diff --git a/src/charon-tkm/src/ees/ees_callbacks.c b/src/charon-tkm/src/ees/ees_callbacks.c
index 74c0d3618..f4107d90a 100644
--- a/src/charon-tkm/src/ees/ees_callbacks.c
+++ b/src/charon-tkm/src/ees/ees_callbacks.c
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
  * for more details.
  */
 
-#include <hydra.h>
+#include <daemon.h>
 #include <utils/debug.h>
 #include <tkm/constants.h>
 #include <tkm/types.h>
@@ -25,8 +25,7 @@
 void charon_esa_acquire(result_type *res, const sp_id_type sp_id)
 {
 	DBG1(DBG_KNL, "ees: acquire received for reqid %u", sp_id);
-	hydra->kernel_interface->acquire(hydra->kernel_interface, sp_id, NULL,
-									 NULL);
+	charon->kernel->acquire(charon->kernel, sp_id, NULL, NULL);
 	*res = TKM_OK;
 }
 
@@ -47,6 +46,5 @@ void charon_esa_expire(result_type *res, const sp_id_type sp_id,
 
 	DBG1(DBG_KNL, "ees: expire received for reqid %u, spi %x, dst %H", sp_id,
 		 ntohl(spi_rem), dst);
-	hydra->kernel_interface->expire(hydra->kernel_interface, protocol,
-									spi_rem, dst, hard != 0);
+	charon->kernel->expire(charon->kernel, protocol, spi_rem, dst, hard != 0);
 }
diff --git a/src/charon-tkm/tests/keymat_tests.c b/src/charon-tkm/tests/keymat_tests.c
index d087bee3f..8bba1f9d9 100644
--- a/src/charon-tkm/tests/keymat_tests.c
+++ b/src/charon-tkm/tests/keymat_tests.c
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 #include <tests/test_suite.h>
 
 #include <daemon.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <config/proposal.h>
 #include <encoding/payloads/ike_header.h>
 #include <tkm/client.h>
diff --git a/src/conftest/conftest.h b/src/conftest/conftest.h
index 6bbdabd07..2d0320429 100644
--- a/src/conftest/conftest.h
+++ b/src/conftest/conftest.h
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 #define CONFTEST_H_
 
 #include <library.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <credentials/sets/mem_cred.h>
 
diff --git a/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/backend/android_attr.c b/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/backend/android_attr.c
index 645b3fa9b..8015b7c38 100644
--- a/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/backend/android_attr.c
+++ b/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/backend/android_attr.c
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 #include "android_attr.h"
 #include "../charonservice.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <utils/debug.h>
 #include <library.h>
 
diff --git a/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/backend/android_dns_proxy.c b/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/backend/android_dns_proxy.c
index 908e37238..7d71da208 100644
--- a/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/backend/android_dns_proxy.c
+++ b/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/backend/android_dns_proxy.c
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 
 #include "android_dns_proxy.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
+#include <daemon.h>
 #include <threading/rwlock.h>
 #include <collections/hashtable.h>
 #include <processing/jobs/callback_job.h>
@@ -121,8 +121,7 @@ static int open_socket(int family)
 		DBG1(DBG_NET, "could not open proxy socket: %s", strerror(errno));
 		return -1;
 	}
-	if (!hydra->kernel_interface->bypass_socket(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												skt, family))
+	if (!charon->kernel->bypass_socket(charon->kernel, skt, family))
 	{
 		DBG1(DBG_NET, "installing bypass policy for proxy socket failed");
 		close(skt);
diff --git a/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/kernel/android_ipsec.c b/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/kernel/android_ipsec.c
index 1eb6084db..a740303b6 100644
--- a/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/kernel/android_ipsec.c
+++ b/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/kernel/android_ipsec.c
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
 #include <utils/debug.h>
 #include <library.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
+#include <daemon.h>
 #include <ipsec.h>
 
 typedef struct private_kernel_android_ipsec_t private_kernel_android_ipsec_t;
@@ -42,8 +42,7 @@ struct private_kernel_android_ipsec_t {
  */
 static void expire(u_int8_t protocol, u_int32_t spi, host_t *dst, bool hard)
 {
-	hydra->kernel_interface->expire(hydra->kernel_interface, protocol,
-									spi, dst, hard);
+	charon->kernel->expire(charon->kernel, protocol, spi, dst, hard);
 }
 
 METHOD(kernel_ipsec_t, get_spi, status_t,
diff --git a/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/kernel/android_net.c b/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/kernel/android_net.c
index 2ce1bdfac..acc4b75e9 100644
--- a/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/kernel/android_net.c
+++ b/src/frontends/android/app/src/main/jni/libandroidbridge/kernel/android_net.c
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 #include "../android_jni.h"
 #include "../charonservice.h"
-#include <hydra.h>
+#include <daemon.h>
 #include <processing/jobs/callback_job.h>
 #include <threading/mutex.h>
 
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ static job_requeue_t roam_event()
 {
 	/* this will fail if no connection is up */
 	charonservice->bypass_socket(charonservice, -1, 0);
-	hydra->kernel_interface->roam(hydra->kernel_interface, TRUE);
+	charon->kernel->roam(charon->kernel, TRUE);
 	return JOB_REQUEUE_NONE;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/libcharon/Android.mk b/src/libcharon/Android.mk
index 65d0e2b11..794228665 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/Android.mk
+++ b/src/libcharon/Android.mk
@@ -47,7 +47,10 @@ encoding/payloads/unknown_payload.c encoding/payloads/unknown_payload.h \
 encoding/payloads/vendor_id_payload.c encoding/payloads/vendor_id_payload.h \
 encoding/payloads/hash_payload.c encoding/payloads/hash_payload.h \
 encoding/payloads/fragment_payload.c encoding/payloads/fragment_payload.h \
-kernel/kernel_handler.c kernel/kernel_handler.h \
+kernel/kernel_interface.c kernel/kernel_interface.h \
+kernel/kernel_ipsec.c kernel/kernel_ipsec.h \
+kernel/kernel_net.c kernel/kernel_net.h \
+kernel/kernel_listener.h kernel/kernel_handler.c kernel/kernel_handler.h \
 network/receiver.c network/receiver.h network/sender.c network/sender.h \
 network/socket.c network/socket.h \
 network/socket_manager.c network/socket_manager.h \
diff --git a/src/libcharon/Makefile.am b/src/libcharon/Makefile.am
index 0eee3c28d..910f50269 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/libcharon/Makefile.am
@@ -46,7 +46,10 @@ encoding/payloads/unknown_payload.c encoding/payloads/unknown_payload.h \
 encoding/payloads/vendor_id_payload.c encoding/payloads/vendor_id_payload.h \
 encoding/payloads/hash_payload.c encoding/payloads/hash_payload.h \
 encoding/payloads/fragment_payload.c encoding/payloads/fragment_payload.h \
-kernel/kernel_handler.c kernel/kernel_handler.h \
+kernel/kernel_interface.c kernel/kernel_interface.h \
+kernel/kernel_ipsec.c kernel/kernel_ipsec.h \
+kernel/kernel_net.c kernel/kernel_net.h \
+kernel/kernel_listener.h kernel/kernel_handler.c kernel/kernel_handler.h \
 network/receiver.c network/receiver.h network/sender.c network/sender.h \
 network/socket.c network/socket.h \
 network/socket_manager.c network/socket_manager.h \
diff --git a/src/libcharon/attributes/mem_pool.c b/src/libcharon/attributes/mem_pool.c
index 279668249..833c3e950 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/attributes/mem_pool.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/attributes/mem_pool.c
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 #include "mem_pool.h"
 
 #include <library.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <utils/debug.h>
 #include <collections/hashtable.h>
 #include <collections/array.h>
diff --git a/src/libcharon/daemon.c b/src/libcharon/daemon.c
index f861460db..799c3f6dc 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/daemon.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/daemon.c
@@ -685,6 +685,7 @@ static void destroy(private_daemon_t *this)
 	DESTROY_IF(this->public.xauth);
 	DESTROY_IF(this->public.backends);
 	DESTROY_IF(this->public.socket);
+	DESTROY_IF(this->public.kernel);
 
 	/* rehook library logging, shutdown logging */
 	dbg = dbg_old;
@@ -862,6 +863,7 @@ private_daemon_t *daemon_create()
 		.ref = 1,
 	);
 	charon = &this->public;
+	this->public.kernel = kernel_interface_create();
 	this->public.attributes = attribute_manager_create();
 	this->public.controller = controller_create();
 	this->public.eap = eap_manager_create();
diff --git a/src/libcharon/daemon.h b/src/libcharon/daemon.h
index 0b66ea39a..654e22a07 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/daemon.h
+++ b/src/libcharon/daemon.h
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@
  * @defgroup payloads payloads
  * @ingroup encoding
  *
- * @defgroup ckernel kernel
+ * @defgroup kernel kernel
  * @ingroup libcharon
  *
  * @defgroup network network
@@ -179,6 +179,7 @@
 typedef struct daemon_t daemon_t;
 
 #include <attributes/attribute_manager.h>
+#include <kernel/kernel_interface.h>
 #include <network/sender.h>
 #include <network/receiver.h>
 #include <network/socket_manager.h>
@@ -238,6 +239,11 @@ struct daemon_t {
 	 */
 	socket_manager_t *socket;
 
+	/**
+	 * Kernel interface to communicate with kernel
+	 */
+	kernel_interface_t *kernel;
+
 	/**
 	 * A ike_sa_manager_t instance.
 	 */
diff --git a/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_handler.c b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_handler.c
index 9c0e2602b..be37d30e5 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_handler.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_handler.c
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
 
 #include "kernel_handler.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <processing/jobs/acquire_job.h>
 #include <processing/jobs/delete_child_sa_job.h>
@@ -135,8 +134,7 @@ METHOD(kernel_listener_t, roam, bool,
 METHOD(kernel_handler_t, destroy, void,
 	private_kernel_handler_t *this)
 {
-	hydra->kernel_interface->remove_listener(hydra->kernel_interface,
-											 &this->public.listener);
+	charon->kernel->remove_listener(charon->kernel, &this->public.listener);
 	free(this);
 }
 
@@ -157,8 +155,7 @@ kernel_handler_t *kernel_handler_create()
 		},
 	);
 
-	hydra->kernel_interface->add_listener(hydra->kernel_interface,
-										  &this->public.listener);
+	charon->kernel->add_listener(charon->kernel, &this->public.listener);
 
 	return &this->public;
 }
diff --git a/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_handler.h b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_handler.h
index 48ad6889c..f1fa0bdfc 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_handler.h
+++ b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_handler.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 /**
  * @defgroup kernel_handler kernel_handler
- * @{ @ingroup ckernel
+ * @{ @ingroup kernel
  */
 
 #ifndef KERNEL_HANDLER_H_
diff --git a/src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_interface.c b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_interface.c
similarity index 99%
rename from src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_interface.c
rename to src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_interface.c
index 89e95ade9..40c4ee589 100644
--- a/src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_interface.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_interface.c
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@
 
 #include "kernel_interface.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <utils/debug.h>
 #include <threading/mutex.h>
 #include <collections/linked_list.h>
diff --git a/src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_interface.h b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_interface.h
similarity index 99%
rename from src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_interface.h
rename to src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_interface.h
index 45efe8946..6793c6cc6 100644
--- a/src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_interface.h
+++ b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_interface.h
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 
 /**
  * @defgroup kernel_interface kernel_interface
- * @{ @ingroup hkernel
+ * @{ @ingroup kernel
  */
 
