diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 8fada85a71..96d0dd5ffc 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -562,7 +562,8 @@ first_python=
 if test -z "${PYTHON}"; then
     # A bare 'python' is traditionally python 2.x, but some distros
     # have it as python 3.x, so check in both places.
-    for binary in python3 python python3.11 python3.10 python3.9 python3.8; do
+    for binary in python3 python python3.12 python3.11 \
+                          python3.10 python3.9 python3.8; do
         if has "$binary"; then
             python=$(command -v "$binary")
             if check_py_version "$python"; then
@@ -948,7 +949,7 @@ then
     # If first_python is set, there was a binary somewhere even though
     # it was not suitable.  Use it for the error message.
     if test -n "$first_python"; then
-        error_exit "Cannot use '$first_python', Python >= 3.7 is required." \
+        error_exit "Cannot use '$first_python', Python >= 3.8 is required." \
             "Use --python=/path/to/python to specify a supported Python."
     else
         error_exit "Python not found. Use --python=/path/to/python"
diff --git a/docs/devel/testing.rst b/docs/devel/testing.rst
index f3e2472189..b0680cbb22 100644
--- a/docs/devel/testing.rst
+++ b/docs/devel/testing.rst
@@ -1014,8 +1014,8 @@ class.  Here's a simple usage example:
       """
       def test_qmp_human_info_version(self):
           self.vm.launch()
-          res = self.vm.command('human-monitor-command',
-                                command_line='info version')
+          res = self.vm.cmd('human-monitor-command',
+                            command_line='info version')
           self.assertRegexpMatches(res, r'^(\d+\.\d+\.\d)')
 
 To execute your test, run:
@@ -1065,15 +1065,15 @@ and hypothetical example follows:
           first_machine.launch()
           second_machine.launch()
 
-          first_res = first_machine.command(
+          first_res = first_machine.cmd(
               'human-monitor-command',
               command_line='info version')
 
-          second_res = second_machine.command(
+          second_res = second_machine.cmd(
               'human-monitor-command',
               command_line='info version')
 
-          third_res = self.get_vm(name='third_machine').command(
+          third_res = self.get_vm(name='third_machine').cmd(
               'human-monitor-command',
               command_line='info version')
 
diff --git a/python/qemu/machine/console_socket.py b/python/qemu/machine/console_socket.py
index 4e28ba9bb2..0a4e09ffc7 100644
--- a/python/qemu/machine/console_socket.py
+++ b/python/qemu/machine/console_socket.py
@@ -24,19 +24,32 @@ class ConsoleSocket(socket.socket):
     """
     ConsoleSocket represents a socket attached to a char device.
 
-    Optionally (if drain==True), drains the socket and places the bytes
-    into an in memory buffer for later processing.
-
-    Optionally a file path can be passed in and we will also
-    dump the characters to this file for debugging purposes.
+    :param address: An AF_UNIX path or address.
+    :param sock_fd: Optionally, an existing socket file descriptor.
+                    One of address or sock_fd must be specified.
+    :param file: Optionally, a filename to log to.
+    :param drain: Optionally, drains the socket and places the bytes
+                  into an in memory buffer for later processing.
     """
-    def __init__(self, address: str, file: Optional[str] = None,
+    def __init__(self,
+                 address: Optional[str] = None,
+                 sock_fd: Optional[int] = None,
+                 file: Optional[str] = None,
                  drain: bool = False):
+        if address is None and sock_fd is None:
+            raise ValueError("one of 'address' or 'sock_fd' must be specified")
+        if address is not None and sock_fd is not None:
+            raise ValueError("can't specify both 'address' and 'sock_fd'")
+
         self._recv_timeout_sec = 300.0
         self._sleep_time = 0.5
         self._buffer: Deque[int] = deque()
-        socket.socket.__init__(self, socket.AF_UNIX, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
-        self.connect(address)
+        if address is not None:
+            socket.socket.__init__(self, socket.AF_UNIX, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
+            self.connect(address)
+        else:
+            assert sock_fd is not None
+            socket.socket.__init__(self, fileno=sock_fd)
         self._logfile = None
         if file:
             # pylint: disable=consider-using-with
diff --git a/python/qemu/machine/machine.py b/python/qemu/machine/machine.py
index 35d5a672db..31cb9d617d 100644
--- a/python/qemu/machine/machine.py
+++ b/python/qemu/machine/machine.py
@@ -127,7 +127,6 @@ def __init__(self,
                  name: Optional[str] = None,
                  base_temp_dir: str = "/var/tmp",
                  monitor_address: Optional[SocketAddrT] = None,
-                 sock_dir: Optional[str] = None,
                  drain_console: bool = False,
                  console_log: Optional[str] = None,
                  log_dir: Optional[str] = None,
@@ -141,7 +140,6 @@ def __init__(self,
         @param name: prefix for socket and log file names (default: qemu-PID)
         @param base_temp_dir: default location where temp files are created
         @param monitor_address: address for QMP monitor
-        @param sock_dir: where to create socket (defaults to base_temp_dir)
         @param drain_console: (optional) True to drain console socket to buffer
         @param console_log: (optional) path to console log file
         @param log_dir: where to create and keep log files
@@ -159,9 +157,10 @@ def __init__(self,
 
         self._name = name or f"{id(self):x}"
         self._sock_pair: Optional[Tuple[socket.socket, socket.socket]] = None
+        self._cons_sock_pair: Optional[
+            Tuple[socket.socket, socket.socket]] = None
         self._temp_dir: Optional[str] = None
         self._base_temp_dir = base_temp_dir
-        self._sock_dir = sock_dir
         self._log_dir = log_dir
 
         self._monitor_address = monitor_address
@@ -187,9 +186,6 @@ def __init__(self,
         self._console_index = 0
         self._console_set = False
         self._console_device_type: Optional[str] = None
-        self._console_address = os.path.join(
-            self.sock_dir, f"{self._name}.con"
-        )
         self._console_socket: Optional[socket.socket] = None
         self._console_file: Optional[socket.SocketIO] = None
         self._remove_files: List[str] = []
@@ -301,9 +297,7 @@ def _base_args(self) -> List[str]:
 
         if self._qmp_set:
             if self._sock_pair:
-                fd = self._sock_pair[0].fileno()
-                os.set_inheritable(fd, True)
-                moncdev = f"socket,id=mon,fd={fd}"
+                moncdev = f"socket,id=mon,fd={self._sock_pair[0].fileno()}"
             elif isinstance(self._monitor_address, tuple):
                 moncdev = "socket,id=mon,host={},port={}".format(
                     *self._monitor_address
@@ -318,8 +312,9 @@ def _base_args(self) -> List[str]:
         for _ in range(self._console_index):
             args.extend(['-serial', 'null'])
         if self._console_set:
-            chardev = ('socket,id=console,path=%s,server=on,wait=off' %
-                       self._console_address)
+            assert self._cons_sock_pair is not None
+            fd = self._cons_sock_pair[0].fileno()
+            chardev = f"socket,id=console,fd={fd}"
             args.extend(['-chardev', chardev])
             if self._console_device_type is None:
                 args.extend(['-serial', 'chardev:console'])
@@ -334,12 +329,10 @@ def args(self) -> List[str]:
         return self._args
 
     def _pre_launch(self) -> None:
-        if self._console_set:
-            self._remove_files.append(self._console_address)
-
         if self._qmp_set:
             if self._monitor_address is None:
                 self._sock_pair = socket.socketpair()
+                os.set_inheritable(self._sock_pair[0].fileno(), True)
                 sock = self._sock_pair[1]
             if isinstance(self._monitor_address, str):
                 self._remove_files.append(self._monitor_address)
@@ -353,6 +346,10 @@ def _pre_launch(self) -> None:
                 nickname=self._name
             )
 
+        if self._console_set:
+            self._cons_sock_pair = socket.socketpair()
+            os.set_inheritable(self._cons_sock_pair[0].fileno(), True)
+
         # NOTE: Make sure any opened resources are *definitely* freed in
         # _post_shutdown()!
         # pylint: disable=consider-using-with
@@ -370,6 +367,9 @@ def _pre_launch(self) -> None:
     def _post_launch(self) -> None:
         if self._sock_pair:
             self._sock_pair[0].close()
+        if self._cons_sock_pair:
+            self._cons_sock_pair[0].close()
+
         if self._qmp_connection:
             if self._sock_pair:
                 self._qmp.connect()
@@ -397,6 +397,11 @@ def _post_shutdown(self) -> None:
         finally:
             assert self._qmp_connection is None
 
+        if self._sock_pair:
+            self._sock_pair[0].close()
+            self._sock_pair[1].close()
+            self._sock_pair = None
+
         self._close_qemu_log_file()
 
         self._load_io_log()
@@ -520,6 +525,11 @@ def _early_cleanup(self) -> None:
             self._console_socket.close()
             self._console_socket = None
 
+        if self._cons_sock_pair:
+            self._cons_sock_pair[0].close()
+            self._cons_sock_pair[1].close()
+            self._cons_sock_pair = None
+
     def _hard_shutdown(self) -> None:
         """
         Perform early cleanup, kill the VM, and wait for it to terminate.
@@ -692,21 +702,31 @@ def qmp(self, cmd: str,
             conv_keys = True
 
         qmp_args = self._qmp_args(conv_keys, args)
-        ret = self._qmp.cmd(cmd, args=qmp_args)
+        ret = self._qmp.cmd_raw(cmd, args=qmp_args)
         if cmd == 'quit' and 'error' not in ret and 'return' in ret:
             self._quit_issued = True
         return ret
 
-    def command(self, cmd: str,
-                conv_keys: bool = True,
-                **args: Any) -> QMPReturnValue:
+    def cmd(self, cmd: str,
+            args_dict: Optional[Dict[str, object]] = None,
+            conv_keys: Optional[bool] = None,
+            **args: Any) -> QMPReturnValue:
         """
         Invoke a QMP command.
         On success return the response dict.
         On failure raise an exception.
         """
+        if args_dict is not None:
+            assert not args
+            assert conv_keys is None
+            args = args_dict
+            conv_keys = False
+
+        if conv_keys is None:
+            conv_keys = True
+
         qmp_args = self._qmp_args(conv_keys, args)
-        ret = self._qmp.command(cmd, **qmp_args)
+        ret = self._qmp.cmd(cmd, **qmp_args)
         if cmd == 'quit':
             self._quit_issued = True
         return ret
@@ -881,10 +901,19 @@ def console_socket(self) -> socket.socket:
         """
         if self._console_socket is None:
             LOG.debug("Opening console socket")
+            if not self._console_set:
+                raise QEMUMachineError(
+                    "Attempt to access console socket with no connection")
+            assert self._cons_sock_pair is not None
+            # os.dup() is used here for sock_fd because otherwise we'd
+            # have two rich python socket objects that would each try to
+            # close the same underlying fd when either one gets garbage
+            # collected.
             self._console_socket = console_socket.ConsoleSocket(
-                self._console_address,
+                sock_fd=os.dup(self._cons_sock_pair[1].fileno()),
                 file=self._console_log_path,
                 drain=self._drain_console)
+            self._cons_sock_pair[1].close()
         return self._console_socket
 
     @property
@@ -909,15 +938,6 @@ def temp_dir(self) -> str:
                                               dir=self._base_temp_dir)
         return self._temp_dir
 
-    @property
-    def sock_dir(self) -> str:
-        """
-        Returns the directory used for sockfiles by this machine.
-        """
-        if self._sock_dir:
-            return self._sock_dir
-        return self.temp_dir
-
     @property
     def log_dir(self) -> str:
         """
diff --git a/python/qemu/machine/qtest.py b/python/qemu/machine/qtest.py
index 1c46138bd0..4f5ede85b2 100644
--- a/python/qemu/machine/qtest.py
+++ b/python/qemu/machine/qtest.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
     Optional,
     Sequence,
     TextIO,
+    Tuple,
 )
 
 from qemu.qmp import SocketAddrT
@@ -38,23 +39,41 @@ class QEMUQtestProtocol:
     :param address: QEMU address, can be either a unix socket path (string)
                     or a tuple in the form ( address, port ) for a TCP
                     connection
-    :param server: server mode, listens on the socket (bool)
+    :param sock: An existing socket can be provided as an alternative to
+                 an address. One of address or sock must be provided.
+    :param server: server mode, listens on the socket. Only meaningful
+                   in conjunction with an address and not an existing
+                   socket.
+
     :raise socket.error: on socket connection errors
 
     .. note::
        No connection is established by __init__(), this is done
        by the connect() or accept() methods.
     """
-    def __init__(self, address: SocketAddrT,
+    def __init__(self,
+                 address: Optional[SocketAddrT] = None,
+                 sock: Optional[socket.socket] = None,
                  server: bool = False):
+        if address is None and sock is None:
+            raise ValueError("Either 'address' or 'sock' must be specified")
+        if address is not None and sock is not None:
+            raise ValueError(
+                "Either 'address' or 'sock' must be specified, but not both")
+        if sock is not None and server:
+            raise ValueError("server=True is meaningless when passing socket")
+
         self._address = address
-        self._sock = self._get_sock()
+        self._sock = sock or self._get_sock()
         self._sockfile: Optional[TextIO] = None
+
         if server:
+            assert self._address is not None
             self._sock.bind(self._address)
             self._sock.listen(1)
 
     def _get_sock(self) -> socket.socket:
+        assert self._address is not None
         if isinstance(self._address, tuple):
             family = socket.AF_INET
         else:
@@ -67,7 +86,8 @@ def connect(self) -> None:
 
         @raise socket.error on socket connection errors
         """
-        self._sock.connect(self._address)
+        if self._address is not None:
+            self._sock.connect(self._address)
         self._sockfile = self._sock.makefile(mode='r')
 
     def accept(self) -> None:
@@ -115,41 +135,49 @@ def __init__(self,
                  wrapper: Sequence[str] = (),
                  name: Optional[str] = None,
                  base_temp_dir: str = "/var/tmp",
-                 sock_dir: Optional[str] = None,
                  qmp_timer: Optional[float] = None):
         # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments
 
         if name is None:
             name = "qemu-%d" % os.getpid()
-        if sock_dir is None:
-            sock_dir = base_temp_dir
         super().__init__(binary, args, wrapper=wrapper, name=name,
                          base_temp_dir=base_temp_dir,
-                         sock_dir=sock_dir, qmp_timer=qmp_timer)
+                         qmp_timer=qmp_timer)
         self._qtest: Optional[QEMUQtestProtocol] = None
-        self._qtest_path = os.path.join(sock_dir, name + "-qtest.sock")
+        self._qtest_sock_pair: Optional[
+            Tuple[socket.socket, socket.socket]] = None
 
     @property
     def _base_args(self) -> List[str]:
         args = super()._base_args
+        assert self._qtest_sock_pair is not None
+        fd = self._qtest_sock_pair[0].fileno()
         args.extend([
-            '-qtest', f"unix:path={self._qtest_path}",
+            '-chardev', f"socket,id=qtest,fd={fd}",
+            '-qtest', 'chardev:qtest',
             '-accel', 'qtest'
         ])
         return args
 
     def _pre_launch(self) -> None:
+        self._qtest_sock_pair = socket.socketpair()
+        os.set_inheritable(self._qtest_sock_pair[0].fileno(), True)
         super()._pre_launch()
-        self._qtest = QEMUQtestProtocol(self._qtest_path, server=True)
+        self._qtest = QEMUQtestProtocol(sock=self._qtest_sock_pair[1])
 
     def _post_launch(self) -> None:
         assert self._qtest is not None
         super()._post_launch()
-        self._qtest.accept()
+        if self._qtest_sock_pair:
+            self._qtest_sock_pair[0].close()
+        self._qtest.connect()
 
     def _post_shutdown(self) -> None:
+        if self._qtest_sock_pair:
+            self._qtest_sock_pair[0].close()
+            self._qtest_sock_pair[1].close()
+            self._qtest_sock_pair = None
         super()._post_shutdown()
-        self._remove_if_exists(self._qtest_path)
 
     def qtest(self, cmd: str) -> str:
         """
diff --git a/python/qemu/qmp/legacy.py b/python/qemu/qmp/legacy.py
index e1e9383978..22a2b5616e 100644
--- a/python/qemu/qmp/legacy.py
+++ b/python/qemu/qmp/legacy.py
@@ -194,24 +194,20 @@ def cmd_obj(self, qmp_cmd: QMPMessage) -> QMPMessage:
             )
         )
 
-    def cmd(self, name: str,
-            args: Optional[Dict[str, object]] = None,
-            cmd_id: Optional[object] = None) -> QMPMessage:
+    def cmd_raw(self, name: str,
+                args: Optional[Dict[str, object]] = None) -> QMPMessage:
         """
         Build a QMP command and send it to the QMP Monitor.
 
         :param name: command name (string)
         :param args: command arguments (dict)
-        :param cmd_id: command id (dict, list, string or int)
         """
         qmp_cmd: QMPMessage = {'execute': name}
         if args:
             qmp_cmd['arguments'] = args
-        if cmd_id:
-            qmp_cmd['id'] = cmd_id
         return self.cmd_obj(qmp_cmd)
 
-    def command(self, cmd: str, **kwds: object) -> QMPReturnValue:
+    def cmd(self, cmd: str, **kwds: object) -> QMPReturnValue:
         """
         Build and send a QMP command to the monitor, report errors if any
         """
diff --git a/python/qemu/qmp/protocol.py b/python/qemu/qmp/protocol.py
index 753182131f..a4ffdfad51 100644
--- a/python/qemu/qmp/protocol.py
+++ b/python/qemu/qmp/protocol.py
@@ -495,7 +495,6 @@ async def _stop_server(self) -> None:
         try:
             self.logger.debug("Stopping server.")
             self._server.close()
-            await self._server.wait_closed()
             self.logger.debug("Server stopped.")
         finally:
             self._server = None
diff --git a/python/qemu/qmp/qmp_shell.py b/python/qemu/qmp/qmp_shell.py
index 619ab42ced..98e684e9e8 100644
--- a/python/qemu/qmp/qmp_shell.py
+++ b/python/qemu/qmp/qmp_shell.py
@@ -91,14 +91,21 @@
 import sys
 from typing import (
     IO,
+    Dict,
     Iterator,
     List,
     NoReturn,
     Optional,
     Sequence,
+    cast,
 )
 
-from qemu.qmp import ConnectError, QMPError, SocketAddrT
+from qemu.qmp import (
+    ConnectError,
+    ExecuteError,
+    QMPError,
+    SocketAddrT,
+)
 from qemu.qmp.legacy import (
     QEMUMonitorProtocol,
     QMPBadPortError,
@@ -194,11 +201,12 @@ def close(self) -> None:
         super().close()
 
     def _fill_completion(self) -> None:
-        cmds = self.cmd('query-commands')
-        if 'error' in cmds:
-            return
-        for cmd in cmds['return']:
-            self._completer.append(cmd['name'])
+        try:
+            cmds = cast(List[Dict[str, str]], self.cmd('query-commands'))
+            for cmd in cmds:
+                self._completer.append(cmd['name'])
+        except ExecuteError:
+            pass
 
     def _completer_setup(self) -> None:
         self._completer = QMPCompleter()
diff --git a/python/qemu/utils/qemu_ga_client.py b/python/qemu/utils/qemu_ga_client.py
index d8411bb2d0..9a665e6e99 100644
--- a/python/qemu/utils/qemu_ga_client.py
+++ b/python/qemu/utils/qemu_ga_client.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
 class QemuGuestAgent(QEMUMonitorProtocol):
     def __getattr__(self, name: str) -> Callable[..., Any]:
         def wrapper(**kwds: object) -> object:
-            return self.command('guest-' + name.replace('_', '-'), **kwds)
+            return self.cmd('guest-' + name.replace('_', '-'), **kwds)
         return wrapper
 
 
diff --git a/python/qemu/utils/qom.py b/python/qemu/utils/qom.py
index bcf192f477..426a0f245f 100644
--- a/python/qemu/utils/qom.py
+++ b/python/qemu/utils/qom.py
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ def __init__(self, args: argparse.Namespace):
         self.value = args.value
 
     def run(self) -> int:
-        rsp = self.qmp.command(
+        rsp = self.qmp.cmd(
             'qom-set',
             path=self.path,
             property=self.prop,
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ def __init__(self, args: argparse.Namespace):
         self.prop = tmp[1]
 
     def run(self) -> int:
-        rsp = self.qmp.command(
+        rsp = self.qmp.cmd(
             'qom-get',
             path=self.path,
             property=self.prop
@@ -231,8 +231,8 @@ def _list_node(self, path: str) -> None:
             if item.child:
                 continue
             try:
-                rsp = self.qmp.command('qom-get', path=path,
-                                       property=item.name)
+                rsp = self.qmp.cmd('qom-get', path=path,
+                                   property=item.name)
                 print(f"  {item.name}: {rsp} ({item.type})")
             except ExecuteError as err:
                 print(f"  {item.name}: <EXCEPTION: {err!s}> ({item.type})")
diff --git a/python/qemu/utils/qom_common.py b/python/qemu/utils/qom_common.py
index 80da1b2304..dd2c8b1908 100644
--- a/python/qemu/utils/qom_common.py
+++ b/python/qemu/utils/qom_common.py
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ def qom_list(self, path: str) -> List[ObjectPropertyInfo]:
         """
         :return: a strongly typed list from the 'qom-list' command.
         """
-        rsp = self.qmp.command('qom-list', path=path)
+        rsp = self.qmp.cmd('qom-list', path=path)
         # qom-list returns List[ObjectPropertyInfo]
         assert isinstance(rsp, list)
         return [ObjectPropertyInfo.make(x) for x in rsp]
diff --git a/python/qemu/utils/qom_fuse.py b/python/qemu/utils/qom_fuse.py
index 8dcd59fcde..cf7e344bd5 100644
--- a/python/qemu/utils/qom_fuse.py
+++ b/python/qemu/utils/qom_fuse.py
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ def read(self, path: str, size: int, offset: int, fh: IO[bytes]) -> bytes:
         if path == '':
             path = '/'
         try:
-            data = str(self.qmp.command('qom-get', path=path, property=prop))
+            data = str(self.qmp.cmd('qom-get', path=path, property=prop))
             data += '\n'  # make values shell friendly
         except ExecuteError as err:
             raise FuseOSError(EPERM) from err
@@ -152,8 +152,8 @@ def readlink(self, path: str) -> Union[bool, str]:
             return False
         path, prop = path.rsplit('/', 1)
         prefix = '/'.join(['..'] * (len(path.split('/')) - 1))
-        return prefix + str(self.qmp.command('qom-get', path=path,
-                                             property=prop))
+        return prefix + str(self.qmp.cmd('qom-get', path=path,
+                                         property=prop))
 
     def getattr(self, path: str,
                 fh: Optional[IO[bytes]] = None) -> Mapping[str, object]:
diff --git a/python/setup.cfg b/python/setup.cfg
index 8c67dce457..48668609d3 100644
--- a/python/setup.cfg
+++ b/python/setup.cfg
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ classifiers =
     Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9
     Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10
     Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11
+    Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12
     Typing :: Typed
 
 [options]
@@ -182,7 +183,7 @@ multi_line_output=3
 # of python available on your system to run this test.
 
 [tox:tox]
-envlist = py38, py39, py310, py311
+envlist = py38, py39, py310, py311, py312
 skip_missing_interpreters = true
 
 [testenv]
diff --git a/scripts/cpu-x86-uarch-abi.py b/scripts/cpu-x86-uarch-abi.py
index 82ff07582f..f6baeeff24 100644
--- a/scripts/cpu-x86-uarch-abi.py
+++ b/scripts/cpu-x86-uarch-abi.py
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@
 
 names = []
 
-for model in models["return"]:
+for model in models:
     if "alias-of" in model:
         continue
     names.append(model["name"])
@@ -94,11 +94,11 @@
 
 for name in sorted(names):
     cpu = shell.cmd("query-cpu-model-expansion",
-                     { "type": "static",
-                       "model": { "name": name }})
+                    { "type": "static",
+                      "model": { "name": name }})
 
     got = {}
-    for (feature, present) in cpu["return"]["model"]["props"].items():
+    for (feature, present) in cpu["model"]["props"].items():
         if present and feature not in skip:
             got[feature] = True
 
diff --git a/scripts/device-crash-test b/scripts/device-crash-test
index 353aa575d7..da8b56edd9 100755
--- a/scripts/device-crash-test
+++ b/scripts/device-crash-test
@@ -269,14 +269,14 @@ def formatTestCase(t):
 
 def qomListTypeNames(vm, **kwargs):
     """Run qom-list-types QMP command, return type names"""
-    types = vm.command('qom-list-types', **kwargs)
+    types = vm.cmd('qom-list-types', **kwargs)
     return [t['name'] for t in types]
 
 
 def infoQDM(vm):
     """Parse 'info qdm' output"""
     args = {'command-line': 'info qdm'}
-    devhelp = vm.command('human-monitor-command', **args)
+    devhelp = vm.cmd('human-monitor-command', **args)
     for l in devhelp.split('\n'):
         l = l.strip()
         if l == '' or l.endswith(':'):
@@ -304,9 +304,9 @@ class QemuBinaryInfo(object):
             # there's no way to query DeviceClass::user_creatable using QMP,
             # so use 'info qdm':
             self.no_user_devs = set([d['name'] for d in infoQDM(vm, ) if d['no-user']])
-            self.machines = list(m['name'] for m in vm.command('query-machines'))
+            self.machines = list(m['name'] for m in vm.cmd('query-machines'))
             self.user_devs = self.alldevs.difference(self.no_user_devs)
-            self.kvm_available = vm.command('query-kvm')['enabled']
+            self.kvm_available = vm.cmd('query-kvm')['enabled']
         finally:
             vm.shutdown()
 
diff --git a/scripts/python_qmp_updater.py b/scripts/python_qmp_updater.py
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..494a169812
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/python_qmp_updater.py
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+#
+# Intended usage:
+#
+# git grep -l '\.qmp(' | xargs ./scripts/python_qmp_updater.py
+#
+
+import re
+import sys
+from typing import Optional
+
+start_reg = re.compile(r'^(?P<padding> *)(?P<res>\w+) = (?P<vm>.*).qmp\(',
+                       flags=re.MULTILINE)
+
+success_reg_templ = re.sub('\n *', '', r"""
+    (\n*{padding}(?P<comment>\#.*$))?
+    \n*{padding}
+    (
+        self.assert_qmp\({res},\ 'return',\ {{}}\)
+    |
+        assert\ {res}\['return'\]\ ==\ {{}}
+    |
+        assert\ {res}\ ==\ {{'return':\ {{}}}}
+    |
+        self.assertEqual\({res}\['return'\],\ {{}}\)
+    )""")
+
+some_check_templ = re.sub('\n *', '', r"""
+    (\n*{padding}(?P<comment>\#.*$))?
+    \s*self.assert_qmp\({res},""")
+
+
+def tmatch(template: str, text: str,
+           padding: str, res: str) -> Optional[re.Match[str]]:
+    return re.match(template.format(padding=padding, res=res), text,
+                    flags=re.MULTILINE)
+
+
+def find_closing_brace(text: str, start: int) -> int:
+    """
+    Having '(' at text[start] search for pairing ')' and return its index.
+    """
+    assert text[start] == '('
+
+    height = 1
+
+    for i in range(start + 1, len(text)):
+        if text[i] == '(':
+            height += 1
+        elif text[i] == ')':
+            height -= 1
+        if height == 0:
+            return i
+
+    raise ValueError
+
+
+def update(text: str) -> str:
+    result = ''
+
+    while True:
+        m = start_reg.search(text)
+        if m is None:
+            result += text
+            break
+
+        result += text[:m.start()]
+
+        args_ind = m.end()
+        args_end = find_closing_brace(text, args_ind - 1)
+
+        all_args = text[args_ind:args_end].split(',', 1)
+
+        name = all_args[0]
+        args = None if len(all_args) == 1 else all_args[1]
+
+        unchanged_call = text[m.start():args_end+1]
+        text = text[args_end+1:]
+
+        padding, res, vm = m.group('padding', 'res', 'vm')
+
+        m = tmatch(success_reg_templ, text, padding, res)
+
+        if m is None:
+            result += unchanged_call
+
+            if ('query-' not in name and
+                    'x-debug-block-dirty-bitmap-sha256' not in name and
+                    not tmatch(some_check_templ, text, padding, res)):
+                print(unchanged_call + text[:200] + '...\n\n')
+
+            continue
+
+        if m.group('comment'):
+            result += f'{padding}{m.group("comment")}\n'
+
+        result += f'{padding}{vm}.cmd({name}'
+
+        if args:
+            result += ','
+
+            if '\n' in args:
+                m_args = re.search('(?P<pad> *).*$', args)
+                assert m_args is not None
+
+                cur_padding = len(m_args.group('pad'))
+                expected = len(f'{padding}{res} = {vm}.qmp(')
+                drop = len(f'{res} = ')
+                if cur_padding == expected - 1:
+                    # tolerate this bad style
+                    drop -= 1
+                elif cur_padding < expected - 1:
+                    # assume nothing to do
+                    drop = 0
+
+                if drop:
+                    args = re.sub('\n' + ' ' * drop, '\n', args)
+
+            result += args
+
+        result += ')'
+
+        text = text[m.end():]
+
+    return result
+
+
+for fname in sys.argv[1:]:
+    print(fname)
+    with open(fname) as f:
+        t = f.read()
+
+    t = update(t)
+
+    with open(fname, 'w') as f:
+        f.write(t)
diff --git a/scripts/render_block_graph.py b/scripts/render_block_graph.py
index 8f731a5cfe..3e1a2e3fa7 100755
--- a/scripts/render_block_graph.py
+++ b/scripts/render_block_graph.py
@@ -43,13 +43,13 @@ def render_block_graph(qmp, filename, format='png'):
     representation in @format into "@filename.@format"
     '''
 
