diff --git a/ironic/cmd/singleprocess.py b/ironic/cmd/singleprocess.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ea2e01365c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ironic/cmd/singleprocess.py
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+import sys
+
+from oslo_config import cfg
+from oslo_log import log
+from oslo_service import service
+
+from ironic.cmd import conductor as conductor_cmd
+from ironic.common import rpc_service
+from ironic.common import service as ironic_service
+from ironic.common import wsgi_service
+
+CONF = cfg.CONF
+
+LOG = log.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+def main():
+    # NOTE(lucasagomes): Safeguard to prevent 'ironic.conductor.manager'
+    # from being imported prior to the configuration options being loaded.
+    # If this happened, the periodic decorators would always use the
+    # default values of the options instead of the configured ones. For
+    # more information see: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ironic/+bug/1562258
+    # and https://bugs.launchpad.net/ironic/+bug/1279774.
+    assert 'ironic.conductor.manager' not in sys.modules
+
+    # Parse config file and command line options, then start logging
+    ironic_service.prepare_service('ironic', sys.argv)
+
+    launcher = service.ServiceLauncher(CONF, restart_method='mutate')
+
+    mgr = rpc_service.RPCService(CONF.host,
+                                 'ironic.conductor.manager',
+                                 'ConductorManager')
+    conductor_cmd.issue_startup_warnings(CONF)
+    launcher.launch_service(mgr)
+
+    wsgi = wsgi_service.WSGIService('ironic_api', CONF.api.enable_ssl_api)
+    launcher.launch_service(wsgi)
+
+    launcher.wait()
diff --git a/ironic/common/rpc.py b/ironic/common/rpc.py
index 95647a72a3..285ee1f06a 100644
--- a/ironic/common/rpc.py
+++ b/ironic/common/rpc.py
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ ALLOWED_EXMODS = [
     exception.__name__,
 ]
 EXTRA_EXMODS = []
+GLOBAL_MANAGER = None
+
+MANAGER_TOPIC = 'ironic.conductor_manager'
 
 
 def init(conf):
@@ -148,3 +151,10 @@ def get_versioned_notifier(publisher_id=None):
     assert VERSIONED_NOTIFIER is not None
     assert publisher_id is not None
     return VERSIONED_NOTIFIER.prepare(publisher_id=publisher_id)
+
+
+def set_global_manager(manager):
+    global GLOBAL_MANAGER
+    if GLOBAL_MANAGER is not None and manager is not None:
+        raise RuntimeError("An attempt to set a global manager twice")
+    GLOBAL_MANAGER = manager
diff --git a/ironic/common/rpc_service.py b/ironic/common/rpc_service.py
index c0a550c648..bbf38d7f48 100644
--- a/ironic/common/rpc_service.py
+++ b/ironic/common/rpc_service.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ class RPCService(service.Service):
         self.host = host
         manager_module = importutils.try_import(manager_module)
         manager_class = getattr(manager_module, manager_class)
-        self.manager = manager_class(host, manager_module.MANAGER_TOPIC)
+        self.manager = manager_class(host, rpc.MANAGER_TOPIC)
         self.topic = self.manager.topic
         self.rpcserver = None
         self.deregister = True
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ class RPCService(service.Service):
 
         self.handle_signal()
         self.manager.init_host(admin_context)
+        rpc.set_global_manager(self.manager)
 
         LOG.info('Created RPC server for service %(service)s on host '
                  '%(host)s.',
@@ -84,6 +85,7 @@ class RPCService(service.Service):
         LOG.info('Stopped RPC server for service %(service)s on host '
                  '%(host)s.',
                  {'service': self.topic, 'host': self.host})
+        rpc.set_global_manager(None)
 
     def _handle_signal(self, signo, frame):
         LOG.info('Got signal SIGUSR1. Not deregistering on next shutdown '
diff --git a/ironic/conductor/manager.py b/ironic/conductor/manager.py
index 7b91996171..ac339db221 100644
--- a/ironic/conductor/manager.py
+++ b/ironic/conductor/manager.py
@@ -77,8 +77,6 @@ from ironic import objects
 from ironic.objects import base as objects_base
 from ironic.objects import fields
 