 #ifndef KERNEL_INTERFACE_H_
diff --git a/src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_ipsec.c b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_ipsec.c
similarity index 81%
rename from src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_ipsec.c
rename to src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_ipsec.c
index 697b1b33d..0440f11bb 100644
--- a/src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_ipsec.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_ipsec.c
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 #include "kernel_ipsec.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
+#include <daemon.h>
 
 /**
  * See header
@@ -25,14 +25,12 @@ bool kernel_ipsec_register(plugin_t *plugin, plugin_feature_t *feature,
 {
 	if (reg)
 	{
-		return hydra->kernel_interface->add_ipsec_interface(
-											hydra->kernel_interface,
+		return charon->kernel->add_ipsec_interface(charon->kernel,
 											(kernel_ipsec_constructor_t)data);
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		return hydra->kernel_interface->remove_ipsec_interface(
-											hydra->kernel_interface,
+		return charon->kernel->remove_ipsec_interface(charon->kernel,
 											(kernel_ipsec_constructor_t)data);
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_ipsec.h b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_ipsec.h
similarity index 99%
rename from src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_ipsec.h
rename to src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_ipsec.h
index 2458db5b9..31e06308e 100644
--- a/src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_ipsec.h
+++ b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_ipsec.h
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 
 /**
  * @defgroup kernel_ipsec kernel_ipsec
- * @{ @ingroup hkernel
+ * @{ @ingroup kernel
  */
 
 #ifndef KERNEL_IPSEC_H_
diff --git a/src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_listener.h b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_listener.h
similarity index 99%
rename from src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_listener.h
rename to src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_listener.h
index 8074356a4..6426fae2a 100644
--- a/src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_listener.h
+++ b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_listener.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 /**
  * @defgroup kernel_listener kernel_listener
- * @{ @ingroup hkernel
+ * @{ @ingroup kernel
  */
 
 #ifndef KERNEL_LISTENER_H_
diff --git a/src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_net.c b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_net.c
similarity index 81%
rename from src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_net.c
rename to src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_net.c
index 07d8b2999..f169cad14 100644
--- a/src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_net.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_net.c
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 #include "kernel_net.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
+#include <daemon.h>
 
 /**
  * See header
@@ -25,14 +25,12 @@ bool kernel_net_register(plugin_t *plugin, plugin_feature_t *feature,
 {
 	if (reg)
 	{
-		return hydra->kernel_interface->add_net_interface(
-											hydra->kernel_interface,
+		return charon->kernel->add_net_interface(charon->kernel,
 											(kernel_net_constructor_t)data);
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		return hydra->kernel_interface->remove_net_interface(
-											hydra->kernel_interface,
+		return charon->kernel->remove_net_interface(charon->kernel,
 											(kernel_net_constructor_t)data);
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_net.h b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_net.h
similarity index 99%
rename from src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_net.h
rename to src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_net.h
index 4312c17d1..7fc644a7e 100644
--- a/src/libhydra/kernel/kernel_net.h
+++ b/src/libcharon/kernel/kernel_net.h
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
 /**
  * @defgroup kernel_net kernel_net
- * @{ @ingroup hkernel
+ * @{ @ingroup kernel
  */
 
 #ifndef KERNEL_NET_H_
diff --git a/src/libcharon/network/receiver.c b/src/libcharon/network/receiver.c
index a2f2016ff..ee357ca4d 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/network/receiver.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/network/receiver.c
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 
 #include "receiver.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <network/socket.h>
 #include <processing/jobs/job.h>
@@ -451,9 +450,8 @@ static job_requeue_t receive_packets(private_receiver_t *this)
 
 	dst = packet->get_destination(packet);
 	src = packet->get_source(packet);
-	if (!hydra->kernel_interface->all_interfaces_usable(hydra->kernel_interface)
-		&& !hydra->kernel_interface->get_interface(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												   dst, NULL))
+	if (!charon->kernel->all_interfaces_usable(charon->kernel)
+		&& !charon->kernel->get_interface(charon->kernel, dst, NULL))
 	{
 		DBG3(DBG_NET, "received packet from %#H to %#H on ignored interface",
 			 src, dst);
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/dhcp/dhcp_socket.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/dhcp/dhcp_socket.c
index b8c1b4059..0fd1d33fd 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/dhcp/dhcp_socket.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/dhcp/dhcp_socket.c
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@
 #include <threading/condvar.h>
 #include <threading/thread.h>
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <processing/jobs/callback_job.h>
 
@@ -209,8 +208,7 @@ static int prepare_dhcp(private_dhcp_socket_t *this,
 	else
 	{
 		/* act as relay agent */
-		src = hydra->kernel_interface->get_source_addr(hydra->kernel_interface,
-													   this->dst, NULL);
+		src = charon->kernel->get_source_addr(charon->kernel, this->dst, NULL);
 		if (src)
 		{
 			memcpy(&dhcp->gateway_address, src->get_address(src).ptr,
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/forecast/forecast_forwarder.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/forecast/forecast_forwarder.c
index 07a3d4953..40aaa7f25 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/forecast/forecast_forwarder.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/forecast/forecast_forwarder.c
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@
 #include <ifaddrs.h>
 #include <net/if.h>
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <threading/thread.h>
 #include <processing/jobs/callback_job.h>
@@ -428,8 +427,7 @@ METHOD(forecast_forwarder_t, destroy, void,
 		lib->watcher->remove(lib->watcher, this->kernel.pkt);
 		close(this->kernel.pkt);
 	}
-	hydra->kernel_interface->remove_listener(hydra->kernel_interface,
-											 &this->kernel.listener);
+	charon->kernel->remove_listener(charon->kernel, &this->kernel.listener);
 	free(this);
 }
 
@@ -486,8 +484,8 @@ forecast_forwarder_t *forecast_forwarder_create(forecast_listener_t *listener)
 
 	setup_interface(&this->kernel);
 
-	hydra->kernel_interface->add_listener(hydra->kernel_interface,
-										  &this->kernel.listener);
+	charon->kernel->add_listener(charon->kernel,
+										   &this->kernel.listener);
 
 	lib->watcher->add(lib->watcher, this->kernel.pkt, WATCHER_READ,
 					  (watcher_cb_t)receive_casts, this);
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_iph/kernel_iph_net.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_iph/kernel_iph_net.c
index a4be4041e..6a8a96821 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_iph/kernel_iph_net.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_iph/kernel_iph_net.c
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 
 #include "kernel_iph_net.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
+#include <daemon.h>
 #include <threading/mutex.h>
 #include <collections/linked_list.h>
 #include <processing/jobs/callback_job.h>
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ static job_requeue_t roam_event(private_kernel_iph_net_t *this)
 	this->roam_address = FALSE;
 	this->mutex->unlock(this->mutex);
 
-	hydra->kernel_interface->roam(hydra->kernel_interface, address);
+	charon->kernel->roam(charon->kernel, address);
 	return JOB_REQUEUE_NONE;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_iph/kernel_iph_plugin.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_iph/kernel_iph_plugin.c
index c5475e30b..c16381440 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_iph/kernel_iph_plugin.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_iph/kernel_iph_plugin.c
@@ -17,8 +17,6 @@
 #include "kernel_iph_plugin.h"
 #include "kernel_iph_net.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
-
 typedef struct private_kernel_iph_plugin_t private_kernel_iph_plugin_t;
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_libipsec/kernel_libipsec_ipsec.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_libipsec/kernel_libipsec_ipsec.c
index 9f5f4edbd..4c8771e96 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_libipsec/kernel_libipsec_ipsec.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_libipsec/kernel_libipsec_ipsec.c
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 
 #include <library.h>
 #include <ipsec.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
+#include <daemon.h>
 #include <networking/tun_device.h>
 #include <threading/mutex.h>
 #include <utils/debug.h>
@@ -224,8 +224,7 @@ static inline bool policy_entry_equals(policy_entry_t *a,
  */
 static void expire(u_int8_t protocol, u_int32_t spi, host_t *dst, bool hard)
 {
-	hydra->kernel_interface->expire(hydra->kernel_interface, protocol,
-									spi, dst, hard);
+	charon->kernel->expire(charon->kernel, protocol, spi, dst, hard);
 }
 
 METHOD(kernel_ipsec_t, get_features, kernel_feature_t,
@@ -313,16 +312,13 @@ static void add_exclude_route(private_kernel_libipsec_ipsec_t *this,
 	if (!route->exclude)
 	{
 		DBG2(DBG_KNL, "installing new exclude route for %H src %H", dst, src);
-		gtw = hydra->kernel_interface->get_nexthop(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												   dst, -1, NULL);
+		gtw = charon->kernel->get_nexthop(charon->kernel, dst, -1, NULL);
 		if (gtw)
 		{
 			char *if_name = NULL;
 
-			if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_interface(
-									hydra->kernel_interface, src, &if_name) &&
-				hydra->kernel_interface->add_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
-									dst->get_address(dst),
+			if (charon->kernel->get_interface(charon->kernel, src, &if_name) &&
+				charon->kernel->add_route(charon->kernel, dst->get_address(dst),
 									dst->get_family(dst) == AF_INET ? 32 : 128,
 									gtw, src, if_name) == SUCCESS)
 			{
@@ -367,14 +363,12 @@ static void remove_exclude_route(private_kernel_libipsec_ipsec_t *this,
 	dst = route->exclude->dst;
 	DBG2(DBG_KNL, "uninstalling exclude route for %H src %H",
 		 dst, route->exclude->src);
-	if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_interface(
-									hydra->kernel_interface,
-									route->exclude->src, &if_name) &&
-		hydra->kernel_interface->del_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
-									dst->get_address(dst),
-									dst->get_family(dst) == AF_INET ? 32 : 128,
-									route->exclude->gtw, route->exclude->src,
-									if_name) != SUCCESS)
+	if (charon->kernel->get_interface(charon->kernel, route->exclude->src,
+									  &if_name) &&
+		charon->kernel->del_route(charon->kernel, dst->get_address(dst),
+								  dst->get_family(dst) == AF_INET ? 32 : 128,
+								  route->exclude->gtw, route->exclude->src,
+								  if_name) != SUCCESS)
 	{
 		DBG1(DBG_KNL, "uninstalling exclude route for %H failed", dst);
 	}
@@ -402,8 +396,8 @@ static bool install_route(private_kernel_libipsec_ipsec_t *this,
 		return TRUE;
 	}
 
-	if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_address_by_ts(hydra->kernel_interface,
-									src_ts, &src_ip, &is_virtual) != SUCCESS)
+	if (charon->kernel->get_address_by_ts(charon->kernel, src_ts, &src_ip,
+										  &is_virtual) != SUCCESS)
 	{
 		traffic_selector_t *multicast, *broadcast = NULL;
 		bool ignore = FALSE;
@@ -444,8 +438,7 @@ static bool install_route(private_kernel_libipsec_ipsec_t *this,
 	);
 #ifndef __linux__
 	/* on Linux we cant't install a gateway */
-	route->gateway = hydra->kernel_interface->get_nexthop(
-										hydra->kernel_interface, dst, -1, src);
+	route->gateway = charon->kernel->get_nexthop(charon->kernel, dst, -1, src);
 #endif
 
 	if (policy->route)
@@ -459,9 +452,9 @@ static bool install_route(private_kernel_libipsec_ipsec_t *this,
 			return TRUE;
 		}
 		/* uninstall previously installed route */
-		if (hydra->kernel_interface->del_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
-									old->dst_net, old->prefixlen, old->gateway,
-									old->src_ip, old->if_name) != SUCCESS)
+		if (charon->kernel->del_route(charon->kernel, old->dst_net,
+									  old->prefixlen, old->gateway,
+									  old->src_ip, old->if_name) != SUCCESS)
 		{
 			DBG1(DBG_KNL, "error uninstalling route installed with policy "
 				 "%R === %R %N", src_ts, dst_ts, policy_dir_names,
@@ -490,9 +483,9 @@ static bool install_route(private_kernel_libipsec_ipsec_t *this,
 	DBG2(DBG_KNL, "installing route: %R src %H dev %s",
 		 dst_ts, route->src_ip, route->if_name);
 
