diff --git a/examples/fl/fl/project/aggregator.py b/examples/fl/fl/project/aggregator.py
index c0bbeafa1..8a1e7f283 100644
--- a/examples/fl/fl/project/aggregator.py
+++ b/examples/fl/fl/project/aggregator.py
@@ -1,39 +1,10 @@
-from utils import (
-    get_aggregator_fqdn,
-    prepare_node_cert,
-    prepare_ca_cert,
-    prepare_plan,
-    prepare_cols_list,
-    prepare_init_weights,
-    create_workspace,
-    get_weights_path,
-)
-
 import os
 import shutil
 from subprocess import check_call
 from distutils.dir_util import copy_tree
 
 
-def start_aggregator(
-    input_weights,
-    node_cert_folder,
-    ca_cert_folder,
-    output_logs,
-    output_weights,
-    plan_path,
-    collaborators,
-    report_path,
-):
-
-    workspace_folder = os.path.join(output_logs, "workspace")
-    create_workspace(workspace_folder)
-    prepare_plan(plan_path, workspace_folder)
-    prepare_cols_list(collaborators, workspace_folder)
-    prepare_init_weights(input_weights, workspace_folder)
-    fqdn = get_aggregator_fqdn(workspace_folder)
-    prepare_node_cert(node_cert_folder, "server", f"agg_{fqdn}", workspace_folder)
-    prepare_ca_cert(ca_cert_folder, workspace_folder)
+def start_aggregator(workspace_folder, output_logs, output_weights, report_path):
 
     check_call(["fx", "aggregator", "start"], cwd=workspace_folder)
 
@@ -41,7 +12,8 @@ def start_aggregator(
     #       perhaps investigate overriding plan entries?
 
     # NOTE: logs and weights are copied, even if target folders are not empty
-    copy_tree(os.path.join(workspace_folder, "logs"), output_logs)
+    if os.path.exists(os.path.join(workspace_folder, "logs")):
+        copy_tree(os.path.join(workspace_folder, "logs"), output_logs)
 
     # NOTE: conversion fails since openfl needs sample data...
     # weights_paths = get_weights_path(fl_workspace)
@@ -56,5 +28,5 @@ def start_aggregator(
     # Cleanup
     shutil.rmtree(workspace_folder, ignore_errors=True)
 
-    with open(report_path, 'w') as f:
+    with open(report_path, "w") as f:
         f.write("IsDone: 1")
diff --git a/examples/fl/fl/project/collaborator.py b/examples/fl/fl/project/collaborator.py
index 38c5048b6..fb4cdd1c2 100644
--- a/examples/fl/fl/project/collaborator.py
+++ b/examples/fl/fl/project/collaborator.py
@@ -1,32 +1,29 @@
-from utils import (
-    get_collaborator_cn,
-    prepare_node_cert,
-    prepare_ca_cert,
-    prepare_plan,
-    create_workspace,
-)
 import os
+from utils import get_collaborator_cn
 import shutil
 from subprocess import check_call
 
 
-def start_collaborator(
-    data_path,
-    labels_path,
-    node_cert_folder,
-    ca_cert_folder,
-    plan_path,
-    output_logs,
-):
-    workspace_folder = os.path.join(output_logs, "workspace")
-    create_workspace(workspace_folder)
-    prepare_plan(plan_path, workspace_folder)
+def start_collaborator(workspace_folder):
     cn = get_collaborator_cn()
-    prepare_node_cert(node_cert_folder, "client", f"col_{cn}", workspace_folder)
-    prepare_ca_cert(ca_cert_folder, workspace_folder)
-
-    # set log files
-    check_call(["fx", "collaborator", "start", "-n", cn], cwd=workspace_folder)
+    check_call(
+        [os.environ.get("OPENFL_EXECUTABLE", "fx"), "collaborator", "start", "-n", cn],
+        cwd=workspace_folder,
+    )
 
     # Cleanup
     shutil.rmtree(workspace_folder, ignore_errors=True)
+
+
+def check_connectivity(workspace_folder):
+    cn = get_collaborator_cn()
+    check_call(
+        [
+            os.environ.get("OPENFL_EXECUTABLE", "fx"),
+            "collaborator",
+            "connectivity_check",
+            "-n",
+            cn,
+        ],
+        cwd=workspace_folder,
+    )
diff --git a/examples/fl/fl/project/hooks.py b/examples/fl/fl/project/hooks.py
index dd3960ba4..9dc59582f 100644
--- a/examples/fl/fl/project/hooks.py
+++ b/examples/fl/fl/project/hooks.py
@@ -30,9 +30,9 @@ def collaborator_pre_training_hook(
     ca_cert_folder,
     plan_path,
     output_logs,
+    workspace_folder,
 ):
     cn = get_collaborator_cn()
-    workspace_folder = os.path.join(output_logs, "workspace")
 
     target_data_folder = os.path.join(workspace_folder, "data", cn)
     os.makedirs(target_data_folder, exist_ok=True)
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ def collaborator_post_training_hook(
     ca_cert_folder,
     plan_path,
     output_logs,
+    workspace_folder,
 ):
     pass
 
