diff --git a/copyparty/__main__.py b/copyparty/__main__.py
index a115eeaf..c1a9604e 100755
--- a/copyparty/__main__.py
+++ b/copyparty/__main__.py
@@ -841,7 +841,6 @@ def add_general(ap, nc, srvname):
     ap2 = ap.add_argument_group('general options')
     ap2.add_argument("-c", metavar="PATH", type=u, action="append", help="add config file")
     ap2.add_argument("-nc", metavar="NUM", type=int, default=nc, help="max num clients")
-    ap2.add_argument("-j", metavar="CORES", type=int, default=1, help="max num cpu cores, 0=all")
     ap2.add_argument("-a", metavar="ACCT", type=u, action="append", help="add account, \033[33mUSER\033[0m:\033[33mPASS\033[0m; example [\033[32med:wark\033[0m]")
     ap2.add_argument("-v", metavar="VOL", type=u, action="append", help="add volume, \033[33mSRC\033[0m:\033[33mDST\033[0m:\033[33mFLAG\033[0m; examples [\033[32m.::r\033[0m], [\033[32m/mnt/nas/music:/music:r:aed\033[0m], see --help-accounts")
     ap2.add_argument("--grp", metavar="G:N,N", type=u, action="append", help="add group, \033[33mNAME\033[0m:\033[33mUSER1\033[0m,\033[33mUSER2\033[0m,\033[33m...\033[0m; example [\033[32madmins:ed,foo,bar\033[0m]")
@@ -881,7 +880,7 @@ def add_upload(ap):
     ap2.add_argument("--blank-wt", metavar="SEC", type=int, default=300, help="file write grace period (any client can write to a blank file last-modified more recently than \033[33mSEC\033[0m seconds ago)")
     ap2.add_argument("--reg-cap", metavar="N", type=int, default=38400, help="max number of uploads to keep in memory when running without \033[33m-e2d\033[0m; roughly 1 MiB RAM per 600")
     ap2.add_argument("--no-fpool", action="store_true", help="disable file-handle pooling -- instead, repeatedly close and reopen files during upload (bad idea to enable this on windows and/or cow filesystems)")
-    ap2.add_argument("--use-fpool", action="store_true", help="force file-handle pooling, even when it might be dangerous (multiprocessing, filesystems lacking sparse-files support, ...)")
+    ap2.add_argument("--use-fpool", action="store_true", help="force file-handle pooling, even when it might be dangerous (filesystems lacking sparse-files support, ...)")
     ap2.add_argument("--hardlink", action="store_true", help="prefer hardlinks instead of symlinks when possible (within same filesystem) (volflag=hardlink)")
     ap2.add_argument("--never-symlink", action="store_true", help="do not fallback to symlinks when a hardlink cannot be made (volflag=neversymlink)")
     ap2.add_argument("--no-dedup", action="store_true", help="disable symlink/hardlink creation; copy file contents instead (volflag=copydupes)")
diff --git a/copyparty/authsrv.py b/copyparty/authsrv.py
index ecaf63fa..b0b47273 100644
--- a/copyparty/authsrv.py
+++ b/copyparty/authsrv.py
@@ -44,9 +44,7 @@ if True:  # pylint: disable=using-constant-test
     from .util import NamedLogger, RootLogger
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from .broker_mp import BrokerMp
-    from .broker_thr import BrokerThr
-    from .broker_util import BrokerCli
+    from .svchub import SvcHub
 
     # Vflags: TypeAlias = dict[str, str | bool | float | list[str]]
     # Vflags: TypeAlias = dict[str, Any]
@@ -141,9 +139,9 @@ class Lim(object):
         sz: int,
         ptop: str,
         abspath: str,
-        broker: Optional[Union["BrokerCli", "BrokerMp", "BrokerThr"]] = None,
+        hub: Optional["SvcHub"] = None,
         reg: Optional[dict[str, dict[str, Any]]] = None,
-        volgetter: str = "up2k.get_volsize",
+        volgetter: str = "get_volsize",
     ) -> tuple[str, str]:
         if reg is not None and self.reg is None:
             self.reg = reg
@@ -154,7 +152,7 @@ class Lim(object):
         self.chk_rem(rem)
         if sz != -1:
             self.chk_sz(sz)
-            self.chk_vsz(broker, ptop, sz, volgetter)
+            self.chk_vsz(hub, ptop, sz, volgetter)
             self.chk_df(abspath, sz)  # side effects; keep last-ish
 
         ap2, vp2 = self.rot(abspath)
@@ -172,16 +170,15 @@ class Lim(object):
 
     def chk_vsz(
         self,
-        broker: Optional[Union["BrokerCli", "BrokerMp", "BrokerThr"]],
+        hub: Optional["SvcHub"],
         ptop: str,
         sz: int,
         volgetter: str = "up2k.get_volsize",
     ) -> None:
-        if not broker or not self.vbmax + self.vnmax:
+        if not hub or not self.vbmax + self.vnmax:
             return
 
-        x = broker.ask(volgetter, ptop)
-        nbytes, nfiles = x.get()
+        nbytes, nfiles = hub.up2k.getattr(volgetter)(ptop)
 
         if self.vbmax and self.vbmax < nbytes + sz:
             raise Pebkac(400, "volume has exceeded max size")
@@ -815,9 +812,7 @@ class AuthSrv(object):
 
         yield prev, True
 
-    def idp_checkin(
-        self, broker: Optional["BrokerCli"], uname: str, gname: str
-    ) -> bool:
+    def idp_checkin(self, hub: Optional["SvcHub"], uname: str, gname: str) -> bool:
         if uname in self.acct:
             return False
 
@@ -837,12 +832,12 @@ class AuthSrv(object):
             t = "reinitializing due to new user from IdP: [%s:%s]"
             self.log(t % (uname, gnames), 3)
 
-            if not broker:
+            if not hub:
                 # only true for tests
                 self._reload()
                 return True
 
