diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/iosxr.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/iosxr.py
index a3f4183816..2097e14e0c 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/iosxr.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/module_utils/iosxr.py
@@ -26,9 +26,29 @@
 # LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE
 # USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 #
+from ansible.module_utils.basic import env_fallback
+from ansible.module_utils.network_common import to_list
+from ansible.module_utils.connection import exec_command
 
 _DEVICE_CONFIGS = {}
 
+iosxr_argument_spec = {
+    'host': dict(),
+    'port': dict(type='int'),
+    'username': dict(fallback=(env_fallback, ['ANSIBLE_NET_USERNAME'])),
+    'password': dict(fallback=(env_fallback, ['ANSIBLE_NET_PASSWORD']), no_log=True),
+    'ssh_keyfile': dict(fallback=(env_fallback, ['ANSIBLE_NET_SSH_KEYFILE']), type='path'),
+    'timeout': dict(type='int', default=10),
+    'provider': dict(type='dict')
+}
+
+def check_args(module, warnings):
+    provider = module.params['provider'] or {}
+    for key in iosxr_argument_spec:
+        if key != 'provider' and module.params[key]:
+            warnings.append('argument %s has been deprecated and will be '
+                    'removed in a future version' % key)
+
 def get_config(module, flags=[]):
     cmd = 'show running-config '
     cmd += ' '.join(flags)
@@ -37,7 +57,7 @@ def get_config(module, flags=[]):
     try:
         return _DEVICE_CONFIGS[cmd]
     except KeyError:
-        rc, out, err = module.exec_command(cmd)
+        rc, out, err = exec_command(module, cmd)
         if rc != 0:
             module.fail_json(msg='unable to retrieve current config', stderr=err)
         cfg = str(out).strip()
@@ -45,38 +65,35 @@ def get_config(module, flags=[]):
         return cfg
 
 def run_commands(module, commands, check_rc=True):
-    assert isinstance(commands, list), 'commands must be a list'
     responses = list()
 
-    for cmd in commands:
-        rc, out, err = module.exec_command(cmd)
+    for cmd in to_list(commands):
+        rc, out, err = exec_command(module, cmd)
         if check_rc and rc != 0:
             module.fail_json(msg=err, rc=rc)
         responses.append(out)
     return responses
 
 def load_config(module, commands, commit=False, replace=False, comment=None):
-    assert isinstance(commands, list), 'commands must be a list'
-
-    rc, out, err = module.exec_command('configure terminal')
+    rc, out, err = exec_command(module, 'configure terminal')
     if rc != 0:
         module.fail_json(msg='unable to enter configuration mode', err=err)
 
     failed = False
-    for command in commands:
+    for command in to_list(commands):
         if command == 'end':
             pass
 
-        rc, out, err = module.exec_command(command)
+        rc, out, err = exec_command(module, command)
         if rc != 0:
             failed = True
             break
 
     if failed:
-        module.exec_command('abort')
+        exec_command(module, 'abort')
         module.fail_json(msg=err, commands=commands, rc=rc)
 
-    rc, diff, err = module.exec_command('show commit changes diff')
+    rc, diff, err = exec_command(module, 'show commit changes diff')
     if commit:
         cmd = 'commit'
         if comment:
@@ -84,6 +101,6 @@ def load_config(module, commands, commit=False, replace=False, comment=None):
     else:
         cmd = 'abort'
         diff = None
-    module.exec_command(cmd)
+    exec_command(module, cmd)
 