-	switch (hydra->kernel_interface->add_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
-							route->dst_net, route->prefixlen, route->gateway,
-							route->src_ip, route->if_name))
+	switch (charon->kernel->add_route(charon->kernel, route->dst_net,
+									  route->prefixlen, route->gateway,
+									  route->src_ip, route->if_name))
 	{
 		case ALREADY_DONE:
 			/* route exists, do not uninstall */
@@ -598,9 +591,9 @@ METHOD(kernel_ipsec_t, del_policy, status_t,
 	{
 		route_entry_t *route = policy->route;
 
-		if (hydra->kernel_interface->del_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
-				route->dst_net, route->prefixlen, route->gateway, route->src_ip,
-				route->if_name) != SUCCESS)
+		if (charon->kernel->del_route(charon->kernel, route->dst_net,
+									  route->prefixlen, route->gateway,
+									  route->src_ip, route->if_name) != SUCCESS)
 		{
 			DBG1(DBG_KNL, "error uninstalling route installed with "
 						  "policy %R === %R %N", src_ts, dst_ts,
@@ -629,9 +622,9 @@ METHOD(kernel_ipsec_t, flush_policies, status_t,
 		{
 			route_entry_t *route = pol->route;
 
-			hydra->kernel_interface->del_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
-					route->dst_net, route->prefixlen, route->gateway,
-					route->src_ip, route->if_name);
+			charon->kernel->del_route(charon->kernel, route->dst_net,
+									  route->prefixlen, route->gateway,
+									  route->src_ip, route->if_name);
 			remove_exclude_route(this, route);
 		}
 		policy_entry_destroy(pol);
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_libipsec/kernel_libipsec_router.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_libipsec/kernel_libipsec_router.c
index 830954e11..66141ad56 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_libipsec/kernel_libipsec_router.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_libipsec/kernel_libipsec_router.c
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@
 #include "kernel_libipsec_router.h"
 
 #include <daemon.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <ipsec.h>
 #include <collections/hashtable.h>
 #include <networking/tun_device.h>
@@ -298,8 +297,7 @@ METHOD(kernel_libipsec_router_t, destroy, void,
 										 (ipsec_outbound_cb_t)send_esp);
 	ipsec->processor->unregister_inbound(ipsec->processor,
 										 (ipsec_inbound_cb_t)deliver_plain);
-	hydra->kernel_interface->remove_listener(hydra->kernel_interface,
-											 &this->public.listener);
+	charon->kernel->remove_listener(charon->kernel, &this->public.listener);
 	this->lock->destroy(this->lock);
 	this->tuns->destroy(this->tuns);
 	close(this->notify[0]);
@@ -351,8 +349,7 @@ kernel_libipsec_router_t *kernel_libipsec_router_create()
 								  (hashtable_equals_t)tun_entry_equals, 4);
 	this->lock = rwlock_create(RWLOCK_TYPE_DEFAULT);
 
-	hydra->kernel_interface->add_listener(hydra->kernel_interface,
-										  &this->public.listener);
+	charon->kernel->add_listener(charon->kernel, &this->public.listener);
 	ipsec->processor->register_outbound(ipsec->processor, send_esp, NULL);
 	ipsec->processor->register_inbound(ipsec->processor,
 									(ipsec_inbound_cb_t)deliver_plain, this);
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/Makefile.am b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/Makefile.am
index cc8855406..973e2c2f4 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/Makefile.am
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 AM_CPPFLAGS = \
 	-I${linux_headers} \
 	-I$(top_srcdir)/src/libstrongswan \
-	-I$(top_srcdir)/src/libhydra \
+	-I$(top_srcdir)/src/libcharon \
 	-DROUTING_TABLE=${routing_table} \
 	-DROUTING_TABLE_PRIO=${routing_table_prio}
 
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/kernel_netlink_ipsec.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/kernel_netlink_ipsec.c
index 8c506d9f4..275aa6cb2 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/kernel_netlink_ipsec.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/kernel_netlink_ipsec.c
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 #include "kernel_netlink_ipsec.h"
 #include "kernel_netlink_shared.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
+#include <daemon.h>
 #include <utils/debug.h>
 #include <threading/mutex.h>
 #include <collections/array.h>
@@ -262,8 +262,8 @@ static char* lookup_algorithm(transform_type_t type, int ikev2)
 			return list[i].name;
 		}
 	}
-	if (hydra->kernel_interface->lookup_algorithm(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												  ikev2, type, NULL, &name))
+	if (charon->kernel->lookup_algorithm(charon->kernel, ikev2, type, NULL,
+										 &name))
 	{
 		return name;
 	}
@@ -856,8 +856,7 @@ static void process_acquire(private_kernel_netlink_ipsec_t *this,
 	src_ts = selector2ts(&acquire->sel, TRUE);
 	dst_ts = selector2ts(&acquire->sel, FALSE);
 
-	hydra->kernel_interface->acquire(hydra->kernel_interface, reqid, src_ts,
-									 dst_ts);
+	charon->kernel->acquire(charon->kernel, reqid, src_ts, dst_ts);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -882,8 +881,8 @@ static void process_expire(private_kernel_netlink_ipsec_t *this,
 		dst = xfrm2host(expire->state.family, &expire->state.id.daddr, 0);
 		if (dst)
 		{
-			hydra->kernel_interface->expire(hydra->kernel_interface, protocol,
-											spi, dst, expire->hard != 0);
+			charon->kernel->expire(charon->kernel, protocol, spi, dst,
+								   expire->hard != 0);
 			dst->destroy(dst);
 		}
 	}
@@ -951,8 +950,8 @@ static void process_migrate(private_kernel_netlink_ipsec_t *this,
 
 	if (src_ts && dst_ts && local && remote)
 	{
-		hydra->kernel_interface->migrate(hydra->kernel_interface, reqid,
-										 src_ts, dst_ts, dir, local, remote);
+		charon->kernel->migrate(charon->kernel, reqid, src_ts, dst_ts, dir,
+								local, remote);
 	}
 	else
 	{
@@ -988,8 +987,8 @@ static void process_mapping(private_kernel_netlink_ipsec_t *this,
 							mapping->new_sport);
 			if (new)
 			{
-				hydra->kernel_interface->mapping(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												 IPPROTO_ESP, spi, dst, new);
+				charon->kernel->mapping(charon->kernel, IPPROTO_ESP, spi, dst,
+										new);
 				new->destroy(new);
 			}
 			dst->destroy(dst);
@@ -2202,22 +2201,21 @@ static status_t add_policy_internal(private_kernel_netlink_ipsec_t *this,
 			.prefixlen = policy->sel.prefixlen_s,
 		);
 
-		if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_address_by_ts(hydra->kernel_interface,
-				fwd->dst_ts, &route->src_ip, NULL) == SUCCESS)
+		if (charon->kernel->get_address_by_ts(charon->kernel, fwd->dst_ts,
+											  &route->src_ip, NULL) == SUCCESS)
 		{
 			/* get the nexthop to src (src as we are in POLICY_FWD) */
 			if (!ipsec->src->is_anyaddr(ipsec->src))
 			{
-				route->gateway = hydra->kernel_interface->get_nexthop(
-											hydra->kernel_interface, ipsec->src,
-											-1, ipsec->dst);
+				route->gateway = charon->kernel->get_nexthop(charon->kernel,
+													ipsec->src, -1, ipsec->dst);
 			}
 			else
 			{	/* for shunt policies */
 				iface = xfrm2host(policy->sel.family, &policy->sel.saddr, 0);
-				route->gateway = hydra->kernel_interface->get_nexthop(
-										hydra->kernel_interface, iface,
-										policy->sel.prefixlen_s, route->src_ip);
+				route->gateway = charon->kernel->get_nexthop(charon->kernel,
+												iface, policy->sel.prefixlen_s,
+												route->src_ip);
 				iface->destroy(iface);
 			}
 			route->dst_net = chunk_alloc(policy->sel.family == AF_INET ? 4 : 16);
@@ -2232,8 +2230,8 @@ static status_t add_policy_internal(private_kernel_netlink_ipsec_t *this,
 				iface = route->src_ip;
 			}
 			/* install route via outgoing interface */
-			if (!hydra->kernel_interface->get_interface(hydra->kernel_interface,
-														iface, &route->if_name))
+			if (!charon->kernel->get_interface(charon->kernel, iface,
+											   &route->if_name))
 			{
 				this->mutex->unlock(this->mutex);
 				route_entry_destroy(route);
@@ -2250,9 +2248,9 @@ static status_t add_policy_internal(private_kernel_netlink_ipsec_t *this,
 					return SUCCESS;
 				}
 				/* uninstall previously installed route */
-				if (hydra->kernel_interface->del_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
-						old->dst_net, old->prefixlen, old->gateway,
-						old->src_ip, old->if_name) != SUCCESS)
+				if (charon->kernel->del_route(charon->kernel, old->dst_net,
+										old->prefixlen, old->gateway,
+										old->src_ip, old->if_name) != SUCCESS)
 				{
 					DBG1(DBG_KNL, "error uninstalling route installed with "
 								  "policy %R === %R %N", fwd->src_ts,
@@ -2265,10 +2263,9 @@ static status_t add_policy_internal(private_kernel_netlink_ipsec_t *this,
 
 			DBG2(DBG_KNL, "installing route: %R via %H src %H dev %s",
 				 fwd->src_ts, route->gateway, route->src_ip, route->if_name);
-			switch (hydra->kernel_interface->add_route(
-								hydra->kernel_interface, route->dst_net,
-								route->prefixlen, route->gateway,
-								route->src_ip, route->if_name))
+			switch (charon->kernel->add_route(charon->kernel, route->dst_net,
+											  route->prefixlen, route->gateway,
+											  route->src_ip, route->if_name))
 			{
 				default:
 					DBG1(DBG_KNL, "unable to install source route for %H",
@@ -2579,9 +2576,9 @@ METHOD(kernel_ipsec_t, del_policy, status_t,
 	if (current->route)
 	{
 		route_entry_t *route = current->route;
-		if (hydra->kernel_interface->del_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
-				route->dst_net, route->prefixlen, route->gateway,
-				route->src_ip, route->if_name) != SUCCESS)
+		if (charon->kernel->del_route(charon->kernel, route->dst_net,
+									  route->prefixlen, route->gateway,
+									  route->src_ip, route->if_name) != SUCCESS)
 		{
 			DBG1(DBG_KNL, "error uninstalling route installed with "
 						  "policy %R === %R %N", src_ts, dst_ts,
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/kernel_netlink_net.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/kernel_netlink_net.c
index 4e5e02d07..abe29e2c5 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/kernel_netlink_net.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/kernel_netlink_net.c
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
 #include "kernel_netlink_net.h"
 #include "kernel_netlink_shared.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
+#include <daemon.h>
 #include <utils/debug.h>
 #include <threading/mutex.h>
 #include <threading/rwlock.h>
@@ -893,7 +893,7 @@ static job_requeue_t roam_event(private_kernel_netlink_net_t *this)
 	address = this->roam_address;
 	this->roam_address = FALSE;
 	this->roam_lock->unlock(this->roam_lock);
-	hydra->kernel_interface->roam(hydra->kernel_interface, address);
+	charon->kernel->roam(charon->kernel, address);
 	return JOB_REQUEUE_NONE;
 }
 