-    bds_nodes = qmp.command('query-named-block-nodes')
+    bds_nodes = qmp.cmd('query-named-block-nodes')
     bds_nodes = {n['node-name']: n for n in bds_nodes}
 
-    job_nodes = qmp.command('query-block-jobs')
+    job_nodes = qmp.cmd('query-block-jobs')
     job_nodes = {n['device']: n for n in job_nodes}
 
-    block_graph = qmp.command('x-debug-query-block-graph')
+    block_graph = qmp.cmd('x-debug-query-block-graph')
 
     graph = Digraph(comment='Block Nodes Graph')
     graph.format = format
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ class LibvirtGuest():
     def __init__(self, name):
         self.name = name
 
-    def command(self, cmd):
+    def cmd(self, cmd):
         # only supports qmp commands without parameters
         m = {'execute': cmd}
         ar = ['virsh', 'qemu-monitor-command', self.name, json.dumps(m)]
diff --git a/tests/avocado/acpi-bits.py b/tests/avocado/acpi-bits.py
index bb3f818689..eca13dc518 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/acpi-bits.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/acpi-bits.py
@@ -92,17 +92,14 @@ def __init__(self,
                  base_temp_dir: str = "/var/tmp",
                  debugcon_log: str = "debugcon-log.txt",
                  debugcon_addr: str = "0x403",
-                 sock_dir: Optional[str] = None,
                  qmp_timer: Optional[float] = None):
         # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments
 
         if name is None:
             name = "qemu-bits-%d" % os.getpid()
-        if sock_dir is None:
-            sock_dir = base_temp_dir
         super().__init__(binary, args, wrapper=wrapper, name=name,
                          base_temp_dir=base_temp_dir,
-                         sock_dir=sock_dir, qmp_timer=qmp_timer)
+                         qmp_timer=qmp_timer)
         self.debugcon_log = debugcon_log
         self.debugcon_addr = debugcon_addr
         self.base_temp_dir = base_temp_dir
diff --git a/tests/avocado/avocado_qemu/__init__.py b/tests/avocado/avocado_qemu/__init__.py
index 0172a359b7..d71e989db6 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/avocado_qemu/__init__.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/avocado_qemu/__init__.py
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ def require_multiprocess(self):
     def _new_vm(self, name, *args):
         self._sd = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(prefix="qemu_")
         vm = QEMUMachine(self.qemu_bin, base_temp_dir=self.workdir,
-                         sock_dir=self._sd.name, log_dir=self.logdir)
+                         log_dir=self.logdir)
         self.log.debug('QEMUMachine "%s" created', name)
         self.log.debug('QEMUMachine "%s" temp_dir: %s', name, vm.temp_dir)
         self.log.debug('QEMUMachine "%s" log_dir: %s', name, vm.log_dir)
@@ -408,8 +408,8 @@ class LinuxSSHMixIn:
 
     def ssh_connect(self, username, credential, credential_is_key=True):
         self.ssh_logger = logging.getLogger('ssh')
-        res = self.vm.command('human-monitor-command',
-                              command_line='info usernet')
+        res = self.vm.cmd('human-monitor-command',
+                          command_line='info usernet')
         port = get_info_usernet_hostfwd_port(res)
         self.assertIsNotNone(port)
         self.assertGreater(port, 0)
diff --git a/tests/avocado/cpu_queries.py b/tests/avocado/cpu_queries.py
index cf69f69b11..86c2d5c92d 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/cpu_queries.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/cpu_queries.py
@@ -23,12 +23,13 @@ def test(self):
         self.vm.add_args('-S')
         self.vm.launch()
 
-        cpus = self.vm.command('query-cpu-definitions')
+        cpus = self.vm.cmd('query-cpu-definitions')
         for c in cpus:
             self.log.info("Checking CPU: %s", c)
             self.assertNotIn('', c['unavailable-features'], c['name'])
 
         for c in cpus:
             model = {'name': c['name']}
-            e = self.vm.command('query-cpu-model-expansion', model=model, type='full')
+            e = self.vm.cmd('query-cpu-model-expansion', model=model,
+                            type='full')
             self.assertEquals(e['model']['name'], c['name'])
diff --git a/tests/avocado/hotplug_cpu.py b/tests/avocado/hotplug_cpu.py
index 6374bf1b54..292bb43e4d 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/hotplug_cpu.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/hotplug_cpu.py
@@ -29,9 +29,9 @@ def test(self):
         with self.assertRaises(AssertionError):
             self.ssh_command('test -e /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu1')
 
-        self.vm.command('device_add',
-                        driver='Haswell-x86_64-cpu',
-                        socket_id=0,
-                        core_id=1,
-                        thread_id=0)
+        self.vm.cmd('device_add',
+                    driver='Haswell-x86_64-cpu',
+                    socket_id=0,
+                    core_id=1,
+                    thread_id=0)
         self.ssh_command('test -e /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu1')
diff --git a/tests/avocado/info_usernet.py b/tests/avocado/info_usernet.py
index fdc4d90c42..e1aa7a6e0a 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/info_usernet.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/info_usernet.py
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ def test_hostfwd(self):
         self.require_netdev('user')
         self.vm.add_args('-netdev', 'user,id=vnet,hostfwd=:127.0.0.1:0-:22')
         self.vm.launch()
-        res = self.vm.command('human-monitor-command',
-                              command_line='info usernet')
+        res = self.vm.cmd('human-monitor-command',
+                          command_line='info usernet')
         port = get_info_usernet_hostfwd_port(res)
         self.assertIsNotNone(port,
                              ('"info usernet" output content does not seem to '
diff --git a/tests/avocado/machine_arm_integratorcp.py b/tests/avocado/machine_arm_integratorcp.py
index 1ffe1073ef..87f5cf3953 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/machine_arm_integratorcp.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/machine_arm_integratorcp.py
@@ -81,9 +81,9 @@ def test_framebuffer_tux_logo(self):
         self.boot_integratorcp()
         framebuffer_ready = 'Console: switching to colour frame buffer device'
         wait_for_console_pattern(self, framebuffer_ready)
-        self.vm.command('human-monitor-command', command_line='stop')
-        self.vm.command('human-monitor-command',
-                        command_line='screendump %s' % screendump_path)
+        self.vm.cmd('human-monitor-command', command_line='stop')
+        self.vm.cmd('human-monitor-command',
+                    command_line='screendump %s' % screendump_path)
         logger = logging.getLogger('framebuffer')
 
         cpu_count = 1
diff --git a/tests/avocado/machine_aspeed.py b/tests/avocado/machine_aspeed.py
index 90f1b7cb77..df31b2a8a8 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/machine_aspeed.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/machine_aspeed.py
@@ -181,8 +181,8 @@ def test_arm_ast2500_evb_buildroot(self):
              'i2c i2c-3: new_device: Instantiated device lm75 at 0x4d');
         exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self,
                              'cat /sys/class/hwmon/hwmon1/temp1_input', '0')
-        self.vm.command('qom-set', path='/machine/peripheral/tmp-test',
-                        property='temperature', value=18000);
+        self.vm.cmd('qom-set', path='/machine/peripheral/tmp-test',
+                    property='temperature', value=18000);
         exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self,
                              'cat /sys/class/hwmon/hwmon1/temp1_input', '18000')
 
@@ -213,8 +213,8 @@ def test_arm_ast2600_evb_buildroot(self):
              'i2c i2c-3: new_device: Instantiated device lm75 at 0x4d');
         exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self,
                              'cat /sys/class/hwmon/hwmon0/temp1_input', '0')
-        self.vm.command('qom-set', path='/machine/peripheral/tmp-test',
-                        property='temperature', value=18000);
+        self.vm.cmd('qom-set', path='/machine/peripheral/tmp-test',
+                    property='temperature', value=18000);
         exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self,
                              'cat /sys/class/hwmon/hwmon0/temp1_input', '18000')
 
@@ -247,7 +247,10 @@ def test_arm_ast2600_evb_buildroot_tpm(self):
         image_path = self.fetch_asset(image_url, asset_hash=image_hash,
                                       algorithm='sha256')
 
-        socket = os.path.join(self.vm.sock_dir, 'swtpm-socket')
+        # force creation of VM object, which also defines self._sd
+        vm = self.vm
+
+        socket = os.path.join(self._sd.name, 'swtpm-socket')
 
         subprocess.run(['swtpm', 'socket', '-d', '--tpm2',
                         '--tpmstate', f'dir={self.vm.temp_dir}',
@@ -357,8 +360,8 @@ def test_arm_ast2600_evb_sdk(self):
              'i2c i2c-5: new_device: Instantiated device lm75 at 0x4d');
         self.ssh_command_output_contains(
                              'cat /sys/class/hwmon/hwmon19/temp1_input', '0')
-        self.vm.command('qom-set', path='/machine/peripheral/tmp-test',
-                        property='temperature', value=18000);
+        self.vm.cmd('qom-set', path='/machine/peripheral/tmp-test',
+                    property='temperature', value=18000);
         self.ssh_command_output_contains(
                              'cat /sys/class/hwmon/hwmon19/temp1_input', '18000')
 
diff --git a/tests/avocado/machine_m68k_nextcube.py b/tests/avocado/machine_m68k_nextcube.py
index 6790e7d9cd..d6da2fbb01 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/machine_m68k_nextcube.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/machine_m68k_nextcube.py
@@ -43,8 +43,8 @@ def check_bootrom_framebuffer(self, screenshot_path):
         #       'displaysurface_create 1120x832' trace-event.
         time.sleep(2)
 
-        self.vm.command('human-monitor-command',
-                        command_line='screendump %s' % screenshot_path)
+        self.vm.cmd('human-monitor-command',
+                    command_line='screendump %s' % screenshot_path)
 
     @skipUnless(PIL_AVAILABLE, 'Python PIL not installed')
     def test_bootrom_framebuffer_size(self):
diff --git a/tests/avocado/machine_mips_malta.py b/tests/avocado/machine_mips_malta.py
index 92233451c5..9bd54518bf 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/machine_mips_malta.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/machine_mips_malta.py
@@ -71,9 +71,9 @@ def do_test_i6400_framebuffer_logo(self, cpu_cores_count):
         framebuffer_ready = 'Console: switching to colour frame buffer device'
         wait_for_console_pattern(self, framebuffer_ready,
                                  failure_message='Kernel panic - not syncing')
-        self.vm.command('human-monitor-command', command_line='stop')
-        self.vm.command('human-monitor-command',
-                        command_line='screendump %s' % screendump_path)
+        self.vm.cmd('human-monitor-command', command_line='stop')
+        self.vm.cmd('human-monitor-command',
+                    command_line='screendump %s' % screendump_path)
         logger = logging.getLogger('framebuffer')
 
         match_threshold = 0.95
diff --git a/tests/avocado/machine_s390_ccw_virtio.py b/tests/avocado/machine_s390_ccw_virtio.py
index e7a2a20ba6..e1f493bc44 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/machine_s390_ccw_virtio.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/machine_s390_ccw_virtio.py
@@ -107,10 +107,10 @@ def test_s390x_devices(self):
                         'dd if=/dev/hwrng of=/dev/null bs=1k count=10',
                         '10+0 records out')
         self.clear_guest_dmesg()
-        self.vm.command('device_del', id='rn1')
+        self.vm.cmd('device_del', id='rn1')
         self.wait_for_crw_reports()
         self.clear_guest_dmesg()
-        self.vm.command('device_del', id='rn2')
+        self.vm.cmd('device_del', id='rn2')
         self.wait_for_crw_reports()
         exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self,
                         'dd if=/dev/hwrng of=/dev/null bs=1k count=10',
@@ -132,8 +132,8 @@ def test_s390x_devices(self):
                         '0x0000000c')
         # add another device
         self.clear_guest_dmesg()
-        self.vm.command('device_add', driver='virtio-net-ccw',
-                        devno='fe.0.4711', id='net_4711')
+        self.vm.cmd('device_add', driver='virtio-net-ccw',
+                    devno='fe.0.4711', id='net_4711')
         self.wait_for_crw_reports()
         exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self, 'for i in 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ; do '
                     'if [ -e /sys/bus/ccw/devices/*4711 ]; then break; fi ;'
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ def test_s390x_devices(self):
                     '0.0.4711')
         # and detach it again
         self.clear_guest_dmesg()
-        self.vm.command('device_del', id='net_4711')
+        self.vm.cmd('device_del', id='net_4711')
         self.vm.event_wait(name='DEVICE_DELETED',
                            match={'data': {'device': 'net_4711'}})
         self.wait_for_crw_reports()
@@ -151,10 +151,10 @@ def test_s390x_devices(self):
         # test the virtio-balloon device
         exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self, 'head -n 1 /proc/meminfo',
                                           'MemTotal:         115640 kB')
-        self.vm.command('human-monitor-command', command_line='balloon 96')
+        self.vm.cmd('human-monitor-command', command_line='balloon 96')
         exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self, 'head -n 1 /proc/meminfo',
                                           'MemTotal:          82872 kB')
-        self.vm.command('human-monitor-command', command_line='balloon 128')
+        self.vm.cmd('human-monitor-command', command_line='balloon 128')
         exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self, 'head -n 1 /proc/meminfo',
                                           'MemTotal:         115640 kB')
 
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ def test_s390x_fedora(self):
                 '12+0 records out')
             with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(suffix='.ppm',
                                              prefix='qemu-scrdump-') as ppmfile:
-                self.vm.command('screendump', filename=ppmfile.name)
+                self.vm.cmd('screendump', filename=ppmfile.name)
                 ppmfile.seek(0)
                 line = ppmfile.readline()
                 self.assertEqual(line, b"P6\n")
@@ -261,16 +261,16 @@ def test_s390x_fedora(self):
         # Hot-plug a virtio-crypto device and see whether it gets accepted
         self.log.info("Test hot-plug virtio-crypto device")
         self.clear_guest_dmesg()
-        self.vm.command('object-add', qom_type='cryptodev-backend-builtin',
-                        id='cbe0')
-        self.vm.command('device_add', driver='virtio-crypto-ccw', id='crypdev0',
-                        cryptodev='cbe0', devno='fe.0.2342')
+        self.vm.cmd('object-add', qom_type='cryptodev-backend-builtin',
+                    id='cbe0')
+        self.vm.cmd('device_add', driver='virtio-crypto-ccw', id='crypdev0',
+                    cryptodev='cbe0', devno='fe.0.2342')
         exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self,
                         'while ! (dmesg -c | grep Accelerator.device) ; do'
                         ' sleep 1 ; done', 'Accelerator device is ready')
         exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self, 'lscss', '0.0.2342')
-        self.vm.command('device_del', id='crypdev0')
-        self.vm.command('object-del', id='cbe0')
+        self.vm.cmd('device_del', id='crypdev0')
+        self.vm.cmd('object-del', id='cbe0')
         exec_command_and_wait_for_pattern(self,
                         'while ! (dmesg -c | grep Start.virtcrypto_remove) ; do'
                         ' sleep 1 ; done', 'Start virtcrypto_remove.')
diff --git a/tests/avocado/migration.py b/tests/avocado/migration.py
index fdc1d234fb..09b62f813e 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/migration.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/migration.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class MigrationTest(QemuSystemTest):
 
     @staticmethod
     def migration_finished(vm):
-        return vm.command('query-migrate')['status'] in ('completed', 'failed')
+        return vm.cmd('query-migrate')['status'] in ('completed', 'failed')
 
     def assert_migration(self, src_vm, dst_vm):
         wait.wait_for(self.migration_finished,
@@ -41,10 +41,10 @@ def assert_migration(self, src_vm, dst_vm):
                       timeout=self.timeout,
                       step=0.1,
                       args=(dst_vm,))
-        self.assertEqual(src_vm.command('query-migrate')['status'], 'completed')
-        self.assertEqual(dst_vm.command('query-migrate')['status'], 'completed')
-        self.assertEqual(dst_vm.command('query-status')['status'], 'running')
-        self.assertEqual(src_vm.command('query-status')['status'],'postmigrate')
+        self.assertEqual(src_vm.cmd('query-migrate')['status'], 'completed')
+        self.assertEqual(dst_vm.cmd('query-migrate')['status'], 'completed')
+        self.assertEqual(dst_vm.cmd('query-status')['status'], 'running')
+        self.assertEqual(src_vm.cmd('query-status')['status'],'postmigrate')
 
     def do_migrate(self, dest_uri, src_uri=None):
         dest_vm = self.get_vm('-incoming', dest_uri)
diff --git a/tests/avocado/pc_cpu_hotplug_props.py b/tests/avocado/pc_cpu_hotplug_props.py
index 52b878188e..b56f51d02a 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/pc_cpu_hotplug_props.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/pc_cpu_hotplug_props.py
@@ -32,4 +32,4 @@ def test_no_die_id(self):
         self.vm.add_args('-smp', '1,sockets=2,cores=2,threads=2,maxcpus=8')
         self.vm.add_args('-device', 'qemu64-x86_64-cpu,socket-id=1,core-id=0,thread-id=0')
         self.vm.launch()
-        self.assertEquals(len(self.vm.command('query-cpus-fast')), 2)
+        self.assertEquals(len(self.vm.cmd('query-cpus-fast')), 2)
diff --git a/tests/avocado/version.py b/tests/avocado/version.py
index dd775955eb..93ffdf3d97 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/version.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/version.py
@@ -20,6 +20,6 @@ class Version(QemuSystemTest):
     def test_qmp_human_info_version(self):
         self.vm.add_args('-nodefaults')
         self.vm.launch()
-        res = self.vm.command('human-monitor-command',
-                              command_line='info version')
+        res = self.vm.cmd('human-monitor-command',
+                          command_line='info version')
         self.assertRegexpMatches(res, r'^(\d+\.\d+\.\d)')
diff --git a/tests/avocado/virtio_check_params.py b/tests/avocado/virtio_check_params.py
index 4093da8a67..f4314ef824 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/virtio_check_params.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/virtio_check_params.py
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ def query_virtqueue(self, vm, dev_type_name):
         error = None
         props = None
 
-        output = vm.command('human-monitor-command',
-                            command_line = 'info qtree')
+        output = vm.cmd('human-monitor-command',
+                        command_line = 'info qtree')
         props_list = DEV_TYPES[dev_type_name].values();
         pattern = self.make_pattern(props_list)
         res = re.findall(pattern, output)
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ def test_machine_types(self):
         # collect all machine types except 'none', 'isapc', 'microvm'
         with QEMUMachine(self.qemu_bin) as vm:
             vm.launch()
-            machines = [m['name'] for m in vm.command('query-machines')]
+            machines = [m['name'] for m in vm.cmd('query-machines')]
             vm.shutdown()
         machines.remove('none')
         machines.remove('isapc')
diff --git a/tests/avocado/virtio_version.py b/tests/avocado/virtio_version.py
index c84e48813a..afe5e828b5 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/virtio_version.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/virtio_version.py
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ def pci_modern_device_id(virtio_devid):
     return virtio_devid + 0x1040
 
 def devtype_implements(vm, devtype, implements):
-    return devtype in [d['name'] for d in vm.command('qom-list-types', implements=implements)]
+    return devtype in [d['name'] for d in
+                       vm.cmd('qom-list-types', implements=implements)]
 
 def get_pci_interfaces(vm, devtype):
     interfaces = ('pci-express-device', 'conventional-pci-device')
@@ -78,7 +79,7 @@ def run_device(self, devtype, opts=None, machine='pc'):
             vm.add_args('-S')
             vm.launch()
 
-            pcibuses = vm.command('query-pci')
+            pcibuses = vm.cmd('query-pci')
             alldevs = [dev for bus in pcibuses for dev in bus['devices']]
             devfortest = [dev for dev in alldevs
                           if dev['qdev_id'] == 'devfortest']
diff --git a/tests/avocado/vnc.py b/tests/avocado/vnc.py
index aeeefc70be..862c8996a8 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/vnc.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/vnc.py
@@ -88,9 +88,8 @@ def test_change_password(self):
         self.vm.add_args('-nodefaults', '-S', '-vnc', ':0,password=on')
         self.vm.launch()
         self.assertTrue(self.vm.qmp('query-vnc')['return']['enabled'])
-        set_password_response = self.vm.qmp('change-vnc-password',
-                                            password='new_password')
-        self.assertEqual(set_password_response['return'], {})
+        self.vm.cmd('change-vnc-password',
+                    password='new_password')
 
     def test_change_listen(self):
         a, b, c = find_free_ports(3)
@@ -105,12 +104,11 @@ def test_change_listen(self):
         self.assertFalse(check_connect(b))
         self.assertFalse(check_connect(c))
 
-        res = self.vm.qmp('display-update', type='vnc',
-                          addresses=[{'type': 'inet', 'host': VNC_ADDR,
-                                      'port': str(b)},
-                                     {'type': 'inet', 'host': VNC_ADDR,
-                                      'port': str(c)}])
-        self.assertEqual(res['return'], {})
+        self.vm.cmd('display-update', type='vnc',
+                    addresses=[{'type': 'inet', 'host': VNC_ADDR,
+                                'port': str(b)},
+                               {'type': 'inet', 'host': VNC_ADDR,
+                                'port': str(c)}])
         self.assertEqual(self.vm.qmp('query-vnc')['return']['service'], str(b))
         self.assertFalse(check_connect(a))
         self.assertTrue(check_connect(b))
diff --git a/tests/avocado/x86_cpu_model_versions.py b/tests/avocado/x86_cpu_model_versions.py
index a6edf74c1c..9e07b8a55d 100644
--- a/tests/avocado/x86_cpu_model_versions.py
+++ b/tests/avocado/x86_cpu_model_versions.py
@@ -84,7 +84,8 @@ def test_4_0_alias_compatibility(self):
         # with older QEMU versions that didn't have the versioned CPU model
         self.vm.add_args('-S')
         self.vm.launch()
-        cpus = dict((m['name'], m) for m in self.vm.command('query-cpu-definitions'))
+        cpus = dict((m['name'], m) for m in
+                    self.vm.cmd('query-cpu-definitions'))
 
         self.assertFalse(cpus['Cascadelake-Server']['static'],
                          'unversioned Cascadelake-Server CPU model must not be static')
@@ -115,7 +116,8 @@ def test_4_1_alias(self):
         self.vm.add_args('-S')
         self.vm.launch()
 
-        cpus = dict((m['name'], m) for m in self.vm.command('query-cpu-definitions'))
+        cpus = dict((m['name'], m) for m in
+                    self.vm.cmd('query-cpu-definitions'))
 
         self.assertFalse(cpus['Cascadelake-Server']['static'],
                          'unversioned Cascadelake-Server CPU model must not be static')
@@ -220,7 +222,8 @@ def test_none_alias(self):
         self.vm.add_args('-S')
         self.vm.launch()
 
-        cpus = dict((m['name'], m) for m in self.vm.command('query-cpu-definitions'))
+        cpus = dict((m['name'], m) for m in
+                    self.vm.cmd('query-cpu-definitions'))
 
         self.assertFalse(cpus['Cascadelake-Server']['static'],
                          'unversioned Cascadelake-Server CPU model must not be static')
@@ -246,8 +249,8 @@ class CascadelakeArchCapabilities(avocado_qemu.QemuSystemTest):
     :avocado: tags=arch:x86_64
     """
     def get_cpu_prop(self, prop):
-        cpu_path = self.vm.command('query-cpus-fast')[0].get('qom-path')
-        return self.vm.command('qom-get', path=cpu_path, property=prop)
+        cpu_path = self.vm.cmd('query-cpus-fast')[0].get('qom-path')
+        return self.vm.cmd('qom-get', path=cpu_path, property=prop)
 
     def test_4_1(self):
         """
diff --git a/tests/docker/dockerfiles/python.docker b/tests/docker/dockerfiles/python.docker
index 383ccbdc3a..a3c1321190 100644
--- a/tests/docker/dockerfiles/python.docker
+++ b/tests/docker/dockerfiles/python.docker
@@ -11,7 +11,11 @@ ENV PACKAGES \
     python3-pip \
     python3-tox \
     python3-virtualenv \
-    python3.10
+    python3.10 \
+    python3.11 \
+    python3.12 \
+    python3.8 \
+    python3.9
 
 RUN dnf install -y $PACKAGES
 RUN rpm -q $PACKAGES | sort > /packages.txt
diff --git a/tests/migration/guestperf/engine.py b/tests/migration/guestperf/engine.py
index e69d16a62c..da96ca034a 100644
--- a/tests/migration/guestperf/engine.py
+++ b/tests/migration/guestperf/engine.py
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def _cpu_timing(self, pid):
             return TimingRecord(pid, now, 1000 * (stime + utime) / jiffies_per_sec)
 
     def _migrate_progress(self, vm):
-        info = vm.command("query-migrate")
+        info = vm.cmd("query-migrate")
 
         if "ram" not in info:
             info["ram"] = {}
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ def _migrate(self, hardware, scenario, src, dst, connect_uri):
         src_vcpu_time = []
         src_pid = src.get_pid()
 