     return diff
diff --git a/lib/ansible/module_utils/iosxr_cli.py b/lib/ansible/module_utils/iosxr_cli.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 00f8b42983..0000000000
--- a/lib/ansible/module_utils/iosxr_cli.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,168 +0,0 @@
-# This code is part of Ansible, but is an independent component.
-# This particular file snippet, and this file snippet only, is BSD licensed.
-# Modules you write using this snippet, which is embedded dynamically by Ansible
-# still belong to the author of the module, and may assign their own license
-# to the complete work.
-#
-# (c) 2017 Red Hat, Inc
-#
-# Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification,
-# are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
-#
-#    * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
-#      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
-#    * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
-#      this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
-#      and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
-#
-# THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND
-# ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED
-# WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.
-# IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
-# INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
-# PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
-# INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
-# LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE
-# USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
-#
-import re
-
-from ansible.module_utils.shell import CliBase
-from ansible.module_utils.basic import env_fallback, get_exception
-from ansible.module_utils.network_common import to_list
-from ansible.module_utils.netcli import Command
-from ansible.module_utils.six import iteritems
-from ansible.module_utils.network import NetworkError
-
-_DEVICE_CONFIGS = {}
-_DEVICE_CONNECTION = None
-
-iosxr_cli_argument_spec = {
-    'host': dict(),
-    'port': dict(type='int'),
-
-    'username': dict(fallback=(env_fallback, ['ANSIBLE_NET_USERNAME'])),
-    'password': dict(fallback=(env_fallback, ['ANSIBLE_NET_PASSWORD']), no_log=True),
-
-    'authorize': dict(default=False, fallback=(env_fallback, ['ANSIBLE_NET_AUTHORIZE']), type='bool'),
-    'auth_pass': dict(no_log=True, fallback=(env_fallback, ['ANSIBLE_NET_AUTH_PASS'])),
-
-    'timeout': dict(type='int', default=10),
-
-    'provider': dict(type='dict'),
-
-    # deprecated in Ansible 2.3
-    'transport': dict(),
-}
-
-def check_args(module):
-    provider = module.params['provider'] or {}
-    for key in ('host', 'username', 'password'):
-        if not module.params[key] and not provider.get(key):
-            module.fail_json(msg='missing required argument %s' % key)
-
-class Cli(CliBase):
-
-    CLI_PROMPTS_RE = [
-        re.compile(r"[\r\n]?[\w+\-\.:\/\[\]]+(?:\([^\)]+\)){,3}(?:>|#) ?$"),
-        re.compile(r"\[\w+\@[\w\-\.]+(?: [^\]])\] ?[>#\$] ?$")
-    ]
-
-    CLI_ERRORS_RE = [
-        re.compile(r"% ?Error"),
-        re.compile(r"% ?Bad secret"),
-        re.compile(r"invalid input", re.I),
-        re.compile(r"(?:incomplete|ambiguous) command", re.I),
-        re.compile(r"connection timed out", re.I),
-        re.compile(r"[^\r\n]+ not found", re.I),
-        re.compile(r"'[^']' +returned error code: ?\d+"),
-    ]
-
-    NET_PASSWD_RE = re.compile(r"[\r\n]?password: $", re.I)
-
-    def __init__(self, module):
-        self._module = module
-        super(Cli, self).__init__()
-
-        provider = self._module.params.get('provider') or dict()
-        for key, value in iteritems(provider):
-            if key in nxos_cli_argument_spec:
-                if self._module.params.get(key) is None and value is not None:
-                    self._module.params[key] = value
-
-        try:
-            self.connect()
-        except NetworkError:
-            exc = get_exception()
-            self._module.fail_json(msg=str(exc))
-
-    def connect(self, params, **kwargs):
-        super(Cli, self).connect(params, kickstart=False, **kwargs)
-        self.shell.send(['terminal length 0', 'terminal exec prompt no-timestamp'])
-
-
-def connection(module):
-    global _DEVICE_CONNECTION
-    if not _DEVICE_CONNECTION:
-        cli = Cli(module)
-        _DEVICE_CONNECTION = cli
-    return _DEVICE_CONNECTION
-
-
-def get_config(module, flags=[]):
-    cmd = 'show running-config '
-    cmd += ' '.join(flags)
-    cmd = cmd.strip()
-
-    try:
-        return _DEVICE_CONFIGS[cmd]
-    except KeyError:
-        conn = connection(module)
-        rc, out, err = conn.exec_command(cmd)
-        if rc != 0:
-            module.fail_json(msg='unable to retrieve current config', stderr=err)
-        cfg = str(out).strip()
-        _DEVICE_CONFIGS[cmd] = cfg
-        return cfg
-
-def run_commands(module, commands, check_rc=True):
-    responses = list()
-    for cmd in to_list(commands):
-        conn = connection(module)
-        rc, out, err = conn.exec_command(cmd)
-        if check_rc and rc != 0:
-            module.fail_json(msg=err, rc=rc)
-        responses.append(out)
-    return responses
-
-def load_config(module, commands, commit=False, replace=False, comment=None):
-    rc, out, err = conn.exec_command('configure terminal')
-    if rc != 0:
-        module.fail_json(msg='unable to enter configuration mode', err=err)
-
-    failed = False
-    for command in to_list(commands):
-        if command == 'end':
-            pass
-
-        conn = connection(module)
-        rc, out, err = conn.exec_command(command)
-        if rc != 0:
-            failed = True
-            break
-
-    if failed:
-        conn.exec_command('abort')
-        module.fail_json(msg=err, commands=commands, rc=rc)
-
-    rc, diff, err = conn.exec_command('show commit changes diff')
-    if commit:
-        cmd = 'commit'
-        if comment:
-            cmd += ' comment {0}'.format(comment)
-    else:
-        cmd = 'abort'
-        diff = None
-    conn.exec_command(cmd)
-
-    return diff
diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/_iosxr_template.py b/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/_iosxr_template.py
index ef17b55633..15d9cf4f43 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/_iosxr_template.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/_iosxr_template.py
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ description:
     commands that are not already configured.  The config source can
     be a set of commands or a template.
 deprecated: Deprecated in 2.2. Use M(iosxr_config) instead.
-extends_documentation_fragment: iosxr
 options:
   src:
     description:
@@ -99,39 +98,11 @@ updates:
   returned: always
   type: list
   sample: ['...', '...']
-
-start:
-  description: The time the job started
-  returned: always
-  type: str
-  sample: "2016-11-16 10:38:15.126146"
-end:
-  description: The time the job ended
-  returned: always
-  type: str
-  sample: "2016-11-16 10:38:25.595612"
-delta:
-  description: The time elapsed to perform all operations
-  returned: always
-  type: str
-  sample: "0:00:10.469466"
 """
-from ansible.module_utils.local import LocalAnsibleModule
+from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleModule
 from ansible.module_utils.netcfg import NetworkConfig, dumps
 from ansible.module_utils.iosxr import get_config, load_config
-from ansible.module_utils.network import NET_TRANSPORT_ARGS, _transitional_argument_spec
-
-
-def check_args(module):
-    warnings = list()
-    for key in NET_TRANSPORT_ARGS:
-        if module.params[key]:
-            warnings.append(
-                'network provider arguments are no longer supported.  Please '
-                'use connection: network_cli for the task'
-            )
-            break
-    return warnings
+from ansible.module_utils.iosxr import iosxr_argument_spec, check_args
 
 
 def main():
@@ -145,17 +116,16 @@ def main():
         config=dict(),
     )
 
-    # Removed the use of provider arguments in 2.3 due to network_cli
-    # connection plugin.  To be removed in 2.5
-    argument_spec.update(_transitional_argument_spec())
+    argument_spec.update(iosxr_argument_spec)
 
     mutually_exclusive = [('config', 'backup'), ('config', 'force')]
 
-    module = LocalAnsibleModule(argument_spec=argument_spec,
+    module = AnsibleModule(argument_spec=argument_spec,
                            mutually_exclusive=mutually_exclusive,
                            supports_check_mode=True)
 
-    warnings = check_args(module)
+    warnings = list()
+    check_args(module, warnings)
 
     result = dict(changed=False, warnings=warnings)
 