-        broker.ask("_reload_blocking", False).get()
+        hub._reload_blocking(False)
         return True
 
     def _map_volume_idp(
diff --git a/copyparty/broker_mp.py b/copyparty/broker_mp.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 848b07ee..00000000
--- a/copyparty/broker_mp.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,141 +0,0 @@
-# coding: utf-8
-from __future__ import print_function, unicode_literals
-
-import threading
-import time
-import traceback
-
-import queue
-
-from .__init__ import CORES, TYPE_CHECKING
-from .broker_mpw import MpWorker
-from .broker_util import ExceptionalQueue, try_exec
-from .util import Daemon, mp
-
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from .svchub import SvcHub
-
-if True:  # pylint: disable=using-constant-test
-    from typing import Any
-
-
-class MProcess(mp.Process):
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        q_pend: queue.Queue[tuple[int, str, list[Any]]],
-        q_yield: queue.Queue[tuple[int, str, list[Any]]],
-        target: Any,
-        args: Any,
-    ) -> None:
-        super(MProcess, self).__init__(target=target, args=args)
-        self.q_pend = q_pend
-        self.q_yield = q_yield
-
-
-class BrokerMp(object):
-    """external api; manages MpWorkers"""
-
-    def __init__(self, hub: "SvcHub") -> None:
-        self.hub = hub
-        self.log = hub.log
-        self.args = hub.args
-
-        self.procs = []
-        self.mutex = threading.Lock()
-
-        self.num_workers = self.args.j or CORES
-        self.log("broker", "booting {} subprocesses".format(self.num_workers))
-        for n in range(1, self.num_workers + 1):
-            q_pend: queue.Queue[tuple[int, str, list[Any]]] = mp.Queue(1)  # type: ignore
-            q_yield: queue.Queue[tuple[int, str, list[Any]]] = mp.Queue(64)  # type: ignore
-
-            proc = MProcess(q_pend, q_yield, MpWorker, (q_pend, q_yield, self.args, n))
-            Daemon(self.collector, "mp-sink-{}".format(n), (proc,))
-            self.procs.append(proc)
-            proc.start()
-
-    def shutdown(self) -> None:
-        self.log("broker", "shutting down")
-        for n, proc in enumerate(self.procs):
-            thr = threading.Thread(
-                target=proc.q_pend.put((0, "shutdown", [])),
-                name="mp-shutdown-{}-{}".format(n, len(self.procs)),
-            )
-            thr.start()
-
-        with self.mutex:
-            procs = self.procs
-            self.procs = []
-
-        while procs:
-            if procs[-1].is_alive():
-                time.sleep(0.05)
-                continue
-
-            procs.pop()
-
-    def reload(self) -> None:
-        self.log("broker", "reloading")
-        for _, proc in enumerate(self.procs):
-            proc.q_pend.put((0, "reload", []))
-
-    def collector(self, proc: MProcess) -> None:
-        """receive message from hub in other process"""
-        while True:
-            msg = proc.q_yield.get()
-            retq_id, dest, args = msg
-
-            if dest == "log":
-                self.log(*args)
-
-            elif dest == "retq":
-                # response from previous ipc call
-                raise Exception("invalid broker_mp usage")
-
-            else:
-                # new ipc invoking managed service in hub
-                try:
-                    obj = self.hub
-                    for node in dest.split("."):
-                        obj = getattr(obj, node)
-
-                    # TODO will deadlock if dest performs another ipc
-                    rv = try_exec(retq_id, obj, *args)
-                except:
-                    rv = ["exception", "stack", traceback.format_exc()]
-
-                if retq_id:
-                    proc.q_pend.put((retq_id, "retq", rv))
-
-    def ask(self, dest: str, *args: Any) -> ExceptionalQueue:
-
-        # new non-ipc invoking managed service in hub
-        obj = self.hub
-        for node in dest.split("."):
-            obj = getattr(obj, node)
-
-        rv = try_exec(True, obj, *args)
-
-        retq = ExceptionalQueue(1)
-        retq.put(rv)
-        return retq
-
-    def say(self, dest: str, *args: Any) -> None:
-        """
-        send message to non-hub component in other process,
-        returns a Queue object which eventually contains the response if want_retval
-        (not-impl here since nothing uses it yet)
-        """
-        if dest == "listen":
-            for p in self.procs:
-                p.q_pend.put((0, dest, [args[0], len(self.procs)]))
-
-        elif dest == "set_netdevs":
-            for p in self.procs:
-                p.q_pend.put((0, dest, list(args)))
-
-        elif dest == "cb_httpsrv_up":
-            self.hub.cb_httpsrv_up()
-
-        else:
-            raise Exception("what is " + str(dest))
diff --git a/copyparty/broker_mpw.py b/copyparty/broker_mpw.py
deleted file mode 100644
index e74c4547..00000000
--- a/copyparty/broker_mpw.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,123 +0,0 @@
-# coding: utf-8
-from __future__ import print_function, unicode_literals
-
-import argparse
-import os
-import signal
-import sys
-import threading
-
-import queue
-
-from .__init__ import ANYWIN
-from .authsrv import AuthSrv
-from .broker_util import BrokerCli, ExceptionalQueue
-from .httpsrv import HttpSrv
-from .util import FAKE_MP, Daemon, HMaccas
-
-if True:  # pylint: disable=using-constant-test
-    from types import FrameType
-
-    from typing import Any, Optional, Union
-
-
-class MpWorker(BrokerCli):
-    """one single mp instance"""
-
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        q_pend: queue.Queue[tuple[int, str, list[Any]]],
-        q_yield: queue.Queue[tuple[int, str, list[Any]]],
-        args: argparse.Namespace,
-        n: int,
-    ) -> None:
-        super(MpWorker, self).__init__()
-
-        self.q_pend = q_pend
-        self.q_yield = q_yield
-        self.args = args
-        self.n = n
-
-        self.log = self._log_disabled if args.q and not args.lo else self._log_enabled
-
-        self.retpend: dict[int, Any] = {}
-        self.retpend_mutex = threading.Lock()
-        self.mutex = threading.Lock()
-
-        # we inherited signal_handler from parent,
-        # replace it with something harmless
-        if not FAKE_MP:
-            sigs = [signal.SIGINT, signal.SIGTERM]
-            if not ANYWIN:
-                sigs.append(signal.SIGUSR1)
-
-            for sig in sigs:
-                signal.signal(sig, self.signal_handler)
-
-        # starting to look like a good idea
-        self.asrv = AuthSrv(args, None, False)
-
-        # instantiate all services here (TODO: inheritance?)
-        self.iphash = HMaccas(os.path.join(self.args.E.cfg, "iphash"), 8)
-        self.httpsrv = HttpSrv(self, n)
-
-        # on winxp and some other platforms,
-        # use thr.join() to block all signals