@@ -1004,8 +1004,8 @@ static void process_link(private_kernel_netlink_net_t *this,
 				INIT(entry,
 					.ifindex = msg->ifi_index,
 					.addrs = linked_list_create(),
-					.usable = hydra->kernel_interface->is_interface_usable(
-												hydra->kernel_interface, name),
+					.usable = charon->kernel->is_interface_usable(
+														charon->kernel, name),
 				);
 				this->ifaces->insert_last(this->ifaces, entry);
 			}
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/kernel_netlink_plugin.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/kernel_netlink_plugin.c
index 8d5a0d5e8..8bafc3c55 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/kernel_netlink_plugin.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/kernel_netlink_plugin.c
@@ -19,8 +19,6 @@
 #include "kernel_netlink_ipsec.h"
 #include "kernel_netlink_net.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
-
 typedef struct private_kernel_netlink_plugin_t private_kernel_netlink_plugin_t;
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/tests.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/tests.c
index 52985b438..a1799ea70 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/tests.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_netlink/tests.c
@@ -15,8 +15,6 @@
 
 #include <test_runner.h>
 
-#include <hydra.h>
-
 /* declare test suite constructors */
 #define TEST_SUITE(x) test_suite_t* x();
 #include "tests.h"
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfkey/Makefile.am b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfkey/Makefile.am
index f645528d9..8fdca93a5 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfkey/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfkey/Makefile.am
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 AM_CPPFLAGS = \
 	-I${linux_headers} \
 	-I$(top_srcdir)/src/libstrongswan \
-	-I$(top_srcdir)/src/libhydra
+	-I$(top_srcdir)/src/libcharon
 
 AM_CFLAGS = \
 	$(PLUGIN_CFLAGS)
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfkey/kernel_pfkey_ipsec.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfkey/kernel_pfkey_ipsec.c
index a2fccd1d3..d505f1c33 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfkey/kernel_pfkey_ipsec.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfkey/kernel_pfkey_ipsec.c
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
 
 #include "kernel_pfkey_ipsec.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
+#include <daemon.h>
 #include <utils/debug.h>
 #include <networking/host.h>
 #include <collections/linked_list.h>
@@ -922,8 +922,7 @@ static int lookup_algorithm(transform_type_t type, int ikev2)
 		}
 		list++;
 	}
-	hydra->kernel_interface->lookup_algorithm(hydra->kernel_interface, ikev2,
-											  type, &alg, NULL);
+	charon->kernel->lookup_algorithm(charon->kernel, ikev2, type, &alg, NULL);
 	return alg;
 }
 
@@ -1283,8 +1282,7 @@ static void process_acquire(private_kernel_pfkey_ipsec_t *this,
 	src_ts = sadb_address2ts(response.src);
 	dst_ts = sadb_address2ts(response.dst);
 
-	hydra->kernel_interface->acquire(hydra->kernel_interface, reqid, src_ts,
-									 dst_ts);
+	charon->kernel->acquire(charon->kernel, reqid, src_ts, dst_ts);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -1316,8 +1314,7 @@ static void process_expire(private_kernel_pfkey_ipsec_t *this,
 		dst = host_create_from_sockaddr((sockaddr_t*)(response.dst + 1));
 		if (dst)
 		{
-			hydra->kernel_interface->expire(hydra->kernel_interface, protocol,
-											spi, dst, hard);
+			charon->kernel->expire(charon->kernel, protocol, spi, dst, hard);
 			dst->destroy(dst);
 		}
 	}
@@ -1366,8 +1363,8 @@ static void process_migrate(private_kernel_pfkey_ipsec_t *this,
 
 	if (src_ts && dst_ts && local && remote)
 	{
-		hydra->kernel_interface->migrate(hydra->kernel_interface, reqid,
-										 src_ts, dst_ts, dir, local, remote);
+		charon->kernel->migrate(charon->kernel, reqid, src_ts, dst_ts, dir,
+								local, remote);
 	}
 	else
 	{
@@ -1437,8 +1434,7 @@ static void process_mapping(private_kernel_pfkey_ipsec_t *this,
 		new = host_create_from_sockaddr(sa);
 		if (new)
 		{
-			hydra->kernel_interface->mapping(hydra->kernel_interface,
-											 IPPROTO_ESP, spi, dst, new);
+			charon->kernel->mapping(charon->kernel, IPPROTO_ESP, spi, dst, new);
 			new->destroy(new);
 		}
 		dst->destroy(dst);
@@ -2142,15 +2138,13 @@ static void add_exclude_route(private_kernel_pfkey_ipsec_t *this,
 	if (!route->exclude)
 	{
 		DBG2(DBG_KNL, "installing new exclude route for %H src %H", dst, src);
-		gtw = hydra->kernel_interface->get_nexthop(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												   dst, -1, NULL);
+		gtw = charon->kernel->get_nexthop(charon->kernel, dst, -1, NULL);
 		if (gtw)
 		{
 			char *if_name = NULL;
 
-			if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_interface(
-									hydra->kernel_interface, src, &if_name) &&
-				hydra->kernel_interface->add_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
+			if (charon->kernel->get_interface(charon->kernel, src, &if_name) &&
+				charon->kernel->add_route(charon->kernel,
 									dst->get_address(dst),
 									dst->get_family(dst) == AF_INET ? 32 : 128,
 									gtw, src, if_name) == SUCCESS)
@@ -2213,10 +2207,10 @@ static void remove_exclude_route(private_kernel_pfkey_ipsec_t *this,
 			dst = route->exclude->dst;
 			DBG2(DBG_KNL, "uninstalling exclude route for %H src %H",
 				 dst, route->exclude->src);
-			if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_interface(
-									hydra->kernel_interface,
+			if (charon->kernel->get_interface(
+									charon->kernel,
 									route->exclude->src, &if_name) &&
-				hydra->kernel_interface->del_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
+				charon->kernel->del_route(charon->kernel,
 									dst->get_address(dst),
 									dst->get_family(dst) == AF_INET ? 32 : 128,
 									route->exclude->gtw, route->exclude->src,
@@ -2241,8 +2235,8 @@ static bool install_route(private_kernel_pfkey_ipsec_t *this,
 	host_t *host, *src, *dst;
 	bool is_virtual;
 
-	if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_address_by_ts(hydra->kernel_interface,
-									in->dst_ts, &host, &is_virtual) != SUCCESS)
+	if (charon->kernel->get_address_by_ts(charon->kernel, in->dst_ts, &host,
+										  &is_virtual) != SUCCESS)
 	{
 		return FALSE;
 	}
@@ -2259,8 +2253,8 @@ static bool install_route(private_kernel_pfkey_ipsec_t *this,
 
 	if (!dst->is_anyaddr(dst))
 	{
-		route->gateway = hydra->kernel_interface->get_nexthop(
-									hydra->kernel_interface, dst, -1, src);
+		route->gateway = charon->kernel->get_nexthop(charon->kernel, dst, -1,
+													 src);
 
 		/* if the IP is virtual, we install the route over the interface it has
 		 * been installed on. Otherwise we use the interface we use for IKE, as
@@ -2272,17 +2266,16 @@ static bool install_route(private_kernel_pfkey_ipsec_t *this,
 	}
 	else
 	{	/* for shunt policies */
-		route->gateway = hydra->kernel_interface->get_nexthop(
-									hydra->kernel_interface, policy->src.net,
-									policy->src.mask, route->src_ip);
+		route->gateway = charon->kernel->get_nexthop(charon->kernel,
+											policy->src.net, policy->src.mask,
+											route->src_ip);
 
 		/* we don't have a source address, use the address we found */
 		src = route->src_ip;
 	}
 
 	/* get interface for route, using source address */
-	if (!hydra->kernel_interface->get_interface(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												src, &route->if_name))
+	if (!charon->kernel->get_interface(charon->kernel, src, &route->if_name))
 	{
 		route_entry_destroy(route);
 		return FALSE;
@@ -2298,9 +2291,9 @@ static bool install_route(private_kernel_pfkey_ipsec_t *this,
 			return TRUE;
 		}
 		/* uninstall previously installed route */
-		if (hydra->kernel_interface->del_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
-									old->dst_net, old->prefixlen, old->gateway,
-									old->src_ip, old->if_name) != SUCCESS)
+		if (charon->kernel->del_route(charon->kernel, old->dst_net,
+									  old->prefixlen, old->gateway,
+									  old->src_ip, old->if_name) != SUCCESS)
 		{
 			DBG1(DBG_KNL, "error uninstalling route installed with policy "
 				 "%R === %R %N", in->src_ts, in->dst_ts,
@@ -2311,8 +2304,7 @@ static bool install_route(private_kernel_pfkey_ipsec_t *this,
 	}
 
 	/* if remote traffic selector covers the IKE peer, add an exclude route */
-	if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_features(
-					hydra->kernel_interface) & KERNEL_REQUIRE_EXCLUDE_ROUTE)
+	if (charon->kernel->get_features(charon->kernel) & KERNEL_REQUIRE_EXCLUDE_ROUTE)
 	{
 		if (in->src_ts->is_host(in->src_ts, dst))
 		{
@@ -2331,9 +2323,9 @@ static bool install_route(private_kernel_pfkey_ipsec_t *this,
 	DBG2(DBG_KNL, "installing route: %R via %H src %H dev %s",
 		 in->src_ts, route->gateway, route->src_ip, route->if_name);
 
-	switch (hydra->kernel_interface->add_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
-							route->dst_net, route->prefixlen, route->gateway,
-							route->src_ip, route->if_name))
+	switch (charon->kernel->add_route(charon->kernel, route->dst_net,
+									  route->prefixlen, route->gateway,
+									  route->src_ip, route->if_name))
 	{
 		case ALREADY_DONE:
 			/* route exists, do not uninstall */
@@ -2813,9 +2805,9 @@ METHOD(kernel_ipsec_t, del_policy, status_t,
 	if (policy->route)
 	{
 		route_entry_t *route = policy->route;
-		if (hydra->kernel_interface->del_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
-				route->dst_net, route->prefixlen, route->gateway,
-				route->src_ip, route->if_name) != SUCCESS)
+		if (charon->kernel->del_route(charon->kernel, route->dst_net,
+									  route->prefixlen, route->gateway,
+									  route->src_ip, route->if_name) != SUCCESS)
 		{
 			DBG1(DBG_KNL, "error uninstalling route installed with "
 						  "policy %R === %R %N", src_ts, dst_ts,
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfkey/kernel_pfkey_plugin.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfkey/kernel_pfkey_plugin.c
index 61d576547..d49fe2422 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfkey/kernel_pfkey_plugin.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfkey/kernel_pfkey_plugin.c
@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@
 
 #include "kernel_pfkey_ipsec.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
-
 typedef struct private_kernel_pfkey_plugin_t private_kernel_pfkey_plugin_t;
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfroute/Makefile.am b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfroute/Makefile.am
index 5129c02f6..51047e38a 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfroute/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfroute/Makefile.am
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 AM_CPPFLAGS = \
 	-I${linux_headers} \
 	-I$(top_srcdir)/src/libstrongswan \
-	-I$(top_srcdir)/src/libhydra
+	-I$(top_srcdir)/src/libcharon
 
