diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7fc42de..9af04d8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ The following configuration options are mandatory in the global section:
 The following configuration options are mandatory in each quarantine section:
 * **regex**  
   Case insensitive regular expression to filter e-mail headers.
-* **quarantine_type**  
-  One of the quarantine-types described below.
+* **storage_type**  
+  One of the storage types described below.
 * **action**  
   One of the actions described below.
 * **notification_type**  
@@ -50,13 +50,13 @@ The following configuration options are mandatory in each quarantine section:
   SMTP port
 
 The following configuration options are optional in each quarantine section:
-* **ignore_hosts**  
+* **host_whitelist**  
   Comma-separated list of host and network addresses to be ignored by this quarantine.
 * **reject_reason**  
   Reason to return to the client if action is set to reject.
 
 
-### Quarantine types
+### Storage types
 * **NONE**  
   Original e-mails scrapped, sent to nirvana, black-holed or however you want to call it.
 
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ The following configuration options are optional in each quarantine section:
   Original e-mails are stored on the filesystem with a unique filename. The filename is available as a
   template variable used in notifiaction templates.  
   The following configuration options are mandatory for this quarantine type:
-  * **quarantine_directory**  
+  * **storage_directory**  
     The directory in which quarantined e-mails are stored.
 
 
diff --git a/docs/pyquarantine.conf.example b/docs/pyquarantine.conf.example
index 30ad6df..5105d25 100644
--- a/docs/pyquarantine.conf.example
+++ b/docs/pyquarantine.conf.example
@@ -30,12 +30,12 @@ preferred_quarantine_action = last
 
 
 [spam]
-# Option: ignore_hosts
+# Option: host_whitelist
 # Notes:  Set a list of host and network addresses to be ignored by this quarantine.
 #         All the common host/network notations are supported, including IPv6.
 # Value:  [ HOST ]
 #
-ignore_hosts = 10.0.0.0/8,172.16.0.0/12,192.168.0.0/16
+host_whitelist = 10.0.0.0/8,172.16.0.0/12,192.168.0.0/16
 
 # Option: regex
 # Notes:  Set the case insensitive regular expression to match against email headers.
@@ -57,18 +57,18 @@ smtp_host = 127.0.0.1
 #
 smtp_port = 25
 
-# Option: quarantine_type
-# Notes:  Set the quarantine type.
+# Option: storage_type
+# Notes:  Set the storage type.
 # Values: [ file | none ]
 #
-quarantine_type = file
+storage_type = file
 
-# Option: quarantine_directory
+# Option: storage_directory
 # Notes:  Set the directory to store quarantined emails.
 #         This option is needed by quarantine type 'file'.
 # Values: [ DIRECTORY ]
 #
-quarantine_directory = /var/lib/pyquarantine/spam
+storage_directory = /var/lib/pyquarantine/spam
 
 # Option: action
 # Notes:  Set the milter action to perform if email is processed by this quarantine.
diff --git a/pyquarantine/__init__.py b/pyquarantine/__init__.py
index 7692455..ca41075 100644
--- a/pyquarantine/__init__.py
+++ b/pyquarantine/__init__.py
@@ -13,13 +13,14 @@
 #
 
 __all__ = [
+    "Quarantine",
     "QuarantineMilter",
-    "generate_milter_config",
+    "setup_milter",
     "reload_config",
     "cli",
     "mailer",
     "notifications",
-    "quarantines",
+    "storages",
     "run",
     "version",
     "whitelists"]
@@ -38,83 +39,300 @@ from collections import defaultdict
 from io import BytesIO
 from itertools import groupby
 from netaddr import IPAddress, IPNetwork
-from pyquarantine import quarantines
+from pyquarantine import mailer
 from pyquarantine import notifications
+from pyquarantine import storages
 from pyquarantine import whitelists
 
 
-class QuarantineMilter(Milter.Base):
-    """QuarantineMilter based on Milter.Base to implement milter communication
+class Quarantine(object):
+    """Quarantine class suitable for QuarantineMilter
 
-    The class variable config needs to be filled with the result of the generate_milter_config function.
+    The class holds all the objects and functions needed for QuarantineMilter quarantine.
 
     """
-    config = None
-    global_config = None
 
-    # list of default config files
-    _config_files = [
-        "/etc/pyquarantine/pyquarantine.conf",
-        os.path.expanduser('~/pyquarantine.conf'),
-        "pyquarantine.conf"]
     # list of possible actions
     _actions = {
         "ACCEPT": Milter.ACCEPT,
         "REJECT": Milter.REJECT,
         "DISCARD": Milter.DISCARD}
 
