2.reloadFuncs
-	t2.ReloadFuncsLock = &c2.reloadFuncsLock
-	t2.ReloadFuncsLock.Lock()
-	(*t2.ReloadFuncs)["listener|tcp"] = []reload.ReloadFunc{s2CertGetter.Reload}
-	t2.ReloadFuncsLock.Unlock()
-	ret = append(ret, t2)
-
-	t3 := &TestClusterCore{
-		Core:            c3,
-		ServerKey:       s3Key,
-		ServerKeyPEM:    s3KeyPEM,
-		ServerCert:      s3Cert,
-		ServerCertBytes: s3CertBytes,
-		ServerCertPEM:   s3CertPEM,
-		Listeners:       c3lns,
-		Handler:         handler3,
-		Server:          server3,
-		TLSConfig:       s3TLSConfig,
-		Client:          getAPIClient(c3lns[0].Address.Port, s3TLSConfig),
-	}
-	t3.ReloadFuncs = &c3.reloadFuncs
-	t3.ReloadFuncsLock = &c3.reloadFuncsLock
-	t3.ReloadFuncsLock.Lock()
-	(*t3.ReloadFuncs)["listener|tcp"] = []reload.ReloadFunc{s3CertGetter.Reload}
-	t3.ReloadFuncsLock.Unlock()
-	ret = append(ret, t3)
 
 	testCluster.Cores = ret
 	return &testCluster