-MANAGER_TOPIC = 'ironic.conductor_manager'
-
 LOG = log.getLogger(__name__)
 
 METRICS = metrics_utils.get_metrics_logger(__name__)
diff --git a/ironic/conductor/rpcapi.py b/ironic/conductor/rpcapi.py
index 7d753b90e5..6f4971be71 100644
--- a/ironic/conductor/rpcapi.py
+++ b/ironic/conductor/rpcapi.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ Client side of the conductor RPC API.
 import random
 
 from ironic_lib.json_rpc import client as json_rpc
+from oslo_log import log
 import oslo_messaging as messaging
 
 from ironic.common import exception
@@ -28,12 +29,54 @@ from ironic.common import hash_ring
 from ironic.common.i18n import _
 from ironic.common import release_mappings as versions
 from ironic.common import rpc
-from ironic.conductor import manager
 from ironic.conf import CONF
 from ironic.db import api as dbapi
 from ironic.objects import base as objects_base
 
 
+LOG = log.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class LocalContext:
+    """Context to make calls to a local conductor."""
+
+    __slots__ = ()
+
+    def call(self, context, rpc_call_name, **kwargs):
+        """Make a local conductor call."""
+        if rpc.GLOBAL_MANAGER is None:
+            raise exception.ServiceUnavailable(
+                _("The built-in conductor is not available, it might have "
+                  "crashed. Please check the logs and correct the "
+                  "configuration, if required."))
+        try:
+            return getattr(rpc.GLOBAL_MANAGER, rpc_call_name)(context,
+                                                              **kwargs)
+        # FIXME(dtantsur): can we somehow avoid wrapping the exception?
+        except messaging.ExpectedException as exc:
+            exc_value, exc_tb = exc.exc_info[1:]
+            raise exc_value.with_traceback(exc_tb) from None
+
+    def cast(self, context, rpc_call_name, **kwargs):
+        """Make a local conductor call.
+
+        It is expected that the underlying call uses a thread to avoid
+        blocking the caller.
+
+        Any exceptions are logged and ignored.
+        """
+        try:
+            return self.call(context, rpc_call_name, **kwargs)
+        except Exception:
+            # In real RPC, casts are completely asynchronous and never return
+            # actual errors.
+            LOG.exception('Ignoring unhandled exception from RPC cast %s',
+                          rpc_call_name)
+
+
+_LOCAL_CONTEXT = LocalContext()
+
+
 class ConductorAPI(object):
     """Client side of the conductor RPC API.
 
@@ -120,7 +163,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         super(ConductorAPI, self).__init__()
         self.topic = topic
         if self.topic is None:
-            self.topic = manager.MANAGER_TOPIC
+            self.topic = rpc.MANAGER_TOPIC
 
         serializer = objects_base.IronicObjectSerializer()
         release_ver = versions.RELEASE_MAPPING.get(CONF.pin_release_version)
@@ -139,6 +182,30 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         # NOTE(tenbrae): this is going to be buggy
         self.ring_manager = hash_ring.HashRingManager()
 
+    def _prepare_call(self, topic, version=None):
+        """Prepare an RPC call.
+
+        If a conductor exists in the same process, a direct function call
+        is used instead of real RPC.
+
+        :param topic: RPC topic to send to.
+        :param version: RPC API version to require.
+        """
+        # FIXME(dtantsur): this doesn't work with either JSON RPC or local
+        # conductor. Do we even need this fallback?
+        topic = topic or self.topic
+        # Normally a topic is a <topic prefix>.<hostname>, we need to extract
+        # the hostname to match it against the current host.
+        host = topic[len(self.topic) + 1:]
+
+        if rpc.GLOBAL_MANAGER is not None and host == CONF.host:
+            # Short-cut to a local function call if there is a built-in
+            # conductor.
+            return _LOCAL_CONTEXT
+
+        # Normal RPC path
+        return self.client.prepare(topic=topic, version=version)
+
     def get_conductor_for(self, node):
         """Get the conductor which the node is mapped to.
 