-        Daemon(self.main, "mpw-main").join()
-
-    def signal_handler(self, sig: Optional[int], frame: Optional[FrameType]) -> None:
-        # print('k')
-        pass
-
-    def _log_enabled(self, src: str, msg: str, c: Union[int, str] = 0) -> None:
-        self.q_yield.put((0, "log", [src, msg, c]))
-
-    def _log_disabled(self, src: str, msg: str, c: Union[int, str] = 0) -> None:
-        pass
-
-    def logw(self, msg: str, c: Union[int, str] = 0) -> None:
-        self.log("mp%d" % (self.n,), msg, c)
-
-    def main(self) -> None:
-        while True:
-            retq_id, dest, args = self.q_pend.get()
-
-            # self.logw("work: [{}]".format(d[0]))
-            if dest == "shutdown":
-                self.httpsrv.shutdown()
-                self.logw("ok bye")
-                sys.exit(0)
-                return
-
-            elif dest == "reload":
-                self.logw("mpw.asrv reloading")
-                self.asrv.reload()
-                self.logw("mpw.asrv reloaded")
-
-            elif dest == "listen":
-                self.httpsrv.listen(args[0], args[1])
-
-            elif dest == "set_netdevs":
-                self.httpsrv.set_netdevs(args[0])
-
-            elif dest == "retq":
-                # response from previous ipc call
-                with self.retpend_mutex:
-                    retq = self.retpend.pop(retq_id)
-
-                retq.put(args)
-
-            else:
-                raise Exception("what is " + str(dest))
-
-    def ask(self, dest: str, *args: Any) -> ExceptionalQueue:
-        retq = ExceptionalQueue(1)
-        retq_id = id(retq)
-        with self.retpend_mutex:
-            self.retpend[retq_id] = retq
-
-        self.q_yield.put((retq_id, dest, list(args)))
-        return retq
-
-    def say(self, dest: str, *args: Any) -> None:
-        self.q_yield.put((0, dest, list(args)))
diff --git a/copyparty/broker_thr.py b/copyparty/broker_thr.py
deleted file mode 100644
index e40cd38d..00000000
--- a/copyparty/broker_thr.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,73 +0,0 @@
-# coding: utf-8
-from __future__ import print_function, unicode_literals
-
-import os
-import threading
-
-from .__init__ import TYPE_CHECKING
-from .broker_util import BrokerCli, ExceptionalQueue, try_exec
-from .httpsrv import HttpSrv
-from .util import HMaccas
-
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from .svchub import SvcHub
-
-if True:  # pylint: disable=using-constant-test
-    from typing import Any
-
-
-class BrokerThr(BrokerCli):
-    """external api; behaves like BrokerMP but using plain threads"""
-
-    def __init__(self, hub: "SvcHub") -> None:
-        super(BrokerThr, self).__init__()
-
-        self.hub = hub
-        self.log = hub.log
-        self.args = hub.args
-        self.asrv = hub.asrv
-
-        self.mutex = threading.Lock()
-        self.num_workers = 1
-
-        # instantiate all services here (TODO: inheritance?)
-        self.iphash = HMaccas(os.path.join(self.args.E.cfg, "iphash"), 8)
-        self.httpsrv = HttpSrv(self, None)
-        self.reload = self.noop
-
-    def shutdown(self) -> None:
-        # self.log("broker", "shutting down")
-        self.httpsrv.shutdown()
-
-    def noop(self) -> None:
-        pass
-
-    def ask(self, dest: str, *args: Any) -> ExceptionalQueue:
-
-        # new ipc invoking managed service in hub
-        obj = self.hub
-        for node in dest.split("."):
-            obj = getattr(obj, node)
-
-        rv = try_exec(True, obj, *args)
-
-        # pretend we're broker_mp
-        retq = ExceptionalQueue(1)
-        retq.put(rv)
-        return retq
-
-    def say(self, dest: str, *args: Any) -> None:
-        if dest == "listen":
-            self.httpsrv.listen(args[0], 1)
-            return
-
-        if dest == "set_netdevs":
-            self.httpsrv.set_netdevs(args[0])
-            return
-
-        # new ipc invoking managed service in hub
-        obj = self.hub
-        for node in dest.split("."):
-            obj = getattr(obj, node)
-
-        try_exec(False, obj, *args)
diff --git a/copyparty/broker_util.py b/copyparty/broker_util.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 105ac535..00000000
--- a/copyparty/broker_util.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,72 +0,0 @@
-# coding: utf-8
-from __future__ import print_function, unicode_literals
-
-import argparse
-import traceback
-
-from queue import Queue
-
-from .__init__ import TYPE_CHECKING
-from .authsrv import AuthSrv
-from .util import HMaccas, Pebkac
-
-if True:  # pylint: disable=using-constant-test
-    from typing import Any, Optional, Union
-
-    from .util import RootLogger
-
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from .httpsrv import HttpSrv
-
-
-class ExceptionalQueue(Queue, object):
-    def get(self, block: bool = True, timeout: Optional[float] = None) -> Any:
-        rv = super(ExceptionalQueue, self).get(block, timeout)
-
-        if isinstance(rv, list):
-            if rv[0] == "exception":
-                if rv[1] == "pebkac":
-                    raise Pebkac(*rv[2:])
-                else:
-                    raise Exception(rv[2])
-
-        return rv
-
-
-class BrokerCli(object):
-    """
-    helps mypy understand httpsrv.broker but still fails a few levels deeper,
-    for example resolving httpconn.* in httpcli -- see lines tagged #mypy404
-    """
-
-    log: "RootLogger"
-    args: argparse.Namespace
-    asrv: AuthSrv
-    httpsrv: "HttpSrv"
-    iphash: HMaccas
-
-    def __init__(self) -> None:
-        pass
-
-    def ask(self, dest: str, *args: Any) -> ExceptionalQueue:
-        return ExceptionalQueue(1)
-
-    def say(self, dest: str, *args: Any) -> None:
-        pass
-
-
-def try_exec(want_retval: Union[bool, int], func: Any, *args: list[Any]) -> Any:
-    try:
-        return func(*args)
-
-    except Pebkac as ex:
-        if not want_retval:
-            raise
-
-        return ["exception", "pebkac", ex.code, str(ex)]
-
-    except:
-        if not want_retval:
-            raise
-
-        return ["exception", "stack", traceback.format_exc()]
diff --git a/copyparty/ftpd.py b/copyparty/ftpd.py
index a918b234..0006f52f 100644
--- a/copyparty/ftpd.py
+++ b/copyparty/ftpd.py
@@ -88,12 +88,8 @@ class FtpAuth(DummyAuthorizer):
                 if bonk:
                     logging.warning("client banned: invalid passwords")
                     bans[ip] = bonk
-                    try:
-                        # only possible if multiprocessing disabled
-                        self.hub.broker.httpsrv.bans[ip] = bonk  # type: ignore
-                        self.hub.broker.httpsrv.nban += 1  # type: ignore
-                    except:
-                        pass
+                    self.hub.httpsrv.bans[ip] = bonk
+                    self.hub.httpsrv.nban += 1
 