-        vcpus = src.command("query-cpus-fast")
+        vcpus = src.cmd("query-cpus-fast")
         src_threads = []
         for vcpu in vcpus:
             src_threads.append(vcpu["thread-id"])
@@ -128,82 +128,82 @@ def _migrate(self, hardware, scenario, src, dst, connect_uri):
         if self._verbose:
             print("Starting migration")
         if scenario._auto_converge:
-            resp = src.command("migrate-set-capabilities",
-                               capabilities = [
-                                   { "capability": "auto-converge",
-                                     "state": True }
-                               ])
-            resp = src.command("migrate-set-parameters",
-                               cpu_throttle_increment=scenario._auto_converge_step)
+            resp = src.cmd("migrate-set-capabilities",
+                           capabilities = [
+                               { "capability": "auto-converge",
+                                 "state": True }
+                           ])
+            resp = src.cmd("migrate-set-parameters",
+                           cpu_throttle_increment=scenario._auto_converge_step)
 
         if scenario._post_copy:
-            resp = src.command("migrate-set-capabilities",
-                               capabilities = [
-                                   { "capability": "postcopy-ram",
-                                     "state": True }
-                               ])
-            resp = dst.command("migrate-set-capabilities",
-                               capabilities = [
-                                   { "capability": "postcopy-ram",
-                                     "state": True }
-                               ])
+            resp = src.cmd("migrate-set-capabilities",
+                           capabilities = [
+                               { "capability": "postcopy-ram",
+                                 "state": True }
+                           ])
+            resp = dst.cmd("migrate-set-capabilities",
+                           capabilities = [
+                               { "capability": "postcopy-ram",
+                                 "state": True }
+                           ])
 
-        resp = src.command("migrate-set-parameters",
-                           max_bandwidth=scenario._bandwidth * 1024 * 1024)
+        resp = src.cmd("migrate-set-parameters",
+                       max_bandwidth=scenario._bandwidth * 1024 * 1024)
 
-        resp = src.command("migrate-set-parameters",
-                           downtime_limit=scenario._downtime)
+        resp = src.cmd("migrate-set-parameters",
+                       downtime_limit=scenario._downtime)
 
         if scenario._compression_mt:
-            resp = src.command("migrate-set-capabilities",
-                               capabilities = [
-                                   { "capability": "compress",
-                                     "state": True }
-                               ])
-            resp = src.command("migrate-set-parameters",
-                               compress_threads=scenario._compression_mt_threads)
-            resp = dst.command("migrate-set-capabilities",
-                               capabilities = [
-                                   { "capability": "compress",
-                                     "state": True }
-                               ])
-            resp = dst.command("migrate-set-parameters",
-                               decompress_threads=scenario._compression_mt_threads)
+            resp = src.cmd("migrate-set-capabilities",
+                           capabilities = [
+                               { "capability": "compress",
+                                 "state": True }
+                           ])
+            resp = src.cmd("migrate-set-parameters",
+                           compress_threads=scenario._compression_mt_threads)
+            resp = dst.cmd("migrate-set-capabilities",
+                           capabilities = [
+                               { "capability": "compress",
+                                 "state": True }
+                           ])
+            resp = dst.cmd("migrate-set-parameters",
+                           decompress_threads=scenario._compression_mt_threads)
 
         if scenario._compression_xbzrle:
-            resp = src.command("migrate-set-capabilities",
-                               capabilities = [
-                                   { "capability": "xbzrle",
-                                     "state": True }
-                               ])
-            resp = dst.command("migrate-set-capabilities",
-                               capabilities = [
-                                   { "capability": "xbzrle",
-                                     "state": True }
-                               ])
-            resp = src.command("migrate-set-parameters",
-                               xbzrle_cache_size=(
-                                   hardware._mem *
-                                   1024 * 1024 * 1024 / 100 *
-                                   scenario._compression_xbzrle_cache))
+            resp = src.cmd("migrate-set-capabilities",
+                           capabilities = [
+                               { "capability": "xbzrle",
+                                 "state": True }
+                           ])
+            resp = dst.cmd("migrate-set-capabilities",
+                           capabilities = [
+                               { "capability": "xbzrle",
+                                 "state": True }
+                           ])
+            resp = src.cmd("migrate-set-parameters",
+                           xbzrle_cache_size=(
+                               hardware._mem *
+                               1024 * 1024 * 1024 / 100 *
+                               scenario._compression_xbzrle_cache))
 
         if scenario._multifd:
-            resp = src.command("migrate-set-capabilities",
-                               capabilities = [
-                                   { "capability": "multifd",
-                                     "state": True }
-                               ])
-            resp = src.command("migrate-set-parameters",
-                               multifd_channels=scenario._multifd_channels)
-            resp = dst.command("migrate-set-capabilities",
-                               capabilities = [
-                                   { "capability": "multifd",
-                                     "state": True }
-                               ])
-            resp = dst.command("migrate-set-parameters",
-                               multifd_channels=scenario._multifd_channels)
+            resp = src.cmd("migrate-set-capabilities",
+                           capabilities = [
+                               { "capability": "multifd",
+                                 "state": True }
+                           ])
+            resp = src.cmd("migrate-set-parameters",
+                           multifd_channels=scenario._multifd_channels)
+            resp = dst.cmd("migrate-set-capabilities",
+                           capabilities = [
+                               { "capability": "multifd",
+                                 "state": True }
+                           ])
+            resp = dst.cmd("migrate-set-parameters",
+                           multifd_channels=scenario._multifd_channels)
 
-        resp = src.command("migrate", uri=connect_uri)
+        resp = src.cmd("migrate", uri=connect_uri)
 
         post_copy = False
         paused = False
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ def _migrate(self, hardware, scenario, src, dst, connect_uri):
 
             if progress._status in ("completed", "failed", "cancelled"):
                 if progress._status == "completed" and paused:
-                    dst.command("cont")
+                    dst.cmd("cont")
                 if progress_history[-1] != progress:
                     progress_history.append(progress)
 
@@ -256,13 +256,13 @@ def _migrate(self, hardware, scenario, src, dst, connect_uri):
             if progress._ram._iterations > scenario._max_iters:
                 if self._verbose:
                     print("No completion after %d iterations over RAM" % scenario._max_iters)
-                src.command("migrate_cancel")
+                src.cmd("migrate_cancel")
                 continue
 
             if time.time() > (start + scenario._max_time):
                 if self._verbose:
                     print("No completion after %d seconds" % scenario._max_time)
-                src.command("migrate_cancel")
+                src.cmd("migrate_cancel")
                 continue
 
             if (scenario._post_copy and
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ def _migrate(self, hardware, scenario, src, dst, connect_uri):
                 not post_copy):
                 if self._verbose:
                     print("Switching to post-copy after %d iterations" % scenario._post_copy_iters)
-                resp = src.command("migrate-start-postcopy")
+                resp = src.cmd("migrate-start-postcopy")
                 post_copy = True
 
             if (scenario._pause and
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ def _migrate(self, hardware, scenario, src, dst, connect_uri):
                 not paused):
                 if self._verbose:
                     print("Pausing VM after %d iterations" % scenario._pause_iters)
-                resp = src.command("stop")
+                resp = src.cmd("stop")
                 paused = True
 
     def _is_ppc64le(self):
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/030 b/tests/qemu-iotests/030
index 98595d47fe..0e6a39d103 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/030
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/030
@@ -56,8 +56,7 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_stream(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0')
 
         self.wait_until_completed()
 
@@ -77,8 +76,7 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             qemu_io('-f', iotests.imgfmt, '-rU', '-c', 'map', mid_img).stdout,
             'image file map matches backing file before streaming')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='mid', job_id='stream-mid')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='mid', job_id='stream-mid')
 
         self.wait_until_completed(drive='stream-mid')
 
@@ -94,8 +92,7 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         self.vm.pause_drive('drive0')
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0')
 
         self.pause_job('drive0', wait=False)
         self.vm.resume_drive('drive0')
@@ -108,8 +105,7 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/offset', offset)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
 
         self.wait_until_completed()
 
@@ -129,8 +125,7 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             '-f', iotests.imgfmt, '-rU', '-c', 'map', test_img).stdout
 
         # This is a no-op: no data should ever be copied from the base image
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0', base=mid_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0', base=mid_img)
 
         self.wait_until_completed()
 
@@ -144,8 +139,7 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_stream_partial(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0', base=backing_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0', base=backing_img)
 
         self.wait_until_completed()
 
@@ -172,24 +166,22 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             qemu_img('create', '-f', iotests.imgfmt, ro_top_path,
                      str(self.image_len))
 
-            result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                                 node_name='ro-top',
-                                 driver=iotests.imgfmt,
-                                 read_only=True,
-                                 file={
-                                     'driver': 'file',
-                                     'filename': ro_top_path,
-                                     'read-only': True
-                                 },
-                                 backing='mid')
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                        node_name='ro-top',
+                        driver=iotests.imgfmt,
+                        read_only=True,
+                        file={
+                            'driver': 'file',
+                            'filename': ro_top_path,
+                            'read-only': True
+                        },
+                        backing='mid')
 
             result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', job_id='stream',
                                  device='ro-top', base_node='base')
             self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/desc', 'Block node is read-only')
 
-            result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', node_name='ro-top')
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', node_name='ro-top')
 
 
 class TestParallelOps(iotests.QMPTestCase):
@@ -254,10 +246,9 @@ class TestParallelOps(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             node_name = 'node%d' % i
             job_id = 'stream-%s' % node_name
             pending_jobs.append(job_id)
-            result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device=node_name,
-                                 job_id=job_id, bottom=f'node{i-1}',
-                                 speed=1024)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device=node_name,
+                        job_id=job_id, bottom=f'node{i-1}',
+                        speed=1024)
 
         # Do this in reverse: After unthrottling them, some jobs may finish
         # before we have unthrottled all of them.  This will drain their
@@ -269,8 +260,7 @@ class TestParallelOps(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # Starting from the top (i.e. in reverse) does not have this problem:
         # When a job finishes, the ones below it are not advanced.
         for job in reversed(pending_jobs):
-            result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device=job, speed=0)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device=job, speed=0)
 
         # Wait for all jobs to be finished.
         while len(pending_jobs) > 0:
@@ -297,10 +287,9 @@ class TestParallelOps(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         # Set a speed limit to make sure that this job blocks the rest
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='node4',
-                             job_id='stream-node4', base=self.imgs[1],
-                             filter_node_name='stream-filter', speed=1024*1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='node4',
+                    job_id='stream-node4', base=self.imgs[1],
+                    filter_node_name='stream-filter', speed=1024*1024)
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='node5', job_id='stream-node5', base=self.imgs[2])
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/desc',
@@ -328,8 +317,7 @@ class TestParallelOps(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/desc',
             "Node 'node2' is busy: block device is in use by block job: stream")
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='stream-node4', speed=0)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='stream-node4', speed=0)
 
         self.wait_until_completed(drive='stream-node4')
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
@@ -341,8 +329,7 @@ class TestParallelOps(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         # Set a speed limit to make sure that this job blocks the rest
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0', top=self.imgs[5], base=self.imgs[3], job_id='commit-node3', speed=1024*1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0', top=self.imgs[5], base=self.imgs[3], job_id='commit-node3', speed=1024*1024)
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='node3', job_id='stream-node3')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/desc',
@@ -365,8 +352,7 @@ class TestParallelOps(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/desc',
             "Node 'drive0' is busy: block device is in use by block job: commit")
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='commit-node3', speed=0)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='commit-node3', speed=0)
 
         self.wait_until_completed(drive='commit-node3')
 
@@ -377,23 +363,20 @@ class TestParallelOps(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         # Set a speed limit to make sure that this job blocks the rest
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0', base=self.imgs[3], job_id='commit-drive0', speed=1024*1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0', base=self.imgs[3], job_id='commit-drive0', speed=1024*1024)
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='node5', base=self.imgs[3], job_id='stream-node6')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/desc',
             "Node 'node5' is busy: block device is in use by block job: commit")
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='commit-drive0', speed=0)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='commit-drive0', speed=0)
 
         event = self.vm.event_wait(name='BLOCK_JOB_READY')
         self.assert_qmp(event, 'data/device', 'commit-drive0')
         self.assert_qmp(event, 'data/type', 'commit')
         self.assert_qmp_absent(event, 'data/error')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-complete', device='commit-drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-complete', device='commit-drive0')
 
         self.wait_until_completed(drive='commit-drive0')
 
@@ -404,18 +387,16 @@ class TestParallelOps(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         # Commit from node2 into node0
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0',
-                             top=self.imgs[2], base=self.imgs[0],
-                             filter_node_name='commit-filter', speed=1024*1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0',
+                    top=self.imgs[2], base=self.imgs[0],
+                    filter_node_name='commit-filter', speed=1024*1024)
 
         # Stream from node2 into node4
         result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='node4', base_node='node2', job_id='node4')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/desc',
             "Cannot freeze 'backing' link to 'commit-filter'")
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=0)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=0)
 
         self.wait_until_completed()
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
@@ -428,18 +409,15 @@ class TestParallelOps(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         # Commit from node2 into node0
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0',
-                             top_node='node2', base_node='node0',
-                             filter_node_name='commit-filter', speed=1024*1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0',
+                    top_node='node2', base_node='node0',
+                    filter_node_name='commit-filter', speed=1024*1024)
 
         # Stream from node2 into node4
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='node4',
-                             base_node='commit-filter', job_id='node4')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='node4',
+                    base_node='commit-filter', job_id='node4')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=0)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=0)
 
         self.vm.run_job(job='drive0', auto_dismiss=True)
         self.vm.run_job(job='node4', auto_dismiss=True)
@@ -458,12 +436,10 @@ class TestParallelOps(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         # Stream from node0 into node2
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='node2', base_node='node0', job_id='node2')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='node2', base_node='node0', job_id='node2')
 
         # Commit from the active layer into node3
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0', base=self.imgs[3])
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0', base=self.imgs[3])
 
         # Wait for all jobs to be finished.
         pending_jobs = ['node2', 'drive0']
@@ -490,16 +466,13 @@ class TestParallelOps(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         # Stream from node0 into node4
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='node4', base_node='node0', job_id='node4', speed=1024*1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='node4', base_node='node0', job_id='node4', speed=1024*1024)
 
         # Commit from the active layer into node5
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0', base=self.imgs[5], speed=1024*1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0', base=self.imgs[5], speed=1024*1024)
 
         for job in ['drive0', 'node4']:
-            result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device=job, speed=0)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device=job, speed=0)
 
         # Wait for all jobs to be finished.
         pending_jobs = ['node4', 'drive0']
@@ -549,8 +522,7 @@ class TestParallelOps(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             "'base' and 'base-node' cannot be specified at the same time")
 
         # Success: the base node is a backing file of the top node
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='node4', base_node='node2', job_id='stream')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='node4', base_node='node2', job_id='stream')
 
         self.wait_until_completed(drive='stream')
 
@@ -606,8 +578,7 @@ class TestQuorum(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='node0', job_id='stream-node0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='node0', job_id='stream-node0')
 
         self.wait_until_completed(drive='stream-node0')
 
@@ -636,8 +607,7 @@ class TestSmallerBackingFile(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_stream(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0')
 
         self.wait_until_completed()
 
@@ -694,8 +664,7 @@ class TestEIO(TestErrors):
     def test_report(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0')
 
         completed = False
         error = False
@@ -722,8 +691,7 @@ class TestEIO(TestErrors):
     def test_ignore(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0', on_error='ignore')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0', on_error='ignore')
 
         error = False
         completed = False
@@ -756,8 +724,7 @@ class TestEIO(TestErrors):
     def test_stop(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0', on_error='stop')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0', on_error='stop')
 
         error = False
         completed = False
@@ -779,8 +746,7 @@ class TestEIO(TestErrors):
                     self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/offset', self.STREAM_BUFFER_SIZE)
                     self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/io-status', 'failed')
 
-                    result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
-                    self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+                    self.vm.cmd('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
 
                     result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
                     if result == {'return': []}:
@@ -806,8 +772,7 @@ class TestEIO(TestErrors):
     def test_enospc(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0', on_error='enospc')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0', on_error='enospc')
 
         completed = False
         error = False
@@ -852,8 +817,7 @@ class TestENOSPC(TestErrors):
     def test_enospc(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0', on_error='enospc')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0', on_error='enospc')
 
         error = False
         completed = False
@@ -875,8 +839,7 @@ class TestENOSPC(TestErrors):
                     self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/offset', self.STREAM_BUFFER_SIZE)
                     self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/io-status', 'nospace')
 
-                    result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
-                    self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+                    self.vm.cmd('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
 
                     result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
                     if result == {'return': []}:
@@ -921,8 +884,7 @@ class TestStreamStop(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         self.vm.pause_drive('drive0')
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0')
 
         time.sleep(0.1)
         events = self.vm.get_qmp_events(wait=False)
@@ -955,11 +917,9 @@ class TestSetSpeed(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def perf_test_throughput(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=8 * 1024 * 1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=8 * 1024 * 1024)
 
         self.wait_until_completed()
 
@@ -969,16 +929,14 @@ class TestSetSpeed(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         self.vm.pause_drive('drive0')
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0')
 
         # Default speed is 0
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/device', 'drive0')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/speed', 0)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=8 * 1024 * 1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=8 * 1024 * 1024)
 
         # Ensure the speed we set was accepted
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
@@ -989,8 +947,7 @@ class TestSetSpeed(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.vm.pause_drive('drive0')
 
         # Check setting speed in block-stream works
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0', speed=4 * 1024 * 1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0', speed=4 * 1024 * 1024)
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/device', 'drive0')
@@ -1007,8 +964,7 @@ class TestSetSpeed(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         self.vm.pause_drive('drive0')
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', device='drive0')
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=-1)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/desc', "Parameter 'speed' expects a non-negative value")
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/040 b/tests/qemu-iotests/040
index 5601a4873c..5c18e413ec 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/040
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/040
@@ -61,16 +61,14 @@ class ImageCommitTestCase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def run_commit_test(self, top, base, need_ready=False, node_names=False):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
         if node_names:
-            result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0', top_node=top, base_node=base)
+            self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0', top_node=top, base_node=base)
         else:
-            result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0', top=top, base=base)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0', top=top, base=base)
         self.wait_for_complete(need_ready)
 
     def run_default_commit_test(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0')
         self.wait_for_complete()
 
 class TestSingleDrive(ImageCommitTestCase):
@@ -117,38 +115,30 @@ class TestSingleDrive(ImageCommitTestCase):
 
     @iotests.skip_if_unsupported(['throttle'])
     def test_commit_with_filter_and_quit(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('object-add', qom_type='throttle-group', id='tg')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('object-add', qom_type='throttle-group', id='tg')
 
         # Add a filter outside of the backing chain
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', driver='throttle', node_name='filter', throttle_group='tg', file='mid')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', driver='throttle', node_name='filter', throttle_group='tg', file='mid')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0')
 
         # Quit immediately, thus forcing a simultaneous cancel of the
         # block job and a bdrv_drain_all()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('quit')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('quit')
 
     # Same as above, but this time we add the filter after starting the job
     @iotests.skip_if_unsupported(['throttle'])
     def test_commit_plus_filter_and_quit(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('object-add', qom_type='throttle-group', id='tg')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('object-add', qom_type='throttle-group', id='tg')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0')
 
         # Add a filter outside of the backing chain
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', driver='throttle', node_name='filter', throttle_group='tg', file='mid')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', driver='throttle', node_name='filter', throttle_group='tg', file='mid')
 
         # Quit immediately, thus forcing a simultaneous cancel of the
         # block job and a bdrv_drain_all()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('quit')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('quit')
 
     def test_device_not_found(self):
         result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='nonexistent', top='%s' % mid_img)
@@ -225,8 +215,7 @@ class TestSingleDrive(ImageCommitTestCase):
     def test_top_node_in_wrong_chain(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', driver='null-co', node_name='null')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', driver='null-co', node_name='null')
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0', top_node='null', base_node='base')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/class', 'GenericError')
@@ -239,11 +228,9 @@ class TestSingleDrive(ImageCommitTestCase):
             return
 
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0', top=mid_img,
-                             base=backing_img, speed=(self.image_len // 4))
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-        result = self.vm.qmp('device_del', id='scsi0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0', top=mid_img,
+                    base=backing_img, speed=(self.image_len // 4))
+        self.vm.cmd('device_del', id='scsi0')
 
         cancelled = False
         deleted = False
@@ -269,9 +256,8 @@ class TestSingleDrive(ImageCommitTestCase):
             return
 
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0', top=mid_img,
-                             base=backing_img, speed=(self.image_len // 4))
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0', top=mid_img,
+                    base=backing_img, speed=(self.image_len // 4))
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/file', test_img)
@@ -406,8 +392,7 @@ class TestSetSpeed(ImageCommitTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         self.vm.pause_drive('drive0')
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0', top=mid_img, speed=1024 * 1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0', top=mid_img, speed=1024 * 1024)
 
         # Ensure the speed we set was accepted
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
@@ -480,8 +465,7 @@ class TestErrorHandling(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         os.remove(backing_img)
 
     def blockdev_add(self, **kwargs):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **kwargs)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', **kwargs)
 
     def add_block_nodes(self, base_debug=None, mid_debug=None, top_debug=None):
         self.blockdev_add(node_name='base-file', driver='file',
@@ -527,11 +511,9 @@ class TestErrorHandling(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 completed = True
             elif ev['event'] == 'BLOCK_JOB_ERROR':
                 if error_pauses_job:
-                    result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-resume', device='job0')
-                    self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+                    self.vm.cmd('block-job-resume', device='job0')
             elif ev['event'] == 'BLOCK_JOB_READY':
-                result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-complete', device='job0')
-                self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+                self.vm.cmd('block-job-complete', device='job0')
             else:
                 self.fail("Unexpected event: %s" % ev)
             log.append(iotests.filter_qmp_event(ev))
@@ -594,11 +576,10 @@ class TestErrorHandling(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.add_block_nodes(top_debug=top_debug, mid_debug=mid_debug,
                              base_debug=base_debug)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', job_id='job0', device='top-fmt',
-                             top_node='top-fmt' if active else 'mid-fmt',
-                             base_node='mid-fmt' if active else 'base-fmt',
-                             on_error=on_error)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', job_id='job0', device='top-fmt',
+                    top_node='top-fmt' if active else 'mid-fmt',
+                    base_node='mid-fmt' if active else 'base-fmt',
+                    on_error=on_error)
 
     def testActiveReadErrorReport(self):
         self.prepare_and_start_job('report', top_event='read_aio')
@@ -770,10 +751,9 @@ class TestCommitWithFilters(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.vm = iotests.VM().add_device('virtio-scsi,id=vio-scsi')
         self.vm.launch()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('object-add', qom_type='throttle-group', id='tg')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('object-add', qom_type='throttle-group', id='tg')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **{
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', {
                 'node-name': 'top-filter',
                 'driver': 'throttle',
                 'throttle-group': 'tg',
@@ -815,7 +795,6 @@ class TestCommitWithFilters(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                     }
                 }
             })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
     def tearDown(self):
         self.vm.shutdown()
@@ -832,13 +811,12 @@ class TestCommitWithFilters(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         return self.vm.node_info(node)['image']['filename']
 
     def test_filterless_commit(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit',
-                             job_id='commit',
-                             device='top-filter',
-                             top_node='cow-2',
-                             base_node='cow-1',
-                             backing_file=self.img1)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit',
+                    job_id='commit',
+                    device='top-filter',
+                    top_node='cow-2',
+                    base_node='cow-1',
+                    backing_file=self.img1)
         self.wait_until_completed(drive='commit')
 
         self.assertIsNotNone(self.vm.node_info('cow-3'))
@@ -849,13 +827,12 @@ class TestCommitWithFilters(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.pattern_files[2] = self.img1
 
     def test_commit_through_filter(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit',
-                             job_id='commit',
-                             device='top-filter',
-                             top_node='cow-1',
-                             base_node='cow-0',
-                             backing_file=self.img0)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit',
+                    job_id='commit',
+                    device='top-filter',
+                    top_node='cow-1',
+                    base_node='cow-0',
+                    backing_file=self.img0)
         self.wait_until_completed(drive='commit')
 
         self.assertIsNotNone(self.vm.node_info('cow-2'))
@@ -870,9 +847,8 @@ class TestCommitWithFilters(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # Add a device, so the commit job finds a parent it can change
         # to point to the base node (so we can test that top-filter is
         # dropped from the graph)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('device_add', id='drv0', driver='scsi-hd',
-                             bus='vio-scsi.0', drive='top-filter')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('device_add', id='drv0', driver='scsi-hd',
+                    bus='vio-scsi.0', drive='top-filter')
 
         # Try to release our reference to top-filter; that should not
         # work because drv0 uses it
@@ -880,16 +856,14 @@ class TestCommitWithFilters(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/class', 'GenericError')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/desc', 'Node top-filter is in use')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit',
-                             job_id='commit',
-                             device='top-filter',
-                             base_node='cow-2')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit',
+                    job_id='commit',
+                    device='top-filter',
+                    base_node='cow-2')
         self.complete_and_wait(drive='commit')
 
         # Try to release our reference to top-filter again
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', node_name='top-filter')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', node_name='top-filter')
 
         self.assertIsNone(self.vm.node_info('top-filter'))
         self.assertIsNone(self.vm.node_info('cow-3'))
@@ -904,12 +878,11 @@ class TestCommitWithFilters(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.pattern_files[3] = self.img2
 
     def test_filtered_active_commit_without_filter(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit',
-                             job_id='commit',
-                             device='top-filter',
-                             top_node='cow-3',
-                             base_node='cow-2')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit',
+                    job_id='commit',
+                    device='top-filter',
+                    top_node='cow-3',
+                    base_node='cow-2')
         self.complete_and_wait(drive='commit')
 
         self.assertIsNotNone(self.vm.node_info('top-filter'))
@@ -934,23 +907,22 @@ class TestCommitWithOverriddenBacking(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.vm.launch()
 
         # Use base_b instead of base_a as the backing of top
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **{
-                                'node-name': 'top',
-                                'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
-                                'file': {
-                                    'driver': 'file',
-                                    'filename': self.img_top
-                                },
-                                'backing': {
-                                    'node-name': 'base',
-                                    'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
-                                    'file': {
-                                        'driver': 'file',
-                                        'filename': self.img_base_b
-                                    }
-                                }
-                            })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', {
+                        'node-name': 'top',
+                        'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
+                        'file': {
+                            'driver': 'file',
+                            'filename': self.img_top
+                        },
+                        'backing': {
+                            'node-name': 'base',
+                            'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
+                            'file': {
+                                'driver': 'file',
+                                'filename': self.img_base_b
+                            }
+                        }
+                    })
 
     def tearDown(self):
         self.vm.shutdown()
@@ -970,11 +942,10 @@ class TestCommitWithOverriddenBacking(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_commit_to_b(self):
         # Try committing to base_b (which should work, since that is
         # actually top's backing image)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit',
-                             job_id='commit',
-                             device='top',
-                             base=self.img_base_b)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit',
+                    job_id='commit',
+                    device='top',
+                    base=self.img_base_b)
 
         self.vm.event_wait('BLOCK_JOB_READY')
         self.vm.qmp('block-job-complete', device='commit')
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/041 b/tests/qemu-iotests/041
index 8429958bf0..98d17b1388 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/041
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/041
@@ -65,9 +65,8 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_complete(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             target=self.qmp_target)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    target=self.qmp_target)
 
         self.complete_and_wait()
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
@@ -79,9 +78,8 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_cancel(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             target=self.qmp_target)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    target=self.qmp_target)
 
         self.cancel_and_wait(force=True)
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
@@ -90,9 +88,8 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_cancel_after_ready(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             target=self.qmp_target)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    target=self.qmp_target)
 
         self.wait_ready_and_cancel()
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
@@ -104,9 +101,8 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_pause(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             target=self.qmp_target)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    target=self.qmp_target)
 
         self.pause_job('drive0')
 