@@ -231,7 +298,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: NoValidDefaultForInterface if no default can be calculated
                  for some interfaces, and explicit values must be provided.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.36')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.36')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'create_node', node_obj=node_obj)
 
     def update_node(self, context, node_obj, topic=None,
@@ -257,7 +324,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
                  for some interfaces, and explicit values must be provided.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.1')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.1')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'update_node', node_obj=node_obj,
                           reset_interfaces=reset_interfaces)
 
@@ -278,7 +345,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
                  async task.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.39')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.39')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'change_node_power_state', node_id=node_id,
                           new_state=new_state, timeout=timeout)
 
@@ -298,7 +365,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
                  async task.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.55')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.55')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'change_node_boot_mode', node_id=node_id,
                           new_state=new_state)
 
@@ -318,7 +385,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
                  async task.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.55')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.55')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'change_node_secure_boot', node_id=node_id,
                           new_state=new_state)
 
@@ -355,7 +422,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
                 or return it in the response body (False).
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.20')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.20')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'vendor_passthru', node_id=node_id,
                           driver_method=driver_method,
                           http_method=http_method,
@@ -400,7 +467,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
                 or return it in the response body (False).
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.20')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.20')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'driver_vendor_passthru',
                           driver_name=driver_name,
                           driver_method=driver_method,
@@ -416,7 +483,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :returns: dictionary of <method name>:<method metadata> entries.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.21')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.21')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'get_node_vendor_passthru_methods',
                           node_id=node_id)
 
@@ -438,7 +505,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :returns: dictionary of <method name>:<method metadata> entries.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.21')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.21')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'get_driver_vendor_passthru_methods',
                           driver_name=driver_name)
 
@@ -468,7 +535,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
             version = '1.52'
             new_kws['deploy_steps'] = deploy_steps
 
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version=version)
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version=version)
         return cctxt.call(context, 'do_node_deploy', node_id=node_id,
                           rebuild=rebuild, configdrive=configdrive, **new_kws)
 
@@ -488,7 +555,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         deployed state before this method is called.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.6')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.6')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'do_node_tear_down', node_id=node_id)
 
     def do_provisioning_action(self, context, node_id, action, topic=None):
@@ -506,7 +573,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
 
         This encapsulates some provisioning actions in a single call.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.23')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.23')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'do_provisioning_action',
                           node_id=node_id, action=action)
 
@@ -520,7 +587,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :param node_id: node id or uuid.
         :param topic: RPC topic. Defaults to self.topic.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.27')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.27')
         return cctxt.cast(context, 'continue_node_clean',
                           node_id=node_id)
 
@@ -534,7 +601,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :param node_id: node id or uuid.
         :param topic: RPC topic. Defaults to self.topic.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.45')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.45')
         return cctxt.cast(context, 'continue_node_deploy',
                           node_id=node_id)
 
@@ -548,7 +615,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
                   interface validation.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.5')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.5')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'validate_driver_interfaces',
                           node_id=node_id)
 
@@ -564,7 +631,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: InvalidState if the node is in the wrong provision
             state to perform deletion.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.9')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.9')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'destroy_node', node_id=node_id)
 
     def get_console_information(self, context, node_id, topic=None):
@@ -578,7 +645,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: InvalidParameterValue when the wrong driver info is specified.
         :raises: MissingParameterValue if a required parameter is missing
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.11')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.11')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'get_console_information', node_id=node_id)
 
     def set_console_mode(self, context, node_id, enabled, topic=None):
@@ -596,7 +663,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: NoFreeConductorWorker when there is no free worker to start
                  async task.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.11')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.11')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'set_console_mode', node_id=node_id,
                           enabled=enabled)
 