             raise AuthenticationFailed("Authentication failed.")
 
diff --git a/copyparty/httpcli.py b/copyparty/httpcli.py
index a1a5088a..ba3f3239 100644
--- a/copyparty/httpcli.py
+++ b/copyparty/httpcli.py
@@ -115,6 +115,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
 
         self.t0 = time.time()
         self.conn = conn
+        self.hub = conn.hsrv.hub
         self.u2mutex = conn.u2mutex  # mypy404
         self.s = conn.s
         self.sr = conn.sr
@@ -475,7 +476,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
                 ) or self.args.idp_h_key in self.headers
 
                 if trusted_key and trusted_xff:
-                    self.asrv.idp_checkin(self.conn.hsrv.broker, idp_usr, idp_grp)
+                    self.asrv.idp_checkin(self.hub, idp_usr, idp_grp)
                 else:
                     if not trusted_key:
                         t = 'the idp-h-key header ("%s") is not present in the request; will NOT trust the other headers saying that the client\'s username is "%s" and group is "%s"'
@@ -626,7 +627,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
                     msg += "hint: %s\r\n" % (self.hint,)
 
                 if "database is locked" in em:
-                    self.conn.hsrv.broker.say("log_stacks")
+                    self.hub.log_stacks()
                     msg += "hint: important info in the server log\r\n"
 
                 zb = b"<pre>" + html_escape(msg).encode("utf-8", "replace")
@@ -1629,9 +1630,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
         lim = vfs.get_dbv(rem)[0].lim
         fdir = vfs.canonical(rem)
         if lim:
-            fdir, rem = lim.all(
-                self.ip, rem, remains, vfs.realpath, fdir, self.conn.hsrv.broker
-            )
+            fdir, rem = lim.all(self.ip, rem, remains, vfs.realpath, fdir, self.hub)
 
         fn = None
         if rem and not self.trailing_slash and not bos.path.isdir(fdir):
@@ -1764,7 +1763,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
             lim.bup(self.ip, post_sz)
             try:
                 lim.chk_sz(post_sz)
-                lim.chk_vsz(self.conn.hsrv.broker, vfs.realpath, post_sz)
+                lim.chk_vsz(self.hub, vfs.realpath, post_sz)
             except:
                 wunlink(self.log, path, vfs.flags)
                 raise
@@ -1823,8 +1822,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
             raise Pebkac(403, t)
 
         vfs, rem = vfs.get_dbv(rem)
-        self.conn.hsrv.broker.say(
-            "up2k.hash_file",
+        self.hub.up2k.hash_file(
             vfs.realpath,
             vfs.vpath,
             vfs.flags,
@@ -2049,8 +2047,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
 
         # not to protect u2fh, but to prevent handshakes while files are closing
         with self.u2mutex:
-            x = self.conn.hsrv.broker.ask("up2k.handle_json", body, self.u2fh.aps)
-            ret = x.get()
+            ret = self.hub.up2k.handle_json(body, self.u2fh.aps)
 
         if self.is_vproxied:
             if "purl" in ret:
@@ -2138,7 +2135,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
         vfs, _ = self.asrv.vfs.get(self.vpath, self.uname, False, True)
         ptop = (vfs.dbv or vfs).realpath
 
-        x = self.conn.hsrv.broker.ask("up2k.handle_chunk", ptop, wark, chash)
+        x = self.hub.up2k.handle_chunk(ptop, wark, chash)
         response = x.get()
         chunksize, cstart, path, lastmod, sprs = response
 
@@ -2207,11 +2204,9 @@ class HttpCli(object):
                 f.close()
                 raise
         finally:
-            x = self.conn.hsrv.broker.ask("up2k.release_chunk", ptop, wark, chash)
-            x.get()  # block client until released
+            self.hub.up2k.release_chunk(ptop, wark, chash)
 