+    def __init__(self, name, index=0, regex=None, storage=None, whitelist=None,
+            host_whitelist=[], notification=None, action="ACCEPT",
+            reject_reason=None):
+        self.logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+        self.name = name
+        self.index = index
+        if regex:
+            self.regex = re.compile(
+                regex, re.MULTILINE + re.DOTALL + re.IGNORECASE)
+        self.storage = storage
+        self.whitelist = whitelist
+        self.host_whitelist = host_whitelist
+        self.notification = notification
+        action = action.upper()
+        assert action in self._actions
+        self.action = action
+        self.milter_action = self._actions[action]
+        self.reject_reason = reject_reason
+
+    def setup_from_cfg(self, global_cfg, cfg, test=False):
+        defaults = {
+            "action": "accept",
+            "reject_reason": "Message rejected",
+            "storage_type": "none",
+            "notification_type": "none",
+            "whitelist_type": "none",
+            "host_whitelist": ""
+        }
+        # check config
+        for opt in ["regex", "smtp_host", "smtp_port"] + list(defaults.keys()):
+            if opt in cfg:
+                continue
+            if opt in global_cfg:
+                cfg[opt] = global_cfg[opt]
+            elif opt in defaults:
+                cfg[opt] = defaults[opt]
+            else:
+                raise RuntimeError(
+                    "mandatory option '{}' not present in config section '{}' or 'global'".format(
+                        opt, self.name))
+
+        # pre-compile regex
+        self.logger.debug(
+            "{}: compiling regex '{}'".format(
+                self.name, cfg["regex"]))
+        self.regex = re.compile(
+            cfg["regex"], re.MULTILINE + re.DOTALL + re.IGNORECASE)
+
+        self.smtp_host = cfg["smtp_host"]
+        self.smtp_port = cfg["smtp_port"]
+
+        # create storage instance
+        storage_type = cfg["storage_type"].lower()
+        if storage_type in storages.TYPES:
+            self.logger.debug(
+                "{}: initializing storage type '{}'".format(
+                    self.name,
+                    storage_type.upper()))
+            self.storage = storages.TYPES[storage_type](
+                self.name, global_cfg, cfg, test)
+        elif storage_type == "none":
+            self.logger.debug("{}: storage is NONE".format(self.name))
+            self.storage = None
+        else:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "{}: unknown storage type '{}'".format(
+                    self.name, storage_type))
+
+        # create whitelist instance
+        whitelist_type = cfg["whitelist_type"].lower()
+        if whitelist_type in whitelists.TYPES:
+            self.logger.debug(
+                "{}: initializing whitelist type '{}'".format(
+                    self.name,
+                    whitelist_type.upper()))
+            self.whitelist = whitelists.TYPES[whitelist_type](
+               self.name, global_cfg, cfg, test)
+        elif whitelist_type == "none":
+            logger.debug("{}: whitelist is NONE".format(self.name))
+            self.whitelist = None
+        else:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "{}: unknown whitelist type '{}'".format(
+                    self.name, whitelist_type))
+
+        # create notification instance
+        notification_type = cfg["notification_type"].lower()
+        if notification_type in notifications.TYPES:
+            self.logger.debug(
+                "{}: initializing notification type '{}'".format(
+                    self.name,
+                    notification_type.upper()))
+            self.notification = notifications.TYPES[notification_type](
+                self.name, global_cfg, cfg, test)
+        elif notification_type == "none":
+            self.logger.debug("{}: notification is NONE".format(self.name))
+            self.notification = None
+        else:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "{}: unknown notification type '{}'".format(
+                    self.name, notification_type))
+
+        # determining milter action for this quarantine
+        action = cfg["action"].upper()
+        if action in self._actions:
+            self.logger.debug("{}: action is {}".format(self.name, action))
+            self.action = action
+            self.milter_action = self._actions[action]
+        else:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "{}: unknown action '{}'".format(self._name, action))
+
+        self.reject_reason = cfg["reject_reason"]
+
+        # create host/network whitelist
+        self.host_whitelist = []
+        host_whitelist = set([p.strip()
+                       for p in cfg["host_whitelist"].split(",") if p])
+        for host in host_whitelist:
+            if not host:
+                continue
+            # parse network notation
+            try:
+                net = IPNetwork(host)
+            except AddrFormatError as e:
+                raise RuntimeError("{}: error parsing host_whitelist: {}".format(
+                    self.name, e))
+            else:
+                self.host_whitelist.append(net)
+        if self.host_whitelist:
+            self.logger.debug(
+                "{}: ignore hosts: {}".format(
+                    self.name,
+                    ", ".join(ignored)))
+
+    def notify(self, storage_id, recipient=None, synchronous=True):
+        "Notify recipient about email in storage."
+        if not self.storage:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "storage type is set to None, unable to send notification")
+
+        if not self.notification:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "notification type is set to None, unable to send notification")
+
+        fp, metadata = self.storage.get_mail(storage_id)
+
+        if recipient is not None:
+            if recipient not in metadata["recipients"]:
+                raise RuntimeError("invalid recipient '{}'".format(recipient))
+            recipients = [recipient]
+        else:
+            recipients = metadata["recipients"]
+
+        self.notification.notify(
+            metadata["queue_id"], storage_id, metadata["mailfrom"],
+            recipients, metadata["headers"], fp,
+            metadata["subgroups"], metadata["named_subgroups"],
+            synchronous)
+        fp.close()
+
+    def release(self, storage_id, recipients=None):
+        "Release email from storage."
+        if not self.storage:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "storage type is set to None, unable to release email")
+
+        fp, metadata = self.storage.get_mail(storage_id)
+        try:
+            mail = fp.read()
+            fp.close()
+        except IOError as e:
+            raise RuntimeError("unable to read data file: {}".format(e))
+
+        if recipients and type(recipients) == str:
+            recipients = [recipients]
+        else:
+            recipients = metadata["recipients"]
+
+        for recipient in recipients:
+            if recipient not in metadata["recipients"]:
+                raise RuntimeError("invalid recipient '{}'".format(recipient))
+
+            try:
+                mailer.smtp_send(
+                    self.smtp_host,
+                    self.smtp_port,
+                    metadata["mailfrom"],
+                    recipient,
+                    mail)
+            except Exception as e:
+                raise RuntimeError(
+                    "error while sending email to '{}': {}".format(
+                        recipient, e))
+            self.storage.delete(storage_id, recipient)
+
+    def get_storage(self):
+        return self.storage
+
+    def get_notification(self):
+        return self.notification
+
+    def get_whitelist(self):
+        return self.whitelist
+
+    def host_in_whitelist(self, hostaddr):
+        ip = IPAddress(hostaddr[0])
+        for entry in self.host_whitelist:
+            if ip in entry:
+                return true
+        return False
+
+    def match(self, header):
+        return self.regex.search(header)
+
+
+class QuarantineMilter(Milter.Base):
+    """QuarantineMilter based on Milter.Base to implement milter communication
+
+    The class variable quarantines needs to be filled by runng the setup_milter function.
+
+    """
+    quarantines = []
+    preferred_quarantine_action = "first"
+
+    # list of default config files
+    _cfg_files = [
+        "/etc/pyquarantine/pyquarantine.conf",
+        os.path.expanduser('~/pyquarantine.conf'),
+        "pyquarantine.conf"]
+
     def __init__(self):
         self.logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-        # save config, it must not change during runtime
-        self.global_config = QuarantineMilter.global_config
-        self.config = QuarantineMilter.config
+        # save runtime config, it must not change during runtime
+        self.quarantines = QuarantineMilter.quarantines
 