@@ -178,6 +148,7 @@ def main():
         result['changed'] = not module.check_mode
 
     result['updates'] = commands
+    result['commands'] = commands
     module.exit_json(**result)
 
 
diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_command.py b/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_command.py
index a81ce18ade..e1248d6860 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_command.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_command.py
@@ -126,31 +126,15 @@ failed_conditions:
   returned: failed
   type: list
   sample: ['...', '...']
-start:
-  description: The time the job started
-  returned: always
-  type: str
-  sample: "2016-11-16 10:38:15.126146"
-end:
-  description: The time the job ended
-  returned: always
-  type: str
-  sample: "2016-11-16 10:38:25.595612"
-delta:
-  description: The time elapsed to perform all operations
-  returned: always
-  type: str
-  sample: "0:00:10.469466"
 """
 import time
 
-from ansible.module_utils.local import LocalAnsibleModule
+from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleModule
 from ansible.module_utils.iosxr import run_commands
 from ansible.module_utils.network_common import ComplexList
 from ansible.module_utils.netcli import Conditional
 from ansible.module_utils.six import string_types
-
-VALID_KEYS = ['command', 'output', 'prompt', 'response']
+from ansible.module_utils.iosxr import iosxr_argument_spec, check_args
 
 def to_lines(stdout):
     for item in stdout:
@@ -182,7 +166,6 @@ def parse_commands(module, warnings):
 
 def main():
     spec = dict(
-        # { command: <str>, output: <str>, prompt: <str>, response: <str> }
         commands=dict(type='list', required=True),
 
         wait_for=dict(type='list', aliases=['waitfor']),
@@ -192,10 +175,14 @@ def main():
         interval=dict(default=1, type='int')
     )
 
-    module = LocalAnsibleModule(argument_spec=spec,
+    spec.update(iosxr_argument_spec)
+
+    module = AnsibleModule(argument_spec=spec,
                            supports_check_mode=True)
 
     warnings = list()
+    check_args(module, warnings)
+
     commands = parse_commands(module, warnings)
 
     wait_for = module.params['wait_for'] or list()
diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_config.py b/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_config.py
index 6e21e022eb..340557f33a 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_config.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_config.py
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ description:
     for segmenting configuration into sections.  This module provides
     an implementation for working with IOS XR configuration sections in
     a deterministic way.
-extends_documentation_fragment: iosxr
 options:
   lines:
     description:
@@ -177,26 +176,11 @@ backup_path:
   returned: when backup is yes
   type: path
   sample: /playbooks/ansible/backup/iosxr01.2016-07-16@22:28:34
-start:
-  description: The time the job started
-  returned: always
-  type: str
-  sample: "2016-11-16 10:38:15.126146"
-end:
-  description: The time the job ended
-  returned: always
-  type: str
-  sample: "2016-11-16 10:38:25.595612"
-delta:
-  description: The time elapsed to perform all operations
-  returned: always
-  type: str
-  sample: "0:00:10.469466"
 """
-from ansible.module_utils.local import LocalAnsibleModule
+from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleModule
 from ansible.module_utils.netcfg import NetworkConfig, dumps
 from ansible.module_utils.iosxr import load_config,get_config
-from ansible.module_utils.network import NET_TRANSPORT_ARGS, _transitional_argument_spec
+from ansible.module_utils.iosxr import iosxr_argument_spec, check_args
 
 DEFAULT_COMMIT_COMMENT = 'configured by iosxr_config'
 
@@ -210,14 +194,6 @@ def check_args(module, warnings):
                         'match=none instead.  This argument will be '
                         'removed in the future')
 
-    for key in NET_TRANSPORT_ARGS:
-        if module.params[key]:
-            warnings.append(
-                'network provider arguments are no longer supported.  Please '
-                'use connection: network_cli for the task'
-            )
-            break
-
 def get_running_config(module):
     contents = module.params['config']
     if not contents:
@@ -261,7 +237,7 @@ def run(module, result):
             if module.params['after']:
                 commands.extend(module.params['after'])
 
-            result['updates'] = commands
+            result['commands'] = commands
 
         diff = load_config(module, commands, not check_mode,
                            replace_config, comment)
@@ -293,7 +269,7 @@ def main():
         comment=dict(default=DEFAULT_COMMIT_COMMENT),
     )
 
-    argument_spec.update(_transitional_argument_spec())
+    argument_spec.update(iosxr_argument_spec)
 
     mutually_exclusive = [('lines', 'src')]
 
@@ -302,10 +278,10 @@ def main():
                    ('replace', 'block', ['lines']),
                    ('replace', 'config', ['src'])]
 
-    module = LocalAnsibleModule(argument_spec=argument_spec,
-                                mutually_exclusive=mutually_exclusive,
-                                required_if=required_if,
-                                supports_check_mode=True)
+    module = AnsibleModule(argument_spec=argument_spec,
+                           mutually_exclusive=mutually_exclusive,
+                           required_if=required_if,
+                           supports_check_mode=True)
 
     if module.params['force'] is True:
         module.params['match'] = 'none'
diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_facts.py b/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_facts.py
index 359836d5da..5a7237b52b 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_facts.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_facts.py
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ description:
     base network fact keys with C(ansible_net_<fact>).  The facts
     module will always collect a base set of facts from the device
     and can enable or disable collection of additional facts.
-extends_documentation_fragment: iosxr
 options:
   gather_subset:
     description:
@@ -122,9 +121,10 @@ ansible_net_neighbors:
 import re
 
 from ansible.module_utils.iosxr import run_commands
-from ansible.module_utils.local import LocalAnsibleModule
+from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleModule
 from ansible.module_utils.six import iteritems
 from ansible.module_utils.six.moves import zip
+from ansible.module_utils.iosxr import iosxr_argument_spec, check_args
 
 
 class FactsBase(object):
@@ -359,7 +359,13 @@ def main():
         gather_subset=dict(default=['!config'], type='list')
     )
 
-    module = LocalAnsibleModule(argument_spec=spec, supports_check_mode=True)
+    spec.update(iosxr_argument_spec)
+
+    module = AnsibleModule(argument_spec=spec,
+                           supports_check_mode=True)
+
+    warnings = list()
+    check_args(module, warnings)
 
     gather_subset = module.params['gather_subset']
 