@@ -117,8 +113,7 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/offset', offset)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
 
         self.complete_and_wait()
         self.vm.shutdown()
@@ -129,9 +124,8 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         # A small buffer is rounded up automatically
-        result = self.vm.qmp(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             buf_size=4096, target=self.qmp_target)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    buf_size=4096, target=self.qmp_target)
 
         self.complete_and_wait()
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
@@ -145,9 +139,8 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
         qemu_img('create', '-f', iotests.imgfmt, '-o', 'cluster_size=%d,size=%d'
                         % (self.image_len, self.image_len), target_img)
-        result = self.vm.qmp(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             buf_size=65536, mode='existing', target=self.qmp_target)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    buf_size=65536, mode='existing', target=self.qmp_target)
 
         self.complete_and_wait()
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
@@ -162,9 +155,8 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         qemu_img('create', '-f', iotests.imgfmt, '-o', 'cluster_size=%d,backing_file=%s'
                         % (self.image_len, backing_img),
                  '-F', 'raw', target_img)
-        result = self.vm.qmp(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             mode='existing', target=self.qmp_target)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    mode='existing', target=self.qmp_target)
 
         self.complete_and_wait()
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
@@ -178,9 +170,8 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_implicit_node(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             target=self.qmp_target)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(self.qmp_cmd, device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    target=self.qmp_target)
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/file', test_img)
@@ -236,8 +227,7 @@ class TestSingleBlockdev(TestSingleDrive):
         args = {'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
                 'node-name': self.qmp_target,
                 'file': { 'filename': target_img, 'driver': 'file' } }
-        result = self.vm.qmp("blockdev-add", **args)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd("blockdev-add", args)
 
     def test_mirror_to_self(self):
         result = self.vm.qmp(self.qmp_cmd, job_id='job0',
@@ -254,10 +244,9 @@ class TestSingleBlockdev(TestSingleDrive):
             result = self.vm.qmp('block_resize', node_name=node, size=65536)
             self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/class', 'GenericError')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp(self.qmp_cmd, job_id='job0', device='drive0',
-                             sync='full', target=self.qmp_target,
-                             auto_finalize=False, auto_dismiss=False)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(self.qmp_cmd, job_id='job0', device='drive0',
+                    sync='full', target=self.qmp_target,
+                    auto_finalize=False, auto_dismiss=False)
 
         result = self.vm.run_job('job0', auto_finalize=False,
                                  pre_finalize=pre_finalize)
@@ -270,14 +259,12 @@ class TestSingleBlockdev(TestSingleDrive):
         self.do_test_resize(None, self.qmp_target)
 
     def do_test_target_size(self, size):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block_resize', node_name=self.qmp_target,
-                             size=size)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block_resize', node_name=self.qmp_target,
+                    size=size)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp(self.qmp_cmd, job_id='job0',
-                             device='drive0', sync='full', auto_dismiss=False,
-                             target=self.qmp_target)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(self.qmp_cmd, job_id='job0',
+                    device='drive0', sync='full', auto_dismiss=False,
+                    target=self.qmp_target)
 
         result = self.vm.run_job('job0')
         self.assertEqual(result, 'Source and target image have different sizes')
@@ -337,9 +324,8 @@ class TestMirrorNoBacking(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
         qemu_img('create', '-f', iotests.imgfmt,
                  '-o', 'backing_file=%s' % backing_img, '-F', 'raw', target_img)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             mode='existing', target=target_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    mode='existing', target=target_img)
 
         self.complete_and_wait()
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
@@ -353,9 +339,8 @@ class TestMirrorNoBacking(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
         qemu_img('create', '-f', iotests.imgfmt,
                  '-o', 'backing_file=%s' % backing_img, '-F', 'raw', target_img)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             mode='existing', target=target_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    mode='existing', target=target_img)
 
         self.wait_ready_and_cancel()
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
@@ -374,9 +359,8 @@ class TestMirrorNoBacking(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                         % (TestMirrorNoBacking.image_len, target_backing_img),
                  '-F', iotests.imgfmt, target_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             mode='existing', target=target_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    mode='existing', target=target_img)
 
         self.complete_and_wait()
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
@@ -409,9 +393,8 @@ class TestMirrorResized(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_complete_top(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='top',
-                             target=target_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='top',
+                    target=target_img)
 
         self.complete_and_wait()
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
@@ -423,9 +406,8 @@ class TestMirrorResized(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_complete_full(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             target=target_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    target=target_img)
 
         self.complete_and_wait()
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
@@ -488,9 +470,8 @@ new_state = "1"
     def test_report_read(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             target=target_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    target=target_img)
 
         completed = False
         error = False
@@ -516,9 +497,8 @@ new_state = "1"
     def test_ignore_read(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             target=target_img, on_source_error='ignore')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    target=target_img, on_source_error='ignore')
 
         event = self.vm.get_qmp_event(wait=True)
         while event['event'] == 'JOB_STATUS_CHANGE':
@@ -541,10 +521,9 @@ new_state = "1"
         qemu_img('create', '-f', iotests.imgfmt,
                  '-ocluster_size=131072,backing_file=%s' %(backing_img),
                  '-F', 'raw', target_img)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='top',
-                             on_source_error='ignore',
-                             mode='existing', target=target_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='top',
+                    on_source_error='ignore',
+                    mode='existing', target=target_img)
 
         event = self.vm.get_qmp_event(wait=True)
         while event['event'] == 'JOB_STATUS_CHANGE':
@@ -568,9 +547,8 @@ new_state = "1"
     def test_stop_read(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             target=target_img, on_source_error='stop')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    target=target_img, on_source_error='stop')
 
         error = False
         ready = False
@@ -590,8 +568,7 @@ new_state = "1"
                     self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/status', 'paused')
                     self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/io-status', 'failed')
 
-                    result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
-                    self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+                    self.vm.cmd('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
                     error = True
                 elif event['event'] == 'BLOCK_JOB_READY':
                     self.assertTrue(error, 'job completed unexpectedly')
@@ -656,9 +633,8 @@ new_state = "1"
     def test_report_write(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             mode='existing', target=self.target_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    mode='existing', target=self.target_img)
 
         completed = False
         error = False
@@ -682,10 +658,9 @@ new_state = "1"
     def test_ignore_write(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             mode='existing', target=self.target_img,
-                             on_target_error='ignore')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    mode='existing', target=self.target_img,
+                    on_target_error='ignore')
 
         event = self.vm.event_wait(name='BLOCK_JOB_ERROR')
         self.assertEqual(event['event'], 'BLOCK_JOB_ERROR')
@@ -698,10 +673,9 @@ new_state = "1"
     def test_stop_write(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             mode='existing', target=self.target_img,
-                             on_target_error='stop')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    mode='existing', target=self.target_img,
+                    on_target_error='stop')
 
         error = False
         ready = False
@@ -721,8 +695,7 @@ new_state = "1"
                     self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/status', 'paused')
                     self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/io-status', 'failed')
 
-                    result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
-                    self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+                    self.vm.cmd('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
 
                     result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
                     self.assertIn(result['return'][0]['status'], ['running', 'ready'])
@@ -755,17 +728,15 @@ class TestSetSpeed(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_set_speed(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             target=target_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    target=target_img)
 
         # Default speed is 0
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/device', 'drive0')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/speed', 0)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=8 * 1024 * 1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=8 * 1024 * 1024)
 
         # Ensure the speed we set was accepted
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
@@ -775,9 +746,8 @@ class TestSetSpeed(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.wait_ready_and_cancel()
 
         # Check setting speed in drive-mirror works
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             target=target_img, speed=4*1024*1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    target=target_img, speed=4*1024*1024)
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/device', 'drive0')
@@ -794,9 +764,8 @@ class TestSetSpeed(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             target=target_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    target=target_img)
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=-1)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/class', 'GenericError')
@@ -811,13 +780,12 @@ class TestUnbackedSource(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                  str(TestUnbackedSource.image_len))
         self.vm = iotests.VM()
         self.vm.launch()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', node_name='drive0',
-                             driver=iotests.imgfmt,
-                             file={
-                                 'driver': 'file',
-                                 'filename': test_img,
-                             })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', node_name='drive0',
+                    driver=iotests.imgfmt,
+                    file={
+                        'driver': 'file',
+                        'filename': test_img,
+                    })
 
     def tearDown(self):
         self.vm.shutdown()
@@ -826,28 +794,25 @@ class TestUnbackedSource(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
     def test_absolute_paths_full(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', job_id='drive0', device='drive0',
-                             sync='full', target=target_img,
-                             mode='absolute-paths')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', job_id='drive0', device='drive0',
+                    sync='full', target=target_img,
+                    mode='absolute-paths')
         self.complete_and_wait()
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
     def test_absolute_paths_top(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', job_id='drive0', device='drive0',
-                             sync='top', target=target_img,
-                             mode='absolute-paths')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', job_id='drive0', device='drive0',
+                    sync='top', target=target_img,
+                    mode='absolute-paths')
         self.complete_and_wait()
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
     def test_absolute_paths_none(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', job_id='drive0', device='drive0',
-                             sync='none', target=target_img,
-                             mode='absolute-paths')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', job_id='drive0', device='drive0',
+                    sync='none', target=target_img,
+                    mode='absolute-paths')
         self.complete_and_wait()
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
@@ -857,14 +822,12 @@ class TestUnbackedSource(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         qemu_io('-c', 'write -P 42 0 64k', target_img)
 
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', job_id='drive0', device='drive0',
-                             sync='full', target=target_img, mode='existing')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', job_id='drive0', device='drive0',
+                    sync='full', target=target_img, mode='existing')
         self.complete_and_wait()
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', node_name='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', node_name='drive0')
 
         self.assertTrue(iotests.compare_images(test_img, target_img),
                         'target image does not match source after mirroring')
@@ -874,26 +837,22 @@ class TestUnbackedSource(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                  str(self.image_len))
         qemu_io('-c', 'write -P 42 0 64k', target_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', node_name='target',
-                             driver=iotests.imgfmt,
-                             file={
-                                 'driver': 'file',
-                                 'filename': target_img,
-                             })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', node_name='target',
+                    driver=iotests.imgfmt,
+                    file={
+                        'driver': 'file',
+                        'filename': target_img,
+                    })
 
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror', job_id='drive0', device='drive0',
-                             sync='full', target='target')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror', job_id='drive0', device='drive0',
+                    sync='full', target='target')
         self.complete_and_wait()
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', node_name='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', node_name='drive0')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', node_name='target')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', node_name='target')
 
         self.assertTrue(iotests.compare_images(test_img, target_img),
                         'target image does not match source after mirroring')
@@ -918,10 +877,9 @@ class TestGranularity(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
     def test_granularity(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0',
-                             sync='full', target=target_img,
-                             mode='absolute-paths', granularity=8192)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0',
+                    sync='full', target=target_img,
+                    mode='absolute-paths', granularity=8192)
 
         event = self.vm.get_qmp_event(wait=60.0)
         while event['event'] == 'JOB_STATUS_CHANGE':
@@ -963,8 +921,7 @@ class TestRepairQuorum(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         #assemble the quorum block device from the individual files
         args = { "driver": "quorum", "node-name": "quorum0",
                  "vote-threshold": 2, "children": [ "img0", "img1", "img2" ] }
-        result = self.vm.qmp("blockdev-add", **args)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd("blockdev-add", args)
 
 
     def tearDown(self):
@@ -978,10 +935,9 @@ class TestRepairQuorum(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 pass
 
     def test_complete(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', job_id='job0', device='quorum0',
-                             sync='full', node_name="repair0", replaces="img1",
-                             target=quorum_repair_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', job_id='job0', device='quorum0',
+                    sync='full', node_name="repair0", replaces="img1",
+                    target=quorum_repair_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
 
         self.complete_and_wait(drive="job0")
         self.assert_has_block_node("repair0", quorum_repair_img)
@@ -991,10 +947,9 @@ class TestRepairQuorum(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                         'target image does not match source after mirroring')
 
     def test_cancel(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', job_id='job0', device='quorum0',
-                             sync='full', node_name="repair0", replaces="img1",
-                             target=quorum_repair_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', job_id='job0', device='quorum0',
+                    sync='full', node_name="repair0", replaces="img1",
+                    target=quorum_repair_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
 
         self.cancel_and_wait(drive="job0", force=True)
         # here we check that the last registered quorum file has not been
@@ -1002,10 +957,9 @@ class TestRepairQuorum(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_has_block_node(None, quorum_img3)
 
     def test_cancel_after_ready(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', job_id='job0', device='quorum0',
-                             sync='full', node_name="repair0", replaces="img1",
-                             target=quorum_repair_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', job_id='job0', device='quorum0',
+                    sync='full', node_name="repair0", replaces="img1",
+                    target=quorum_repair_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
 
         self.wait_ready_and_cancel(drive="job0")
         # here we check that the last registered quorum file has not been
@@ -1016,10 +970,9 @@ class TestRepairQuorum(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                         'target image does not match source after mirroring')
 
     def test_pause(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', job_id='job0', device='quorum0',
-                             sync='full', node_name="repair0", replaces="img1",
-                             target=quorum_repair_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', job_id='job0', device='quorum0',
+                    sync='full', node_name="repair0", replaces="img1",
+                    target=quorum_repair_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
 
         self.pause_job('job0')
 
@@ -1030,8 +983,7 @@ class TestRepairQuorum(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/offset', offset)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-resume', device='job0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-resume', device='job0')
 
         self.complete_and_wait(drive="job0")
         self.vm.shutdown()
@@ -1084,19 +1036,18 @@ class TestRepairQuorum(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/class', 'GenericError')
 
     def test_after_a_quorum_snapshot(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-snapshot-sync', node_name='img1',
-                             snapshot_file=quorum_snapshot_file,
-                             snapshot_node_name="snap1");
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-snapshot-sync', node_name='img1',
+                    snapshot_file=quorum_snapshot_file,
+                    snapshot_node_name="snap1")
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', job_id='job0', device='quorum0',
                              sync='full', node_name='repair0', replaces="img1",
                              target=quorum_repair_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/class', 'GenericError')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', job_id='job0', device='quorum0',
-                             sync='full', node_name='repair0', replaces="snap1",
-                             target=quorum_repair_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', job_id='job0', device='quorum0',
+                    sync='full', node_name='repair0', replaces="snap1",
+                    target=quorum_repair_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
 
         self.complete_and_wait('job0')
         self.assert_has_block_node("repair0", quorum_repair_img)
@@ -1107,15 +1058,13 @@ class TestRepairQuorum(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         Check that we cannot replace a Quorum child when it has other
         parents.
         """
-        result = self.vm.qmp('nbd-server-start',
-                             addr={
-                                 'type': 'unix',
-                                 'data': {'path': nbd_sock_path}
-                             })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('nbd-server-start',
+                    addr={
+                        'type': 'unix',
+                        'data': {'path': nbd_sock_path}
+                    })
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('nbd-server-add', device='img1')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('nbd-server-add', device='img1')
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', job_id='mirror', device='quorum0',
                              sync='full', node_name='repair0', replaces='img1',
@@ -1130,20 +1079,17 @@ class TestRepairQuorum(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         The same as test_with_other_parent(), but add the NBD server
         only when the mirror job is already running.
         """
-        result = self.vm.qmp('nbd-server-start',
-                             addr={
-                                 'type': 'unix',
-                                 'data': {'path': nbd_sock_path}
-                             })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('nbd-server-start',
+                    addr={
+                        'type': 'unix',
+                        'data': {'path': nbd_sock_path}
+                    })
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', job_id='mirror', device='quorum0',
-                             sync='full', node_name='repair0', replaces='img1',
-                             target=quorum_repair_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', job_id='mirror', device='quorum0',
+                    sync='full', node_name='repair0', replaces='img1',
+                    target=quorum_repair_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('nbd-server-add', device='img1')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('nbd-server-add', device='img1')
 
         # The full error message goes to stderr, we will check it later
         self.complete_and_wait('mirror',
@@ -1199,9 +1145,8 @@ class TestOrphanedSource(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_success(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror', job_id='job', device='src',
-                             sync='full', target='dest')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror', job_id='job', device='src',
+                    sync='full', target='dest')
 
         self.complete_and_wait('job')
 
@@ -1217,27 +1162,24 @@ class TestOrphanedSource(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
         # Unshare consistent-read on the target
         # (The mirror job does not care)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                             driver='blkdebug',
-                             node_name='dest-perm',
-                             image='dest',
-                             unshare_child_perms=['consistent-read'])
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                    driver='blkdebug',
+                    node_name='dest-perm',
+                    image='dest',
+                    unshare_child_perms=['consistent-read'])
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror', job_id='job', device='src',
-                             sync='full', target='dest',
-                             filter_node_name='mirror-filter')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror', job_id='job', device='src',
+                    sync='full', target='dest',
+                    filter_node_name='mirror-filter')
 
         # Require consistent-read on the source
         # (We can only add this node once the job has started, or it
         # will complain that it does not want to run on non-root nodes)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                             driver='blkdebug',
-                             node_name='src-perm',
-                             image='src',
-                             take_child_perms=['consistent-read'])
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                    driver='blkdebug',
+                    node_name='src-perm',
+                    image='src',
+                    take_child_perms=['consistent-read'])
 
         # While completing, mirror will attempt to replace src by
         # dest, which must fail because src-perm requires
@@ -1277,26 +1219,23 @@ class TestReplaces(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         """
         Check that we can replace filter nodes.
         """
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **{
-                                 'driver': 'copy-on-read',
-                                 'node-name': 'filter0',
-                                 'file': {
-                                     'driver': 'copy-on-read',
-                                     'node-name': 'filter1',
-                                     'file': {
-                                         'driver': 'null-co'
-                                     }
-                                 }
-                             })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', {
+                        'driver': 'copy-on-read',
+                        'node-name': 'filter0',
+                        'file': {
+                            'driver': 'copy-on-read',
+                            'node-name': 'filter1',
+                            'file': {
+                                'driver': 'null-co'
+                            }
+                        }
+                    })
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                             node_name='target', driver='null-co')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                    node_name='target', driver='null-co')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror', job_id='mirror', device='filter0',
-                             target='target', sync='full', replaces='filter1')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror', job_id='mirror', device='filter0',
+                    target='target', sync='full', replaces='filter1')
 
         self.complete_and_wait('mirror')
 
@@ -1318,16 +1257,15 @@ class TestFilters(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.vm = iotests.VM().add_device('virtio-scsi,id=vio-scsi')
         self.vm.launch()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **{
-                                'node-name': 'target',
-                                'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
-                                'file': {
-                                    'driver': 'file',
-                                    'filename': target_img
-                                },
-                                'backing': None
-                            })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', {
+                        'node-name': 'target',
+                        'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
+                        'file': {
+                            'driver': 'file',
+                            'filename': target_img
+                        },
+                        'backing': None
+                    })
 
         self.filterless_chain = {
                 'node-name': 'source',
@@ -1354,19 +1292,17 @@ class TestFilters(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         os.remove(backing_img)
 
     def test_cor(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **{
-                                'node-name': 'filter',
-                                'driver': 'copy-on-read',
-                                'file': self.filterless_chain
-                            })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', {
+                        'node-name': 'filter',
+                        'driver': 'copy-on-read',
+                        'file': self.filterless_chain
+                    })
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror',
-                             job_id='mirror',
-                             device='filter',
-                             target='target',
-                             sync='top')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror',
+                    job_id='mirror',
+                    device='filter',
+                    target='target',
+                    sync='top')
 
         self.complete_and_wait('mirror')
 
@@ -1383,23 +1319,20 @@ class TestFilters(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         assert target_map[1]['depth'] == 0
 
     def test_implicit_mirror_filter(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **self.filterless_chain)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', self.filterless_chain)
 
         # We need this so we can query from above the mirror node
-        result = self.vm.qmp('device_add',
-                             driver='scsi-hd',
-                             id='virtio',
-                             bus='vio-scsi.0',
-                             drive='source')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('device_add',
+                    driver='scsi-hd',
+                    id='virtio',
+                    bus='vio-scsi.0',
+                    drive='source')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror',
-                             job_id='mirror',
-                             device='source',
-                             target='target',
-                             sync='top')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror',
+                    job_id='mirror',
+                    device='source',
+                    target='target',
+                    sync='top')
 
         # The mirror filter is now an implicit node, so it should be
         # invisible when querying the backing chain
@@ -1417,24 +1350,21 @@ class TestFilters(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_explicit_mirror_filter(self):
         # Same test as above, but this time we give the mirror filter
         # a node-name so it will not be invisible
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **self.filterless_chain)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', self.filterless_chain)
 
         # We need this so we can query from above the mirror node
-        result = self.vm.qmp('device_add',
-                             driver='scsi-hd',
-                             id='virtio',
-                             bus='vio-scsi.0',
-                             drive='source')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('device_add',
+                    driver='scsi-hd',
+                    id='virtio',
+                    bus='vio-scsi.0',
+                    drive='source')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror',
-                             job_id='mirror',
-                             device='source',
-                             target='target',
-                             sync='top',
-                             filter_node_name='mirror-filter')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror',
+                    job_id='mirror',
+                    device='source',
+                    target='target',
+                    sync='top',
+                    filter_node_name='mirror-filter')
 
         # With a node-name given to it, the mirror filter should now
         # be visible
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/045 b/tests/qemu-iotests/045
index 45eb239baa..a341f21cd7 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/045
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/045
@@ -77,8 +77,7 @@ class TestFdSets(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.vm.shutdown()
 
     def test_remove_fdset(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('remove-fd', fdset_id=2)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('remove-fd', fdset_id=2)
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-fdsets')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/fdset-id', 1)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[1]/fdset-id', 0)
@@ -90,8 +89,7 @@ class TestFdSets(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_remove_fd(self):
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-fdsets')
         fd_image3 = result['return'][0]['fds'][0]['fd']
-        result = self.vm.qmp('remove-fd', fdset_id=2, fd=fd_image3)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('remove-fd', fdset_id=2, fd=fd_image3)
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-fdsets')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/fdset-id', 2)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[1]/fdset-id', 1)
@@ -151,8 +149,7 @@ class TestSCMFd(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
     def test_getfd(self):
         self._send_fd_by_SCM()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('getfd', fdname='image0:r')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('getfd', fdname='image0:r')
 
     def test_getfd_invalid_fdname(self):
         self._send_fd_by_SCM()
@@ -163,10 +160,8 @@ class TestSCMFd(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
     def test_closefd(self):
         self._send_fd_by_SCM()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('getfd', fdname='image0:r')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-        result = self.vm.qmp('closefd', fdname='image0:r')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('getfd', fdname='image0:r')
+        self.vm.cmd('closefd', fdname='image0:r')
 
     def test_closefd_fd_not_found(self):
         fdname = 'image0:r'
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/055 b/tests/qemu-iotests/055
index 5d6b607051..d8372b5598 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/055
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/055
@@ -69,8 +69,7 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         self.vm.pause_drive('drive0')
-        result = self.vm.qmp(cmd, device='drive0', target=target, sync='full')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(cmd, device='drive0', target=target, sync='full')
 
         event = self.cancel_and_wait(resume=True)
         self.assert_qmp(event, 'data/type', 'backup')
@@ -85,9 +84,8 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         self.vm.pause_drive('drive0')
-        result = self.vm.qmp(cmd, device='drive0',
-                             target=target, sync='full')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(cmd, device='drive0',
+                    target=target, sync='full')
 
         self.pause_job('drive0', wait=False)
         self.vm.resume_drive('drive0')
@@ -100,8 +98,7 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/offset', offset)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
 
         self.wait_until_completed()
 
@@ -123,10 +120,9 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             result = self.vm.qmp('block_resize', node_name=node, size=65536)
             self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/class', 'GenericError')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-backup', job_id='job0', device='drive0',
-                             target='drive1', sync='full', auto_finalize=False,
-                             auto_dismiss=False)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-backup', job_id='job0', device='drive0',
+                    target='drive1', sync='full', auto_finalize=False,
+                    auto_dismiss=False)
 
         self.vm.run_job('job0', auto_finalize=False, pre_finalize=pre_finalize)
 
@@ -137,8 +133,7 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.do_test_resize_blockdev_backup('drive1', 'target')
 
     def do_test_target_size(self, size):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block_resize', device='drive1', size=size)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block_resize', device='drive1', size=size)
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-backup', job_id='job0', device='drive0',
                              target='drive1', sync='full')
@@ -219,16 +214,14 @@ class TestSetSpeed(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         self.vm.pause_drive('drive0')
-        result = self.vm.qmp(cmd, device='drive0', target=target, sync='full')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(cmd, device='drive0', target=target, sync='full')
 
         # Default speed is 0
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/device', 'drive0')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/speed', 0)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=8 * 1024 * 1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=8 * 1024 * 1024)
 
         # Ensure the speed we set was accepted
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
@@ -240,9 +233,8 @@ class TestSetSpeed(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
         # Check setting speed option works
         self.vm.pause_drive('drive0')
-        result = self.vm.qmp(cmd, device='drive0',
-                             target=target, sync='full', speed=4*1024*1024)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(cmd, device='drive0',
+                    target=target, sync='full', speed=4*1024*1024)
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/device', 'drive0')
@@ -267,9 +259,8 @@ class TestSetSpeed(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         self.vm.pause_drive('drive0')
-        result = self.vm.qmp(cmd, device='drive0',
-                             target=target, sync='full')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(cmd, device='drive0',
+                    target=target, sync='full')
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=-1)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/class', 'GenericError')
@@ -306,7 +297,7 @@ class TestSingleTransaction(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def do_test_cancel(self, cmd, target):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('transaction', actions=[{
+        self.vm.cmd('transaction', actions=[{
                 'type': cmd,
                 'data': { 'device': 'drive0',
                           'target': target,
@@ -315,8 +306,6 @@ class TestSingleTransaction(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             }
         ])
 
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-
         event = self.cancel_and_wait()
         self.assert_qmp(event, 'data/type', 'backup')
 
@@ -329,7 +318,7 @@ class TestSingleTransaction(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def do_test_pause(self, cmd, target, image):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('transaction', actions=[{
+        self.vm.cmd('transaction', actions=[{
                 'type': cmd,
                 'data': { 'device': 'drive0',
                           'target': target,
@@ -337,12 +326,10 @@ class TestSingleTransaction(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                           'speed': 64 * 1024 },
             }
         ])
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
         self.pause_job('drive0', wait=False)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=0)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=0)
 
         self.pause_wait('drive0')
 
@@ -353,8 +340,7 @@ class TestSingleTransaction(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/offset', offset)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
 
         self.wait_until_completed()
 
@@ -519,8 +505,7 @@ class TestCompressedToQcow2(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp(cmd, device='drive0', sync='full', compress=True, **args)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(cmd, device='drive0', sync='full', compress=True, **args)
 
         self.wait_until_completed()
 