@@ -612,7 +679,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :param topic: RPC topic. Defaults to self.topic.
         :returns: created port object.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.41')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.41')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'create_port', port_obj=port_obj)
 
     def update_port(self, context, port_obj, topic=None):
@@ -628,7 +695,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :returns: updated port object, including all fields.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.13')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.13')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'update_port', port_obj=port_obj)
 
     def update_portgroup(self, context, portgroup_obj, topic=None):
@@ -645,7 +712,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :returns: updated portgroup object, including all fields.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.33')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.33')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'update_portgroup',
                           portgroup_obj=portgroup_obj)
 
@@ -660,7 +727,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
                  not exist.
         :raises: PortgroupNotEmpty if portgroup is not empty
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.33')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.33')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'destroy_portgroup', portgroup=portgroup)
 
     def get_driver_properties(self, context, driver_name, topic=None):
@@ -674,7 +741,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: DriverNotFound.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.16')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.16')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'get_driver_properties',
                           driver_name=driver_name)
 
@@ -699,7 +766,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
                  specified or an invalid boot device is specified.
         :raises: MissingParameterValue if missing supplied info.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.17')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.17')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'set_boot_device', node_id=node_id,
                           device=device, persistent=persistent)
 
@@ -725,7 +792,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
                 future boots or not, None if it is unknown.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.17')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.17')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'get_boot_device', node_id=node_id)
 
     def inject_nmi(self, context, node_id, topic=None):
@@ -745,7 +812,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: MissingParameterValue if missing supplied info.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.40')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.40')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'inject_nmi', node_id=node_id)
 
     def get_supported_boot_devices(self, context, node_id, topic=None):
@@ -766,7 +833,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
                   in :mod:`ironic.common.boot_devices`.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.17')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.17')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'get_supported_boot_devices',
                           node_id=node_id)
 
@@ -791,7 +858,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: MissingParameterValue if missing supplied info.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.50')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.50')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'set_indicator_state', node_id=node_id,
                           component=component, indicator=indicator,
                           state=state)
@@ -817,7 +884,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
             mod:`ironic.common.indicator_states`.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.50')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.50')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'get_indicator_state', node_id=node_id,
                           component=component, indicator=indicator)
 
@@ -849,7 +916,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
                     }
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.50')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.50')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'get_supported_indicators', node_id=node_id,
                           component=component)
 
@@ -869,7 +936,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
                  action to do in the current state.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.24')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.24')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'inspect_hardware', node_id=node_id)
 
     def destroy_port(self, context, port, topic=None):
@@ -882,7 +949,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: NodeNotFound if the node associated with the port does not
                  exist.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.25')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.25')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'destroy_port', port=port)
 
     def set_target_raid_config(self, context, node_id, target_raid_config,
@@ -904,7 +971,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
             missing.
         :raises: NodeLocked if node is locked by another conductor.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.30')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.30')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'set_target_raid_config',
                           node_id=node_id,
                           target_raid_config=target_raid_config)
@@ -929,7 +996,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :returns: A dictionary containing the properties that can be mentioned
             for logical disks and a textual description for them.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.30')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.30')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'get_raid_logical_disk_properties',
                           driver_name=driver_name)
 
@@ -957,7 +1024,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
             params['disable_ramdisk'] = disable_ramdisk
             version = '1.53'
 
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version=version)
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version=version)
         return cctxt.call(context, 'do_node_clean',
                           node_id=node_id, clean_steps=clean_steps, **params)
 
@@ -993,7 +1060,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
             version = '1.54'
             new_kws['agent_status'] = agent_status
             new_kws['agent_status_message'] = agent_status_message
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version=version)
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version=version)
         return cctxt.call(context, 'heartbeat', node_id=node_id,
                           callback_url=callback_url, **new_kws)
 