@@ -416,7 +422,7 @@ def main():
         key = 'ansible_net_%s' % key
         ansible_facts[key] = value
 
-    module.exit_json(ansible_facts=ansible_facts)
+    module.exit_json(ansible_facts=ansible_facts, warnings=warnings)
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_system.py b/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_system.py
index 4b267a2479..c04ec9f41b 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_system.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_system.py
@@ -126,26 +126,12 @@ commands:
   sample:
     - hostname iosxr01
     - ip domain-name eng.ansible.com
-start:
-  description: The time the job started
-  returned: always
-  type: str
-  sample: "2016-11-16 10:38:15.126146"
-end:
-  description: The time the job ended
-  returned: always
-  type: str
-  sample: "2016-11-16 10:38:25.595612"
-delta:
-  description: The time elapsed to perform all operations
-  returned: always
-  type: str
-  sample: "0:00:10.469466"
 """
 import re
 
-from ansible.module_utils.local import LocalAnsibleModule
+from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleModule
 from ansible.module_utils.iosxr import get_config, load_config
+from ansible.module_utils.iosxr import iosxr_argument_spec, check_args
 
 def diff_list(want, have):
     adds = set(want).difference(have)
@@ -254,11 +240,15 @@ def main():
         state=dict(choices=['present', 'absent'], default='present')
     )
 
-    module = LocalAnsibleModule(argument_spec=argument_spec,
-                                supports_check_mode=True)
+    argument_spec.update(iosxr_argument_spec)
 
+    module = AnsibleModule(argument_spec=argument_spec,
+                           supports_check_mode=True)
 
-    result = {'changed': False}
+    warnings = list()
+    check_args(module, warnings)
+
+    result = {'changed': False, 'warnings': warnings}
 
     want = map_params_to_obj(module)
     have = map_config_to_obj(module)
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1761329b3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr.py
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+#
+# (c) 2016 Red Hat Inc.
+#
+# This file is part of Ansible
+#
+# Ansible is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# Ansible is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with Ansible.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function)
+__metaclass__ = type
+
+import os
+import sys
+import copy
+
+from ansible.plugins.action.normal import ActionModule as _ActionModule
+from ansible.module_utils._text import to_bytes
+from ansible.utils.path import unfrackpath
+from ansible.plugins import connection_loader
+from ansible.compat.six import iteritems
+from ansible.module_utils.iosxr import iosxr_argument_spec
+from ansible.module_utils.basic import AnsibleFallbackNotFound
+
+class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
+
+    def run(self, tmp=None, task_vars=None):
+
+        provider = self.load_provider()
+
+        pc = copy.deepcopy(self._play_context)
+        pc.connection = 'network_cli'
+        pc.network_os = 'iosxr'
+        pc.port = provider['port'] or self._play_context.port or 22
+        pc.remote_user = provider['username'] or self._play_context.connection_user
+        pc.password = provider['password'] or self._play_context.password
+
+        socket_path = self._get_socket_path(pc)
+        if not os.path.exists(socket_path):
+            # start the connection if it isn't started
+            connection = self._shared_loader_obj.connection_loader.get('persistent', pc, sys.stdin)
+            version = connection.exec_command('EXEC: show version')
+
+        task_vars['ansible_socket'] = socket_path
+
+        return super(ActionModule, self).run(tmp, task_vars)
+
+    def _get_socket_path(self, play_context):
+        ssh = connection_loader.get('ssh', class_only=True)
+        cp = ssh._create_control_path(play_context.remote_addr, play_context.port, play_context.remote_user)
+        path = unfrackpath("$HOME/.ansible/pc")
+        return cp % dict(directory=path)
+
+    def load_provider(self):
+        provider = self._task.args.get('provider', {})
+        for key, value in iteritems(iosxr_argument_spec):
+            if key != 'provider' and key not in provider:
+                if key in self._task.args:
+                    provider[key] = self._task.args[key]
+                elif 'fallback' in value:
+                    provider[key] = self._fallback(value['fallback'])
+                elif key not in provider:
+                    provider[key] = None
+        return provider
+
+    def _fallback(self, fallback):
+        strategy = fallback[0]
+        args = []
+        kwargs = {}
+
+        for item in fallback[1:]:
+            if isinstance(item, dict):
+                kwargs = item
+            else:
+                args = item
+        try:
+            return strategy(*args, **kwargs)
+        except AnsibleFallbackNotFound:
+            pass
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr_config.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr_config.py
index ffcb0f057f..c68a18fcc9 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr_config.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr_config.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #
-# Copyright 2015 Peter Sprygada <psprygada@ansible.com>
+# (c) 2017, Red Hat, Inc.
 #
 # This file is part of Ansible
 #
@@ -19,10 +19,94 @@
 from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function)
 __metaclass__ = type
 
-from ansible.plugins.action import ActionBase
-from ansible.plugins.action.net_config import ActionModule as NetActionModule
+import os
+import re
+import time
+import glob
 
-class ActionModule(NetActionModule, ActionBase):
-    pass
+from ansible.plugins.action.iosxr import ActionModule as _ActionModule
+from ansible.module_utils._text import to_text
+from ansible.module_utils.six.moves.urllib.parse import urlsplit
+from ansible.utils.vars import merge_hash
+
+PRIVATE_KEYS_RE = re.compile('__.+__')
 