@@ -545,8 +530,7 @@ class TestCompressedToQcow2(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         self.vm.pause_drive('drive0')
-        result = self.vm.qmp(cmd, device='drive0', sync='full', compress=True, **args)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(cmd, device='drive0', sync='full', compress=True, **args)
 
         event = self.cancel_and_wait(resume=True)
         self.assert_qmp(event, 'data/type', 'backup')
@@ -568,8 +552,7 @@ class TestCompressedToQcow2(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
         self.vm.pause_drive('drive0')
-        result = self.vm.qmp(cmd, device='drive0', sync='full', compress=True, **args)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(cmd, device='drive0', sync='full', compress=True, **args)
 
         self.pause_job('drive0', wait=False)
         self.vm.resume_drive('drive0')
@@ -582,8 +565,7 @@ class TestCompressedToQcow2(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/offset', offset)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
 
         self.wait_until_completed()
 
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/056 b/tests/qemu-iotests/056
index bef865eec4..808ea6b48a 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/056
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/056
@@ -75,9 +75,8 @@ class TestSyncModesNoneAndTop(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
     def test_complete_top(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-backup', device='drive0', sync='top',
-                             format=iotests.imgfmt, target=target_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-backup', device='drive0', sync='top',
+                    format=iotests.imgfmt, target=target_img)
 
         self.wait_until_completed(check_offset=False)
 
@@ -89,9 +88,8 @@ class TestSyncModesNoneAndTop(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_cancel_sync_none(self):
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-backup', device='drive0',
-                             sync='none', target=target_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-backup', device='drive0',
+                    sync='none', target=target_img)
         time.sleep(1)
         self.vm.hmp_qemu_io('drive0', 'write -P0x5e 0 512')
         self.vm.hmp_qemu_io('drive0', 'aio_flush')
@@ -115,18 +113,15 @@ class TestBeforeWriteNotifier(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
     def test_before_write_notifier(self):
         self.vm.pause_drive("drive0")
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-backup', device='drive0',
-                             sync='full', target=target_img,
-                             format="file", speed=1)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-pause', device="drive0")
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-backup', device='drive0',
+                    sync='full', target=target_img,
+                    format="file", speed=1)
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-pause', device="drive0")
         # Speed is low enough that this must be an uncopied range, which will
         # trigger the before write notifier
         self.vm.hmp_qemu_io('drive0', 'aio_write -P 1 512512 512')
         self.vm.resume_drive("drive0")
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-resume', device="drive0")
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-resume', device="drive0")
         event = self.cancel_and_wait()
         self.assert_qmp(event, 'data/type', 'backup')
 
@@ -191,8 +186,7 @@ class BackupTest(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.qmp_backup_and_wait(device='drive0', format=iotests.imgfmt,
                                  sync='full', target=self.ref_img,
                                  auto_dismiss=False)
-        res = self.vm.qmp('block-job-dismiss', id='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-dismiss', id='drive0')
 
         # Now to the test backup: We simulate the following guest
         # writes:
@@ -211,11 +205,9 @@ class BackupTest(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                                       ('66', '1M', '1M')])
 
         # Let the job complete
-        res = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=0)
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=0)
         self.qmp_backup_wait('drive0')
-        res = self.vm.qmp('block-job-dismiss', id='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-dismiss', id='drive0')
 
         self.assertTrue(iotests.compare_images(self.ref_img, self.dest_img),
                         'target image does not match reference image')
@@ -237,8 +229,7 @@ class BackupTest(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                                  auto_dismiss=False)
         res = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(res, 'return[0]/status', 'concluded')
-        res = self.vm.qmp('block-job-dismiss', id='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-dismiss', id='drive0')
         res = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', [])
 
@@ -263,8 +254,7 @@ class BackupTest(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                                        auto_dismiss=False)
         self.assertEqual(res, False)
         # OK, dismiss the zombie.
-        res = self.vm.qmp('block-job-dismiss', id='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-dismiss', id='drive0')
         res = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', [])
         # Ensure it's really gone.
@@ -281,23 +271,22 @@ class BackupTest(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                            ('0x55', '8M', '352k'),
                            ('0x78', '15872k', '1M')))
         # Add destination node via blkdebug
-        res = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                          node_name='target0',
-                          driver=iotests.imgfmt,
-                          file={
-                              'driver': 'blkdebug',
-                              'image': {
-                                  'driver': 'file',
-                                  'filename': self.dest_img
-                              },
-                              'inject-error': [{
-                                  'event': 'write_aio',
-                                  'errno': 5,
-                                  'immediately': False,
-                                  'once': True
-                              }],
-                          })
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                    node_name='target0',
+                    driver=iotests.imgfmt,
+                    file={
+                        'driver': 'blkdebug',
+                        'image': {
+                            'driver': 'file',
+                            'filename': self.dest_img
+                        },
+                        'inject-error': [{
+                            'event': 'write_aio',
+                            'errno': 5,
+                            'immediately': False,
+                            'once': True
+                        }],
+                    })
 
         res = self.qmp_backup(cmd='blockdev-backup',
                               device='drive0', target='target0',
@@ -323,8 +312,7 @@ class BackupTest(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         res = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(res, 'return[0]/status', 'paused')
         # OK, unstick job and move forward.
-        res = self.vm.qmp('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-resume', device='drive0')
         # And now we need to wait for it to conclude;
         res = self.qmp_backup_wait(device='drive0')
         self.assertTrue(res)
@@ -332,8 +320,7 @@ class BackupTest(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             # Job should now be languishing:
             res = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
             self.assert_qmp(res, 'return[0]/status', 'concluded')
-            res = self.vm.qmp('block-job-dismiss', id='drive0')
-            self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('block-job-dismiss', id='drive0')
             res = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
             self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', [])
 
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/093 b/tests/qemu-iotests/093
index 93274dc8cb..4f9e224e8a 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/093
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/093
@@ -55,8 +55,7 @@ class ThrottleTestCase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # Set the I/O throttling parameters to all drives
         for i in range(0, ndrives):
             params['device'] = 'drive%d' % i
-            result = self.vm.qmp("block_set_io_throttle", conv_keys=False, **params)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd("block_set_io_throttle", conv_keys=False, **params)
 
     def do_test_throttle(self, ndrives, seconds, params, first_drive = 0):
         def check_limit(limit, num):
@@ -253,8 +252,7 @@ class ThrottleTestCase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # drive1 remains in the group with a throttled request.
         params['bps_rd'] = 0
         params['device'] = 'drive0'
-        result = self.vm.qmp("block_set_io_throttle", conv_keys=False, **params)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd("block_set_io_throttle", conv_keys=False, **params)
 
         # Removing the I/O limits from drive0 drains its two pending requests.
         # The read request in drive1 is still throttled.
@@ -286,8 +284,7 @@ class ThrottleTestGroupNames(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
     def set_io_throttle(self, device, params):
         params["device"] = device
-        result = self.vm.qmp("block_set_io_throttle", conv_keys=False, **params)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd("block_set_io_throttle", conv_keys=False, **params)
 
     def verify_name(self, device, name):
         result = self.vm.qmp("query-block")
@@ -379,23 +376,19 @@ class ThrottleTestRemovableMedia(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
     def test_removable_media(self):
         # Add a couple of dummy nodes named cd0 and cd1
-        result = self.vm.qmp("blockdev-add", driver="null-co",
-                             read_zeroes=True, node_name="cd0")
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-        result = self.vm.qmp("blockdev-add", driver="null-co",
-                             read_zeroes=True, node_name="cd1")
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd("blockdev-add", driver="null-co",
+                    read_zeroes=True, node_name="cd0")
+        self.vm.cmd("blockdev-add", driver="null-co",
+                    read_zeroes=True, node_name="cd1")
 
         # Attach a CD drive with cd0 inserted
-        result = self.vm.qmp("device_add", driver="scsi-cd",
-                             id="dev0", drive="cd0")
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd("device_add", driver="scsi-cd",
+                    id="dev0", drive="cd0")
 
         # Set I/O limits
         args = { "id": "dev0", "iops": 100, "iops_rd": 0, "iops_wr": 0,
                                 "bps":  50,  "bps_rd": 0,  "bps_wr": 0 }
-        result = self.vm.qmp("block_set_io_throttle", conv_keys=False, **args)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd("block_set_io_throttle", conv_keys=False, **args)
 
         # Check that the I/O limits have been set
         result = self.vm.qmp("query-block")
@@ -403,12 +396,9 @@ class ThrottleTestRemovableMedia(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/bps',   50)
 
         # Now eject cd0 and insert cd1
-        result = self.vm.qmp("blockdev-open-tray", id='dev0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-        result = self.vm.qmp("blockdev-remove-medium", id='dev0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-        result = self.vm.qmp("blockdev-insert-medium", id='dev0', node_name='cd1')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd("blockdev-open-tray", id='dev0')
+        self.vm.cmd("blockdev-remove-medium", id='dev0')
+        self.vm.cmd("blockdev-insert-medium", id='dev0', node_name='cd1')
 
         # Check that the I/O limits are still the same
         result = self.vm.qmp("query-block")
@@ -416,16 +406,14 @@ class ThrottleTestRemovableMedia(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/bps',   50)
 
         # Eject cd1
-        result = self.vm.qmp("blockdev-remove-medium", id='dev0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd("blockdev-remove-medium", id='dev0')
 
         # Check that we can't set limits if the device has no medium
         result = self.vm.qmp("block_set_io_throttle", conv_keys=False, **args)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/class', 'GenericError')
 
         # Remove the CD drive
-        result = self.vm.qmp("device_del", id='dev0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd("device_del", id='dev0')
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/118 b/tests/qemu-iotests/118
index cae52ffa5e..10dc47459f 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/118
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/118
@@ -74,11 +74,9 @@ class ChangeBaseClass(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 class GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass(ChangeBaseClass):
 
     def test_blockdev_change_medium(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-change-medium',
-                             id=self.device_name, filename=new_img,
-                             format=iotests.imgfmt)
-
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-change-medium',
+                    id=self.device_name, filename=new_img,
+                    format=iotests.imgfmt)
 
         self.wait_for_open()
         self.wait_for_close()
@@ -89,8 +87,7 @@ class GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass(ChangeBaseClass):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', new_img)
 
     def test_eject(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('eject', id=self.device_name, force=True)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('eject', id=self.device_name, force=True)
 
         self.wait_for_open()
 
@@ -100,8 +97,7 @@ class GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass(ChangeBaseClass):
         self.assert_qmp_absent(result, 'return[0]/inserted')
 
     def test_tray_eject_change(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('eject', id=self.device_name, force=True)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('eject', id=self.device_name, force=True)
 
         self.wait_for_open()
 
@@ -110,9 +106,8 @@ class GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass(ChangeBaseClass):
             self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/tray_open', True)
         self.assert_qmp_absent(result, 'return[0]/inserted')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-change-medium', id=self.device_name,
-                             filename=new_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-change-medium', id=self.device_name,
+                    filename=new_img, format=iotests.imgfmt)
 
         self.wait_for_close()
 
@@ -122,9 +117,8 @@ class GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass(ChangeBaseClass):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', new_img)
 
     def test_tray_open_close(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-open-tray',
-                             id=self.device_name, force=True)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-open-tray',
+                    id=self.device_name, force=True)
 
         self.wait_for_open()
 
@@ -136,8 +130,7 @@ class GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass(ChangeBaseClass):
         else:
             self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', old_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-close-tray', id=self.device_name)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-close-tray', id=self.device_name)
 
         if self.has_real_tray or not self.was_empty:
             self.wait_for_close()
@@ -151,8 +144,7 @@ class GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass(ChangeBaseClass):
             self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', old_img)
 
     def test_tray_eject_close(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('eject', id=self.device_name, force=True)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('eject', id=self.device_name, force=True)
 
         self.wait_for_open()
 
@@ -161,8 +153,7 @@ class GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass(ChangeBaseClass):
             self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/tray_open', True)
         self.assert_qmp_absent(result, 'return[0]/inserted')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-close-tray', id=self.device_name)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-close-tray', id=self.device_name)
 
         self.wait_for_close()
 
@@ -172,9 +163,8 @@ class GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass(ChangeBaseClass):
         self.assert_qmp_absent(result, 'return[0]/inserted')
 
     def test_tray_open_change(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-open-tray', id=self.device_name,
-                                                   force=True)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-open-tray', id=self.device_name,
+                                          force=True)
 
         self.wait_for_open()
 
@@ -186,10 +176,9 @@ class GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass(ChangeBaseClass):
         else:
             self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', old_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-change-medium', id=self.device_name,
-                                                       filename=new_img,
-                                                       format=iotests.imgfmt)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-change-medium', id=self.device_name,
+                                              filename=new_img,
+                                              format=iotests.imgfmt)
 
         self.wait_for_close()
 
@@ -199,17 +188,15 @@ class GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass(ChangeBaseClass):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', new_img)
 
     def test_cycle(self, read_only_node=False):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                             node_name='new',
-                             driver=iotests.imgfmt,
-                             read_only=read_only_node,
-                             file={'filename': new_img,
-                                    'driver': 'file'})
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                    node_name='new',
+                    driver=iotests.imgfmt,
+                    read_only=read_only_node,
+                    file={'filename': new_img,
+                           'driver': 'file'})
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-open-tray',
-                             id=self.device_name, force=True)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-open-tray',
+                    id=self.device_name, force=True)
 
         self.wait_for_open()
 
@@ -221,26 +208,23 @@ class GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass(ChangeBaseClass):
         else:
             self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', old_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-remove-medium',
-                             id=self.device_name)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-remove-medium',
+                    id=self.device_name)
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         if self.has_real_tray:
             self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/tray_open', True)
         self.assert_qmp_absent(result, 'return[0]/inserted')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-insert-medium',
-                             id=self.device_name, node_name='new')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-insert-medium',
+                    id=self.device_name, node_name='new')
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         if self.has_real_tray:
             self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/tray_open', True)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', new_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-close-tray', id=self.device_name)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-close-tray', id=self.device_name)
 
         self.wait_for_close()
 
@@ -253,9 +237,8 @@ class GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass(ChangeBaseClass):
         self.test_cycle(True)
 
     def test_close_on_closed(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-close-tray', id=self.device_name)
         # Should be a no-op
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-close-tray', id=self.device_name)
         self.assertEqual(self.vm.get_qmp_events(wait=False), [])
 
     def test_remove_on_closed(self):
@@ -269,12 +252,11 @@ class GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass(ChangeBaseClass):
         if not self.has_real_tray:
             return
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                             node_name='new',
-                             driver=iotests.imgfmt,
-                             file={'filename': new_img,
-                                   'driver': 'file'})
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                    node_name='new',
+                    driver=iotests.imgfmt,
+                    file={'filename': new_img,
+                          'driver': 'file'})
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-insert-medium', id=self.device_name,
                                                        node_name='new')
@@ -307,15 +289,13 @@ class TestInitiallyFilled(GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass):
         os.remove(new_img)
 
     def test_insert_on_filled(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                             node_name='new',
-                             driver=iotests.imgfmt,
-                             file={'filename': new_img,
-                                   'driver': 'file'})
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                    node_name='new',
+                    driver=iotests.imgfmt,
+                    file={'filename': new_img,
+                          'driver': 'file'})
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-open-tray', id=self.device_name)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-open-tray', id=self.device_name)
 
         self.wait_for_open()
 
@@ -344,14 +324,12 @@ class TestInitiallyEmpty(GeneralChangeTestsBaseClass):
         os.remove(new_img)
 
     def test_remove_on_empty(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-open-tray', id=self.device_name)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-open-tray', id=self.device_name)
 
         self.wait_for_open()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-remove-medium', id=self.device_name)
         # Should be a no-op
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-remove-medium', id=self.device_name)
 
 # Do this in a function to avoid leaking variables like case into the global
 # name space (otherwise tests would be run for the abstract base classes)
@@ -399,11 +377,10 @@ class TestChangeReadOnly(ChangeBaseClass):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', True)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', old_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-change-medium', id=self.device_name,
-                                                       filename=new_img,
-                                                       format=iotests.imgfmt,
-                                                       read_only_mode='retain')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-change-medium', id=self.device_name,
+                                              filename=new_img,
+                                              format=iotests.imgfmt,
+                                              read_only_mode='retain')
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', True)
@@ -419,11 +396,10 @@ class TestChangeReadOnly(ChangeBaseClass):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', True)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', old_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-change-medium', id=self.device_name,
-                                                       filename=new_img,
-                                                       format=iotests.imgfmt,
-                                                       read_only_mode='retain')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-change-medium', id=self.device_name,
+                                              filename=new_img,
+                                              format=iotests.imgfmt,
+                                              read_only_mode='retain')
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', True)
@@ -462,12 +438,11 @@ class TestChangeReadOnly(ChangeBaseClass):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', True)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', old_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-change-medium',
-                             id=self.device_name,
-                             filename=new_img,
-                             format=iotests.imgfmt,
-                             read_only_mode='read-write')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-change-medium',
+                    id=self.device_name,
+                    filename=new_img,
+                    format=iotests.imgfmt,
+                    read_only_mode='read-write')
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', False)
@@ -483,12 +458,11 @@ class TestChangeReadOnly(ChangeBaseClass):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', False)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', old_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-change-medium',
-                             id=self.device_name,
-                             filename=new_img,
-                             format=iotests.imgfmt,
-                             read_only_mode='read-only')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-change-medium',
+                    id=self.device_name,
+                    filename=new_img,
+                    format=iotests.imgfmt,
+                    read_only_mode='read-only')
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', True)
@@ -503,12 +477,11 @@ class TestChangeReadOnly(ChangeBaseClass):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', False)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', old_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-change-medium',
-                             id=self.device_name,
-                             filename=new_img,
-                             format=iotests.imgfmt,
-                             read_only_mode='read-only')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-change-medium',
+                    id=self.device_name,
+                    filename=new_img,
+                    format=iotests.imgfmt,
+                    read_only_mode='read-only')
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', True)
@@ -546,11 +519,10 @@ class TestChangeReadOnly(ChangeBaseClass):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', True)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', old_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-change-medium', id=self.device_name,
-                                                       filename=new_img,
-                                                       format=iotests.imgfmt,
-                                                       read_only_mode='retain')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-change-medium', id=self.device_name,
+                                              filename=new_img,
+                                              format=iotests.imgfmt,
+                                              read_only_mode='retain')
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', True)
@@ -587,27 +559,24 @@ class TestChangeReadOnly(ChangeBaseClass):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', False)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', old_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                             node_name='new',
-                             driver=iotests.imgfmt,
-                             read_only=True,
-                             file={'filename': new_img,
-                                    'driver': 'file'})
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                    node_name='new',
+                    driver=iotests.imgfmt,
+                    read_only=True,
+                    file={'filename': new_img,
+                           'driver': 'file'})
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', False)
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', old_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-remove-medium', id=self.device_name)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-remove-medium', id=self.device_name)
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         self.assert_qmp_absent(result, 'return[0]/inserted')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-insert-medium', id=self.device_name,
-                                                       node_name='new')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-insert-medium', id=self.device_name,
+                                              node_name='new')
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/ro', True)
@@ -638,22 +607,19 @@ class TestBlockJobsAfterCycle(ChangeBaseClass):
 
         # For device-less BBs, calling blockdev-open-tray or blockdev-close-tray
         # is not necessary
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-remove-medium', id=self.device_name)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-remove-medium', id=self.device_name)
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         self.assert_qmp_absent(result, 'return[0]/inserted')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                             node_name='node0',
-                             driver=iotests.imgfmt,
-                             file={'filename': old_img,
-                                   'driver': 'file'})
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                    node_name='node0',
+                    driver=iotests.imgfmt,
+                    file={'filename': old_img,
+                          'driver': 'file'})
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-insert-medium', id=self.device_name,
-                                                       node_name='node0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-insert-medium', id=self.device_name,
+                                              node_name='node0')
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', old_img)
@@ -670,10 +636,9 @@ class TestBlockJobsAfterCycle(ChangeBaseClass):
     @iotests.skip_for_formats(('vpc', 'parallels', 'qcow', 'vdi', 'vmdk', 'raw',
                                'vhdx'))
     def test_snapshot_and_commit(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-snapshot-sync', device='drive0',
-                                                       snapshot_file=new_img,
-                                                       format=iotests.imgfmt)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-snapshot-sync', device='drive0',
+                                              snapshot_file=new_img,
+                                              format=iotests.imgfmt)
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/inserted/image/filename', new_img)
@@ -681,16 +646,14 @@ class TestBlockJobsAfterCycle(ChangeBaseClass):
                         'return[0]/inserted/image/backing-image/filename',
                         old_img)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='drive0')
 
         self.vm.event_wait(name='BLOCK_JOB_READY')
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/device', 'drive0')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-complete', device='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-complete', device='drive0')
 
         self.vm.event_wait(name='BLOCK_JOB_COMPLETED')
 
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/124 b/tests/qemu-iotests/124
index 845ab5303c..b2f4328e34 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/124
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/124
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 import os
 import iotests
 from iotests import try_remove
+from qemu.qmp.qmp_client import ExecuteError
 
 
 def io_write_patterns(img, patterns):
@@ -141,8 +142,7 @@ class TestIncrementalBackupBase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
 
     def do_qmp_backup(self, error='Input/output error', **kwargs):
-        res = self.vm.qmp('drive-backup', **kwargs)
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-backup', **kwargs)
         return self.wait_qmp_backup(kwargs['device'], error)
 
 
@@ -201,9 +201,8 @@ class TestIncrementalBackupBase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def add_bitmap(self, name, drive, **kwargs):
         bitmap = Bitmap(name, drive)
         self.bitmaps.append(bitmap)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-dirty-bitmap-add', node=drive['id'],
-                             name=bitmap.name, **kwargs)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-dirty-bitmap-add', node=drive['id'],
+                    name=bitmap.name, **kwargs)
         return bitmap
 
 
@@ -388,13 +387,12 @@ class TestIncrementalBackup(TestIncrementalBackupBase):
                                           ('0x64', '32736k', '64k')))
         bitmap1 = self.add_bitmap('bitmap1', drive0)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('transaction', actions=[
+        self.vm.cmd('transaction', actions=[
             transaction_bitmap_clear(bitmap0.drive['id'], bitmap0.name),
             transaction_bitmap_clear(bitmap1.drive['id'], bitmap1.name),
             transaction_drive_backup(drive0['id'], drive0['backup'],
                                      sync='full', format=drive0['fmt'])
         ])
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
         self.wait_until_completed(drive0['id'])
         self.files.append(drive0['backup'])
 
@@ -417,7 +415,7 @@ class TestIncrementalBackup(TestIncrementalBackupBase):
                                            ('0xcd', '32M', '124k')))
 
         # Create a blkdebug interface to this img as 'drive1'
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
             node_name=drive1['id'],
             driver=drive1['fmt'],
             file={
@@ -440,7 +438,6 @@ class TestIncrementalBackup(TestIncrementalBackupBase):
                 }],
             }
         )
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
         # Create bitmaps and full backups for both drives
         drive0 = self.drives[0]
@@ -475,9 +472,8 @@ class TestIncrementalBackup(TestIncrementalBackupBase):
                                      format=drive1['fmt'], mode='existing',
                                      bitmap=dr1bm0.name)
         ]
-        result = self.vm.qmp('transaction', actions=transaction,
-                             properties={'completion-mode': 'grouped'} )
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('transaction', actions=transaction,
+                    properties={'completion-mode': 'grouped'} )
 
         # Observe that drive0's backup is cancelled and drive1 completes with
         # an error.
@@ -504,9 +500,8 @@ class TestIncrementalBackup(TestIncrementalBackupBase):
         target1 = self.prepare_backup(dr1bm0)
 
         # Re-run the exact same transaction.
-        result = self.vm.qmp('transaction', actions=transaction,
-                             properties={'completion-mode':'grouped'})
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('transaction', actions=transaction,
+                    properties={'completion-mode':'grouped'})
 
         # Both should complete successfully this time.
         self.assertTrue(self.wait_qmp_backup(drive0['id']))
@@ -567,7 +562,7 @@ class TestIncrementalBackup(TestIncrementalBackupBase):
         The granularity must always be a power of 2.
         '''
         self.assert_no_active_block_jobs()
-        self.assertRaises(AssertionError, self.add_bitmap,
+        self.assertRaises(ExecuteError, self.add_bitmap,
                           'bitmap0', self.drives[0],
                           granularity=64000)
 
@@ -585,9 +580,8 @@ class TestIncrementalBackup(TestIncrementalBackupBase):
 
         self.add_bitmap('bitmap0', self.drives[0])
 
-        res = self.vm.qmp('block_resize', device=self.drives[0]['id'],
-                          size=(65 * 1048576))
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block_resize', device=self.drives[0]['id'],
+                    size=(65 * 1048576))
 
         # Dirty the image past the old end
         self.vm.hmp_qemu_io(self.drives[0]['id'], 'write 64M 64k')
@@ -617,7 +611,7 @@ class TestIncrementalBackupBlkdebug(TestIncrementalBackupBase):
         '''
 
         drive0 = self.drives[0]
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
             node_name=drive0['id'],
             driver=drive0['fmt'],
             file={
@@ -640,7 +634,6 @@ class TestIncrementalBackupBlkdebug(TestIncrementalBackupBase):
                 }],
             }
         )
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
         self.create_anchor_backup(drive0)
         self.add_bitmap('bitmap0', drive0)
@@ -668,29 +661,28 @@ class TestIncrementalBackupBlkdebug(TestIncrementalBackupBase):
         drive0 = self.drives[0]
         # NB: The blkdebug script here looks for a "flush, read" pattern.
         # The flush occurs in hmp_io_writes, and the read during the block job.
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                             node_name=drive0['id'],
-                             driver=drive0['fmt'],
-                             file={
-                                 'driver': 'blkdebug',
-                                 'image': {
-                                     'driver': 'file',
-                                     'filename': drive0['file']
-                                 },
-                                 'set-state': [{
-                                     'event': 'flush_to_disk',
-                                     'state': 1,
-                                     'new_state': 2
-                                 }],
-                                 'inject-error': [{
-                                     'event': 'read_aio',
-                                     'errno': 5,
-                                     'state': 2,
-                                     'immediately': False,
-                                     'once': True
-                                 }],
-                             })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                    node_name=drive0['id'],
+                    driver=drive0['fmt'],
+                    file={
+                        'driver': 'blkdebug',
+                        'image': {
+                            'driver': 'file',
+                            'filename': drive0['file']
+                        },
+                        'set-state': [{
+                            'event': 'flush_to_disk',
+                            'state': 1,
+                            'new_state': 2
+                        }],
+                        'inject-error': [{
+                            'event': 'read_aio',
+                            'errno': 5,
+                            'state': 2,
+                            'immediately': False,
+                            'once': True
+                        }],
+                    })
         self.create_anchor_backup(drive0)
         bitmap = self.add_bitmap('bitmap0', drive0)
 