 AM_CFLAGS = \
 	$(PLUGIN_CFLAGS)
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfroute/kernel_pfroute_net.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfroute/kernel_pfroute_net.c
index df80c29b8..4eebdfdad 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfroute/kernel_pfroute_net.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfroute/kernel_pfroute_net.c
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 
 #include "kernel_pfroute_net.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
+#include <daemon.h>
 #include <utils/debug.h>
 #include <networking/host.h>
 #include <networking/tun_device.h>
@@ -555,7 +555,7 @@ static job_requeue_t roam_event(private_kernel_pfroute_net_t *this)
 	address = this->roam_address;
 	this->roam_address = FALSE;
 	this->roam_lock->unlock(this->roam_lock);
-	hydra->kernel_interface->roam(hydra->kernel_interface, address);
+	charon->kernel->roam(charon->kernel, address);
 	return JOB_REQUEUE_NONE;
 }
 
@@ -862,8 +862,8 @@ static void process_link(private_kernel_pfroute_net_t *this,
 		if (if_indextoname(iface->ifindex, iface->ifname))
 		{
 			DBG1(DBG_KNL, "interface %s appeared", iface->ifname);
-			iface->usable = hydra->kernel_interface->is_interface_usable(
-										hydra->kernel_interface, iface->ifname);
+			iface->usable = charon->kernel->is_interface_usable(charon->kernel,
+																iface->ifname);
 			repopulate_iface(this, iface);
 			this->ifaces->insert_last(this->ifaces, iface);
 			if (iface->usable)
@@ -1266,7 +1266,7 @@ METHOD(kernel_net_t, add_ip, status_t,
 	/* lets do this while holding the lock, thus preventing another thread
 	 * from deleting the TUN device concurrently, hopefully listeners are quick
 	 * and cause no deadlocks */
-	hydra->kernel_interface->tun(hydra->kernel_interface, tun, TRUE);
+	charon->kernel->tun(charon->kernel, tun, TRUE);
 	this->lock->unlock(this->lock);
 
 	return SUCCESS;
@@ -1294,8 +1294,7 @@ METHOD(kernel_net_t, del_ip, status_t,
 		if (addr && addr->ip_equals(addr, vip))
 		{
 			this->tuns->remove_at(this->tuns, enumerator);
-			hydra->kernel_interface->tun(hydra->kernel_interface, tun,
-										 FALSE);
+			charon->kernel->tun(charon->kernel, tun, FALSE);
 			tun->destroy(tun);
 			found = TRUE;
 			break;
@@ -1738,8 +1737,8 @@ static status_t init_address_list(private_kernel_pfroute_net_t *this)
 						.ifindex = if_nametoindex(ifa->ifa_name),
 						.flags = ifa->ifa_flags,
 						.addrs = linked_list_create(),
-						.usable = hydra->kernel_interface->is_interface_usable(
-										hydra->kernel_interface, ifa->ifa_name),
+						.usable = charon->kernel->is_interface_usable(
+												charon->kernel, ifa->ifa_name),
 					);
 					memcpy(iface->ifname, ifa->ifa_name, IFNAMSIZ);
 					this->ifaces->insert_last(this->ifaces, iface);
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfroute/kernel_pfroute_plugin.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfroute/kernel_pfroute_plugin.c
index 09068b33e..acd834ba3 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfroute/kernel_pfroute_plugin.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_pfroute/kernel_pfroute_plugin.c
@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@
 
 #include "kernel_pfroute_net.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
-
 typedef struct private_kernel_pfroute_plugin_t private_kernel_pfroute_plugin_t;
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_wfp/kernel_wfp_ipsec.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_wfp/kernel_wfp_ipsec.c
index 95f79f168..e1c429885 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_wfp/kernel_wfp_ipsec.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/kernel_wfp/kernel_wfp_ipsec.c
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 #include "kernel_wfp_ipsec.h"
 
 #include <daemon.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <threading/mutex.h>
 #include <collections/array.h>
 #include <collections/hashtable.h>
@@ -1396,10 +1395,9 @@ static bool uninstall_route(private_kernel_wfp_ipsec_t *this,
 	{
 		if (--route->refs == 0)
 		{
-			if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_interface(hydra->kernel_interface,
-													   src, &name))
+			if (charon->kernel->get_interface(charon->kernel, src, &name))
 			{
-				res = hydra->kernel_interface->del_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
+				res = charon->kernel->del_route(charon->kernel,
 						dst->get_address(dst), mask, gtw, src, name) == SUCCESS;
 				free(name);
 			}
@@ -1442,10 +1440,9 @@ static bool install_route(private_kernel_wfp_ipsec_t *this,
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_interface(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												   src, &name))
+		if (charon->kernel->get_interface(charon->kernel, src, &name))
 		{
-			if (hydra->kernel_interface->add_route(hydra->kernel_interface,
+			if (charon->kernel->add_route(charon->kernel,
 						dst->get_address(dst), mask, gtw, src, name) == SUCCESS)
 			{
 				INIT(route,
@@ -1486,14 +1483,13 @@ static bool manage_route(private_kernel_wfp_ipsec_t *this,
 	{
 		return FALSE;
 	}
-	if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_address_by_ts(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												src_ts, &src, NULL) != SUCCESS)
+	if (charon->kernel->get_address_by_ts(charon->kernel, src_ts, &src,
+										  NULL) != SUCCESS)
 	{
 		dst->destroy(dst);
 		return FALSE;
 	}
-	gtw = hydra->kernel_interface->get_nexthop(hydra->kernel_interface,
-											   remote, -1, local);
+	gtw = charon->kernel->get_nexthop(charon->kernel, remote, -1, local);
 	if (add)
 	{
 		done = install_route(this, dst, mask, src, gtw);
@@ -1650,8 +1646,7 @@ static void acquire(private_kernel_wfp_ipsec_t *this, UINT64 filter_id,
 	{
 		src = src ? src->clone(src) : NULL;
 		dst = dst ? dst->clone(dst) : NULL;
-		hydra->kernel_interface->acquire(hydra->kernel_interface, reqid,
-										 src, dst);
+		charon->kernel->acquire(charon->kernel, reqid, src, dst);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -2069,8 +2064,8 @@ static job_requeue_t expire_job(expire_data_t *data)
 
 	if (entry)
 	{
-		hydra->kernel_interface->expire(hydra->kernel_interface, protocol,
-										data->spi, data->dst, data->hard);
+		charon->kernel->expire(charon->kernel, protocol, data->spi, data->dst,
+							   data->hard);
 	}
 
 	return JOB_REQUEUE_NONE;
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/load_tester/load_tester_config.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/load_tester/load_tester_config.c
index 8a500635c..8f6abde0c 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/load_tester/load_tester_config.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/load_tester/load_tester_config.c
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 #include <netdb.h>
 
 #include <daemon.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <attributes/mem_pool.h>
 #include <collections/hashtable.h>
 #include <threading/mutex.h>
@@ -656,8 +655,8 @@ static host_t *allocate_addr(private_load_tester_config_t *this, uint num)
 		id->destroy(id);
 		return NULL;
 	}
-	if (hydra->kernel_interface->add_ip(hydra->kernel_interface,
-										found, this->prefix, iface) != SUCCESS)
+	if (charon->kernel->add_ip(charon->kernel, found, this->prefix,
+							   iface) != SUCCESS)
 	{
 		DBG1(DBG_CFG, "installing load-tester IP %H on %s failed", found, iface);
 		found->destroy(found);
@@ -852,8 +851,8 @@ METHOD(load_tester_config_t, delete_ip, void,
 		{
 			if (pool->release_address(pool, entry->host, entry->id))
 			{
-				hydra->kernel_interface->del_ip(hydra->kernel_interface,
-											entry->host, this->prefix, FALSE);
+				charon->kernel->del_ip(charon->kernel, entry->host,
+									   this->prefix, FALSE);
 				break;
 			}
 		}
@@ -882,8 +881,8 @@ static void cleanup_leases(private_load_tester_config_t *this)
 		{
 			if (online)
 			{
-				hydra->kernel_interface->del_ip(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												addr, this->prefix, FALSE);
+				charon->kernel->del_ip(charon->kernel, addr, this->prefix,
+									   FALSE);
 				entry = this->leases->remove(this->leases, addr);
 				if (entry)
 				{
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/load_tester/load_tester_plugin.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/load_tester/load_tester_plugin.c
index a0c467e22..6cf3a909c 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/load_tester/load_tester_plugin.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/load_tester/load_tester_plugin.c
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 
 #include <unistd.h>
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <processing/jobs/callback_job.h>
 #include <threading/condvar.h>
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/resolve/resolve_handler.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/resolve/resolve_handler.c
index 74c3960ff..ec3decc4d 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/resolve/resolve_handler.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/resolve/resolve_handler.c
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 #include <sys/stat.h>
 #include <unistd.h>
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <utils/debug.h>
 #include <threading/mutex.h>
 
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/socket_default/socket_default_socket.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/socket_default/socket_default_socket.c
index 13bf3e775..6e432d9cf 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/socket_default/socket_default_socket.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/socket_default/socket_default_socket.c
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@
 #include <netinet/udp.h>
 #include <net/if.h>
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <threading/thread.h>
 
@@ -720,16 +719,15 @@ static int open_socket(private_socket_default_socket_t *this,
 	}
 #endif
 
-	if (!hydra->kernel_interface->bypass_socket(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												skt, family))
+	if (!charon->kernel->bypass_socket(charon->kernel, skt, family))
 	{
 		DBG1(DBG_NET, "installing IKE bypass policy failed");
 	}
 
 	/* enable UDP decapsulation for NAT-T sockets */
 	if (port == &this->natt &&
-		!hydra->kernel_interface->enable_udp_decap(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												   skt, family, this->natt))
+		!charon->kernel->enable_udp_decap(charon->kernel, skt, family,
+										  this->natt))
 	{
 		DBG1(DBG_NET, "enabling UDP decapsulation for %s on port %d failed",
 			 family == AF_INET ? "IPv4" : "IPv6", this->natt);
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/socket_dynamic/socket_dynamic_socket.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/socket_dynamic/socket_dynamic_socket.c
index a032134c3..b89cae47b 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/socket_dynamic/socket_dynamic_socket.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/socket_dynamic/socket_dynamic_socket.c
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@
 #include <netinet/udp.h>
 #include <net/if.h>
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <threading/thread.h>
 #include <threading/rwlock.h>
@@ -438,15 +437,13 @@ static int open_socket(private_socket_dynamic_socket_t *this,
 		return 0;
 	}
 
-	if (!hydra->kernel_interface->bypass_socket(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												fd, family))
+	if (!charon->kernel->bypass_socket(charon->kernel, fd, family))
 	{
 		DBG1(DBG_NET, "installing IKE bypass policy failed");
 	}
 
 	/* enable UDP decapsulation on each socket */
-	if (!hydra->kernel_interface->enable_udp_decap(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												   fd, family, *port))
+	if (!charon->kernel->enable_udp_decap(charon->kernel, fd, family, *port))
 	{
 		DBG1(DBG_NET, "enabling UDP decapsulation for %s on port %d failed",
 			 family == AF_INET ? "IPv4" : "IPv6", *port);
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/socket_win/socket_win_socket.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/socket_win/socket_win_socket.c
index fbfbedae1..94af08e80 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/socket_win/socket_win_socket.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/socket_win/socket_win_socket.c
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@
 #include "socket_win_socket.h"
 