@@ -1019,7 +1086,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
             raise NotImplementedError(_('Incompatible conductor version - '
                                         'please upgrade ironic-conductor '
                                         'first'))
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=self.topic, version='1.31')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=self.topic, version='1.31')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'object_class_action_versions',
                           objname=objname, objmethod=objmethod,
                           object_versions=object_versions,
@@ -1045,7 +1112,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
             raise NotImplementedError(_('Incompatible conductor version - '
                                         'please upgrade ironic-conductor '
                                         'first'))
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=self.topic, version='1.31')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=self.topic, version='1.31')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'object_action', objinst=objinst,
                           objmethod=objmethod, args=args, kwargs=kwargs)
 
@@ -1070,7 +1137,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
             raise NotImplementedError(_('Incompatible conductor version - '
                                         'please upgrade ironic-conductor '
                                         'first'))
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=self.topic, version='1.31')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=self.topic, version='1.31')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'object_backport_versions', objinst=objinst,
                           object_versions=object_versions)
 
@@ -1089,7 +1156,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: VolumeConnectorNotFound if the volume connector cannot be
                  found
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.35')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.35')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'destroy_volume_connector',
                           connector=connector)
 
@@ -1116,7 +1183,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :returns: updated volume connector object, including all fields.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.35')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.35')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'update_volume_connector',
                           connector=connector)
 
@@ -1131,7 +1198,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
                  not exist
         :raises: VolumeTargetNotFound if the volume target cannot be found
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.37')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.37')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'destroy_volume_target',
                           target=target)
 
@@ -1156,7 +1223,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :returns: updated volume target object, including all fields
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.37')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.37')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'update_volume_target',
                           target=target)
 
@@ -1174,7 +1241,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: InvalidParameterValue, if a parameter that's required for
             VIF attach is wrong/missing.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.38')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.38')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'vif_attach', node_id=node_id,
                           vif_info=vif_info)
 
@@ -1190,7 +1257,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: InvalidParameterValue, if a parameter that's required for
             VIF detach is wrong/missing.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.38')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.38')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'vif_detach', node_id=node_id,
                           vif_id=vif_id)
 
@@ -1206,7 +1273,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: InvalidParameterValue, if a parameter that's required for
             VIF list is wrong/missing.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.38')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.38')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'vif_list', node_id=node_id)
 
     def do_node_rescue(self, context, node_id, rescue_password, topic=None):
@@ -1225,7 +1292,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         state before this method is called.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.43')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.43')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'do_node_rescue', node_id=node_id,
                           rescue_password=rescue_password)
 
@@ -1243,7 +1310,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         state before this method is called.
 
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.43')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.43')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'do_node_unrescue', node_id=node_id)
 
     def add_node_traits(self, context, node_id, traits, replace=False,
@@ -1260,7 +1327,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: NodeLocked if node is locked by another conductor.
         :raises: NodeNotFound if the node does not exist.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.44')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.44')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'add_node_traits', node_id=node_id,
                           traits=traits, replace=replace)
 
@@ -1276,7 +1343,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: NodeNotFound if the node does not exist.
         :raises: NodeTraitNotFound if one of the traits is not found.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.44')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.44')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'remove_node_traits', node_id=node_id,
                           traits=traits)
 
@@ -1287,7 +1354,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :param allocation: an allocation object.
         :param topic: RPC topic. Defaults to self.topic.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.48')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.48')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'create_allocation', allocation=allocation)
 
     def destroy_allocation(self, context, allocation, topic=None):
@@ -1299,7 +1366,7 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
         :raises: InvalidState if the associated node is in the wrong provision
             state to perform deallocation.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.48')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.48')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'destroy_allocation', allocation=allocation)
 
     def get_node_with_token(self, context, node_id, topic=None):
@@ -1312,5 +1379,5 @@ class ConductorAPI(object):
 