@@ -711,16 +703,15 @@ class TestIncrementalBackupBlkdebug(TestIncrementalBackupBase):
         # Start backup
         parent, _ = bitmap.last_target()
         target = self.prepare_backup(bitmap, parent)
-        res = self.vm.qmp('drive-backup',
-                          job_id=bitmap.drive['id'],
-                          device=bitmap.drive['id'],
-                          sync='incremental',
-                          bitmap=bitmap.name,
-                          format=bitmap.drive['fmt'],
-                          target=target,
-                          mode='existing',
-                          on_source_error='stop')
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-backup',
+                    job_id=bitmap.drive['id'],
+                    device=bitmap.drive['id'],
+                    sync='incremental',
+                    bitmap=bitmap.name,
+                    format=bitmap.drive['fmt'],
+                    target=target,
+                    mode='existing',
+                    on_source_error='stop')
 
         # Wait for the error
         event = self.vm.event_wait(name="BLOCK_JOB_ERROR",
@@ -739,8 +730,7 @@ class TestIncrementalBackupBlkdebug(TestIncrementalBackupBase):
             }))
 
         # Resume and check incremental backup for consistency
-        res = self.vm.qmp('block-job-resume', device=bitmap.drive['id'])
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-resume', device=bitmap.drive['id'])
         self.wait_qmp_backup(bitmap.drive['id'])
 
         # Bitmap Status Check
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/129 b/tests/qemu-iotests/129
index c75ec62ecf..97773cd96d 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/129
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/129
@@ -55,11 +55,9 @@ class TestStopWithBlockJob(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def do_test_stop(self, cmd, **args):
         """Test 'stop' while block job is running on a throttled drive.
         The 'stop' command shouldn't drain the job"""
-        result = self.vm.qmp(cmd, **args)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd(cmd, **args)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp("stop")
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd("stop")
         result = self.vm.qmp("query-block-jobs")
 
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return[0]/status', 'running')
@@ -87,7 +85,7 @@ class TestStopWithBlockJob(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         iotests.qemu_img('create', '-f', iotests.imgfmt, self.overlay_img,
                          '1G')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **{
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', {
             'node-name': 'overlay',
             'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
             'file': {
@@ -95,11 +93,9 @@ class TestStopWithBlockJob(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 'filename': self.overlay_img
             }
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-snapshot',
-                             node='source', overlay='overlay')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-snapshot',
+                    node='source', overlay='overlay')
 
         self.do_test_stop('block-commit', device='drive0', top_node='source')
 
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/132 b/tests/qemu-iotests/132
index 367ea08036..12a64b3d95 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/132
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/132
@@ -47,9 +47,8 @@ class TestSingleDrive(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             pass
 
     def test_mirror_discard(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             target=target_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    target=target_img)
         self.vm.hmp_qemu_io('drive0', 'discard 0 64k')
         self.complete_and_wait('drive0')
         self.vm.shutdown()
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/139 b/tests/qemu-iotests/139
index 178b1ee230..ebb4cd62b6 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/139
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/139
@@ -58,8 +58,7 @@ class TestBlockdevDel(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 'file': {'driver': 'file',
                          'node-name': file_node,
                          'filename': base_img}}
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(node)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(file_node)
 
@@ -73,8 +72,7 @@ class TestBlockdevDel(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 'backing': None,
                 'file': {'driver': 'file',
                          'filename': new_img}}
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(node)
 
     # Delete a BlockDriverState
@@ -89,17 +87,14 @@ class TestBlockdevDel(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
     # Add a device model
     def addDeviceModel(self, device, backend, driver = 'virtio-blk'):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('device_add', id = device,
-                             driver = driver, drive = backend)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('device_add', id = device,
+                    driver = driver, drive = backend)
 
     # Delete a device model
     def delDeviceModel(self, device, is_virtio_blk = True):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('device_del', id = device)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('device_del', id = device)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('system_reset')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('system_reset')
 
         if is_virtio_blk:
             device_path = '/machine/peripheral/%s/virtio-backend' % device
@@ -126,9 +121,8 @@ class TestBlockdevDel(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     # Insert a BlockDriverState
     def insertDrive(self, device, node):
         self.checkBlockDriverState(node)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-insert-medium',
-                             id = device, node_name = node)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-insert-medium',
+                    id = device, node_name = node)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(node)
 
     # Create a snapshot using 'blockdev-snapshot-sync'
@@ -139,8 +133,7 @@ class TestBlockdevDel(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 'snapshot-file': new_img,
                 'snapshot-node-name': overlay,
                 'format': iotests.imgfmt}
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-snapshot-sync', conv_keys=False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-snapshot-sync', conv_keys=False, **opts)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(node)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(overlay)
 
@@ -148,9 +141,8 @@ class TestBlockdevDel(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def createSnapshot(self, node, overlay):
         self.checkBlockDriverState(node)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(overlay)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-snapshot',
-                             node = node, overlay = overlay)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-snapshot',
+                    node = node, overlay = overlay)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(node)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(overlay)
 
@@ -163,14 +155,12 @@ class TestBlockdevDel(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 'node-name': new_node,
                 'sync': 'top',
                 'format': iotests.imgfmt}
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', conv_keys=False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', conv_keys=False, **opts)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(new_node)
 
     # Complete an existing block job
     def completeBlockJob(self, id, node_before, node_after):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-complete', device=id)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-complete', device=id)
         self.wait_until_completed(id)
 
     # Add a BlkDebug node
@@ -186,8 +176,7 @@ class TestBlockdevDel(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         opts = {'driver': 'blkdebug',
                 'node-name': debug,
                 'image': image}
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(node)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(debug)
 
@@ -211,8 +200,7 @@ class TestBlockdevDel(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 'node-name': blkverify,
                 'test': node_0,
                 'raw': node_1}
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(test)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(raw)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(blkverify)
@@ -235,8 +223,7 @@ class TestBlockdevDel(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 'node-name': quorum,
                 'vote-threshold': 1,
                 'children': [ child_0, child_1 ]}
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(child0)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(child1)
         self.checkBlockDriverState(quorum)
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/147 b/tests/qemu-iotests/147
index 47dfa62e6b..6d6f077a14 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/147
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/147
@@ -58,8 +58,7 @@ class NBDBlockdevAddBase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def client_test(self, filename, address, export=None,
                     node_name='nbd-blockdev', delete=True):
         bao = self.blockdev_add_options(address, export, node_name)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **bao)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', bao)
 
         found = False
         result = self.vm.qmp('query-named-block-nodes')
@@ -75,8 +74,7 @@ class NBDBlockdevAddBase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assertTrue(found)
 
         if delete:
-            result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', node_name=node_name)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', node_name=node_name)
 
 
 class QemuNBD(NBDBlockdevAddBase):
@@ -158,16 +156,14 @@ class BuiltinNBD(NBDBlockdevAddBase):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
         if export_name is None:
-            result = self.server.qmp('nbd-server-add', device='nbd-export')
+            self.server.cmd('nbd-server-add', device='nbd-export')
         else:
-            result = self.server.qmp('nbd-server-add', device='nbd-export',
-                                     name=export_name)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.server.cmd('nbd-server-add', device='nbd-export',
+                            name=export_name)
 
         if export_name2 is not None:
-            result = self.server.qmp('nbd-server-add', device='nbd-export',
-                                     name=export_name2)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.server.cmd('nbd-server-add', device='nbd-export',
+                            name=export_name2)
 
         return True
 
@@ -175,8 +171,7 @@ class BuiltinNBD(NBDBlockdevAddBase):
         self.assertTrue(self._try_server_up(address, export_name, export_name2))
 
     def _server_down(self):
-        result = self.server.qmp('nbd-server-stop')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.server.cmd('nbd-server-stop')
 
     def do_test_inet(self, export_name=None):
         while True:
@@ -218,10 +213,8 @@ class BuiltinNBD(NBDBlockdevAddBase):
                          flatten_sock_addr(address), 'exp1', 'node1', False)
         self.client_test('nbd://localhost:%i/%s' % (nbd_port, 'exp2'),
                          flatten_sock_addr(address), 'exp2', 'node2', False)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', node_name='node1')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', node_name='node2')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', node_name='node1')
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', node_name='node2')
         self._server_down()
 
     def test_inet6(self):
@@ -272,8 +265,7 @@ class BuiltinNBD(NBDBlockdevAddBase):
         result = self.vm.send_fd_scm(fd=sockfd.fileno())
         self.assertEqual(result, 0, 'Failed to send socket FD')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('getfd', fdname='nbd-fifo')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('getfd', fdname='nbd-fifo')
 
         address = { 'type': 'fd',
                     'data': { 'str': 'nbd-fifo' } }
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/151 b/tests/qemu-iotests/151
index b4d1bc2553..f2ff9c5dac 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/151
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/151
@@ -79,14 +79,13 @@ class TestActiveMirror(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             self.vm.hmp_qemu_io('source', 'aio_write -z %i 1M' % offset)
 
         # Start the block job
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror',
-                             job_id='mirror',
-                             filter_node_name='mirror-node',
-                             device='source-node',
-                             target='target-node',
-                             sync='full',
-                             copy_mode='write-blocking')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror',
+                    job_id='mirror',
+                    filter_node_name='mirror-node',
+                    device='source-node',
+                    target='target-node',
+                    sync='full',
+                    copy_mode='write-blocking')
 
         # Start some more requests
         for offset in range(3 * self.image_len // 8, 5 * self.image_len // 8, 1024 * 1024):
@@ -125,23 +124,21 @@ class TestActiveMirror(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         result = self.vm.hmp_qemu_io('source', 'write -P 1 0 2M')
 
         # Start the block job (very slowly)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror',
-                             job_id='mirror',
-                             filter_node_name='mirror-node',
-                             device='source-node',
-                             target='target-node',
-                             sync='full',
-                             copy_mode='write-blocking',
-                             buf_size=(1048576 // 4),
-                             speed=1)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror',
+                    job_id='mirror',
+                    filter_node_name='mirror-node',
+                    device='source-node',
+                    target='target-node',
+                    sync='full',
+                    copy_mode='write-blocking',
+                    buf_size=(1048576 // 4),
+                    speed=1)
 
         # Start an unaligned request to a dirty area
         result = self.vm.hmp_qemu_io('source', 'write -P 2 %i 1' % (1048576 + 42))
 
         # Let the job finish
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='mirror', speed=0)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='mirror', speed=0)
         self.complete_and_wait(drive='mirror')
 
         self.potential_writes_in_flight = False
@@ -151,14 +148,14 @@ class TestActiveMirror(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         result = self.vm.hmp_qemu_io('source', 'write -P 1 0 2M')
 
         # Start the block job (very slowly)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror',
-                             job_id='mirror',
-                             filter_node_name='mirror-node',
-                             device='source-node',
-                             target='target-node',
-                             sync='full',
-                             copy_mode='write-blocking',
-                             speed=1)
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror',
+                    job_id='mirror',
+                    filter_node_name='mirror-node',
+                    device='source-node',
+                    target='target-node',
+                    sync='full',
+                    copy_mode='write-blocking',
+                    speed=1)
 
         self.vm.hmp_qemu_io('source', 'break write_aio A')
         self.vm.hmp_qemu_io('source', 'aio_write 0 1M')  # 1
@@ -189,8 +186,7 @@ class TestActiveMirror(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # After resuming 4, one of 2 and 3 goes first and set in_flight_bitmap,
         # so the other will wait for it.
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='mirror', speed=0)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='mirror', speed=0)
         self.complete_and_wait(drive='mirror')
 
         self.potential_writes_in_flight = False
@@ -211,7 +207,7 @@ class TestThrottledWithNbdExportBase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.vm = iotests.VM()
         self.vm.launch()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('object-add', **{
+        self.vm.cmd('object-add', **{
             'qom-type': 'throttle-group',
             'id': 'thrgr',
             'limits': {
@@ -219,9 +215,8 @@ class TestThrottledWithNbdExportBase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 'iops-total-max': self.iops
             }
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **{
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', **{
             'node-name': 'source-node',
             'driver': 'throttle',
             'throttle-group': 'thrgr',
@@ -233,9 +228,8 @@ class TestThrottledWithNbdExportBase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 }
             }
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **{
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', **{
             'node-name': 'target-node',
             'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
             'file': {
@@ -243,23 +237,20 @@ class TestThrottledWithNbdExportBase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 'filename': target_img
             }
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
         self.nbd_sock = iotests.file_path('nbd.sock',
                                           base_dir=iotests.sock_dir)
         self.nbd_url = f'nbd+unix:///source-node?socket={self.nbd_sock}'
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('nbd-server-start', addr={
+        self.vm.cmd('nbd-server-start', addr={
             'type': 'unix',
             'data': {
                 'path': self.nbd_sock
             }
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-export-add', id='exp0', type='nbd',
-                             node_name='source-node', writable=True)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-export-add', id='exp0', type='nbd',
+                    node_name='source-node', writable=True)
 
     def tearDown(self):
         # Wait for background requests to settle
@@ -312,15 +303,14 @@ class TestLowThrottledWithNbdExport(TestThrottledWithNbdExportBase):
 
         # Launch the mirror job
         mirror_buf_size = 65536
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror',
-                             job_id='mirror',
-                             filter_node_name='mirror-node',
-                             device='source-node',
-                             target='target-node',
-                             sync='full',
-                             copy_mode='write-blocking',
-                             buf_size=mirror_buf_size)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror',
+                    job_id='mirror',
+                    filter_node_name='mirror-node',
+                    device='source-node',
+                    target='target-node',
+                    sync='full',
+                    copy_mode='write-blocking',
+                    buf_size=mirror_buf_size)
 
         # We create the external requests via qemu-io processes on the NBD
         # server.  Have their offset start in the middle of the image so they
@@ -408,13 +398,12 @@ class TestHighThrottledWithNbdExport(TestThrottledWithNbdExportBase):
         # start blockdev-mirror
         self.vm.qtest(f'clock_step {1 * 1000 * 1000 * 1000}')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror',
-                             job_id='mirror',
-                             device='source-node',
-                             target='target-node',
-                             sync='full',
-                             copy_mode='write-blocking')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror',
+                    job_id='mirror',
+                    device='source-node',
+                    target='target-node',
+                    sync='full',
+                    copy_mode='write-blocking')
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/152 b/tests/qemu-iotests/152
index 4e179c340f..197bea9e77 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/152
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/152
@@ -41,16 +41,16 @@ class TestUnaligned(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             pass
 
     def test_unaligned(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             granularity=65536, target=target_img)
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    granularity=65536, target=target_img)
         self.complete_and_wait()
         self.vm.shutdown()
         self.assertEqual(iotests.image_size(test_img), iotests.image_size(target_img),
                          "Target size doesn't match source when granularity when unaligend")
 
     def test_unaligned_with_update(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
-                             granularity=65536, target=target_img)
+        self.vm.cmd('drive-mirror', device='drive0', sync='full',
+                    granularity=65536, target=target_img)
         self.wait_ready()
         self.vm.hmp_qemu_io('drive0', 'write 0 512')
         self.complete_and_wait(wait_ready=False)
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/155 b/tests/qemu-iotests/155
index eadda52615..38eacb4127 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/155
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/155
@@ -110,8 +110,7 @@ class BaseClass(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 elif self.target_blockdev_backing:
                         options['backing'] = self.target_blockdev_backing
 
-                result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **options)
-                self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+                self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', options)
 
     def tearDown(self):
         self.vm.shutdown()
@@ -178,20 +177,18 @@ class MirrorBaseClass(BaseClass):
 
     def runMirror(self, sync):
         if self.cmd == 'blockdev-mirror':
-            result = self.vm.qmp(self.cmd, job_id='mirror-job', device='source',
-                                 sync=sync, target='target',
-                                 auto_finalize=False)
+            self.vm.cmd(self.cmd, job_id='mirror-job', device='source',
+                        sync=sync, target='target',
+                        auto_finalize=False)
         else:
             if self.existing:
                 mode = 'existing'
             else:
                 mode = 'absolute-paths'
-            result = self.vm.qmp(self.cmd, job_id='mirror-job', device='source',
-                                 sync=sync, target=target_img,
-                                 format=iotests.imgfmt, mode=mode,
-                                 node_name='target', auto_finalize=False)
-
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd(self.cmd, job_id='mirror-job', device='source',
+                        sync=sync, target=target_img,
+                        format=iotests.imgfmt, mode=mode,
+                        node_name='target', auto_finalize=False)
 
         self.vm.run_job('mirror-job', auto_finalize=False,
                         pre_finalize=self.openBacking, auto_dismiss=True)
@@ -258,16 +255,14 @@ class TestBlockdevMirrorReopen(MirrorBaseClass):
 
     def openBacking(self):
         if not self.target_open_with_backing:
-            result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', node_name="backing",
-                                 driver="null-co")
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-            result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-reopen', options=[{
-                                     'node-name': "target",
-                                     'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
-                                     'file': "target-file",
-                                     'backing': "backing"
-                                 }])
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', node_name="backing",
+                        driver="null-co")
+            self.vm.cmd('blockdev-reopen', options=[{
+                            'node-name': "target",
+                            'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
+                            'file': "target-file",
+                            'backing': "backing"
+                        }])
 
 class TestBlockdevMirrorReopenIothread(TestBlockdevMirrorReopen):
     use_iothread = True
@@ -281,12 +276,10 @@ class TestBlockdevMirrorSnapshot(MirrorBaseClass):
 
     def openBacking(self):
         if not self.target_open_with_backing:
-            result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', node_name="backing",
-                                 driver="null-co")
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-            result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-snapshot', node="backing",
-                                 overlay="target")
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', node_name="backing",
+                        driver="null-co")
+            self.vm.cmd('blockdev-snapshot', node="backing",
+                        overlay="target")
 
 class TestBlockdevMirrorSnapshotIothread(TestBlockdevMirrorSnapshot):
     use_iothread = True
@@ -295,14 +288,12 @@ class TestCommit(BaseClass):
     existing = False
 
     def testCommit(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', job_id='commit-job',
-                             device='source', base=back1_img)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', job_id='commit-job',
+                    device='source', base=back1_img)
 
         self.vm.event_wait('BLOCK_JOB_READY')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-complete', device='commit-job')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-complete', device='commit-job')
 
         self.vm.event_wait('BLOCK_JOB_COMPLETED')
 
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/165 b/tests/qemu-iotests/165
index e3ef28e2ee..b24907a62f 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/165
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/165
@@ -116,9 +116,8 @@ class TestPersistentDirtyBitmap(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         sha256_2 = self.getSha256()
         assert sha256_1 != sha256_2 # Otherwise, it's not very interesting.
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-dirty-bitmap-clear', node='drive0',
-                             name='bitmap0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-dirty-bitmap-clear', node='drive0',
+                    name='bitmap0')
 
         # Start with regions1
 
@@ -137,7 +136,7 @@ class TestPersistentDirtyBitmap(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         assert sha256_1 == self.getSha256()
 
         # Reopen to RW
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-reopen', options=[{
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-reopen', options=[{
             'node-name': 'node0',
             'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
             'file': {
@@ -146,7 +145,6 @@ class TestPersistentDirtyBitmap(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             },
             'read-only': False
         }])
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
         # Check that bitmap is reopened to RW and we can write to it.
         self.writeRegions(regions2)
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/196 b/tests/qemu-iotests/196
index 76509a5ad1..e5105b1354 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/196
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/196
@@ -45,8 +45,7 @@ class TestInvalidateAutoclear(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.vm_b.add_incoming("exec: cat '" + migfile + "'")
 
     def test_migration(self):
-        result = self.vm_a.qmp('migrate', uri='exec:cat>' + migfile)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {});
+        self.vm_a.cmd('migrate', uri='exec:cat>' + migfile)
         self.assertNotEqual(self.vm_a.event_wait("STOP"), None)
 
         with open(disk, 'r+b') as f:
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/205 b/tests/qemu-iotests/205
index 15f798288a..2370e1a138 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/205
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/205
@@ -44,10 +44,8 @@ class TestNbdServerRemove(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             }
         }
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('nbd-server-start', addr=address)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-        result = self.vm.qmp('nbd-server-add', device='drive0', name='exp')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('nbd-server-start', addr=address)
+        self.vm.cmd('nbd-server-add', device='drive0', name='exp')
 
     def tearDown(self):
         self.vm.shutdown()
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/218 b/tests/qemu-iotests/218
index 6320c4cb56..81aa68806f 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/218
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/218
@@ -41,34 +41,30 @@ iotests.script_initialize(supported_fmts=['qcow2', 'raw'])
 def start_mirror(vm, speed=None, buf_size=None):
     vm.launch()
 
-    ret = vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                     node_name='source',
-                     driver='null-co',
-                     size=1048576)
-    assert ret['return'] == {}
+    vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+               node_name='source',
+               driver='null-co',
+               size=1048576)
 
-    ret = vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                     node_name='target',
-                     driver='null-co',
-                     size=1048576)
-    assert ret['return'] == {}
+    vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+               node_name='target',
+               driver='null-co',
+               size=1048576)
 
     if speed is not None:
-        ret = vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror',
-                         job_id='mirror',
-                         device='source',
-                         target='target',
-                         sync='full',
-                         speed=speed,
-                         buf_size=buf_size)
+        vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror',
+                   job_id='mirror',
+                   device='source',
+                   target='target',
+                   sync='full',
+                   speed=speed,
+                   buf_size=buf_size)
     else:
-        ret = vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror',
-                         job_id='mirror',
-                         device='source',
-                         target='target',
-                         sync='full')
-
-    assert ret['return'] == {}
+        vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror',
+                   job_id='mirror',
+                   device='source',
+                   target='target',
+                   sync='full')
 
 
 log('')
@@ -150,38 +146,33 @@ with iotests.VM() as vm, \
 
     vm.launch()
 
-    ret = vm.qmp('object-add', qom_type='throttle-group', id='tg',
-                 limits={'bps-read': 4096})
-    assert ret['return'] == {}
+    vm.cmd('object-add', qom_type='throttle-group', id='tg',
+           limits={'bps-read': 4096})
 
-    ret = vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                 node_name='source',
-                 driver=iotests.imgfmt,
-                 file={
-                     'driver': 'file',
-                     'filename': src_img_path
-                 })
-    assert ret['return'] == {}
+    vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+           node_name='source',
+           driver=iotests.imgfmt,
+           file={
+               'driver': 'file',
+               'filename': src_img_path
+           })
 
-    ret = vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                 node_name='throttled-source',
-                 driver='throttle',
-                 throttle_group='tg',
-                 file='source')
-    assert ret['return'] == {}
+    vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+           node_name='throttled-source',
+           driver='throttle',
+           throttle_group='tg',
+           file='source')
 
-    ret = vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                 node_name='target',
-                 driver='null-co',
-                 size=(64 * 1048576))
-    assert ret['return'] == {}
+    vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+           node_name='target',
+           driver='null-co',
+           size=(64 * 1048576))
 
-    ret = vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror',
-                 job_id='mirror',
-                 device='throttled-source',
-                 target='target',
-                 sync='full')
-    assert ret['return'] == {}
+    vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror',
+           job_id='mirror',
+           device='throttled-source',
+           target='target',
+           sync='full')
 
     log(vm.qmp('quit'))
 
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/245 b/tests/qemu-iotests/245
index 92b28c79be..a934c9d1e6 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/245
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/245
@@ -136,8 +136,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_incorrect_parameters_single_file(self):
         # Open 'hd0' only (no backing files)
         opts = hd_opts(0)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
         original_graph = self.vm.qmp('query-named-block-nodes')
 
         # We can reopen the image passing the same options
@@ -171,8 +170,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.check_node_graph(original_graph)
 
         # Remove the node
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
 
     # This test opens an image with a backing file and tries to reopen
     # it with illegal / incorrect parameters.
@@ -180,8 +178,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # Open hd1 omitting the backing options (hd0 will be opened
         # with the default options)
         opts = hd_opts(1)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
         original_graph = self.vm.qmp('query-named-block-nodes')
 
         # We can't reopen the image passing the same options, 'backing' is mandatory
@@ -213,8 +210,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.check_node_graph(original_graph)
 
         # Remove the node
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd1')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd1')
 
     # Reopen an image several times changing some of its options
     def test_reopen(self):
@@ -230,8 +226,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # Open the hd1 image passing all backing options
         opts = hd_opts(1)
         opts['backing'] = hd_opts(0)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
         original_graph = self.vm.qmp('query-named-block-nodes')
 
         # We can reopen the image passing the same options
@@ -306,8 +301,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_qmp_absent(self.get_node('hd1'), 'image/backing-image')
 
         # Open the 'hd0' image
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **hd_opts(0))
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **hd_opts(0))
 
         # Reopen the hd1 image setting 'hd0' as its backing image
         self.reopen(opts, {'backing': 'hd0'})
@@ -326,10 +320,8 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/desc', "Node 'hd0' is busy: node is used as backing hd of 'hd1'")
 
         # But we can remove both nodes if done in the proper order
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd1')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd1')
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
 
     # Reopen a raw image and see the effect of changing the 'offset' option
     def test_reopen_raw(self):
@@ -345,8 +337,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         qemu_io('-f', 'raw', '-c', 'write -P 0xa1 1M 1M', hd_path[0])
 
         # Open the raw file with QEMU
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # Read 1MB from offset 0
         self.run_qemu_io("hd0", "read -P 0xa0  0 1M")
@@ -362,8 +353,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.run_qemu_io("hd0", "read -P 0xa0  0 1M")
 
         # Remove the block device
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
 
     # Omitting an option should reset it to the default value, but if
     # an option cannot be changed it shouldn't be possible to reset it
@@ -377,8 +367,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                           'node-name': 'hd0-file' } }
 
         # Open the file with QEMU
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # file.x-check-cache-dropped can be changed...
         self.reopen(opts, { 'file.x-check-cache-dropped': False })
@@ -394,8 +383,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.reopen(opts, { 'file.locking': 'off' })
 
         # Remove the block device
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
 
     # This test modifies the node graph a few times by changing the
     # 'backing' option on reopen and verifies that the guest data that
@@ -407,8 +395,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         for i in range(3):
             opts.append(hd_opts(i))
             opts[i]['backing'] = None
-            result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts[i])
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts[i])
 
         # hd0
         self.run_qemu_io("hd0", "read -P 0xa0  0 1M")
@@ -499,8 +486,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         for i in range(3):
             opts.append(hd_opts(i))
             opts[i]['backing'] = None
-            result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts[i])
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts[i])
 
         # hd1 <- hd0, hd1 <- hd2
         self.reopen(opts[0], {'backing': 'hd1'})
@@ -532,8 +518,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                   'node-name': 'bv',
                   'test': 'hd0',
                   'raw': 'hd1'}
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **bvopts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **bvopts)
 
         # blkverify doesn't currently allow reopening. TODO: implement this
         self.reopen(bvopts, {}, "Block format 'blkverify' used by node 'bv'" +
@@ -544,8 +529,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                     "Making 'bv' a backing child of 'hd0' would create a cycle")
 
         # Delete the blkverify node
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'bv')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'bv')
 
     # Replace the protocol layer ('file' parameter) of a disk image
     def test_replace_file(self):
@@ -556,16 +540,13 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         hd0_opts = {'driver': 'file', 'node-name': 'hd0-file', 'filename':  hd_path[0] }
         hd1_opts = {'driver': 'file', 'node-name': 'hd1-file', 'filename':  hd_path[1] }
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **hd0_opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **hd1_opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **hd0_opts)
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **hd1_opts)
 
         # Add a raw format layer that uses hd0-file as its protocol layer
         opts = {'driver': 'raw', 'node-name': 'hd', 'file': 'hd0-file'}
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # Fill the image with data
         self.run_qemu_io("hd", "read  -P 0 0 10k")
@@ -588,21 +569,18 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_insert_throttle_filter(self):
         # Add an image to the VM
         hd0_opts = hd_opts(0)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **hd0_opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **hd0_opts)
 