-        x = self.conn.hsrv.broker.ask("up2k.confirm_chunk", ptop, wark, chash)
-        ztis = x.get()
+        ztis = self.hub.up2k.confirm_chunk(ptop, wark, chash)
         try:
             num_left, fin_path = ztis
         except:
@@ -2223,9 +2218,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
                 self.u2fh.close(path)
 
         if not num_left and not self.args.nw:
-            self.conn.hsrv.broker.ask(
-                "up2k.finish_upload", ptop, wark, self.u2fh.aps
-            ).get()
+            self.hub.up2k.finish_upload(ptop, wark, self.u2fh.aps)
 
         cinf = self.headers.get("x-up2k-stat", "")
 
@@ -2403,7 +2396,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
         fdir_base = vfs.canonical(rem)
         if lim:
             fdir_base, rem = lim.all(
-                self.ip, rem, -1, vfs.realpath, fdir_base, self.conn.hsrv.broker
+                self.ip, rem, -1, vfs.realpath, fdir_base, self.hub
             )
             upload_vpath = "{}/{}".format(vfs.vpath, rem).strip("/")
             if not nullwrite:
@@ -2511,7 +2504,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
                         try:
                             lim.chk_df(tabspath, sz, True)
                             lim.chk_sz(sz)
-                            lim.chk_vsz(self.conn.hsrv.broker, vfs.realpath, sz)
+                            lim.chk_vsz(self.hub, vfs.realpath, sz)
                             lim.chk_bup(self.ip)
                             lim.chk_nup(self.ip)
                         except:
@@ -2549,8 +2542,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
                         raise Pebkac(403, t)
 
                     dbv, vrem = vfs.get_dbv(rem)
-                    self.conn.hsrv.broker.say(
-                        "up2k.hash_file",
+                    self.hub.up2k.hash_file(
                         dbv.realpath,
                         vfs.vpath,
                         dbv.flags,
@@ -2697,7 +2689,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
         fp = vfs.canonical(rp)
         lim = vfs.get_dbv(rem)[0].lim
         if lim:
-            fp, rp = lim.all(self.ip, rp, clen, vfs.realpath, fp, self.conn.hsrv.broker)
+            fp, rp = lim.all(self.ip, rp, clen, vfs.realpath, fp, self.hub)
             bos.makedirs(fp)
 
         fp = os.path.join(fp, fn)
@@ -2799,7 +2791,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
             lim.bup(self.ip, sz)
             try:
                 lim.chk_sz(sz)
-                lim.chk_vsz(self.conn.hsrv.broker, vfs.realpath, sz)
+                lim.chk_vsz(self.hub, vfs.realpath, sz)
             except:
                 wunlink(self.log, fp, vfs.flags)
                 raise
@@ -2828,8 +2820,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
             raise Pebkac(403, t)
 
         vfs, rem = vfs.get_dbv(rem)
-        self.conn.hsrv.broker.say(
-            "up2k.hash_file",
+        self.hub.up2k.hash_file(
             vfs.realpath,
             vfs.vpath,
             vfs.flags,
@@ -3363,8 +3354,8 @@ class HttpCli(object):
         ]
 
         if self.avol and not self.args.no_rescan:
-            x = self.conn.hsrv.broker.ask("up2k.get_state")
-            vs = json.loads(x.get())
+            zs = self.hub.up2k.get_state()
+            vs = json.loads(zs)
             vstate = {("/" + k).rstrip("/") + "/": v for k, v in vs["volstate"].items()}
         else:
             vstate = {}
@@ -3508,10 +3499,8 @@ class HttpCli(object):
 
         vn, _ = self.asrv.vfs.get(self.vpath, self.uname, True, True)
 
-        args = [self.asrv.vfs.all_vols, [vn.vpath], False, True]
+        err = self.hub.up2k.rescan(self.asrv.vfs.all_vols, [vn.vpath], False, True)
 
-        x = self.conn.hsrv.broker.ask("up2k.rescan", *args)
-        err = x.get()
         if not err:
             self.redirect("", "?h")
             return True
@@ -3529,8 +3518,8 @@ class HttpCli(object):
         if self.args.no_reload:
             raise Pebkac(403, "the reload feature is disabled in server config")
 
-        x = self.conn.hsrv.broker.ask("reload")
-        return self.redirect("", "?h", x.get(), "return to", False)
+        zs = self.hub.reload()
+        return self.redirect("", "?h", zs, "return to", False)
 
     def tx_stack(self) -> bool:
         if not self.avol and not [x for x in self.wvol if x in self.rvol]:
@@ -3632,10 +3621,7 @@ class HttpCli(object):
             and (self.uname in vol.axs.uread or self.uname in vol.axs.upget)
         }
 
-        x = self.conn.hsrv.broker.ask(
-            "up2k.get_unfinished_by_user", self.uname, self.ip
-        )
-        uret = x.get()
+        uret = self.hub.up2k.get_unfinished_by_user(self.uname, self.ip)
 
         if not self.args.unpost:
             allvols = []
@@ -3721,10 +3707,8 @@ class HttpCli(object):
         nlim = int(self.uparam.get("lim") or 0)
         lim = [nlim, nlim] if nlim else []
 
-        x = self.conn.hsrv.broker.ask(
-            "up2k.handle_rm", self.uname, self.ip, req, lim, False, unpost
-        )
-        self.loud_reply(x.get())
+        zs = self.hub.up2k.handle_rm(self.uname, self.ip, req, lim, False, unpost)
+        self.loud_reply(zs)
         return True
 
     def handle_mv(self) -> bool:
@@ -3746,8 +3730,8 @@ class HttpCli(object):
         if self.args.no_mv:
             raise Pebkac(403, "the rename/move feature is disabled in server config")
 