         :returns: A Node object with agent token.
         """
-        cctxt = self.client.prepare(topic=topic or self.topic, version='1.49')
+        cctxt = self._prepare_call(topic=topic, version='1.49')
         return cctxt.call(context, 'get_node_with_token', node_id=node_id)
diff --git a/ironic/tests/base.py b/ironic/tests/base.py
index 9952ec18ea..014581963c 100644
--- a/ironic/tests/base.py
+++ b/ironic/tests/base.py
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ from ironic.common import config as ironic_config
 from ironic.common import context as ironic_context
 from ironic.common import driver_factory
 from ironic.common import hash_ring
+from ironic.common import rpc
 from ironic.common import utils as common_utils
 from ironic.conf import CONF
 from ironic.drivers import base as drivers_base
@@ -117,6 +118,8 @@ class TestCase(oslo_test_base.BaseTestCase):
         for factory in driver_factory._INTERFACE_LOADERS.values():
             factory._extension_manager = None
 
+        rpc.set_global_manager(None)
+
         # Ban running external processes via 'execute' like functions. If the
         # patched function is called, an exception is raised to warn the
         # tester.
diff --git a/ironic/tests/unit/common/test_rpc_service.py b/ironic/tests/unit/common/test_rpc_service.py
index f187ff7e07..4ba3b200ac 100644
--- a/ironic/tests/unit/common/test_rpc_service.py
+++ b/ironic/tests/unit/common/test_rpc_service.py
@@ -54,3 +54,4 @@ class TestRPCService(base.TestCase):
         mock_prepare_method.assert_called_once_with(self.rpc_svc.manager)
         mock_init_method.assert_called_once_with(self.rpc_svc.manager,
                                                  mock_ctx.return_value)
+        self.assertIs(rpc.GLOBAL_MANAGER, self.rpc_svc.manager)
diff --git a/ironic/tests/unit/conductor/test_rpcapi.py b/ironic/tests/unit/conductor/test_rpcapi.py
index 314199498e..d207bb2f7b 100644
--- a/ironic/tests/unit/conductor/test_rpcapi.py
+++ b/ironic/tests/unit/conductor/test_rpcapi.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ Unit Tests for :py:class:`ironic.conductor.rpcapi.ConductorAPI`.
 import copy
 from unittest import mock
 
+from ironic_lib.json_rpc import client as json_rpc
 from oslo_config import cfg
 import oslo_messaging as messaging
 from oslo_messaging import _utils as messaging_utils
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ from ironic.common import components
 from ironic.common import exception
 from ironic.common import indicator_states
 from ironic.common import release_mappings
+from ironic.common import rpc
 from ironic.common import states
 from ironic.conductor import manager as conductor_manager
 from ironic.conductor import rpcapi as conductor_rpcapi
@@ -242,9 +244,7 @@ class RPCAPITestCase(db_base.DbTestCase):
 
         expected_retval = 'hello world' if rpc_method == 'call' else None
 
-        expected_topic = 'fake-topic'
-        if 'host' in kwargs:
-            expected_topic += ".%s" % kwargs['host']
+        expected_topic = kwargs.get('topic', 'fake-topic')
 