         # Create a throttle-group object
         opts = { 'qom-type': 'throttle-group', 'id': 'group0',
                  'limits': { 'iops-total': 1000 } }
-        result = self.vm.qmp('object-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('object-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # Add a throttle filter with the group that we just created.
         # The filter is not used by anyone yet
         opts = { 'driver': 'throttle', 'node-name': 'throttle0',
                  'throttle-group': 'group0', 'file': 'hd0-file' }
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # Insert the throttle filter between hd0 and hd0-file
         self.reopen(hd0_opts, {'file': 'throttle0'})
@@ -615,15 +593,13 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_insert_compress_filter(self):
         # Add an image to the VM: hd (raw) -> hd0 (qcow2) -> hd0-file (file)
         opts = {'driver': 'raw', 'node-name': 'hd', 'file': hd_opts(0)}
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # Add a 'compress' filter
         filter_opts = {'driver': 'compress',
                        'node-name': 'compress0',
                        'file': 'hd0'}
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **filter_opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **filter_opts)
 
         # Unmap the beginning of the image (we cannot write compressed
         # data to an allocated cluster)
@@ -659,12 +635,10 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_swap_files(self):
         # Add hd0 and hd2 (none of them with backing files)
         opts0 = hd_opts(0)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts0)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts0)
 
         opts2 = hd_opts(2)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts2)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts2)
 
         # Write different data to both block devices
         self.run_qemu_io("hd0", "write -P 0xa0 0 1k")
@@ -712,15 +686,13 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             opts = hd_opts(i)
             # Open all three images without backing file
             opts['backing'] = None
-            result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         opts = {'driver': 'quorum',
                 'node-name': 'quorum0',
                 'children': ['hd0', 'hd1', 'hd2'],
                 'vote-threshold': 2}
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # Quorum doesn't currently allow reopening. TODO: implement this
         self.reopen(opts, {}, "Block format 'quorum' used by node 'quorum0'" +
@@ -732,14 +704,12 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                     "Making 'quorum0' a backing child of 'hd0' would create a cycle")
 
         # Delete quorum0
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'quorum0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'quorum0')
 
         # Delete hd0, hd1 and hd2
         for i in range(3):
-            result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True,
-                                 node_name = 'hd%d' % i)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True,
+                        node_name = 'hd%d' % i)
 
         ######################
         ###### blkdebug ######
@@ -748,8 +718,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 'node-name': 'bd',
                 'config': '/dev/null',
                 'image': hd_opts(0)}
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # blkdebug allows reopening if we keep the same options
         self.reopen(opts)
@@ -762,16 +731,14 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.reopen(opts, {}, "Option 'config' cannot be reset to its default value")
 
         # Delete the blkdebug node
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'bd')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'bd')
 
         ##################
         ###### null ######
         ##################
         opts = {'driver': 'null-co', 'node-name': 'root', 'size': 1024}
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # 1 << 30 is the default value, but we cannot change it explicitly
         self.reopen(opts, {'size': (1 << 30)}, "Cannot change the option 'size'")
@@ -780,16 +747,14 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         del opts['size']
         self.reopen(opts, {}, "Option 'size' cannot be reset to its default value")
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'root')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'root')
 
         ##################
         ###### file ######
         ##################
         opts = hd_opts(0)
         opts['file']['locking'] = 'on'
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # 'locking' cannot be changed
         del opts['file']['locking']
@@ -803,27 +768,23 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.reopen(opts, {'locking': 'off'}, "Cannot change the option 'locking'")
         self.reopen(opts, {}, "Option 'locking' cannot be reset to its default value")
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
 
         ######################
         ###### throttle ######
         ######################
         opts = { 'qom-type': 'throttle-group', 'id': 'group0',
                  'limits': { 'iops-total': 1000 } }
-        result = self.vm.qmp('object-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('object-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         opts = { 'qom-type': 'throttle-group', 'id': 'group1',
                  'limits': { 'iops-total': 2000 } }
-        result = self.vm.qmp('object-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('object-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # Add a throttle filter with group = group0
         opts = { 'driver': 'throttle', 'node-name': 'throttle0',
                  'throttle-group': 'group0', 'file': hd_opts(0) }
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # We can reopen it if we keep the same options
         self.reopen(opts)
@@ -851,16 +812,13 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_qmp(result, 'error/desc', "object 'group0' is in use, can not be deleted")
 
         # But group1 is free this time, and it can be deleted
-        result = self.vm.qmp('object-del', id = 'group1')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('object-del', id = 'group1')
 
         # Let's delete the filter node
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'throttle0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'throttle0')
 
         # And we can finally get rid of group0
-        result = self.vm.qmp('object-del', id = 'group0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('object-del', id = 'group0')
 
     # If an image has a backing file then the 'backing' option must be
     # passed on reopen. We don't allow leaving the option out in this
@@ -868,13 +826,11 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_missing_backing_options_1(self):
         # hd2
         opts = hd_opts(2)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # hd0
         opts = hd_opts(0)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # hd0 has no backing file: we can omit the 'backing' option
         self.reopen(opts)
@@ -897,11 +853,9 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.reopen(opts)
 
         # Remove both hd0 and hd2
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd2')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd2')
 
     # If an image has default backing file (as part of its metadata)
     # then the 'backing' option must be passed on reopen. We don't
@@ -911,8 +865,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # hd0 <- hd1
         # (hd0 is hd1's default backing file)
         opts = hd_opts(1)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # hd1 has a backing file: we can't omit the 'backing' option
         self.reopen(opts, {}, "backing is missing for 'hd1'")
@@ -923,8 +876,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # No backing file attached to hd1 now, but we still can't omit the 'backing' option
         self.reopen(opts, {}, "backing is missing for 'hd1'")
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd1')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd1')
 
     # Test that making 'backing' a reference to an existing child
     # keeps its current options
@@ -937,8 +889,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         opts['detect-zeroes'] = 'on'
         opts['backing']['detect-zeroes'] = 'on'
         opts['backing']['backing']['detect-zeroes'] = 'on'
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # Reopen the chain passing the minimum amount of required options.
         # By making 'backing' a reference to hd1 (instead of a sub-dict)
@@ -961,12 +912,10 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         opts = hd_opts(0)
         opts['backing'] = hd_opts(1)
         opts['backing']['backing'] = None
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # Stream hd1 into hd0 and wait until it's done
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', conv_keys = True, job_id = 'stream0', device = 'hd0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', conv_keys = True, job_id = 'stream0', device = 'hd0')
         self.wait_until_completed(drive = 'stream0')
 
         # Now we have only hd0
@@ -982,8 +931,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # We can also reopen hd0 if we set 'backing' to null
         self.reopen(opts, {'backing': None})
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
 
     # Another block_stream test
     def test_block_stream_2(self):
@@ -991,13 +939,11 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         opts = hd_opts(0)
         opts['backing'] = hd_opts(1)
         opts['backing']['backing'] = hd_opts(2)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # Stream hd1 into hd0 and wait until it's done
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', conv_keys = True, job_id = 'stream0',
-                             device = 'hd0', base_node = 'hd2')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', conv_keys = True, job_id = 'stream0',
+                    device = 'hd0', base_node = 'hd2')
         self.wait_until_completed(drive = 'stream0')
 
         # The chain is hd2 <- hd0 now. hd1 is missing
@@ -1019,8 +965,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.reopen(opts, {}, "backing is missing for 'hd0'")
 
         # Now we can delete hd0 (and hd2)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', conv_keys = True, node_name = 'hd0')
         self.assertEqual(self.get_node('hd2'), None)
 
     # Reopen the chain during a block-stream job (from hd1 to hd0)
@@ -1029,14 +974,12 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         opts = hd_opts(0)
         opts['backing'] = hd_opts(1)
         opts['backing']['backing'] = hd_opts(2)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # hd2 <- hd0
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', conv_keys = True, job_id = 'stream0',
-                             device = 'hd0', base_node = 'hd2',
-                             auto_finalize = False)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', conv_keys = True, job_id = 'stream0',
+                    device = 'hd0', base_node = 'hd2',
+                    auto_finalize = False)
 
         # We can remove hd2 while the stream job is ongoing
         opts['backing']['backing'] = None
@@ -1054,14 +997,12 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         opts = hd_opts(0)
         opts['backing'] = hd_opts(1)
         opts['backing']['backing'] = hd_opts(2)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # hd1 <- hd0
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', conv_keys = True, job_id = 'stream0',
-                             device = 'hd1', filter_node_name='cor',
-                             auto_finalize = False)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', conv_keys = True, job_id = 'stream0',
+                    device = 'hd1', filter_node_name='cor',
+                    auto_finalize = False)
 
         # We can't reopen with the original options because there is a filter
         # inserted by stream job above hd1.
@@ -1090,12 +1031,10 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         opts = hd_opts(0)
         opts['backing'] = hd_opts(1)
         opts['backing']['backing'] = hd_opts(2)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', conv_keys = True, job_id = 'commit0',
-                             device = 'hd0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', conv_keys = True, job_id = 'commit0',
+                    device = 'hd0')
 
         # We can't remove hd2 while the commit job is ongoing
         opts['backing']['backing'] = None
@@ -1110,8 +1049,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assert_qmp(event, 'data/type', 'commit')
         self.assert_qmp_absent(event, 'data/error')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-complete', device='commit0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-complete', device='commit0')
 
         self.wait_until_completed(drive = 'commit0')
 
@@ -1121,13 +1059,11 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         opts = hd_opts(0)
         opts['backing'] = hd_opts(1)
         opts['backing']['backing'] = hd_opts(2)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', conv_keys = True, job_id = 'commit0',
-                             device = 'hd0', top_node = 'hd1',
-                             auto_finalize = False)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', conv_keys = True, job_id = 'commit0',
+                    device = 'hd0', top_node = 'hd1',
+                    auto_finalize = False)
 
         # We can't remove hd2 while the commit job is ongoing
         opts['backing']['backing'] = None
@@ -1147,36 +1083,28 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def run_test_iothreads(self, iothread_a, iothread_b, errmsg = None,
                            opts_a = None, opts_b = None):
         opts = opts_a or hd_opts(0)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         opts2 = opts_b or hd_opts(2)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts2)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', conv_keys = False, **opts2)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('object-add', qom_type='iothread', id='iothread0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('object-add', qom_type='iothread', id='iothread0')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('object-add', qom_type='iothread', id='iothread1')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('object-add', qom_type='iothread', id='iothread1')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('device_add', driver='virtio-scsi', id='scsi0',
-                             iothread=iothread_a)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('device_add', driver='virtio-scsi', id='scsi0',
+                    iothread=iothread_a)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('device_add', driver='virtio-scsi', id='scsi1',
-                             iothread=iothread_b)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('device_add', driver='virtio-scsi', id='scsi1',
+                    iothread=iothread_b)
 
         if iothread_a:
-            result = self.vm.qmp('device_add', driver='scsi-hd', drive='hd0',
-                                 share_rw=True, bus="scsi0.0")
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('device_add', driver='scsi-hd', drive='hd0',
+                        share_rw=True, bus="scsi0.0")
 
         if iothread_b:
-            result = self.vm.qmp('device_add', driver='scsi-hd', drive='hd2',
-                                 share_rw=True, bus="scsi1.0")
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('device_add', driver='scsi-hd', drive='hd2',
+                        share_rw=True, bus="scsi1.0")
 
         # Attaching the backing file may or may not work
         self.reopen(opts, {'backing': 'hd2'}, errmsg)
@@ -1205,8 +1133,7 @@ class TestBlockdevReopen(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # Create a throttle-group object
         opts = { 'qom-type': 'throttle-group', 'id': 'group0',
                  'limits': { 'iops-total': 1000 } }
-        result = self.vm.qmp('object-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('object-add', conv_keys = False, **opts)
 
         # Options with a throttle filter between format and protocol
         opts = [
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/256 b/tests/qemu-iotests/256
index d7e67f4a05..f34af6cef7 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/256
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/256
@@ -40,25 +40,25 @@ with iotests.FilePath('img0') as img0_path, \
     def create_target(filepath, name, size):
         basename = os.path.basename(filepath)
         nodename = "file_{}".format(basename)
-        log(vm.command('blockdev-create', job_id='job1',
-                       options={
-                           'driver': 'file',
-                           'filename': filepath,
-                           'size': 0,
-                       }))
+        log(vm.cmd('blockdev-create', job_id='job1',
+                   options={
+                       'driver': 'file',
+                       'filename': filepath,
+                       'size': 0,
+                   }))
         vm.run_job('job1')
-        log(vm.command('blockdev-add', driver='file',
-                       node_name=nodename, filename=filepath))
-        log(vm.command('blockdev-create', job_id='job2',
-                       options={
-                           'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
-                           'file': nodename,
-                           'size': size,
-                       }))
+        log(vm.cmd('blockdev-add', driver='file',
+                   node_name=nodename, filename=filepath))
+        log(vm.cmd('blockdev-create', job_id='job2',
+                   options={
+                       'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
+                       'file': nodename,
+                       'size': size,
+                   }))
         vm.run_job('job2')
-        log(vm.command('blockdev-add', driver=iotests.imgfmt,
-                       node_name=name,
-                       file=nodename))
+        log(vm.cmd('blockdev-add', driver=iotests.imgfmt,
+                   node_name=name,
+                   file=nodename))
 
     log('--- Preparing images & VM ---\n')
     vm.add_object('iothread,id=iothread0')
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/257 b/tests/qemu-iotests/257
index e7e7a2317e..7d3720b8e5 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/257
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/257
@@ -160,26 +160,26 @@ class Drive:
         file_node_name = "file_{}".format(basename)
         vm = self.vm
 
-        log(vm.command('blockdev-create', job_id='bdc-file-job',
-                       options={
-                           'driver': 'file',
-                           'filename': self.path,
-                           'size': 0,
-                       }))
+        log(vm.cmd('blockdev-create', job_id='bdc-file-job',
+                   options={
+                       'driver': 'file',
+                       'filename': self.path,
+                       'size': 0,
+                   }))
         vm.run_job('bdc-file-job')
-        log(vm.command('blockdev-add', driver='file',
-                       node_name=file_node_name, filename=self.path))
+        log(vm.cmd('blockdev-add', driver='file',
+                   node_name=file_node_name, filename=self.path))
 
-        log(vm.command('blockdev-create', job_id='bdc-fmt-job',
-                       options={
-                           'driver': fmt,
-                           'file': file_node_name,
-                           'size': size,
-                       }))
+        log(vm.cmd('blockdev-create', job_id='bdc-fmt-job',
+                   options={
+                       'driver': fmt,
+                       'file': file_node_name,
+                       'size': size,
+                   }))
         vm.run_job('bdc-fmt-job')
-        log(vm.command('blockdev-add', driver=fmt,
-                       node_name=name,
-                       file=file_node_name))
+        log(vm.cmd('blockdev-add', driver=fmt,
+                   node_name=name,
+                   file=file_node_name))
         self.fmt = fmt
         self.size = size
         self.node = name
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/264 b/tests/qemu-iotests/264
index 289381e315..c532ccd809 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/264
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/264
@@ -48,18 +48,16 @@ class TestNbdReconnect(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         """Stat job with nbd target and kill the server"""
         assert job in ('blockdev-backup', 'blockdev-mirror')
         with qemu_nbd_popen('-k', nbd_sock, '-f', iotests.imgfmt, disk_b):
-            result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                                 **{'node_name': 'backup0',
-                                    'driver': 'raw',
-                                    'file': {'driver': 'nbd',
-                                             'server': {'type': 'unix',
-                                                        'path': nbd_sock},
-                                             'reconnect-delay': 10}})
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-            result = self.vm.qmp(job, device='drive0',
-                                 sync='full', target='backup0',
-                                 speed=(1 * 1024 * 1024))
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                        {'node-name': 'backup0',
+                         'driver': 'raw',
+                         'file': {'driver': 'nbd',
+                                  'server': {'type': 'unix',
+                                             'path': nbd_sock},
+                                  'reconnect-delay': 10}})
+            self.vm.cmd(job, device='drive0',
+                        sync='full', target='backup0',
+                        speed=(1 * 1024 * 1024))
 
             # Wait for some progress
             t = 0.0
@@ -77,8 +75,7 @@ class TestNbdReconnect(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.assertTrue(jobs)
         self.assertTrue(jobs[0]['offset'] < jobs[0]['len'])
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=0)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0', speed=0)
 
         # Emulate server down time for 1 second
         time.sleep(1)
@@ -91,12 +88,10 @@ class TestNbdReconnect(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         with qemu_nbd_popen('-k', nbd_sock, '-f', iotests.imgfmt, disk_b):
             e = self.vm.event_wait('BLOCK_JOB_COMPLETED')
             self.assertEqual(e['data']['offset'], size)
-            result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', node_name='backup0')
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', node_name='backup0')
 
     def cancel_job(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-cancel', device='drive0', force=True)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-cancel', device='drive0', force=True)
 
         start_t = time.time()
         self.vm.event_wait('BLOCK_JOB_CANCELLED')
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/281 b/tests/qemu-iotests/281
index 5e1339bd75..f6746a12e8 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/281
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/281
@@ -56,15 +56,13 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapIOThread(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             os.remove(self.images[name])
 
     def test_add_dirty_bitmap(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp(
+        self.vm.cmd(
             'block-dirty-bitmap-add',
             node='drive0',
             name='bitmap1',
             persistent=True,
         )
 
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-
 
 # Test for RHBZ#1746217 & RHBZ#1773517
 class TestNBDMirrorIOThread(iotests.QMPTestCase):
@@ -105,23 +103,21 @@ class TestNBDMirrorIOThread(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             os.remove(self.images[name])
 
     def test_nbd_mirror(self):
-        result = self.vm_tgt.qmp(
+        self.vm_tgt.cmd(
             'nbd-server-start',
             addr={
                 'type': 'unix',
                 'data': { 'path': self.nbd_sock }
             }
         )
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
-        result = self.vm_tgt.qmp(
+        self.vm_tgt.cmd(
             'nbd-server-add',
             device='drive0',
             writable=True
         )
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
-        result = self.vm_src.qmp(
+        self.vm_src.cmd(
             'drive-mirror',
             device='drive0',
             target='nbd+unix:///drive0?socket=' + self.nbd_sock,
@@ -130,7 +126,6 @@ class TestNBDMirrorIOThread(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             speed=64*1024*1024,
             job_id='j1'
         )
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
         self.vm_src.event_wait(name="BLOCK_JOB_READY")
 
@@ -290,8 +285,7 @@ class TestYieldingAndTimers(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # they will remain active, fire later, and then access freed data.
         # (Or, with "block/nbd: Assert there are no timers when closed"
         # applied, the assertions added in that patch will fail.)
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', node_name='nbd')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', node_name='nbd')
 
         # Give the timers some time to fire (both have a timeout of 1 s).
         # (Sleeping in an iotest may ring some alarm bells, but note that if
@@ -303,9 +297,8 @@ class TestYieldingAndTimers(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def test_yield_in_iothread(self):
         # Move the NBD node to the I/O thread; the NBD block driver should
         # attach the connection's QIOChannel to that thread's AioContext, too
-        result = self.vm.qmp('x-blockdev-set-iothread',
-                             node_name='nbd', iothread='iothr')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('x-blockdev-set-iothread',
+                    node_name='nbd', iothread='iothr')
 
         # Do some I/O that will be throttled by the QSD, so that the network
         # connection hopefully will yield here.  When it is resumed, it must
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/295 b/tests/qemu-iotests/295
index 270ad3999f..04818af264 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/295
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/295
@@ -57,8 +57,7 @@ class EncryptionSetupTestCase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # create the secrets and load 'em into the VM
         self.secrets = [ Secret(i) for i in range(0, 6) ]
         for secret in self.secrets:
-            result = self.vm.qmp("object-add", **secret.to_qmp_object())
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm.cmd("object-add", **secret.to_qmp_object())
 
         if iotests.imgfmt == "qcow2":
             self.pfx = "encrypt."
@@ -102,8 +101,7 @@ class EncryptionSetupTestCase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 }
             }
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **
-            {
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', {
                 'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
                 'node-name': id,
                 'read-only': read_only,
@@ -116,12 +114,10 @@ class EncryptionSetupTestCase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 }
             }
         )
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
     # close the encrypted block device
     def closeImageQmp(self, id):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-del', **{ 'node-name': id })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-del', {'node-name': id})
 
     ###########################################################################
     # add a key to an encrypted block device
@@ -160,8 +156,7 @@ class EncryptionSetupTestCase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             args['force'] = True
 
         #TODO: check what jobs return
-        result = self.vm.qmp('x-blockdev-amend', **args)
-        assert result['return'] == {}
+        self.vm.cmd('x-blockdev-amend', **args)
         self.vm.run_job('job_add_key')
 
     # erase a key from an encrypted block device
@@ -194,8 +189,7 @@ class EncryptionSetupTestCase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         if force == True:
             args['force'] = True
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('x-blockdev-amend', **args)
-        assert result['return'] == {}
+        self.vm.cmd('x-blockdev-amend', **args)
         self.vm.run_job('job_erase_key')
 
     ###########################################################################
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/296 b/tests/qemu-iotests/296
index 0d21b740a7..2b63cefff0 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/296
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/296
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class Secret:
         return  [ "secret,id=" + self._id + ",data=" + self._secret]
 
     def to_qmp_object(self):
-        return { "qom_type" : "secret", "id": self.id(),
+        return { "qom-type" : "secret", "id": self.id(),
                  "data": self.secret() }
 
 ################################################################################
@@ -61,10 +61,8 @@ class EncryptionSetupTestCase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # create the secrets and load 'em into the VMs
         self.secrets = [ Secret(i) for i in range(0, 4) ]
         for secret in self.secrets:
-            result = self.vm1.qmp("object-add", **secret.to_qmp_object())
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-            result = self.vm2.qmp("object-add", **secret.to_qmp_object())
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm1.cmd("object-add", secret.to_qmp_object())
+            self.vm2.cmd("object-add", secret.to_qmp_object())
 
     # test case shutdown
     def tearDown(self):
@@ -132,17 +130,15 @@ class EncryptionSetupTestCase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             }
 
         if reOpen:
-            result = vm.qmp(command, options=[opts])
+            vm.cmd(command, options=[opts])
         else:
-            result = vm.qmp(command, **opts)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            vm.cmd(command, opts)
 
 
     ###########################################################################
     # add virtio-blk consumer for a block device
     def addImageUser(self, vm, id, disk_id, share_rw=False):
-        result = vm.qmp('device_add', **
-            {
+        result = vm.qmp('device_add', {
                 'driver': 'virtio-blk',
                 'id': id,
                 'drive': disk_id,
@@ -154,8 +150,7 @@ class EncryptionSetupTestCase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
     # close the encrypted block device
     def closeImageQmp(self, vm, id):
-        result = vm.qmp('blockdev-del', **{ 'node-name': id })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        vm.cmd('blockdev-del', {'node-name': id})
 
     ###########################################################################
 
@@ -173,7 +168,7 @@ class EncryptionSetupTestCase(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             },
         }
 
-        result = vm.qmp('x-blockdev-amend', **args)
+        result = vm.qmp('x-blockdev-amend', args)
         iotests.log(result)
         # Run the job only if it was created
         event = ('JOB_STATUS_CHANGE',
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/298 b/tests/qemu-iotests/298
index 9e75ac6975..09c9290711 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/298
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/298
@@ -80,25 +80,23 @@ class TestPreallocateFilter(TestPreallocateBase):
     def test_external_snapshot(self):
         self.test_prealloc()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-snapshot-sync', node_name='disk',
-                             snapshot_file=overlay,
-                             snapshot_node_name='overlay')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-snapshot-sync', node_name='disk',
+                    snapshot_file=overlay,
+                    snapshot_node_name='overlay')
 
         # on reopen to  r-o base preallocation should be dropped
         self.check_small()
 
         self.vm.hmp_qemu_io('drive0', 'write 1M 1M')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-commit', device='overlay')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-commit', device='overlay')
         self.complete_and_wait()
 
         # commit of new megabyte should trigger preallocation
         self.check_big()
 
     def test_reopen_opts(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-reopen', options=[{
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-reopen', options=[{
             'node-name': 'disk',
             'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
             'file': {
@@ -113,7 +111,6 @@ class TestPreallocateFilter(TestPreallocateBase):
                 }
             }
         }])
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
         self.vm.hmp_qemu_io('drive0', 'write 0 1M')
         self.assertTrue(os.path.getsize(disk) == 25 * MiB)
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/300 b/tests/qemu-iotests/300
index dbd28384ec..e46616d7b1 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/300
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/300
@@ -50,10 +50,9 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.vm_b.add_incoming(f'unix:{mig_sock}')
         self.vm_b.launch()
 
-        result = self.vm_a.qmp('block-dirty-bitmap-add',
-                               node=self.src_node_name,
-                               name=self.src_bmap_name)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_a.cmd('block-dirty-bitmap-add',
+                      node=self.src_node_name,
+                      name=self.src_bmap_name)
 
         # Dirty some random megabytes
         for _ in range(9):
@@ -69,8 +68,7 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 for name in ('dirty-bitmaps', 'events')]
 
         for vm in (self.vm_a, self.vm_b):
-            result = vm.qmp('migrate-set-capabilities', capabilities=caps)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            vm.cmd('migrate-set-capabilities', capabilities=caps)
 
     def tearDown(self) -> None:
         self.vm_a.shutdown()
@@ -93,8 +91,7 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
     def migrate(self, bitmap_name_valid: bool = True,
                 migration_success: bool = True) -> None:
-        result = self.vm_a.qmp('migrate', uri=f'unix:{mig_sock}')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_a.cmd('migrate', uri=f'unix:{mig_sock}')
 
         with iotests.Timeout(5, 'Timeout waiting for migration to complete'):
             self.assertEqual(self.vm_a.wait_migration('postmigrate'),
@@ -442,10 +439,9 @@ class TestBlockBitmapMappingErrors(TestDirtyBitmapMigration):
     def test_bitmap_name_too_long(self) -> None:
         name = 'a' * 256
 
-        result = self.vm_a.qmp('block-dirty-bitmap-add',
-                               node=self.src_node_name,
-                               name=name)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_a.cmd('block-dirty-bitmap-add',
+                      node=self.src_node_name,
+                      name=name)
 
         self.migrate(False, False)
 
@@ -517,22 +513,19 @@ class TestCrossAliasMigration(TestDirtyBitmapMigration):
         TestDirtyBitmapMigration.setUp(self)
 
         # Now create another block device and let both have two bitmaps each
-        result = self.vm_a.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                               node_name='node-b', driver='null-co')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_a.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                      node_name='node-b', driver='null-co')
 
-        result = self.vm_b.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                               node_name='node-a', driver='null-co')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_b.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                      node_name='node-a', driver='null-co')
 
         bmaps_to_add = (('node-a', 'bmap-b'),
                         ('node-b', 'bmap-a'),
                         ('node-b', 'bmap-b'))
 
         for (node, bmap) in bmaps_to_add:
-            result = self.vm_a.qmp('block-dirty-bitmap-add',
-                                   node=node, name=bmap)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm_a.cmd('block-dirty-bitmap-add',
+                          node=node, name=bmap)
 