-        x = self.conn.hsrv.broker.ask("up2k.handle_mv", self.uname, vsrc, vdst)
-        self.loud_reply(x.get(), status=201)
+        zs = self.hub.up2k.handle_mv(self.uname, vsrc, vdst)
+        self.loud_reply(zs, status=201)
         return True
 
     def tx_ls(self, ls: dict[str, Any]) -> bool:
diff --git a/copyparty/httpconn.py b/copyparty/httpconn.py
index 3e40f55a..3b404e95 100644
--- a/copyparty/httpconn.py
+++ b/copyparty/httpconn.py
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ class HttpConn(object):
         self.ipa_nm: Optional[NetMap] = hsrv.ipa_nm
         self.xff_nm: Optional[NetMap] = hsrv.xff_nm
         self.xff_lan: NetMap = hsrv.xff_lan  # type: ignore
-        self.iphash: HMaccas = hsrv.broker.iphash
+        self.iphash: HMaccas = hsrv.hub.iphash
         self.bans: dict[str, int] = hsrv.bans
         self.aclose: dict[str, int] = hsrv.aclose
 
diff --git a/copyparty/httpsrv.py b/copyparty/httpsrv.py
index 1c6a8cca..3b0ec427 100644
--- a/copyparty/httpsrv.py
+++ b/copyparty/httpsrv.py
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ from .util import (
 )
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from .broker_util import BrokerCli
+    from .svchub import SvcHub
     from .ssdp import SSDPr
 
 if True:  # pylint: disable=using-constant-test
@@ -90,16 +90,13 @@ class HttpSrv(object):
     relying on MpSrv for performance (HttpSrv is just plain threads)
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, broker: "BrokerCli", nid: Optional[int]) -> None:
-        self.broker = broker
+    def __init__(self, hub: "SvcHub", nid: Optional[int]) -> None:
+        self.hub = hub
         self.nid = nid
-        self.args = broker.args
+        self.args = hub.args
         self.E: EnvParams = self.args.E
-        self.log = broker.log
-        self.asrv = broker.asrv
-
-        # redefine in case of multiprocessing
-        socket.setdefaulttimeout(120)
+        self.log = hub.log
+        self.asrv = hub.asrv
 
         self.t0 = time.time()
         nsuf = "-n{}-i{:x}".format(nid, os.getpid()) if nid else ""
@@ -169,7 +166,7 @@ class HttpSrv(object):
         if self.args.zs:
             from .ssdp import SSDPr
 
-            self.ssdp = SSDPr(broker)
+            self.ssdp = SSDPr(hub)
 
         if self.tp_q:
             self.start_threads(4)
@@ -186,8 +183,7 @@ class HttpSrv(object):
 
     def post_init(self) -> None:
         try:
-            x = self.broker.ask("thumbsrv.getcfg")
-            self.th_cfg = x.get()
+            self.th_cfg = self.hub.thumbsrv.getcfg()
         except:
             pass
 
@@ -237,19 +233,11 @@ class HttpSrv(object):
                     self.t_periodic = None
                     return
 
-    def listen(self, sck: socket.socket, nlisteners: int) -> None:
-        if self.args.j != 1:
-            # lost in the pickle; redefine
-            if not ANYWIN or self.args.reuseaddr:
-                sck.setsockopt(socket.SOL_SOCKET, socket.SO_REUSEADDR, 1)
-
-            sck.setsockopt(socket.IPPROTO_TCP, socket.TCP_NODELAY, 1)
-            sck.settimeout(None)  # < does not inherit, ^ opts above do
-
+    def listen(self, sck: socket.socket) -> None:
         ip, port = sck.getsockname()[:2]
         self.srvs.append(sck)
         self.bound.add((ip, port))
-        self.nclimax = math.ceil(self.args.nc * 1.0 / nlisteners)
+        self.nclimax = self.args.nc
         Daemon(
             self.thr_listen,
             "httpsrv-n{}-listen-{}-{}".format(self.nid or "0", ip, port),
@@ -265,7 +253,7 @@ class HttpSrv(object):
         self.log(self.name, msg)
 
         def fun() -> None:
-            self.broker.say("cb_httpsrv_up")
+            self.hub.cb_httpsrv_up()
 
         threading.Thread(target=fun, name="sig-hsrv-up1").start()
 
diff --git a/copyparty/metrics.py b/copyparty/metrics.py
index 3af8be9d..41e53bc1 100644
--- a/copyparty/metrics.py
+++ b/copyparty/metrics.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 class Metrics(object):
     def __init__(self, hsrv: "HttpSrv") -> None:
         self.hsrv = hsrv
+        self.hub = hsrv.hub
 
     def tx(self, cli: "HttpCli") -> bool:
         if not cli.avol:
@@ -88,8 +89,8 @@ class Metrics(object):
         addg("cpp_total_bans", str(self.hsrv.nban), t)
 
         if not args.nos_vst:
-            x = self.hsrv.broker.ask("up2k.get_state")
-            vs = json.loads(x.get())
+            zs = self.hub.up2k.get_state()
+            vs = json.loads(zs.get())
 
             nvidle = 0
             nvbusy = 0
@@ -146,8 +147,7 @@ class Metrics(object):
             volsizes = []
             try:
                 ptops = [x.realpath for _, x in allvols]
-                x = self.hsrv.broker.ask("up2k.get_volsizes", ptops)
-                volsizes = x.get()
+                volsizes = self.hub.up2k.get_volsizes(ptops)
             except Exception as ex:
                 cli.log("tx_stats get_volsizes: {!r}".format(ex), 3)
 
@@ -204,8 +204,7 @@ class Metrics(object):
             tnbytes = 0
             tnfiles = 0
             try:
-                x = self.hsrv.broker.ask("up2k.get_unfinished")
-                xs = x.get()
+                xs = self.hub.up2k.get_unfinished()
                 if not xs:
                     raise Exception("up2k mutex acquisition timed out")
 
diff --git a/copyparty/ssdp.py b/copyparty/ssdp.py
index 3464a50a..754f6d9c 100644
--- a/copyparty/ssdp.py
+++ b/copyparty/ssdp.py
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ from .multicast import MC_Sck, MCast
 from .util import CachedSet, html_escape, min_ex
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from .broker_util import BrokerCli
     from .httpcli import HttpCli
     from .svchub import SvcHub
 