 #include <library.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <threading/thread.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 
@@ -397,13 +396,11 @@ static SOCKET open_socket(private_socket_win_socket_t *this, int i)
 		closesocket(s);
 		return INVALID_SOCKET;
 	}
-	if (!hydra->kernel_interface->bypass_socket(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												s, AF_INET))
+	if (!charon->kernel->bypass_socket(charon->kernel, s, AF_INET))
 	{
 		DBG1(DBG_NET, "installing IPv4 IKE bypass policy failed");
 	}
-	if (!hydra->kernel_interface->bypass_socket(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												s, AF_INET6))
+	if (!charon->kernel->bypass_socket(charon->kernel, s, AF_INET6))
 	{
 		DBG1(DBG_NET, "installing IPv6 IKE bypass policy failed");
 	}
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/stroke/stroke_config.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/stroke/stroke_config.c
index 400aa64a2..134abb955 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/stroke/stroke_config.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/stroke/stroke_config.c
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 
 #include "stroke_config.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <threading/mutex.h>
 #include <utils/lexparser.h>
@@ -201,8 +200,7 @@ static bool is_local(char *address, bool any_allowed)
 			host = host_create_from_dns(token, 0, 0);
 			if (host)
 			{
-				if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_interface(
-										hydra->kernel_interface, host, NULL))
+				if (charon->kernel->get_interface(charon->kernel, host, NULL))
 				{
 					found = TRUE;
 				}
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/stroke/stroke_control.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/stroke/stroke_control.c
index 5a1a5074d..36da5ff21 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/stroke/stroke_control.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/stroke/stroke_control.c
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 
 #include "stroke_control.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 
 #include <processing/jobs/delete_ike_sa_job.h>
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/stroke/stroke_list.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/stroke/stroke_list.c
index 14233c975..9d4d54246 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/stroke/stroke_list.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/stroke/stroke_list.c
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 #include <malloc.h>
 #endif /* HAVE_MALLINFO */
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <collections/linked_list.h>
 #include <plugins/plugin.h>
@@ -533,8 +532,8 @@ METHOD(stroke_list_t, status, void,
 		}
 		enumerator->destroy(enumerator);
 
-		enumerator = hydra->kernel_interface->create_address_enumerator(
-								hydra->kernel_interface, ADDR_TYPE_REGULAR);
+		enumerator = charon->kernel->create_address_enumerator(charon->kernel,
+															ADDR_TYPE_REGULAR);
 		fprintf(out, "Listening IP addresses:\n");
 		while (enumerator->enumerate(enumerator, (void**)&host))
 		{
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/tnc_ifmap/tnc_ifmap_listener.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/tnc_ifmap/tnc_ifmap_listener.c
index d2ba2e345..2bad4fab0 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/tnc_ifmap/tnc_ifmap_listener.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/tnc_ifmap/tnc_ifmap_listener.c
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 #include "tnc_ifmap_renew_session_job.h"
 
 #include <daemon.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <utils/debug.h>
 
 #define IFMAP_RENEW_SESSION_INTERVAL	150
@@ -51,8 +50,8 @@ static bool publish_device_ip_addresses(private_tnc_ifmap_listener_t *this)
 	host_t *host;
 	bool success = TRUE;
 
-	enumerator = hydra->kernel_interface->create_address_enumerator(
-									hydra->kernel_interface, ADDR_TYPE_REGULAR);
+	enumerator = charon->kernel->create_address_enumerator(charon->kernel,
+														   ADDR_TYPE_REGULAR);
 	while (enumerator->enumerate(enumerator, &host))
 	{
 		if (!this->ifmap->publish_device_ip(this->ifmap, host))
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/updown/updown_listener.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/updown/updown_listener.c
index 96282bee0..dafdf94fc 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/updown/updown_listener.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/updown/updown_listener.c
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 #include "updown_listener.h"
 
 #include <utils/process.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <config/child_cfg.h>
 
@@ -265,8 +264,7 @@ static void invoke_once(private_updown_listener_t *this, ike_sa_t *ike_sa,
 			 config->get_name(config));
 	if (up)
 	{
-		if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_interface(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												   me, &iface))
+		if (charon->kernel->get_interface(charon->kernel, me, &iface))
 		{
 			cache_iface(this, child_sa->get_reqid(child_sa), iface);
 		}
diff --git a/src/libcharon/plugins/vici/vici_tests.c b/src/libcharon/plugins/vici/vici_tests.c
index 434aa5e18..d1f8097bf 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/plugins/vici/vici_tests.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/plugins/vici/vici_tests.c
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 #include <test_runner.h>
 
 #include <daemon.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 
 /* declare test suite constructors */
 #define TEST_SUITE(x) test_suite_t* x();
diff --git a/src/libcharon/processing/jobs/adopt_children_job.c b/src/libcharon/processing/jobs/adopt_children_job.c
index b4f135a57..c39689012 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/processing/jobs/adopt_children_job.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/processing/jobs/adopt_children_job.c
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@
 #include "adopt_children_job.h"
 
 #include <daemon.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <collections/array.h>
 #include <processing/jobs/delete_ike_sa_job.h>
 
diff --git a/src/libcharon/sa/child_sa.c b/src/libcharon/sa/child_sa.c
index b0f163c83..56b7cb5a4 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/sa/child_sa.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/sa/child_sa.c
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include <time.h>
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <collections/array.h>
 
@@ -469,10 +468,10 @@ static status_t update_usebytes(private_child_sa_t *this, bool inbound)
 	{
 		if (this->my_spi)
 		{
-			status = hydra->kernel_interface->query_sa(hydra->kernel_interface,
-							this->other_addr, this->my_addr, this->my_spi,
-							proto_ike2ip(this->protocol), this->mark_in,
-							&bytes, &packets, &time);
+			status = charon->kernel->query_sa(charon->kernel, this->other_addr,
+									this->my_addr, this->my_spi,
+									proto_ike2ip(this->protocol), this->mark_in,
+									&bytes, &packets, &time);
 			if (status == SUCCESS)
 			{
 				if (bytes > this->my_usebytes)
@@ -493,10 +492,10 @@ static status_t update_usebytes(private_child_sa_t *this, bool inbound)
 	{
 		if (this->other_spi)
 		{
-			status = hydra->kernel_interface->query_sa(hydra->kernel_interface,
-							this->my_addr, this->other_addr, this->other_spi,
-							proto_ike2ip(this->protocol), this->mark_out,
-							&bytes, &packets, &time);
+			status = charon->kernel->query_sa(charon->kernel, this->my_addr,
+								this->other_addr, this->other_spi,
+								proto_ike2ip(this->protocol), this->mark_out,
+								&bytes, &packets, &time);
 			if (status == SUCCESS)
 			{
 				if (bytes > this->other_usebytes)
@@ -532,15 +531,15 @@ static bool update_usetime(private_child_sa_t *this, bool inbound)
 
 		if (inbound)
 		{
-			if (hydra->kernel_interface->query_policy(hydra->kernel_interface,
-						other_ts, my_ts, POLICY_IN, this->mark_in, &in) == SUCCESS)
+			if (charon->kernel->query_policy(charon->kernel, other_ts,
+							my_ts, POLICY_IN, this->mark_in, &in) == SUCCESS)
 			{
 				last_use = max(last_use, in);
 			}
 			if (this->mode != MODE_TRANSPORT)
 			{
-				if (hydra->kernel_interface->query_policy(hydra->kernel_interface,
-						other_ts, my_ts, POLICY_FWD, this->mark_in, &fwd) == SUCCESS)
+				if (charon->kernel->query_policy(charon->kernel, other_ts,
+							my_ts, POLICY_FWD, this->mark_in, &fwd) == SUCCESS)
 				{
 					last_use = max(last_use, fwd);
 				}
@@ -548,8 +547,8 @@ static bool update_usetime(private_child_sa_t *this, bool inbound)
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			if (hydra->kernel_interface->query_policy(hydra->kernel_interface,
-						my_ts, other_ts, POLICY_OUT, this->mark_out, &out) == SUCCESS)
+			if (charon->kernel->query_policy(charon->kernel, my_ts,
+							other_ts, POLICY_OUT, this->mark_out, &out) == SUCCESS)
 			{
 				last_use = max(last_use, out);
 			}
@@ -629,10 +628,8 @@ METHOD(child_sa_t, get_installtime, time_t,
 METHOD(child_sa_t, alloc_spi, u_int32_t,
 	   private_child_sa_t *this, protocol_id_t protocol)
 {
-	if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_spi(hydra->kernel_interface,
-										 this->other_addr, this->my_addr,
-										 proto_ike2ip(protocol),
-										 &this->my_spi) == SUCCESS)
+	if (charon->kernel->get_spi(charon->kernel, this->other_addr, this->my_addr,
+							proto_ike2ip(protocol), &this->my_spi) == SUCCESS)
 	{
 		/* if we allocate a SPI, but then are unable to establish the SA, we
 		 * need to know the protocol family to delete the partial SA */
@@ -645,9 +642,8 @@ METHOD(child_sa_t, alloc_spi, u_int32_t,
 METHOD(child_sa_t, alloc_cpi, u_int16_t,
 	   private_child_sa_t *this)
 {
-	if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_cpi(hydra->kernel_interface,
-										 this->other_addr, this->my_addr,
-										 &this->my_cpi) == SUCCESS)
+	if (charon->kernel->get_cpi(charon->kernel, this->other_addr, this->my_addr,
+								&this->my_cpi) == SUCCESS)
 	{
 		return this->my_cpi;
 	}
@@ -711,9 +707,8 @@ METHOD(child_sa_t, install, status_t,
 
 	if (!this->reqid_allocated && !this->static_reqid)
 	{
-		status = hydra->kernel_interface->alloc_reqid(hydra->kernel_interface,
-							my_ts, other_ts, this->mark_in, this->mark_out,
-							&this->reqid);
+		status = charon->kernel->alloc_reqid(charon->kernel, my_ts, other_ts,
+								this->mark_in, this->mark_out, &this->reqid);
 		if (status != SUCCESS)
 		{
 			return status;
@@ -757,7 +752,7 @@ METHOD(child_sa_t, install, status_t,
 		dst_ts = other_ts;
 	}
 
-	status = hydra->kernel_interface->add_sa(hydra->kernel_interface,
+	status = charon->kernel->add_sa(charon->kernel,
 				src, dst, spi, proto_ike2ip(this->protocol), this->reqid,
 				inbound ? this->mark_in : this->mark_out, tfc,
 				lifetime, enc_alg, encr, int_alg, integ, this->mode,
@@ -776,7 +771,7 @@ static bool require_policy_update()
 {
 	kernel_feature_t f;
 
-	f = hydra->kernel_interface->get_features(hydra->kernel_interface);
+	f = charon->kernel->get_features(charon->kernel);
 	return !(f & KERNEL_NO_POLICY_UPDATES);
 }
 
@@ -833,18 +828,18 @@ static status_t install_policies_internal(private_child_sa_t *this,
 	ipsec_sa_cfg_t *other_sa, policy_type_t type, policy_priority_t priority)
 {
 	status_t status = SUCCESS;
-	status |= hydra->kernel_interface->add_policy(hydra->kernel_interface,
+	status |= charon->kernel->add_policy(charon->kernel,
 							my_addr, other_addr, my_ts, other_ts,
 							POLICY_OUT, type, other_sa,
 							this->mark_out, priority);
 