     @staticmethod
     def cross_mapping() -> BlockBitmapMapping:
@@ -611,24 +604,21 @@ class TestAliasTransformMigration(TestDirtyBitmapMigration):
         TestDirtyBitmapMigration.setUp(self)
 
         # Now create another block device and let both have two bitmaps each
-        result = self.vm_a.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                               node_name='node-b', driver='null-co',
-                               read_zeroes=False)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_a.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                      node_name='node-b', driver='null-co',
+                      read_zeroes=False)
 
-        result = self.vm_b.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                               node_name='node-a', driver='null-co',
-                               read_zeroes=False)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_b.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                      node_name='node-a', driver='null-co',
+                      read_zeroes=False)
 
         bmaps_to_add = (('node-a', 'bmap-b'),
                         ('node-b', 'bmap-a'),
                         ('node-b', 'bmap-b'))
 
         for (node, bmap) in bmaps_to_add:
-            result = self.vm_a.qmp('block-dirty-bitmap-add',
-                                   node=node, name=bmap)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm_a.cmd('block-dirty-bitmap-add',
+                          node=node, name=bmap)
 
     @staticmethod
     def transform_mapping() -> BlockBitmapMapping:
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/iotests.py b/tests/qemu-iotests/iotests.py
index ef66fbd62b..e5c5798c71 100644
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/iotests.py
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/iotests.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 
 from qemu.machine import qtest
-from qemu.qmp.legacy import QMPMessage, QEMUMonitorProtocol
+from qemu.qmp.legacy import QMPMessage, QMPReturnValue, QEMUMonitorProtocol
 from qemu.utils import VerboseProcessError
 
 # Use this logger for logging messages directly from the iotests module
@@ -460,12 +460,17 @@ def __init__(self, *args: str, instance_id: str = 'a', qmp: bool = False):
     def qmp(self, cmd: str, args: Optional[Dict[str, object]] = None) \
             -> QMPMessage:
         assert self._qmp is not None
-        return self._qmp.cmd(cmd, args)
+        return self._qmp.cmd_raw(cmd, args)
 
     def get_qmp(self) -> QEMUMonitorProtocol:
         assert self._qmp is not None
         return self._qmp
 
+    def cmd(self, cmd: str, args: Optional[Dict[str, object]] = None) \
+            -> QMPReturnValue:
+        assert self._qmp is not None
+        return self._qmp.cmd(cmd, **(args or {}))
+
     def stop(self, kill_signal=15):
         self._p.send_signal(kill_signal)
         self._p.wait()
@@ -823,7 +828,7 @@ def __init__(self, path_suffix=''):
         super().__init__(qemu_prog, qemu_opts, wrapper=wrapper,
                          name=name,
                          base_temp_dir=test_dir,
-                         sock_dir=sock_dir, qmp_timer=timer)
+                         qmp_timer=timer)
         self._num_drives = 0
 
     def _post_shutdown(self) -> None:
@@ -1247,8 +1252,7 @@ def assert_json_filename_equal(self, json_filename, reference):
     def cancel_and_wait(self, drive='drive0', force=False,
                         resume=False, wait=60.0):
         '''Cancel a block job and wait for it to finish, returning the event'''
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-cancel', device=drive, force=force)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-cancel', device=drive, force=force)
 
         if resume:
             self.vm.resume_drive(drive)
@@ -1310,8 +1314,7 @@ def complete_and_wait(self, drive='drive0', wait_ready=True,
         if wait_ready:
             self.wait_ready(drive=drive)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-complete', device=drive)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-complete', device=drive)
 
         event = self.wait_until_completed(drive=drive, error=completion_error)
         self.assertTrue(event['data']['type'] in ['mirror', 'commit'])
@@ -1330,11 +1333,9 @@ def pause_wait(self, job_id='job0'):
                 assert found
 
     def pause_job(self, job_id='job0', wait=True):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-pause', device=job_id)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-pause', device=job_id)
         if wait:
-            return self.pause_wait(job_id)
-        return result
+            self.pause_wait(job_id)
 
     def case_skip(self, reason):
         '''Skip this test case'''
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/backing-file-invalidation b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/backing-file-invalidation
index 4eccc80153..b0e19839db 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/backing-file-invalidation
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/backing-file-invalidation
@@ -129,12 +129,11 @@ class TestPostMigrateFilename(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
         # For good measure, try creating an overlay and check its backing
         # chain below.  This is how the issue was originally found.
-        result = self.vm_d.qmp('blockdev-snapshot-sync',
-                               format=iotests.imgfmt,
-                               snapshot_file=imgs[3],
-                               node_name='node0',
-                               snapshot_node_name='node0-overlay')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_d.cmd('blockdev-snapshot-sync',
+                      format=iotests.imgfmt,
+                      snapshot_file=imgs[3],
+                      node_name='node0',
+                      snapshot_node_name='node0-overlay')
 
         self.vm_d.shutdown()
         self.vm_d = None
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/copy-before-write b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/copy-before-write
index 2ffe092b31..d33bea577d 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/copy-before-write
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/copy-before-write
@@ -44,12 +44,11 @@ class TestCbwError(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
         opts = ['-nodefaults', '-display', 'none', '-machine', 'none']
         self.vm = QEMUMachine(iotests.qemu_prog, opts,
-                              base_temp_dir=iotests.test_dir,
-                              sock_dir=iotests.sock_dir)
+                              base_temp_dir=iotests.test_dir)
         self.vm.launch()
 
     def do_cbw_error(self, on_cbw_error):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', {
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', {
             'node-name': 'cbw',
             'driver': 'copy-before-write',
             'on-cbw-error': on_cbw_error,
@@ -79,14 +78,12 @@ class TestCbwError(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 }
             }
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', {
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', {
             'node-name': 'access',
             'driver': 'snapshot-access',
             'file': 'cbw'
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('human-monitor-command',
                              command_line='qemu-io cbw "write 0 1M"')
@@ -130,14 +127,13 @@ read 1048576/1048576 bytes at offset 0
 """)
 
     def do_cbw_timeout(self, on_cbw_error):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('object-add', {
+        self.vm.cmd('object-add', {
             'qom-type': 'throttle-group',
             'id': 'group0',
             'limits': {'bps-write': 300 * 1024}
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', {
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', {
             'node-name': 'cbw',
             'driver': 'copy-before-write',
             'on-cbw-error': on_cbw_error,
@@ -161,14 +157,12 @@ read 1048576/1048576 bytes at offset 0
                 }
             }
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', {
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', {
             'node-name': 'access',
             'driver': 'snapshot-access',
             'file': 'cbw'
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
         result = self.vm.qmp('human-monitor-command',
                              command_line='qemu-io cbw "write 0 512K"')
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/export-incoming-iothread b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/export-incoming-iothread
index 7679e49103..d36d6194e0 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/export-incoming-iothread
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/export-incoming-iothread
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ class TestExportIncomingIothread(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         os.remove(test_img)
 
     def test_export_add(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('nbd-server-start', {
+        self.vm.cmd('nbd-server-start', {
             'addr': {
                 'type': 'unix',
                 'data': {
@@ -63,16 +63,14 @@ class TestExportIncomingIothread(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 }
             }
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
         # Regression test for issue 945: This should not fail an assertion
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-export-add', {
+        self.vm.cmd('block-export-add', {
             'type': 'nbd',
             'id': 'exp0',
             'node-name': node_name,
             'iothread': iothread_id
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/graph-changes-while-io b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/graph-changes-while-io
index 750e7d4d38..194fda500e 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/graph-changes-while-io
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/graph-changes-while-io
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class TestGraphChangesWhileIO(QMPTestCase):
         # While qemu-img bench is running, repeatedly add and remove an
         # overlay to/from node0
         while bench_thr.is_alive():
-            result = self.qsd.qmp('blockdev-add', {
+            self.qsd.cmd('blockdev-add', {
                 'driver': imgfmt,
                 'node-name': 'overlay',
                 'backing': 'node0',
@@ -75,12 +75,10 @@ class TestGraphChangesWhileIO(QMPTestCase):
                     'filename': top
                 }
             })
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
-            result = self.qsd.qmp('blockdev-del', {
+            self.qsd.cmd('blockdev-del', {
                 'node-name': 'overlay'
             })
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
         bench_thr.join()
 
@@ -92,7 +90,7 @@ class TestGraphChangesWhileIO(QMPTestCase):
         qemu_io('-c', 'write 0 64k', top)
         qemu_io('-c', 'write 128k 64k', top)
 
-        result = self.qsd.qmp('blockdev-add', {
+        self.qsd.cmd('blockdev-add', {
             'driver': imgfmt,
             'node-name': 'overlay',
             'backing': None,
@@ -101,26 +99,22 @@ class TestGraphChangesWhileIO(QMPTestCase):
                 'filename': top
             }
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
-        result = self.qsd.qmp('blockdev-snapshot', {
+        self.qsd.cmd('blockdev-snapshot', {
             'node': 'node0',
             'overlay': 'overlay',
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
         # While qemu-img bench is running, repeatedly commit overlay to node0
         while bench_thr.is_alive():
-            result = self.qsd.qmp('block-commit', {
+            self.qsd.cmd('block-commit', {
                 'job-id': 'job0',
                 'device': 'overlay',
             })
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
-            result = self.qsd.qmp('block-job-cancel', {
+            self.qsd.cmd('block-job-cancel', {
                 'device': 'job0',
             })
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
             cancelled = False
             while not cancelled:
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/image-fleecing b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/image-fleecing
index f6e449d071..5e3b2c7e46 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/image-fleecing
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/image-fleecing
@@ -213,8 +213,7 @@ def do_test(vm, use_cbw, use_snapshot_access_filter, base_img_path,
         result = vm.qmp('query-block-jobs')
         assert len(result['return']) == 1
 
-        result = vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='push-backup', speed=0)
-        assert result == {'return': {}}
+        vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='push-backup', speed=0)
 
         log(vm.event_wait(name='BLOCK_JOB_COMPLETED',
                           match={'data': {'device': 'push-backup'}}),
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migrate-bitmaps-postcopy-test b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migrate-bitmaps-postcopy-test
index dda55fad28..c519e6db8c 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migrate-bitmaps-postcopy-test
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migrate-bitmaps-postcopy-test
@@ -118,11 +118,10 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapPostcopyMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
     def start_postcopy(self):
         """ Run migration until RESUME event on target. Return this event. """
         for i in range(nb_bitmaps):
-            result = self.vm_a.qmp('block-dirty-bitmap-add', node='drive0',
-                                   name='bitmap{}'.format(i),
-                                   granularity=granularity,
-                                   persistent=True)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm_a.cmd('block-dirty-bitmap-add', node='drive0',
+                          name='bitmap{}'.format(i),
+                          granularity=granularity,
+                          persistent=True)
 
         result = self.vm_a.qmp('x-debug-block-dirty-bitmap-sha256',
                                node='drive0', name='bitmap0')
@@ -140,9 +139,8 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapPostcopyMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # We want to calculate resulting sha256. Do it in bitmap0, so, disable
         # other bitmaps
         for i in range(1, nb_bitmaps):
-            result = self.vm_a.qmp('block-dirty-bitmap-disable', node='drive0',
-                                   name='bitmap{}'.format(i))
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm_a.cmd('block-dirty-bitmap-disable', node='drive0',
+                          name='bitmap{}'.format(i))
 
         apply_discards(self.vm_a, discards2)
 
@@ -152,24 +150,19 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapPostcopyMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
         # Now, enable some bitmaps, to be updated during migration
         for i in range(2, nb_bitmaps, 2):
-            result = self.vm_a.qmp('block-dirty-bitmap-enable', node='drive0',
-                                   name='bitmap{}'.format(i))
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm_a.cmd('block-dirty-bitmap-enable', node='drive0',
+                          name='bitmap{}'.format(i))
 
         caps = [{'capability': 'dirty-bitmaps', 'state': True},
                 {'capability': 'events', 'state': True}]
 
-        result = self.vm_a.qmp('migrate-set-capabilities', capabilities=caps)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_a.cmd('migrate-set-capabilities', capabilities=caps)
 
-        result = self.vm_b.qmp('migrate-set-capabilities', capabilities=caps)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_b.cmd('migrate-set-capabilities', capabilities=caps)
 
-        result = self.vm_a.qmp('migrate', uri='exec:cat>' + fifo)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_a.cmd('migrate', uri='exec:cat>' + fifo)
 
-        result = self.vm_a.qmp('migrate-start-postcopy')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_a.cmd('migrate-start-postcopy')
 
         event_resume = self.vm_b.event_wait('RESUME')
         self.vm_b_events.append(event_resume)
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migrate-bitmaps-test b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migrate-bitmaps-test
index 59f3357580..f98e721e97 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migrate-bitmaps-test
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migrate-bitmaps-test
@@ -67,8 +67,7 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         if persistent:
             params['persistent'] = True
 
-        result = vm.qmp('block-dirty-bitmap-add', **params)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        vm.cmd('block-dirty-bitmap-add', params)
 
     def check_bitmap(self, vm, sha256):
         result = vm.qmp('x-debug-block-dirty-bitmap-sha256',
@@ -91,16 +90,15 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         if migrate_bitmaps:
             mig_caps.append({'capability': 'dirty-bitmaps', 'state': True})
 
-        result = self.vm_a.qmp('migrate-set-capabilities',
-                               capabilities=mig_caps)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_a.cmd('migrate-set-capabilities',
+                      capabilities=mig_caps)
 
         self.add_bitmap(self.vm_a, granularity, persistent)
         for r in regions:
             self.vm_a.hmp_qemu_io('drive0', 'write %d %d' % r)
         sha256 = get_bitmap_hash(self.vm_a)
 
-        result = self.vm_a.qmp('migrate', uri=mig_cmd)
+        self.vm_a.cmd('migrate', uri=mig_cmd)
         while True:
             event = self.vm_a.event_wait('MIGRATION')
             if event['data']['status'] == 'completed':
@@ -114,8 +112,7 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         removed = (not migrate_bitmaps) and persistent
         self.check_bitmap(self.vm_a, False if removed else sha256)
 
-        result = self.vm_a.qmp('cont')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_a.cmd('cont')
 
         # test that bitmap is still here after invalidation
         self.check_bitmap(self.vm_a, sha256)
@@ -158,9 +155,8 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         if online:
             os.mkfifo(mig_file)
             self.vm_b.launch()
-            result = self.vm_b.qmp('migrate-set-capabilities',
-                                   capabilities=mig_caps)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm_b.cmd('migrate-set-capabilities',
+                          capabilities=mig_caps)
 
         self.add_bitmap(self.vm_a, granularity, persistent)
         for r in regions:
@@ -171,11 +167,10 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
             self.vm_a.shutdown()
             self.vm_a.launch()
 
-        result = self.vm_a.qmp('migrate-set-capabilities',
-                               capabilities=mig_caps)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm_a.cmd('migrate-set-capabilities',
+                      capabilities=mig_caps)
 
-        result = self.vm_a.qmp('migrate', uri=mig_cmd)
+        self.vm_a.cmd('migrate', uri=mig_cmd)
         while True:
             event = self.vm_a.event_wait('MIGRATION')
             if event['data']['status'] == 'completed':
@@ -184,11 +179,9 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         if not online:
             self.vm_a.shutdown()
             self.vm_b.launch()
-            result = self.vm_b.qmp('migrate-set-capabilities',
-                                   capabilities=mig_caps)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-            result = self.vm_b.qmp('migrate-incoming', uri=incoming_cmd)
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            self.vm_b.cmd('migrate-set-capabilities',
+                          capabilities=mig_caps)
+            self.vm_b.cmd('migrate-incoming', uri=incoming_cmd)
 
         while True:
             event = self.vm_b.event_wait('MIGRATION')
@@ -254,8 +247,7 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapBackingMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         self.vm = iotests.VM()
         self.vm.launch()
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', **blockdev)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', blockdev)
 
         # Check that the bitmaps are there
         nodes = self.vm.qmp('query-named-block-nodes', flat=True)['return']
@@ -264,8 +256,7 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapBackingMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 self.assert_qmp(node, 'dirty-bitmaps[0]/name', 'bmap0')
 
         caps = [{'capability': 'events', 'state': True}]
-        result = self.vm.qmp('migrate-set-capabilities', capabilities=caps)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('migrate-set-capabilities', capabilities=caps)
 
     def tearDown(self):
         self.vm.shutdown()
@@ -276,14 +267,12 @@ class TestDirtyBitmapBackingMigration(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         """
         Continue the source after migration.
         """
-        result = self.vm.qmp('migrate', uri='exec: cat > /dev/null')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('migrate', uri='exec: cat > /dev/null')
 
         with Timeout(10, 'Migration timeout'):
             self.vm.wait_migration('postmigrate')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('cont')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('cont')
 
 
 def main() -> None:
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migrate-during-backup b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migrate-during-backup
index 34103229ee..afb2277896 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migrate-during-backup
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migrate-during-backup
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class TestMigrateDuringBackup(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
         self.vm = iotests.VM().add_drive(disk_a)
         self.vm.launch()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', {
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', {
             'node-name': 'target',
             'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
             'file': {
@@ -51,26 +51,21 @@ class TestMigrateDuringBackup(iotests.QMPTestCase):
                 'filename': disk_b
             }
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
     def test_migrate(self):
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-backup', device='drive0',
-                             target='target', sync='full',
-                             speed=1, x_perf={
-                                 'max-workers': 1,
-                                 'max-chunk': 64 * 1024
-                             })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-backup', device='drive0',
+                    target='target', sync='full',
+                    speed=1, x_perf={
+                        'max-workers': 1,
+                        'max-chunk': 64 * 1024
+                    })
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('job-pause', id='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('job-pause', id='drive0')
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('migrate-set-capabilities',
-                             capabilities=[{'capability': 'events',
-                                            'state': True}])
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-        result = self.vm.qmp('migrate', uri=mig_cmd)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('migrate-set-capabilities',
+                    capabilities=[{'capability': 'events',
+                                   'state': True}])
+        self.vm.cmd('migrate', uri=mig_cmd)
 
         e = self.vm.events_wait((('MIGRATION',
                                   {'data': {'status': 'completed'}}),
@@ -80,11 +75,9 @@ class TestMigrateDuringBackup(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         # Don't assert that e is 'failed' now: this way we'll miss
         # possible crash when backup continues :)
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0',
-                             speed=0)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
-        result = self.vm.qmp('job-resume', id='drive0')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-set-speed', device='drive0',
+                    speed=0)
+        self.vm.cmd('job-resume', id='drive0')
 
         # For future: if something changes so that both migration
         # and backup pass, let's not miss that moment, as it may
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migration-permissions b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migration-permissions
index 4e1da369c9..0deaad2d3a 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migration-permissions
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/migration-permissions
@@ -47,11 +47,10 @@ class TestMigrationPermissions(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
             vms[i].launch()
 
-            result = vms[i].qmp('migrate-set-capabilities',
-                                capabilities=[
-                                    {'capability': 'events', 'state': True}
-                                ])
-            self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+            vms[i].cmd('migrate-set-capabilities',
+                       capabilities=[
+                           {'capability': 'events', 'state': True}
+                       ])
 
         self.vm_s = vms[0]
         self.vm_d = vms[1]
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/mirror-ready-cancel-error b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/mirror-ready-cancel-error
index 01217459b9..ed2e46447e 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/mirror-ready-cancel-error
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/mirror-ready-cancel-error
@@ -48,51 +48,48 @@ class TestMirrorReadyCancelError(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         os.remove(target)
 
     def add_blockdevs(self, once: bool) -> None:
-        res = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                          **{'node-name': 'source',
-                             'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
-                             'file': {
-                                 'driver': 'file',
-                                 'filename': source
-                             }})
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                    {'node-name': 'source',
+                     'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
+                     'file': {
+                         'driver': 'file',
+                         'filename': source
+                     }})
 
         # blkdebug notes:
         # Enter state 2 on the first flush, which happens before the
         # job enters the READY state.  The second flush will happen
         # when the job is about to complete, and we want that one to
         # fail.
-        res = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add',
-                          **{'node-name': 'target',
-                             'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
-                             'file': {
-                                 'driver': 'blkdebug',
-                                 'image': {
-                                     'driver': 'file',
-                                     'filename': target
-                                 },
-                                 'set-state': [{
-                                     'event': 'flush_to_disk',
-                                     'state': 1,
-                                     'new_state': 2
-                                 }],
-                                 'inject-error': [{
-                                     'event': 'flush_to_disk',
-                                     'once': once,
-                                     'immediately': True,
-                                     'state': 2
-                                 }]}})
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add',
+                    {'node-name': 'target',
+                     'driver': iotests.imgfmt,
+                     'file': {
+                         'driver': 'blkdebug',
+                         'image': {
+                             'driver': 'file',
+                             'filename': target
+                         },
+                         'set-state': [{
+                             'event': 'flush_to_disk',
+                             'state': 1,
+                             'new_state': 2
+                         }],
+                         'inject-error': [{
+                             'event': 'flush_to_disk',
+                             'once': once,
+                             'immediately': True,
+                             'state': 2
+                         }]}})
 
     def start_mirror(self) -> None:
-        res = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror',
-                          job_id='mirror',
-                          device='source',
-                          target='target',
-                          filter_node_name='mirror-top',
-                          sync='full',
-                          on_target_error='stop')
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror',
+                    job_id='mirror',
+                    device='source',
+                    target='target',
+                    filter_node_name='mirror-top',
+                    sync='full',
+                    on_target_error='stop')
 
     def cancel_mirror_with_error(self) -> None:
         self.vm.event_wait('BLOCK_JOB_READY')
@@ -107,8 +104,7 @@ class TestMirrorReadyCancelError(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         while self.vm.event_wait('JOB_STATUS_CHANGE', timeout=0.0) is not None:
             pass
 
-        res = self.vm.qmp('block-job-cancel', device='mirror')
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-cancel', device='mirror')
 
         self.vm.event_wait('BLOCK_JOB_ERROR')
 
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/mirror-top-perms b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/mirror-top-perms
index 8bca592708..fab9907e92 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/mirror-top-perms
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/mirror-top-perms
@@ -78,12 +78,11 @@ class TestMirrorTopPerms(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         difficult to let some other qemu process open the image.)
         """
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-mirror',
-                             job_id='mirror',
-                             device='drive0',
-                             target='null',
-                             sync='full')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-mirror',
+                    job_id='mirror',
+                    device='drive0',
+                    target='null',
+                    sync='full')
 
         self.vm.event_wait('BLOCK_JOB_READY')
 
@@ -105,9 +104,8 @@ class TestMirrorTopPerms(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         except machine.VMLaunchFailure as exc:
             assert 'Is another process using the image' in exc.output
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-job-cancel',
-                             device='mirror')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-job-cancel',
+                    device='mirror')
 
         self.vm.event_wait('BLOCK_JOB_COMPLETED')
 
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/nbd-multiconn b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/nbd-multiconn
index 478a1eaba2..479e872f2a 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/nbd-multiconn
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/nbd-multiconn
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 
 import os
 from contextlib import contextmanager
+from types import ModuleType
+
 import iotests
 from iotests import qemu_img_create, qemu_io
 
@@ -28,7 +30,7 @@ disk = os.path.join(iotests.test_dir, 'disk')
 size = '4M'
 nbd_sock = os.path.join(iotests.sock_dir, 'nbd_sock')
 nbd_uri = 'nbd+unix:///{}?socket=' + nbd_sock
-
+nbd: ModuleType
 
 @contextmanager
 def open_nbd(export_name):
@@ -46,12 +48,11 @@ class TestNbdMulticonn(iotests.QMPTestCase):
 
         self.vm = iotests.VM()
         self.vm.launch()
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-add', {
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-add', {
             'driver': 'qcow2',
             'node-name': 'n',
             'file': {'driver': 'file', 'filename': disk}
         })
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
     def tearDown(self):
         self.vm.shutdown()
@@ -72,12 +73,10 @@ class TestNbdMulticonn(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         if max_connections is not None:
             args['max-connections'] = max_connections
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('nbd-server-start', args)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('nbd-server-start', args)
         yield
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('nbd-server-stop')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('nbd-server-stop')
 
     def add_export(self, name, writable=None):
         args = {
@@ -89,8 +88,7 @@ class TestNbdMulticonn(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         if writable is not None:
             args['writable'] = writable
 
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-export-add', args)
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-export-add', args)
 
     def test_default_settings(self):
         with self.run_server():
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/reopen-file b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/reopen-file
index 8590a94d53..5a50794ffc 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/reopen-file
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/reopen-file
@@ -64,12 +64,11 @@ class TestReopenFile(QMPTestCase):
             self.fail('qemu-io pattern verification failed')
 
     def test_reopen_file(self) -> None:
-        result = self.vm.qmp('blockdev-reopen', options=[{
+        self.vm.cmd('blockdev-reopen', options=[{
             'driver': imgfmt,
             'node-name': 'format',
             'file': 'raw'
         }])
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
 
         # Do some I/O to the image to see whether it still works
         # (Pattern verification will be checked by tearDown())
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/stream-error-on-reset b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/stream-error-on-reset
index 5a8c3a9e8d..b60aabb68e 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/stream-error-on-reset
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/stream-error-on-reset
@@ -115,8 +115,7 @@ class TestStreamErrorOnReset(QMPTestCase):
         # Launch a stream job, which will take at least a second to
         # complete, because the base image is throttled (so we can
         # get in between it having started and it having completed)
-        res = self.vm.qmp('block-stream', job_id='stream', device='top')
-        self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream', job_id='stream', device='top')
 
         while True:
             ev = self.vm.event_wait('JOB_STATUS_CHANGE')
@@ -125,8 +124,7 @@ class TestStreamErrorOnReset(QMPTestCase):
                 # forces the virtio-scsi device to be reset, thus draining
                 # the stream job, and making it complete.  Completing
                 # inside of that drain should not result in a segfault.
-                res = self.vm.qmp('system_reset')
-                self.assert_qmp(res, 'return', {})
+                self.vm.cmd('system_reset')
             elif ev['data']['status'] == 'null':
                 # The test is done once the job is gone
                 break
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/stream-under-throttle b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/stream-under-throttle
index c24dfbcaa2..1a50b682fc 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/stream-under-throttle
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/tests/stream-under-throttle
@@ -102,10 +102,9 @@ class TestStreamWithThrottle(iotests.QMPTestCase):
         Do a simple stream beneath the two throttle nodes.  Should complete
         with no problems.
         '''
-        result = self.vm.qmp('block-stream',
-                             job_id='stream',
-                             device='unthrottled-node')
-        self.assert_qmp(result, 'return', {})
+        self.vm.cmd('block-stream',
+                    job_id='stream',
+                    device='unthrottled-node')
 
         # Should succeed and not time out
         try:
diff --git a/tests/vm/basevm.py b/tests/vm/basevm.py
index a97e23b0ce..8aef4cff96 100644
--- a/tests/vm/basevm.py
+++ b/tests/vm/basevm.py
@@ -312,8 +312,8 @@ def boot(self, img, extra_args=[]):
         self._guest = guest
         # Init console so we can start consuming the chars.
         self.console_init()
-        usernet_info = guest.qmp("human-monitor-command",
-                                 command_line="info usernet").get("return")
+        usernet_info = guest.cmd("human-monitor-command",
+                                 command_line="info usernet")
         self.ssh_port = get_info_usernet_hostfwd_port(usernet_info)
         if not self.ssh_port:
             raise Exception("Cannot find ssh port from 'info usernet':\n%s" % \