         target = {
             "topic": expected_topic,
@@ -715,3 +715,67 @@ class RPCAPITestCase(db_base.DbTestCase):
                           'call',
                           allocation='fake-allocation',
                           version='1.48')
+
+    @mock.patch.object(rpc, 'GLOBAL_MANAGER',
+                       spec_set=conductor_manager.ConductorManager)
+    def test_local_call(self, mock_manager):
+        CONF.set_override('host', 'fake.host')
+        rpcapi = conductor_rpcapi.ConductorAPI(topic='fake.topic')
+        rpcapi.create_node(mock.sentinel.context, mock.sentinel.node,
+                           topic='fake.topic.fake.host')
+        mock_manager.create_node.assert_called_once_with(
+            mock.sentinel.context, node_obj=mock.sentinel.node)
+
+    @mock.patch.object(rpc, 'GLOBAL_MANAGER',
+                       spec_set=conductor_manager.ConductorManager)
+    def test_local_call_host_mismatch(self, mock_manager):
+        CONF.set_override('host', 'fake.host')
+        rpcapi = conductor_rpcapi.ConductorAPI(topic='fake.topic')
+        rpcapi.client = mock.Mock(spec_set=json_rpc.Client)
+        rpcapi.create_node(mock.sentinel.context, mock.sentinel.node,
+                           topic='fake.topic.not-fake.host')
+        mock_manager.create_node.assert_not_called()
+        rpcapi.client.prepare.assert_called_once_with(
+            topic='fake.topic.not-fake.host', version=mock.ANY)
+
+    @mock.patch.object(rpc, 'GLOBAL_MANAGER',
+                       spec_set=conductor_manager.ConductorManager)
+    def test_local_cast(self, mock_manager):
+        CONF.set_override('host', 'fake.host')
+        rpcapi = conductor_rpcapi.ConductorAPI(topic='fake.topic')
+        cctxt = rpcapi._prepare_call(topic='fake.topic.fake.host')
+        cctxt.cast(mock.sentinel.context, 'create_node',
+                   node_obj=mock.sentinel.node)
+        mock_manager.create_node.assert_called_once_with(
+            mock.sentinel.context, node_obj=mock.sentinel.node)
+
+    @mock.patch.object(conductor_rpcapi.LOG, 'exception', autospec=True)
+    @mock.patch.object(rpc, 'GLOBAL_MANAGER',
+                       spec_set=conductor_manager.ConductorManager)
+    def test_local_cast_error(self, mock_manager, mock_log):
+        CONF.set_override('host', 'fake.host')
+        mock_manager.create_node.side_effect = RuntimeError('boom')
+        rpcapi = conductor_rpcapi.ConductorAPI(topic='fake.topic')
+        cctxt = rpcapi._prepare_call(topic='fake.topic.fake.host')
+        cctxt.cast(mock.sentinel.context, 'create_node',
+                   node_obj=mock.sentinel.node)
+        mock_manager.create_node.assert_called_once_with(
+            mock.sentinel.context, node_obj=mock.sentinel.node)
+        self.assertTrue(mock_log.called)
+
+    @mock.patch.object(rpc, 'GLOBAL_MANAGER',
+                       spec_set=conductor_manager.ConductorManager)
+    def test_local_call_expected_exception(self, mock_manager):
+        @messaging.expected_exceptions(exception.InvalidParameterValue)
+        def fake_create(context, node_obj):
+            raise exception.InvalidParameterValue('sorry')
+
+        CONF.set_override('host', 'fake.host')
+        rpcapi = conductor_rpcapi.ConductorAPI(topic='fake.topic')
+        mock_manager.create_node.side_effect = fake_create
+        self.assertRaisesRegex(exception.InvalidParameterValue, 'sorry',
+                               rpcapi.create_node,
+                               mock.sentinel.context, mock.sentinel.node,
+                               topic='fake.topic.fake.host')
+        mock_manager.create_node.assert_called_once_with(
+            mock.sentinel.context, node_obj=mock.sentinel.node)
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/allinone-190ae91884d81154.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/allinone-190ae91884d81154.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e6179e494e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/allinone-190ae91884d81154.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+features:
+  - |
+    Adds a new executable ``ironic`` that starts both API and conductor in the
+    same process. Calls between the API and conductor instances in the same
+    process are not routed through the RPC.
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index 7d65e9c6b3..1fa95c2312 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ oslo.policy.policies =
     ironic.api = ironic.common.policy:list_policies
 
 console_scripts =
+    ironic = ironic.cmd.singleprocess:main
     ironic-api = ironic.cmd.api:main
     ironic-dbsync = ironic.cmd.dbsync:main
     ironic-conductor = ironic.cmd.conductor:main