-	status |= hydra->kernel_interface->add_policy(hydra->kernel_interface,
+	status |= charon->kernel->add_policy(charon->kernel,
 							other_addr, my_addr, other_ts, my_ts,
 							POLICY_IN, type, my_sa,
 							this->mark_in, priority);
 	if (this->mode != MODE_TRANSPORT)
 	{
-		status |= hydra->kernel_interface->add_policy(hydra->kernel_interface,
+		status |= charon->kernel->add_policy(charon->kernel,
 							other_addr, my_addr, other_ts, my_ts,
 							POLICY_FWD, type, my_sa,
 							this->mark_in, priority);
@@ -861,15 +856,15 @@ static void del_policies_internal(private_child_sa_t *this,
 	ipsec_sa_cfg_t *other_sa, policy_type_t type, policy_priority_t priority)
 {
 
-	hydra->kernel_interface->del_policy(hydra->kernel_interface,
+	charon->kernel->del_policy(charon->kernel,
 						my_addr, other_addr, my_ts, other_ts, POLICY_OUT, type,
 						other_sa, this->mark_out, priority);
-	hydra->kernel_interface->del_policy(hydra->kernel_interface,
+	charon->kernel->del_policy(charon->kernel,
 						other_addr, my_addr, other_ts, my_ts, POLICY_IN,
 						type, my_sa, this->mark_in, priority);
 	if (this->mode != MODE_TRANSPORT)
 	{
-		hydra->kernel_interface->del_policy(hydra->kernel_interface,
+		charon->kernel->del_policy(charon->kernel,
 						other_addr, my_addr, other_ts, my_ts, POLICY_FWD,
 						type, my_sa, this->mark_in, priority);
 	}
@@ -886,8 +881,8 @@ METHOD(child_sa_t, add_policies, status_t,
 	if (!this->reqid_allocated && !this->static_reqid)
 	{
 		/* trap policy, get or confirm reqid */
-		status = hydra->kernel_interface->alloc_reqid(
-							hydra->kernel_interface, my_ts_list, other_ts_list,
+		status = charon->kernel->alloc_reqid(
+							charon->kernel, my_ts_list, other_ts_list,
 							this->mark_in, this->mark_out, &this->reqid);
 		if (status != SUCCESS)
 		{
@@ -967,11 +962,10 @@ static void reinstall_vip(host_t *vip, host_t *me)
 {
 	char *iface;
 
-	if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_interface(hydra->kernel_interface,
-											   me, &iface))
+	if (charon->kernel->get_interface(charon->kernel, me, &iface))
 	{
-		hydra->kernel_interface->del_ip(hydra->kernel_interface, vip, -1, TRUE);
-		hydra->kernel_interface->add_ip(hydra->kernel_interface, vip, -1, iface);
+		charon->kernel->del_ip(charon->kernel, vip, -1, TRUE);
+		charon->kernel->add_ip(charon->kernel, vip, -1, iface);
 		free(iface);
 	}
 }
@@ -1000,7 +994,7 @@ METHOD(child_sa_t, update, status_t,
 		/* update our (initiator) SA */
 		if (this->my_spi)
 		{
-			if (hydra->kernel_interface->update_sa(hydra->kernel_interface,
+			if (charon->kernel->update_sa(charon->kernel,
 							this->my_spi, proto_ike2ip(this->protocol),
 							this->ipcomp != IPCOMP_NONE ? this->my_cpi : 0,
 							this->other_addr, this->my_addr, other, me,
@@ -1014,7 +1008,7 @@ METHOD(child_sa_t, update, status_t,
 		/* update his (responder) SA */
 		if (this->other_spi)
 		{
-			if (hydra->kernel_interface->update_sa(hydra->kernel_interface,
+			if (charon->kernel->update_sa(charon->kernel,
 							this->other_spi, proto_ike2ip(this->protocol),
 							this->ipcomp != IPCOMP_NONE ? this->other_cpi : 0,
 							this->my_addr, this->other_addr, me, other,
@@ -1143,14 +1137,14 @@ METHOD(child_sa_t, destroy, void,
 	/* delete SAs in the kernel, if they are set up */
 	if (this->my_spi)
 	{
-		hydra->kernel_interface->del_sa(hydra->kernel_interface,
+		charon->kernel->del_sa(charon->kernel,
 					this->other_addr, this->my_addr, this->my_spi,
 					proto_ike2ip(this->protocol), this->my_cpi,
 					this->mark_in);
 	}
 	if (this->other_spi)
 	{
-		hydra->kernel_interface->del_sa(hydra->kernel_interface,
+		charon->kernel->del_sa(charon->kernel,
 					this->my_addr, this->other_addr, this->other_spi,
 					proto_ike2ip(this->protocol), this->other_cpi,
 					this->mark_out);
@@ -1158,7 +1152,7 @@ METHOD(child_sa_t, destroy, void,
 
 	if (this->reqid_allocated)
 	{
-		if (hydra->kernel_interface->release_reqid(hydra->kernel_interface,
+		if (charon->kernel->release_reqid(charon->kernel,
 						this->reqid, this->mark_in, this->mark_out) != SUCCESS)
 		{
 			DBG1(DBG_CHD, "releasing reqid %u failed", this->reqid);
diff --git a/src/libcharon/sa/ike_sa.c b/src/libcharon/sa/ike_sa.c
index afd6fdf2a..48a4b274a 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/sa/ike_sa.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/sa/ike_sa.c
@@ -46,7 +46,6 @@
 #include "ike_sa.h"
 
 #include <library.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <collections/array.h>
 #include <utils/lexparser.h>
@@ -803,12 +802,12 @@ METHOD(ike_sa_t, add_virtual_ip, void,
 	{
 		char *iface;
 
-		if (hydra->kernel_interface->get_interface(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												   this->my_host, &iface))
+		if (charon->kernel->get_interface(charon->kernel, this->my_host,
+										  &iface))
 		{
 			DBG1(DBG_IKE, "installing new virtual IP %H", ip);
-			if (hydra->kernel_interface->add_ip(hydra->kernel_interface,
-												ip, -1, iface) == SUCCESS)
+			if (charon->kernel->add_ip(charon->kernel, ip, -1,
+									   iface) == SUCCESS)
 			{
 				array_insert_create(&this->my_vips, ARRAY_TAIL, ip->clone(ip));
 			}
@@ -845,8 +844,7 @@ METHOD(ike_sa_t, clear_virtual_ips, void,
 	{
 		if (local)
 		{
-			hydra->kernel_interface->del_ip(hydra->kernel_interface,
-											vip, -1, TRUE);
+			charon->kernel->del_ip(charon->kernel, vip, -1, TRUE);
 		}
 		vip->destroy(vip);
 	}
@@ -1282,8 +1280,8 @@ static void resolve_hosts(private_ike_sa_t *this)
 			!this->other_host->is_anyaddr(this->other_host))
 		{
 			host->destroy(host);
-			host = hydra->kernel_interface->get_source_addr(
-							hydra->kernel_interface, this->other_host, NULL);
+			host = charon->kernel->get_source_addr(charon->kernel,
+												   this->other_host, NULL);
 			if (host)
 			{
 				host->set_port(host, this->ike_cfg->get_my_port(this->ike_cfg));
@@ -2084,8 +2082,8 @@ static bool is_current_path_valid(private_ike_sa_t *this)
 {
 	bool valid = FALSE;
 	host_t *src;
-	src = hydra->kernel_interface->get_source_addr(hydra->kernel_interface,
-											this->other_host, this->my_host);
+	src = charon->kernel->get_source_addr(charon->kernel, this->other_host,
+										  this->my_host);
 	if (src)
 	{
 		if (src->ip_equals(src, this->my_host))
@@ -2129,8 +2127,7 @@ static bool is_any_path_valid(private_ike_sa_t *this)
 			continue;
 		}
 		DBG1(DBG_IKE, "looking for a route to %H ...", addr);
-		src = hydra->kernel_interface->get_source_addr(
-										hydra->kernel_interface, addr, NULL);
+		src = charon->kernel->get_source_addr(charon->kernel, addr, NULL);
 		if (src)
 		{
 			break;
@@ -2418,7 +2415,7 @@ METHOD(ike_sa_t, destroy, void,
 	}
 	while (array_remove(this->my_vips, ARRAY_TAIL, &vip))
 	{
-		hydra->kernel_interface->del_ip(hydra->kernel_interface, vip, -1, TRUE);
+		charon->kernel->del_ip(charon->kernel, vip, -1, TRUE);
 		vip->destroy(vip);
 	}
 	if (array_count(this->other_vips))
diff --git a/src/libcharon/sa/ikev1/tasks/isakmp_natd.c b/src/libcharon/sa/ikev1/tasks/isakmp_natd.c
index b8af6f67b..cb1a31371 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/sa/ikev1/tasks/isakmp_natd.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/sa/ikev1/tasks/isakmp_natd.c
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@
 
 #include <string.h>
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <sa/ikev1/keymat_v1.h>
 #include <config/peer_cfg.h>
@@ -104,7 +103,7 @@ static bool force_encap(ike_cfg_t *ike_cfg)
 {
 	if (!ike_cfg->force_encap(ike_cfg))
 	{
-		return hydra->kernel_interface->get_features(hydra->kernel_interface) &
+		return charon->kernel->get_features(charon->kernel) &
 					KERNEL_REQUIRE_UDP_ENCAPSULATION;
 	}
 	return TRUE;
diff --git a/src/libcharon/sa/ikev1/tasks/xauth.c b/src/libcharon/sa/ikev1/tasks/xauth.c
index c0c91574c..ecdfc780d 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/sa/ikev1/tasks/xauth.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/sa/ikev1/tasks/xauth.c
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 #include "xauth.h"
 
 #include <daemon.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <encoding/payloads/cp_payload.h>
 #include <processing/jobs/adopt_children_job.h>
 #include <sa/ikev1/tasks/mode_config.h>
diff --git a/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/child_create.c b/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/child_create.c
index 97f73d851..740d09778 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/child_create.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/child_create.c
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 #include "child_create.h"
 
 #include <daemon.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <sa/ikev2/keymat_v2.h>
 #include <crypto/diffie_hellman.h>
 #include <credentials/certificates/x509.h>
@@ -786,7 +785,7 @@ static bool build_payloads(private_child_create_t *this, message_t *message)
 			break;
 	}
 
-	features = hydra->kernel_interface->get_features(hydra->kernel_interface);
+	features = charon->kernel->get_features(charon->kernel);
 	if (!(features & KERNEL_ESP_V3_TFC))
 	{
 		message->add_notify(message, FALSE, ESP_TFC_PADDING_NOT_SUPPORTED,
diff --git a/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/ike_me.c b/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/ike_me.c
index a7e7505a1..10d412ffd 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/ike_me.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/ike_me.c
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 
 #include <string.h>
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <config/peer_cfg.h>
 #include <encoding/payloads/id_payload.h>
@@ -135,8 +134,8 @@ static void gather_and_add_endpoints(private_ike_me_t *this, message_t *message)
 	host = this->ike_sa->get_my_host(this->ike_sa);
 	port = host->get_port(host);
 