 
+class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
+
+    def run(self, tmp=None, task_vars=None):
+
+        if self._task.args.get('src'):
+            try:
+                self._handle_template()
+            except ValueError as exc:
+                return dict(failed=True, msg=exc.message)
+
+        result = super(ActionModule, self).run(tmp, task_vars)
+
+        if self._task.args.get('backup') and result.get('__backup__'):
+            # User requested backup and no error occurred in module.
+            # NOTE: If there is a parameter error, _backup key may not be in results.
+            filepath = self._write_backup(task_vars['inventory_hostname'],
+                                          result['__backup__'])
+
+            result['backup_path'] = filepath
+
+        # strip out any keys that have two leading and two trailing
+        # underscore characters
+        for key in result.keys():
+            if PRIVATE_KEYS_RE.match(key):
+                del result[key]
+
+        return result
+
+    def _get_working_path(self):
+        cwd = self._loader.get_basedir()
+        if self._task._role is not None:
+            cwd = self._task._role._role_path
+        return cwd
+
+    def _write_backup(self, host, contents):
+        backup_path = self._get_working_path() + '/backup'
+        if not os.path.exists(backup_path):
+            os.mkdir(backup_path)
+        for fn in glob.glob('%s/%s*' % (backup_path, host)):
+            os.remove(fn)
+        tstamp = time.strftime("%Y-%m-%d@%H:%M:%S", time.localtime(time.time()))
+        filename = '%s/%s_config.%s' % (backup_path, host, tstamp)
+        open(filename, 'w').write(contents)
+        return filename
+
+    def _handle_template(self):
+        src = self._task.args.get('src')
+        working_path = self._get_working_path()
+
+        if os.path.isabs(src) or urlsplit('src').scheme:
+            source = src
+        else:
+            source = self._loader.path_dwim_relative(working_path, 'templates', src)
+            if not source:
+                source = self._loader.path_dwim_relative(working_path, src)
+
+        if not os.path.exists(source):
+            raise ValueError('path specified in src not found')
+
+        try:
+            with open(source, 'r') as f:
+                template_data = to_text(f.read())
+        except IOError:
+            return dict(failed=True, msg='unable to load src file')
+
+        # Create a template search path in the following order:
+        # [working_path, self_role_path, dependent_role_paths, dirname(source)]
+        searchpath = [working_path]
+        if self._task._role is not None:
+            searchpath.append(self._task._role._role_path)
+            if hasattr(self._task, "_block:"):
+                dep_chain = self._task._block.get_dep_chain()
+                if dep_chain is not None:
+                    for role in dep_chain:
+                        searchpath.append(role._role_path)
+        searchpath.append(os.path.dirname(source))
+        self._templar.environment.loader.searchpath = searchpath
+        self._task.args['src'] = self._templar.template(template_data)
diff --git a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr_template.py b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr_template.py
index 5334b644d3..a2bfa6e499 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr_template.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/plugins/action/iosxr_template.py
@@ -19,10 +19,85 @@
 from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function)
 __metaclass__ = type
 
-from ansible.plugins.action import ActionBase
-from ansible.plugins.action.net_template import ActionModule as NetActionModule
+import os
+import time
+import glob
+import urlparse
 
-class ActionModule(NetActionModule, ActionBase):
-    pass
+from ansible.module_utils._text import to_text
+from ansible.plugins.action.iosxr import ActionModule as _ActionModule
 
+class ActionModule(_ActionModule):
+
+    def run(self, tmp=None, task_vars=None):
+
+        try:
+            self._handle_template()
+        except (ValueError, AttributeError) as exc:
+            return dict(failed=True, msg=exc.message)
+
+        result = super(ActionModule, self).run(tmp, task_vars)
+
+        if self._task.args.get('backup') and result.get('__backup__'):
+            # User requested backup and no error occurred in module.
+            # NOTE: If there is a parameter error, __backup__ key may not be in results.
+            self._write_backup(task_vars['inventory_hostname'], result['__backup__'])
+
+        if '__backup__' in result:
+            del result['__backup__']
+
+        return result
+
+    def _get_working_path(self):
+        cwd = self._loader.get_basedir()
+        if self._task._role is not None:
+            cwd = self._task._role._role_path
+        return cwd
+
+    def _write_backup(self, host, contents):
+        backup_path = self._get_working_path() + '/backup'
+        if not os.path.exists(backup_path):
+            os.mkdir(backup_path)
+        for fn in glob.glob('%s/%s*' % (backup_path, host)):
+            os.remove(fn)
+        tstamp = time.strftime("%Y-%m-%d@%H:%M:%S", time.localtime(time.time()))
+        filename = '%s/%s_config.%s' % (backup_path, host, tstamp)
+        open(filename, 'w').write(contents)
+
+    def _handle_template(self):
+        src = self._task.args.get('src')
+        if not src:
+            raise ValueError('missing required arguments: src')
+
+        working_path = self._get_working_path()
+
+        if os.path.isabs(src) or urlparse.urlsplit(src).scheme:
+            source = src
+        else:
+            source = self._loader.path_dwim_relative(working_path, 'templates', src)
+            if not source:
+                source = self._loader.path_dwim_relative(working_path, src)
+
+        if not os.path.exists(source):
+            return
+
+        try:
+            with open(source, 'r') as f:
+                template_data = to_text(f.read())
+        except IOError:
+            return dict(failed=True, msg='unable to load src file')
+
+        # Create a template search path in the following order:
+        # [working_path, self_role_path, dependent_role_paths, dirname(source)]
+        searchpath = [working_path]
+        if self._task._role is not None:
+            searchpath.append(self._task._role._role_path)
+            if hasattr(self._task, "_block:"):
+                dep_chain = self._task._block.get_dep_chain()
+                if dep_chain is not None:
+                    for role in dep_chain:
+                        searchpath.append(role._role_path)
+        searchpath.append(os.path.dirname(source))
+        self._templar.environment.loader.searchpath = searchpath
+        self._task.args['src'] = self._templar.template(template_data)
 