@@ -32,9 +31,9 @@ class SSDP_Sck(MC_Sck):
 class SSDPr(object):
     """generates http responses for httpcli"""
 
-    def __init__(self, broker: "BrokerCli") -> None:
-        self.broker = broker
-        self.args = broker.args
+    def __init__(self, hub: "SvcHub") -> None:
+        self.hub = hub
+        self.args = hub.args
 
     def reply(self, hc: "HttpCli") -> bool:
         if hc.vpath.endswith("device.xml"):
diff --git a/copyparty/svchub.py b/copyparty/svchub.py
index 028dcab9..1f5ef089 100644
--- a/copyparty/svchub.py
+++ b/copyparty/svchub.py
@@ -28,9 +28,10 @@ if True:  # pylint: disable=using-constant-test
     import typing
     from typing import Any, Optional, Union
 
-from .__init__ import ANYWIN, EXE, MACOS, TYPE_CHECKING, E, EnvParams, unicode
+from .__init__ import ANYWIN, EXE, TYPE_CHECKING, E, EnvParams, unicode
 from .authsrv import BAD_CFG, AuthSrv
 from .cert import ensure_cert
+from .httpsrv import HttpSrv
 from .mtag import HAVE_FFMPEG, HAVE_FFPROBE
 from .tcpsrv import TcpSrv
 from .th_srv import HAVE_PIL, HAVE_VIPS, HAVE_WEBP, ThumbSrv
@@ -51,7 +52,6 @@ from .util import (
     ansi_re,
     build_netmap,
     min_ex,
-    mp,
     odfusion,
     pybin,
     start_log_thrs,
@@ -67,16 +67,6 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 
 
 class SvcHub(object):
-    """
-    Hosts all services which cannot be parallelized due to reliance on monolithic resources.
-    Creates a Broker which does most of the heavy stuff; hosted services can use this to perform work:
-        hub.broker.<say|ask>(destination, args_list).
-
-    Either BrokerThr (plain threads) or BrokerMP (multiprocessing) is used depending on configuration.
-    Nothing is returned synchronously; if you want any value returned from the call,
-    put() can return a queue (if want_reply=True) which has a blocking get() with the response.
-    """
-
     def __init__(
         self,
         args: argparse.Namespace,
@@ -163,16 +153,6 @@ class SvcHub(object):
         if args.log_thrs:
             start_log_thrs(self.log, args.log_thrs, 0)
 
-        if not args.use_fpool and args.j != 1:
-            args.no_fpool = True
-            t = "multithreading enabled with -j {}, so disabling fpool -- this can reduce upload performance on some filesystems"
-            self.log("root", t.format(args.j))
-
-        if not args.no_fpool and args.j != 1:
-            t = "WARNING: ignoring --use-fpool because multithreading (-j{}) is enabled"
-            self.log("root", t.format(args.j), c=3)
-            args.no_fpool = True
-
         for name, arg in (
             ("iobuf", "iobuf"),
             ("s-rd-sz", "s_rd_sz"),
@@ -316,13 +296,7 @@ class SvcHub(object):
         self.mdns: Optional["MDNS"] = None
         self.ssdp: Optional["SSDPd"] = None
 
-        # decide which worker impl to use
-        if self.check_mp_enable():
-            from .broker_mp import BrokerMp as Broker
-        else:
-            from .broker_thr import BrokerThr as Broker  # type: ignore
-
-        self.broker = Broker(self)
+        self.httpsrv = HttpSrv(self, None)
 
     def start_ftpd(self) -> None:
         time.sleep(30)
@@ -361,15 +335,14 @@ class SvcHub(object):
 
     def thr_httpsrv_up(self) -> None:
         time.sleep(1 if self.args.ign_ebind_all else 5)
-        expected = self.broker.num_workers * self.tcpsrv.nsrv
+        expected = self.tcpsrv.nsrv
         failed = expected - self.httpsrv_up
         if not failed:
             return
 
         if self.args.ign_ebind_all:
             if not self.tcpsrv.srv:
-                for _ in range(self.broker.num_workers):
-                    self.broker.say("cb_httpsrv_up")
+                self.cb_httpsrv_up()
             return
 
         if self.args.ign_ebind and self.tcpsrv.srv:
@@ -387,8 +360,6 @@ class SvcHub(object):
 
     def cb_httpsrv_up(self) -> None:
         self.httpsrv_up += 1
-        if self.httpsrv_up != self.broker.num_workers:
-            return
 
         ar = self.args
         for _ in range(10 if ar.ftp or ar.ftps else 0):
@@ -723,7 +694,6 @@ class SvcHub(object):
             self.log("root", "reloading config")
             self.asrv.reload()
             self.up2k.reload(rescan_all_vols)
-            self.broker.reload()
             self.reloading = 0
 
     def _reload_blocking(self, rescan_all_vols: bool = True) -> None:
@@ -808,7 +778,7 @@ class SvcHub(object):
                 tasks.append(Daemon(self.ssdp.stop, "ssdp"))
                 slp = time.time() + 0.5
 
-            self.broker.shutdown()
+            self.httpsrv.shutdown()
             self.tcpsrv.shutdown()
             self.up2k.shutdown()
 
@@ -970,48 +940,6 @@ class SvcHub(object):
             if ex.errno != errno.EPIPE:
                 raise
 