@@ -82,6 +83,7 @@ def aggregator_pre_training_hook(
     plan_path,
     collaborators,
     report_path,
+    workspace_folder,
 ):
     pass
 
@@ -95,5 +97,6 @@ def aggregator_post_training_hook(
     plan_path,
     collaborators,
     report_path,
+    workspace_folder,
 ):
     pass
diff --git a/examples/fl/fl/project/mlcube.py b/examples/fl/fl/project/mlcube.py
index 9e4a7e728..064440e95 100644
--- a/examples/fl/fl/project/mlcube.py
+++ b/examples/fl/fl/project/mlcube.py
@@ -1,9 +1,7 @@
 """MLCube handler file"""
 
-import os
-import shutil
 import typer
-from collaborator import start_collaborator
+from collaborator import start_collaborator, check_connectivity
 from aggregator import start_aggregator
 from plan import generate_plan
 from hooks import (
@@ -12,22 +10,11 @@
     collaborator_pre_training_hook,
     collaborator_post_training_hook,
 )
+from utils import generic_setup, generic_teardown, setup_collaborator, setup_aggregator
 
 app = typer.Typer()
 
 
-def _setup(output_logs):
-    tmp_folder = os.path.join(output_logs, ".tmp")
-    os.makedirs(tmp_folder, exist_ok=True)
-    # TODO: this should be set before any code imports tempfile
-    os.environ["TMPDIR"] = tmp_folder
-
-
-def _teardown(output_logs):
-    tmp_folder = os.path.join(output_logs, ".tmp")
-    shutil.rmtree(tmp_folder, ignore_errors=True)
-
-
 @app.command("train")
 def train(
     data_path: str = typer.Option(..., "--data_path"),
@@ -37,23 +24,27 @@ def train(
     plan_path: str = typer.Option(..., "--plan_path"),
     output_logs: str = typer.Option(..., "--output_logs"),
 ):
-    _setup(output_logs)
-    collaborator_pre_training_hook(
+    workspace_folder = generic_setup(output_logs)
+    setup_collaborator(
         data_path=data_path,
         labels_path=labels_path,
         node_cert_folder=node_cert_folder,
         ca_cert_folder=ca_cert_folder,
         plan_path=plan_path,
         output_logs=output_logs,
+        workspace_folder=workspace_folder,
     )
-    start_collaborator(
+    check_connectivity(workspace_folder)
+    collaborator_pre_training_hook(
         data_path=data_path,
         labels_path=labels_path,
         node_cert_folder=node_cert_folder,
         ca_cert_folder=ca_cert_folder,
         plan_path=plan_path,
         output_logs=output_logs,
+        workspace_folder=workspace_folder,
     )
+    start_collaborator(workspace_folder=workspace_folder)
     collaborator_post_training_hook(
         data_path=data_path,
         labels_path=labels_path,
@@ -61,8 +52,9 @@ def train(
         ca_cert_folder=ca_cert_folder,
         plan_path=plan_path,
         output_logs=output_logs,
+        workspace_folder=workspace_folder,
     )
-    _teardown(output_logs)
+    generic_teardown(output_logs)
 
 
 @app.command("start_aggregator")
@@ -76,8 +68,8 @@ def start_aggregator_(
     collaborators: str = typer.Option(..., "--collaborators"),
     report_path: str = typer.Option(..., "--report_path"),
 ):
-    _setup(output_logs)
-    aggregator_pre_training_hook(
+    workspace_folder = generic_setup(output_logs)
+    setup_aggregator(
         input_weights=input_weights,
         node_cert_folder=node_cert_folder,
         ca_cert_folder=ca_cert_folder,
@@ -86,8 +78,9 @@ def start_aggregator_(
         plan_path=plan_path,
         collaborators=collaborators,
         report_path=report_path,
+        workspace_folder=workspace_folder,
     )
-    start_aggregator(
+    aggregator_pre_training_hook(
         input_weights=input_weights,
         node_cert_folder=node_cert_folder,
         ca_cert_folder=ca_cert_folder,
@@ -96,6 +89,13 @@ def start_aggregator_(
         plan_path=plan_path,
         collaborators=collaborators,
         report_path=report_path,
+        workspace_folder=workspace_folder,
+    )
+    start_aggregator(
+        workspace_folder=workspace_folder,
+        output_logs=output_logs,
+        output_weights=output_weights,
+        report_path=report_path,
     )
     aggregator_post_training_hook(
         input_weights=input_weights,
@@ -106,8 +106,9 @@ def start_aggregator_(
         plan_path=plan_path,
         collaborators=collaborators,
         report_path=report_path,
+        workspace_folder=workspace_folder,
     )
-    _teardown(output_logs)
+    generic_teardown(output_logs)
 