diff --git a/lib/ansible/utils/module_docs_fragments/iosxr.py b/lib/ansible/utils/module_docs_fragments/iosxr.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 52513ea09e..0000000000
--- a/lib/ansible/utils/module_docs_fragments/iosxr.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,74 +0,0 @@
-#
-# (c) 2015, Peter Sprygada <psprygada@ansible.com>
-#
-# This file is part of Ansible
-#
-# Ansible is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-# (at your option) any later version.
-#
-# Ansible is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-# GNU General Public License for more details.
-#
-# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-# along with Ansible.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-
-
-class ModuleDocFragment(object):
-
-    # Standard files documentation fragment
-    DOCUMENTATION = """
-options:
-  host:
-    description:
-      - Specifies the DNS host name or address for connecting to the remote
-        device over the specified transport.  The value of host is used as
-        the destination address for the transport.
-    required: true
-  port:
-    description:
-      - Specifies the port to use when building the connection to the remote.
-        device.
-    required: false
-    default: 22
-  username:
-    description:
-      - Configures the username to use to authenticate the connection to
-        the remote device.  This value is used to authenticate
-        the SSH session. If the value is not specified in the task, the
-        value of environment variable C(ANSIBLE_NET_USERNAME) will be used instead.
-    required: false
-  password:
-    description:
-      - Specifies the password to use to authenticate the connection to
-        the remote device.   This value is used to authenticate
-        the SSH session. If the value is not specified in the task, the
-        value of environment variable C(ANSIBLE_NET_PASSWORD) will be used instead.
-    required: false
-    default: null
-  timeout:
-    description:
-      - Specifies the timeout in seconds for communicating with the network device
-        for either connecting or sending commands.  If the timeout is
-        exceeded before the operation is completed, the module will error.
-    require: false
-    default: 10
-  ssh_keyfile:
-    description:
-      - Specifies the SSH key to use to authenticate the connection to
-        the remote device.   This value is the path to the
-        key used to authenticate the SSH session. If the value is not specified
-        in the task, the value of environment variable C(ANSIBLE_NET_SSH_KEYFILE)
-        will be used instead.
-    required: false
-  provider:
-    description:
-      - Convenience method that allows all I(iosxr) arguments to be passed as
-        a dict object.  All constraints (required, choices, etc) must be
-        met either by individual arguments or values in this dict.
-    required: false
-    default: null
-"""
diff --git a/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_module.py b/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_module.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..77951c4a50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/iosxr_module.py
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+# (c) 2016 Red Hat Inc.
+#
+# This file is part of Ansible
+#
+# Ansible is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# Ansible is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with Ansible.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+# Make coding more python3-ish
+from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function)
+__metaclass__ = type
+
+import os
+import json
+
+from ansible.compat.tests import unittest
+from ansible.compat.tests.mock import patch
+from ansible.module_utils import basic
+from ansible.module_utils._text import to_bytes
+
+
+def set_module_args(args):
+    args = json.dumps({'ANSIBLE_MODULE_ARGS': args})
+    basic._ANSIBLE_ARGS = to_bytes(args)
+
+fixture_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'fixtures')
+fixture_data = {}
+
+def load_fixture(name):
+    path = os.path.join(fixture_path, name)
+
+    if path in fixture_data:
+        return fixture_data[path]
+
+    with open(path) as f:
+        data = f.read()
+
+    try:
+        data = json.loads(data)
+    except:
+        pass
+
+    fixture_data[path] = data
+    return data
+
+
+class AnsibleExitJson(Exception):
+    pass
+
+class AnsibleFailJson(Exception):
+    pass
+
+class TestIosxrModule(unittest.TestCase):
+
+    def execute_module(self, failed=False, changed=False, commands=None,
+            sort=True, defaults=False):
+
+        self.load_fixtures(commands)
+
+        if failed:
+            result = self.failed()
+            self.assertTrue(result['failed'], result)
+        else:
+            result = self.changed(changed)
+            self.assertEqual(result['changed'], changed, result)
+
+        if commands:
+            if sort:
+                self.assertEqual(sorted(commands), sorted(result['commands']), result['commands'])
+            else:
+                self.assertEqual(commands, result['commands'], result['commands'])
+
+        return result
+
+    def failed(self):
+        def fail_json(*args, **kwargs):
+            kwargs['failed'] = True
+            raise AnsibleFailJson(kwargs)
+
+        with patch.object(basic.AnsibleModule, 'fail_json', fail_json):
+            with self.assertRaises(AnsibleFailJson) as exc:
+                self.module.main()
+
+        result = exc.exception.args[0]
+        self.assertTrue(result['failed'], result)
+        return result
+
+    def changed(self, changed=False):
+        def exit_json(*args, **kwargs):
+            if 'changed' not in kwargs:
+                kwargs['changed'] = False
+            raise AnsibleExitJson(kwargs)
+
+        with patch.object(basic.AnsibleModule, 'exit_json', exit_json):
+            with self.assertRaises(AnsibleExitJson) as exc:
+                self.module.main()
+
+        result = exc.exception.args[0]
+        self.assertEqual(result['changed'], changed, result)
+        return result
+
+    def load_fixtures(self, commands=None):
+        pass
+
diff --git a/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_command.py b/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_command.py
index c837296dc4..fadee0d273 100644
--- a/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_command.py
+++ b/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_command.py
@@ -19,43 +19,16 @@
 from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function)
 __metaclass__ = type
 
-import os
 import json
 
-from ansible.compat.tests import unittest
-from ansible.compat.tests.mock import patch, MagicMock
-from ansible.errors import AnsibleModuleExit
+from ansible.compat.tests.mock import patch
 from ansible.modules.network.iosxr import iosxr_command
-from ansible.module_utils import basic
-from ansible.module_utils._text import to_bytes
+from .iosxr_module import TestIosxrModule, load_fixture, set_module_args
 
 
-def set_module_args(args):
-    args = json.dumps({'ANSIBLE_MODULE_ARGS': args})
-    basic._ANSIBLE_ARGS = to_bytes(args)
+class TestIosxrCommandModule(TestIosxrModule):
 
