diff --git a/ndn/util.py b/ndn/util.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..19a5356
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ndn/util.py
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+# -*- Mode:python; c-file-style:"gnu"; indent-tabs-mode:nil -*- */
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2015-2017, The University of Memphis,
+#                          Arizona Board of Regents,
+#                          Regents of the University of California.
+#
+# This file is part of Mini-NDN.
+# See AUTHORS.md for a complete list of Mini-NDN authors and contributors.
+#
+# Mini-NDN 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.
+#
+# Mini-NDN 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 Mini-NDN, e.g., in COPYING.md file.
+# If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+from subprocess import call
+
+sshbase = [ 'ssh', '-q', '-t', '-i/home/mininet/.ssh/id_rsa' ]
+scpbase = [ 'scp', '-i', '/home/mininet/.ssh/id_rsa' ]
+devnull = open('/dev/null', 'w')
+
+def ssh(login, cmd):
+    rcmd = sshbase + [login, cmd]
+    call(rcmd, stdout=devnull, stderr=devnull)
+
+def scp(*args):
+    tmp = []
+    for arg in args:
+        tmp.append(arg)
+    rcmd = scpbase + tmp
+    call(rcmd, stdout=devnull, stderr=devnull)