 
 @app.command("generate_plan")
diff --git a/examples/fl/fl/project/utils.py b/examples/fl/fl/project/utils.py
index d92add606..a0da69a16 100644
--- a/examples/fl/fl/project/utils.py
+++ b/examples/fl/fl/project/utils.py
@@ -3,6 +3,56 @@
 import shutil
 
 
+def generic_setup(output_logs):
+    tmpfolder = os.path.join(output_logs, ".tmp")
+    os.makedirs(tmpfolder, exist_ok=True)
+    # NOTE: this should be set before any code imports tempfile
+    os.environ["TMPDIR"] = tmpfolder
+    workspace_folder = os.path.join(output_logs, "workspace")
+    os.makedirs(workspace_folder, exist_ok=True)
+    create_workspace(workspace_folder)
+    return workspace_folder
+
+
+def setup_collaborator(
+    data_path,
+    labels_path,
+    node_cert_folder,
+    ca_cert_folder,
+    plan_path,
+    output_logs,
+    workspace_folder,
+):
+    prepare_plan(plan_path, workspace_folder)
+    cn = get_collaborator_cn()
+    prepare_node_cert(node_cert_folder, "client", f"col_{cn}", workspace_folder)
+    prepare_ca_cert(ca_cert_folder, workspace_folder)
+
+
+def setup_aggregator(
+    input_weights,
+    node_cert_folder,
+    ca_cert_folder,
+    output_logs,
+    output_weights,
+    plan_path,
+    collaborators,
+    report_path,
+    workspace_folder,
+):
+    prepare_plan(plan_path, workspace_folder)
+    prepare_cols_list(collaborators, workspace_folder)
+    prepare_init_weights(input_weights, workspace_folder)
+    fqdn = get_aggregator_fqdn(workspace_folder)
+    prepare_node_cert(node_cert_folder, "server", f"agg_{fqdn}", workspace_folder)
+    prepare_ca_cert(ca_cert_folder, workspace_folder)
+
+
+def generic_teardown(output_logs):
+    tmp_folder = os.path.join(output_logs, ".tmp")
+    shutil.rmtree(tmp_folder, ignore_errors=True)
+
+
 def create_workspace(fl_workspace):
     plan_folder = os.path.join(fl_workspace, "plan")
     workspace_config = os.path.join(fl_workspace, ".workspace")
diff --git a/examples/fl/fl/test.sh b/examples/fl/fl/test.sh
index 95bd5b673..ae856d794 100644
--- a/examples/fl/fl/test.sh
+++ b/examples/fl/fl/test.sh
@@ -13,10 +13,19 @@ COL1="medperf mlcube run --mlcube ./mlcube_col1 --task train -e MEDPERF_PARTICIP
 COL2="medperf mlcube run --mlcube ./mlcube_col2 --task train -e MEDPERF_PARTICIPANT_LABEL=col2@example.com"
 COL3="medperf mlcube run --mlcube ./mlcube_col3 --task train -e MEDPERF_PARTICIPANT_LABEL=col3@example.com"
 
-gnome-terminal -- bash -c "$AGG; bash"
-gnome-terminal -- bash -c "$COL1; bash"
-gnome-terminal -- bash -c "$COL2; bash"
-gnome-terminal -- bash -c "$COL3; bash"
+# gnome-terminal -- bash -c "$AGG; bash"
+# gnome-terminal -- bash -c "$COL1; bash"
+# gnome-terminal -- bash -c "$COL2; bash"
+# gnome-terminal -- bash -c "$COL3; bash"
+rm agg.log col1.log col2.log col3.log
+$AGG >>agg.log &
+sleep 6
+$COL1 >>col1.log &
+sleep 6
+$COL2 >>col2.log &
+sleep 6
+$COL3 >>col3.log &
+wait
 
 # docker run --env MEDPERF_PARTICIPANT_LABEL=col1@example.com --volume /home/hasan/work/medperf_ws/medperf/examples/fl/fl/mlcube_col1/workspace/data:/mlcube_io0:ro --volume /home/hasan/work/medperf_ws/medperf/examples/fl/fl/mlcube_col1/workspace/labels:/mlcube_io1:ro --volume /home/hasan/work/medperf_ws/medperf/examples/fl/fl/mlcube_col1/workspace/node_cert:/mlcube_io2:ro --volume /home/hasan/work/medperf_ws/medperf/examples/fl/fl/mlcube_col1/workspace/ca_cert:/mlcube_io3:ro --volume /home/hasan/work/medperf_ws/medperf/examples/fl/fl/mlcube_col1/workspace:/mlcube_io4:ro --volume /home/hasan/work/medperf_ws/medperf/examples/fl/fl/mlcube_col1/workspace/logs:/mlcube_io5 -it --entrypoint bash mlcommons/medperf-fl:1.0.0
 # python /mlcube_project/mlcube.py train --data_path=/mlcube_io0 --labels_path=/mlcube_io1 --node_cert_folder=/mlcube_io2 --ca_cert_folder=/mlcube_io3 --plan_path=/mlcube_io4/plan.yaml --output_logs=/mlcube_io5