-fixture_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'fixtures')
-fixture_data = {}
-
-def load_fixture(name):
-    path = os.path.join(fixture_path, name)
-
-    if path in fixture_data:
-        return fixture_data[path]
-
-    with open(path) as f:
-        data = f.read()
-
-    try:
-        data = json.loads(data)
-    except:
-        pass
-
-    fixture_data[path] = data
-    return data
-
-
-class TestIosxrCommandModule(unittest.TestCase):
+    module = iosxr_command
 
     def setUp(self):
         self.mock_run_commands = patch('ansible.modules.network.iosxr.iosxr_command.run_commands')
@@ -64,7 +37,7 @@ class TestIosxrCommandModule(unittest.TestCase):
     def tearDown(self):
         self.mock_run_commands.stop()
 
-    def execute_module(self, failed=False, changed=False):
+    def load_fixtures(self, commands=None):
 
         def load_from_file(*args, **kwargs):
             module, commands = args
@@ -82,18 +55,6 @@ class TestIosxrCommandModule(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.run_commands.side_effect = load_from_file
 
-        with self.assertRaises(AnsibleModuleExit) as exc:
-            iosxr_command.main()
-
-        result = exc.exception.result
-
-        if failed:
-            self.assertTrue(result.get('failed'))
-        else:
-            self.assertEqual(result.get('changed'), changed, result)
-
-        return result
-
     def test_iosxr_command_simple(self):
         set_module_args(dict(commands=['show version']))
         result = self.execute_module()
diff --git a/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_config.py b/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_config.py
index c77c040bde..1a0d93b6c6 100644
--- a/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_config.py
+++ b/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_config.py
@@ -20,78 +20,30 @@
 from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function)
 __metaclass__ = type
 
-import os
 import json
 
-from ansible.compat.tests import unittest
-from ansible.compat.tests.mock import patch, MagicMock
-from ansible.errors import AnsibleModuleExit
+from ansible.compat.tests.mock import patch
 from ansible.modules.network.iosxr import iosxr_config
-from ansible.module_utils import basic
-from ansible.module_utils._text import to_bytes
+from .iosxr_module import TestIosxrModule, load_fixture, set_module_args
 
+class TestIosxrConfigModule(TestIosxrModule):
 
-def set_module_args(args):
-    args = json.dumps({'ANSIBLE_MODULE_ARGS': args})
-    basic._ANSIBLE_ARGS = to_bytes(args)
-
-fixture_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'fixtures')
-fixture_data = {}
-
-def load_fixture(name):
-    path = os.path.join(fixture_path, name)
-
-    if path in fixture_data:
-        return fixture_data[path]
-
-    with open(path) as f:
-        data = f.read()
-
-    try:
-        data = json.loads(data)
-    except:
-        pass
-
-    fixture_data[path] = data
-    return data
-
-
-class TestIosxrConfigModule(unittest.TestCase):
+    module = iosxr_config
 
     def setUp(self):
         self.patcher_get_config = patch('ansible.modules.network.iosxr.iosxr_config.get_config')
         self.mock_get_config = self.patcher_get_config.start()
-        self.patcher_exec_command = patch('ansible.modules.network.iosxr.iosxr_config.LocalAnsibleModule.exec_command')
+        self.patcher_exec_command = patch('ansible.modules.network.iosxr.iosxr_config.load_config')
         self.mock_exec_command = self.patcher_exec_command.start()
 
     def tearDown(self):
         self.patcher_get_config.stop()
         self.patcher_exec_command.stop()
 
-    def execute_module(self, failed=False, changed=False, commands=None,
-            sort=True):
-
+    def load_fixtures(self, commands=None):
         config_file = 'iosxr_config_config.cfg'
         self.mock_get_config.return_value = load_fixture(config_file)
-        self.mock_exec_command.return_value = (0, 'dummy diff', None)
-
-        with self.assertRaises(AnsibleModuleExit) as exc:
-            iosxr_config.main()
-
-        result = exc.exception.result
-
-        if failed:
-            self.assertTrue(result['failed'], result)
-        else:
-            self.assertEqual(result.get('changed'), changed, result)
-
-        if commands:
-            if sort:
-                self.assertEqual(sorted(commands), sorted(result['updates']), result['updates'])
-            else:
-                self.assertEqual(commands, result['updates'], result['updates'])
-
-        return result
+        self.mock_exec_command.return_value = 'dummy diff'
 
     def test_iosxr_config_unchanged(self):
         src = load_fixture('iosxr_config_config.cfg')
diff --git a/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_facts.py b/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_facts.py
index 78efba5688..1b369116e2 100644
--- a/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_facts.py
+++ b/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_facts.py
@@ -19,45 +19,16 @@
 from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function)
 __metaclass__ = type
 
-import os
 import json
 
-from ansible.compat.tests import unittest
 from ansible.compat.tests.mock import patch
-from ansible.errors import AnsibleModuleExit
+from .iosxr_module import TestIosxrModule, load_fixture, set_module_args
 from ansible.modules.network.iosxr import iosxr_facts
-from ansible.module_utils import basic
-from ansible.module_utils._text import to_bytes
 
 
-def set_module_args(args):
-    args = json.dumps({'ANSIBLE_MODULE_ARGS': args})
-    basic._ANSIBLE_ARGS = to_bytes(args)
+class TestIosxrFacts(TestIosxrModule):
 
-
-fixture_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'fixtures')
-fixture_data = {}
-
-
-def load_fixture(name):
-    path = os.path.join(fixture_path, name)
-
-    if path in fixture_data:
-        return fixture_data[path]
-
-    with open(path) as f:
-        data = f.read()
-
-    try:
-        data = json.loads(data)
-    except:
-        pass
-
-    fixture_data[path] = data
-    return data
-
-
-class TestIosxrFacts(unittest.TestCase):
+    module = iosxr_facts
 
     def setUp(self):
         self.mock_run_commands = patch(
@@ -67,7 +38,7 @@ class TestIosxrFacts(unittest.TestCase):
     def tearDown(self):
         self.mock_run_commands.stop()
 