-	enumerator = hydra->kernel_interface->create_address_enumerator(
-									hydra->kernel_interface, ADDR_TYPE_REGULAR);
+	enumerator = charon->kernel->create_address_enumerator(charon->kernel,
+														   ADDR_TYPE_REGULAR);
 	while (enumerator->enumerate(enumerator, (void**)&addr))
 	{
 		host = addr->clone(addr);
diff --git a/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/ike_mobike.c b/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/ike_mobike.c
index cbdc5e797..3f7bb175f 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/ike_mobike.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/ike_mobike.c
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 
 #include <string.h>
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <sa/ikev2/tasks/ike_natd.h>
 #include <encoding/payloads/notify_payload.h>
@@ -196,8 +195,8 @@ static void build_address_list(private_ike_mobike_t *this, message_t *message)
 	int added = 0;
 
 	me = this->ike_sa->get_my_host(this->ike_sa);
-	enumerator = hydra->kernel_interface->create_address_enumerator(
-									hydra->kernel_interface, ADDR_TYPE_REGULAR);
+	enumerator = charon->kernel->create_address_enumerator(charon->kernel,
+														   ADDR_TYPE_REGULAR);
 	while (enumerator->enumerate(enumerator, (void**)&host))
 	{
 		if (me->ip_equals(me, host))
@@ -333,8 +332,7 @@ METHOD(ike_mobike_t, transmit, bool,
 
 	if (!this->check)
 	{
-		me = hydra->kernel_interface->get_source_addr(hydra->kernel_interface,
-													  other_old, me_old);
+		me = charon->kernel->get_source_addr(charon->kernel, other_old, me_old);
 		if (me)
 		{
 			if (me->ip_equals(me, me_old))
@@ -372,8 +370,7 @@ METHOD(ike_mobike_t, transmit, bool,
 		{
 			continue;
 		}
-		me = hydra->kernel_interface->get_source_addr(
-										hydra->kernel_interface, other, NULL);
+		me = charon->kernel->get_source_addr(charon->kernel, other, NULL);
 		if (me)
 		{
 			/* reuse port for an active address, 4500 otherwise */
@@ -407,7 +404,7 @@ METHOD(task_t, build_i, status_t,
 
 		/* we check if the existing address is still valid */
 		old = message->get_source(message);
-		new = hydra->kernel_interface->get_source_addr(hydra->kernel_interface,
+		new = charon->kernel->get_source_addr(charon->kernel,
 										message->get_destination(message), old);
 		if (new)
 		{
diff --git a/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/ike_natd.c b/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/ike_natd.c
index dd34c1234..4bf5264dd 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/ike_natd.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/sa/ikev2/tasks/ike_natd.c
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 
 #include <string.h>
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <config/peer_cfg.h>
 #include <crypto/hashers/hasher.h>
@@ -86,7 +85,7 @@ static bool force_encap(ike_cfg_t *ike_cfg)
 {
 	if (!ike_cfg->force_encap(ike_cfg))
 	{
-		return hydra->kernel_interface->get_features(hydra->kernel_interface) &
+		return charon->kernel->get_features(charon->kernel) &
 					KERNEL_REQUIRE_UDP_ENCAPSULATION;
 	}
 	return TRUE;
@@ -327,7 +326,7 @@ METHOD(task_t, build_i, status_t,
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		host = hydra->kernel_interface->get_source_addr(hydra->kernel_interface,
+		host = charon->kernel->get_source_addr(charon->kernel,
 							this->ike_sa->get_other_host(this->ike_sa), NULL);
 		if (host)
 		{	/* 2. */
@@ -341,8 +340,8 @@ METHOD(task_t, build_i, status_t,
 		}
 		else
 		{	/* 3. */
-			enumerator = hydra->kernel_interface->create_address_enumerator(
-									hydra->kernel_interface, ADDR_TYPE_REGULAR);
+			enumerator = charon->kernel->create_address_enumerator(
+											charon->kernel, ADDR_TYPE_REGULAR);
 			while (enumerator->enumerate(enumerator, (void**)&host))
 			{
 				/* apply port 500 to host, but work on a copy */
diff --git a/src/libcharon/sa/shunt_manager.c b/src/libcharon/sa/shunt_manager.c
index 5231994c8..0e9cf6e1f 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/sa/shunt_manager.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/sa/shunt_manager.c
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 
 #include "shunt_manager.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <threading/rwlock.h>
 #include <threading/rwlock_condvar.h>
@@ -111,22 +110,22 @@ static bool install_shunt_policy(child_cfg_t *child)
 				continue;
 			}
 			/* install out policy */
-			status |= hydra->kernel_interface->add_policy(
-								hydra->kernel_interface, host_any, host_any,
+			status |= charon->kernel->add_policy(charon->kernel,
+								host_any, host_any,
 								my_ts, other_ts, POLICY_OUT, policy_type,
 								&sa, child->get_mark(child, FALSE),
 								policy_prio);
 
 			/* install in policy */
-			status |= hydra->kernel_interface->add_policy(
-								hydra->kernel_interface, host_any, host_any,
+			status |= charon->kernel->add_policy(charon->kernel,
+								host_any, host_any,
 								other_ts, my_ts, POLICY_IN, policy_type,
 								&sa, child->get_mark(child, TRUE),
 								policy_prio);
 
 			/* install forward policy */
-			status |= hydra->kernel_interface->add_policy(
-								hydra->kernel_interface, host_any, host_any,
+			status |= charon->kernel->add_policy(charon->kernel,
+								host_any, host_any,
 								other_ts, my_ts, POLICY_FWD, policy_type,
 								&sa, child->get_mark(child, TRUE),
 								policy_prio);
@@ -248,22 +247,22 @@ static void uninstall_shunt_policy(child_cfg_t *child)
 				continue;
 			}
 			/* uninstall out policy */
-			status |= hydra->kernel_interface->del_policy(
-							hydra->kernel_interface, host_any, host_any,
+			status |= charon->kernel->del_policy(charon->kernel,
+							host_any, host_any,
 							my_ts, other_ts, POLICY_OUT, policy_type,
 							&sa, child->get_mark(child, FALSE),
 							policy_prio);
 
 			/* uninstall in policy */
-			status |= hydra->kernel_interface->del_policy(
-							hydra->kernel_interface, host_any, host_any,
+			status |= charon->kernel->del_policy(charon->kernel,
+							host_any, host_any,
 							other_ts, my_ts, POLICY_IN, policy_type,
 							&sa, child->get_mark(child, TRUE),
 							policy_prio);
 
 			/* uninstall forward policy */
-			status |= hydra->kernel_interface->del_policy(
-							hydra->kernel_interface, host_any, host_any,
+			status |= charon->kernel->del_policy(charon->kernel,
+							host_any, host_any,
 							other_ts, my_ts, POLICY_FWD, policy_type,
 							&sa, child->get_mark(child, TRUE),
 							policy_prio);
diff --git a/src/libcharon/sa/trap_manager.c b/src/libcharon/sa/trap_manager.c
index 90ad7e40e..85e220775 100644
--- a/src/libcharon/sa/trap_manager.c
+++ b/src/libcharon/sa/trap_manager.c
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 
 #include "trap_manager.h"
 
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <daemon.h>
 #include <threading/mutex.h>
 #include <threading/rwlock.h>
@@ -195,8 +194,7 @@ METHOD(trap_manager_t, install, u_int32_t,
 		if (!me || me->is_anyaddr(me))
 		{
 			DESTROY_IF(me);
-			me = hydra->kernel_interface->get_source_addr(
-										hydra->kernel_interface, other, NULL);
+			me = charon->kernel->get_source_addr(charon->kernel, other, NULL);
 			if (!me)
 			{
 				DBG1(DBG_CFG, "installing trap failed, local address unknown");
diff --git a/src/libhydra/Android.mk b/src/libhydra/Android.mk
index 938f5ec96..2e5080007 100644
--- a/src/libhydra/Android.mk
+++ b/src/libhydra/Android.mk
@@ -3,11 +3,7 @@ include $(CLEAR_VARS)
 
 # copy-n-paste from Makefile.am
 libhydra_la_SOURCES := \
-hydra.c hydra.h \
-kernel/kernel_interface.c kernel/kernel_interface.h \
-kernel/kernel_ipsec.c kernel/kernel_ipsec.h \
-kernel/kernel_net.c kernel/kernel_net.h \
-kernel/kernel_listener.h
+hydra.c hydra.h
 
 LOCAL_SRC_FILES := $(filter %.c,$(libhydra_la_SOURCES))
 
diff --git a/src/libhydra/Makefile.am b/src/libhydra/Makefile.am
index 28303fc70..047f7ca54 100644
--- a/src/libhydra/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/libhydra/Makefile.am
@@ -1,11 +1,7 @@
 ipseclib_LTLIBRARIES = libhydra.la
 
 libhydra_la_SOURCES = \
-hydra.c hydra.h \
-kernel/kernel_interface.c kernel/kernel_interface.h \
-kernel/kernel_ipsec.c kernel/kernel_ipsec.h \
-kernel/kernel_net.c kernel/kernel_net.h \
-kernel/kernel_listener.h
+hydra.c hydra.h
 
 libhydra_la_LIBADD = \
   $(top_builddir)/src/libstrongswan/libstrongswan.la
diff --git a/src/libhydra/hydra.c b/src/libhydra/hydra.c
index 47ffb59c6..2f6ce452b 100644
--- a/src/libhydra/hydra.c
+++ b/src/libhydra/hydra.c
@@ -57,7 +57,6 @@ void libhydra_deinit()
 		return;
 	}
 
-	this->public.kernel_interface->destroy(this->public.kernel_interface);
 	free(this);
 	hydra = NULL;
 }
@@ -81,8 +80,6 @@ bool libhydra_init()
 	);
 	hydra = &this->public;
 
-	this->public.kernel_interface = kernel_interface_create();
-
 	if (lib->integrity &&
 		!lib->integrity->check(lib->integrity, "libhydra", libhydra_init))
 	{
diff --git a/src/libhydra/hydra.h b/src/libhydra/hydra.h
index b23a30584..df9c69ddf 100644
--- a/src/libhydra/hydra.h
+++ b/src/libhydra/hydra.h
@@ -31,8 +31,6 @@
 
 typedef struct hydra_t hydra_t;
 
-#include <kernel/kernel_interface.h>
-
 #include <library.h>
 
 /**
@@ -40,10 +38,6 @@ typedef struct hydra_t hydra_t;
  */
 struct hydra_t {
 
-	/**
-	 * kernel interface to communicate with kernel
-	 */
-	kernel_interface_t *kernel_interface;
 };
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/starter/Makefile.am b/src/starter/Makefile.am
index 7f5d1ca5b..175486689 100644
--- a/src/starter/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/starter/Makefile.am
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ AM_CPPFLAGS = \
 	-I${linux_headers} \
 	-I$(top_srcdir)/src/libstrongswan \
 	-I$(top_srcdir)/src/libhydra \
+	-I$(top_srcdir)/src/libcharon \
 	-I$(top_srcdir)/src/starter \
 	-I$(top_srcdir)/src/stroke \
 	-DIPSEC_DIR=\"${ipsecdir}\" \
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ AM_YFLAGS = -v -d
 starter_LDADD = \
 	$(top_builddir)/src/libstrongswan/libstrongswan.la \
 	$(top_builddir)/src/libhydra/libhydra.la \
+	$(top_builddir)/src/libcharon/libcharon.la \
 	libstarter.la \
 	$(SOCKLIB) $(PTHREADLIB)
 
diff --git a/src/starter/netkey.c b/src/starter/netkey.c
index 3eb6973a1..b150d3e80 100644
--- a/src/starter/netkey.c
+++ b/src/starter/netkey.c
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 #include <stdlib.h>
 
 #include <library.h>
-#include <hydra.h>
 #include <utils/debug.h>
 
 #include "files.h"