-    def check_mp_support(self) -> str:
-        if MACOS:
-            return "multiprocessing is wonky on mac osx;"
-        elif sys.version_info < (3, 3):
-            return "need python 3.3 or newer for multiprocessing;"
-
-        try:
-            x: mp.Queue[tuple[str, str]] = mp.Queue(1)
-            x.put(("foo", "bar"))
-            if x.get()[0] != "foo":
-                raise Exception()
-        except:
-            return "multiprocessing is not supported on your platform;"
-
-        return ""
-
-    def check_mp_enable(self) -> bool:
-        if self.args.j == 1:
-            return False
-
-        try:
-            if mp.cpu_count() <= 1:
-                raise Exception()
-        except:
-            self.log("svchub", "only one CPU detected; multiprocessing disabled")
-            return False
-
-        try:
-            # support vscode debugger (bonus: same behavior as on windows)
-            mp.set_start_method("spawn", True)
-        except AttributeError:
-            # py2.7 probably, anyways dontcare
-            pass
-
-        err = self.check_mp_support()
-        if not err:
-            return True
-        else:
-            self.log("svchub", err)
-            self.log("svchub", "cannot efficiently use multiple CPU cores")
-            return False
-
     def sd_notify(self) -> None:
         try:
             zb = os.getenv("NOTIFY_SOCKET")
diff --git a/copyparty/tcpsrv.py b/copyparty/tcpsrv.py
index 4bbea2c9..fa47dccd 100644
--- a/copyparty/tcpsrv.py
+++ b/copyparty/tcpsrv.py
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ class TcpSrv(object):
             if self.args.q:
                 print(msg)
 
-            self.hub.broker.say("listen", srv)
+            self.hub.httpsrv.listen(srv)
 
         self.srv = srvs
         self.bound = bound
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ class TcpSrv(object):
         self._distribute_netdevs()
 
     def _distribute_netdevs(self):
-        self.hub.broker.say("set_netdevs", self.netdevs)
+        self.hub.httpsrv.set_netdevs(self.netdevs)
         self.hub.start_zeroconf()
         gencert(self.log, self.args, self.netdevs)
         self.hub.restart_ftpd()
diff --git a/copyparty/th_cli.py b/copyparty/th_cli.py
index 9cfef9aa..6fc3c167 100644
--- a/copyparty/th_cli.py
+++ b/copyparty/th_cli.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ from .__init__ import TYPE_CHECKING
 from .authsrv import VFS
 from .bos import bos
 from .th_srv import HAVE_WEBP, thumb_path
-from .util import Cooldown
 
 if True:  # pylint: disable=using-constant-test
     from typing import Optional, Union
@@ -18,14 +17,11 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 
 class ThumbCli(object):
     def __init__(self, hsrv: "HttpSrv") -> None:
-        self.broker = hsrv.broker
+        self.hub = hsrv.hub
         self.log_func = hsrv.log
         self.args = hsrv.args
         self.asrv = hsrv.asrv
 
-        # cache on both sides for less broker spam
-        self.cooldown = Cooldown(self.args.th_poke)
-
         try:
             c = hsrv.th_cfg
             if not c:
@@ -134,13 +130,11 @@ class ThumbCli(object):
 
         if ret:
             tdir = os.path.dirname(tpath)
-            if self.cooldown.poke(tdir):
-                self.broker.say("thumbsrv.poke", tdir)
+            self.hub.thumbsrv.poke(tdir)
 
             if want_opus:
                 # audio files expire individually
-                if self.cooldown.poke(tpath):
-                    self.broker.say("thumbsrv.poke", tpath)
+                self.hub.thumbsrv.poke(tpath)
 
             return ret
 
@@ -150,5 +144,4 @@ class ThumbCli(object):
         if not bos.path.getsize(os.path.join(ptop, rem)):
             return None
 
-        x = self.broker.ask("thumbsrv.get", ptop, rem, mtime, fmt)
-        return x.get()  # type: ignore
+        return self.hub.thumbsrv.get(ptop, rem, mtime, fmt)
diff --git a/copyparty/up2k.py b/copyparty/up2k.py
index 39f386a0..10199f41 100644
--- a/copyparty/up2k.py
+++ b/copyparty/up2k.py
@@ -2745,9 +2745,9 @@ class Up2k(object):
                         cj["size"],
                         cj["ptop"],
                         ap1,
-                        self.hub.broker,
+                        self.hub,
                         reg,
-                        "up2k._get_volsize",
+                        "_get_volsize",
                     )
                     bos.makedirs(ap2)
                     vfs.lim.nup(cj["addr"])
diff --git a/scripts/pyinstaller/build.sh b/scripts/pyinstaller/build.sh
index adf94c98..602cd702 100644
--- a/scripts/pyinstaller/build.sh
+++ b/scripts/pyinstaller/build.sh
@@ -69,8 +69,6 @@ sed -ri s/copyparty.exe/copyparty$esuf.exe/ loader.rc2
 
 excl=(
     asyncio
-    copyparty.broker_mp
-    copyparty.broker_mpw
     copyparty.smbd
     ctypes.macholib
     curses
diff --git a/scripts/sfx.ls b/scripts/sfx.ls
index 407137be..c88d3af4 100644
--- a/scripts/sfx.ls
+++ b/scripts/sfx.ls
@@ -7,10 +7,6 @@ copyparty/bos,
 copyparty/bos/__init__.py,
 copyparty/bos/bos.py,
 copyparty/bos/path.py,
-copyparty/broker_mp.py,
-copyparty/broker_mpw.py,
-copyparty/broker_thr.py,
-copyparty/broker_util.py,
 copyparty/cert.py,
 copyparty/cfg.py,
 copyparty/dxml.py,
diff --git a/tests/util.py b/tests/util.py
index 415ac5a0..bbad57b4 100644
--- a/tests/util.py
+++ b/tests/util.py
@@ -170,12 +170,14 @@ class Cfg(Namespace):
         )
 
 
-class NullBroker(object):
-    def say(self, *args):
+class NullUp2k(object):
+    def hash_file(*a):
         pass
 
-    def ask(self, *args):
-        pass
+
+class NullHub(object):
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.up2k = NullUp2k()
 
 
 class VSock(object):
@@ -206,7 +208,7 @@ class VHttpSrv(object):
         self.asrv = asrv
         self.log = log
 
-        self.broker = NullBroker()
+        self.hub = NullHub()
         self.prism = None
         self.bans = {}
         self.nreq = 0