-    def execute_module(self, failed=False, changed=False):
+    def load_fixtures(self, commands=None):
 
         def load_from_file(*args, **kwargs):
             module, commands = args
@@ -87,18 +58,6 @@ class TestIosxrFacts(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.run_commands.side_effect = load_from_file
 
-        with self.assertRaises(AnsibleModuleExit) as exc:
-            iosxr_facts.main()
-
-        result = exc.exception.result
-
-        if failed:
-            self.assertTrue(result.get('failed'))
-        else:
-            self.assertEqual(result.get('changed'), changed, result)
-
-        return result
-
     def test_iosxr_facts_gather_subset_default(self):
         set_module_args(dict())
         result = self.execute_module()
diff --git a/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_system.py b/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_system.py
index 6831e0e168..c35cc20870 100644
--- a/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_system.py
+++ b/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_system.py
@@ -21,44 +21,16 @@
 from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function)
 __metaclass__ = type
 
-import os
 import json
 
-import ansible.module_utils.basic
-
-from ansible.compat.tests import unittest
-from ansible.compat.tests.mock import patch, MagicMock
-from ansible.errors import AnsibleModuleExit
+from ansible.compat.tests.mock import patch
+from .iosxr_module import TestIosxrModule, load_fixture, set_module_args
 from ansible.modules.network.iosxr import iosxr_system
-from ansible.module_utils import basic
-from ansible.module_utils._text import to_bytes
-
-def set_module_args(args):
-    args = json.dumps({'ANSIBLE_MODULE_ARGS': args})
-    basic._ANSIBLE_ARGS = to_bytes(args)
-
-fixture_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'fixtures')
-fixture_data = {}
-
-def load_fixture(name):
-    path = os.path.join(fixture_path, name)
-
-    if path in fixture_data:
-        return fixture_data[path]
-
-    with open(path) as f:
-        data = f.read()
-
-    try:
-        data = json.loads(data)
-    except:
-        pass
-
-    fixture_data[path] = data
-    return data
 
 
-class TestIosxrSystemModule(unittest.TestCase):
+class TestIosxrSystemModule(TestIosxrModule):
+
+    module = iosxr_system
 
     def setUp(self):
         self.mock_get_config = patch('ansible.modules.network.iosxr.iosxr_system.get_config')
@@ -71,29 +43,10 @@ class TestIosxrSystemModule(unittest.TestCase):
         self.mock_get_config.stop()
         self.mock_load_config.stop()
 
-    def execute_module(self, failed=False, changed=False, commands=None, sort=True):
-
+    def load_fixtures(self, commands=None):
         self.get_config.return_value = load_fixture('iosxr_system_config.cfg')
         self.load_config.return_value = dict(diff=None, session='session')
 
-        with self.assertRaises(AnsibleModuleExit) as exc:
-            iosxr_system.main()
-
-        result = exc.exception.result
-
-        if failed:
-            self.assertTrue(result['failed'], result)
-        else:
-            self.assertEqual(result['changed'], changed, result)
-
-        if commands:
-            if sort:
-                self.assertEqual(sorted(commands), sorted(result['commands']), result['commands'])
-            else:
-                self.assertEqual(commands, result['commands'])
-
-        return result
-
     def test_iosxr_system_hostname_changed(self):
         set_module_args(dict(hostname='foo'))
         commands = ['hostname foo']
diff --git a/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_template.py b/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_template.py
index 729ea6f53c..9108d53b27 100644
--- a/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_template.py
+++ b/test/units/modules/network/iosxr/test_iosxr_template.py
@@ -20,43 +20,16 @@
 from __future__ import (absolute_import, division, print_function)
 __metaclass__ = type
 
-import os
 import json
 
-from ansible.compat.tests import unittest
-from ansible.compat.tests.mock import patch, MagicMock
-from ansible.errors import AnsibleModuleExit
+from ansible.compat.tests.mock import patch
+from .iosxr_module import TestIosxrModule, load_fixture, set_module_args
 from ansible.modules.network.iosxr import _iosxr_template
-from ansible.module_utils import basic
-from ansible.module_utils._text import to_bytes
 
 
-def set_module_args(args):
-    args = json.dumps({'ANSIBLE_MODULE_ARGS': args})
-    basic._ANSIBLE_ARGS = to_bytes(args)
+class TestIosxrTemplateModule(TestIosxrModule):
 
-fixture_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'fixtures')
-fixture_data = {}
-
-def load_fixture(name):
-    path = os.path.join(fixture_path, name)
-
-    if path in fixture_data:
-        return fixture_data[path]
-
-    with open(path) as f:
-        data = f.read()
-
-    try:
-        data = json.loads(data)
-    except:
-        pass
-
-    fixture_data[path] = data
-    return data
-
-
-class TestIosxrTemplateModule(unittest.TestCase):
+    module = _iosxr_template
 
     def setUp(self):
         self.mock_get_config = patch('ansible.modules.network.iosxr._iosxr_template.get_config')
@@ -69,31 +42,11 @@ class TestIosxrTemplateModule(unittest.TestCase):
         self.mock_get_config.stop()
         self.mock_load_config.stop()
 
-    def execute_module(self, failed=False, changed=False, commands=None,
-            sort=True):
-
+    def load_fixtures(self, commands=None):
         config_file = 'iosxr_template_config.cfg'
         self.get_config.return_value = load_fixture(config_file)
         self.load_config.return_value = None
 
-        with self.assertRaises(AnsibleModuleExit) as exc:
-            _iosxr_template.main()
-
-        result = exc.exception.result
-
-        if failed:
-            self.assertTrue(result['failed'], result)
-        else:
-            self.assertEqual(result.get('changed'), changed, result)
-
-        if commands:
-            if sort:
-                self.assertEqual(sorted(commands), sorted(result['updates']), result['updates'])
-            else:
-                self.assertEqual(commands, result['updates'], result['updates'])
-
-        return result
-
     def test_iosxr_template_unchanged(self):
         src = load_fixture('iosxr_template_config.cfg')
         set_module_args(dict(src=src))