     def _get_preferred_quarantine(self):
         matching_quarantines = [
             q for q in self.recipients_quarantines.values() if q]
-        if self.global_config["preferred_quarantine_action"] == "first":
+        if self.preferred_quarantine_action == "first":
             quarantine = sorted(
                 matching_quarantines,
-                key=lambda x: x["index"])[0]
+                key=lambda q: q.index)[0]
         else:
             quarantine = sorted(
                 matching_quarantines,
-                key=lambda x: x["index"],
+                key=lambda q: q.index,
                 reverse=True)[0]
         return quarantine
 
     @staticmethod
-    def get_configfiles():
-        return QuarantineMilter._config_files
+    def get_cfg_files():
+        return QuarantineMilter._cfg_files
 
     @staticmethod
-    def get_actions():
-        return QuarantineMilter._actions
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def set_configfiles(config_files):
-        QuarantineMilter._config_files = config_files
+    def set_cfg_files(cfg_files):
+        QuarantineMilter._cfg_files = cfg_files
 
     def connect(self, hostname, family, hostaddr):
         self.hostaddr = hostaddr
         self.logger.debug(
             "accepted milter connection from {} port {}".format(
                 *hostaddr))
-        ip = IPAddress(hostaddr[0])
-        for quarantine in self.config.copy():
-            for ignore in quarantine["ignore_hosts_list"]:
-                if ip in ignore:
-                    self.logger.debug(
-                        "host {} is ignored by quarantine {}".format(
-                            hostaddr[0], quarantine["name"]))
-                    self.config.remove(quarantine)
-                    break
-            if not self.config:
+        for quarantine in self.quarantines.copy():
+            if quarantine.host_in_whitelist(hostaddr):
                 self.logger.debug(
-                    "host {} is ignored by all quarantines, "
-                    "skip further processing",
-                    hostaddr[0])
-                return Milter.ACCEPT
+                    "host {} is ignored by quarantine {}".format(
+                        hostaddr[0], quarantine["name"]))
+                self.quarantines.remove(quarantine)
+                if not self.quarantines:
+                    self.logger.debug(
+                        "host {} is ignored by all quarantines, "
+                        "skip further processing",
+                        hostaddr[0])
+                    return Milter.ACCEPT
         return Milter.CONTINUE
 
     @Milter.noreply
@@ -176,39 +394,39 @@ class QuarantineMilter(Milter.Base):
                     "{}: checking header against configured quarantines: {}".format(
                         self.queueid, header))
                 # iterate quarantines
-                for quarantine in self.config:
+                for quarantine in self.quarantines:
                     if len(self.recipients_quarantines) == len(
                             self.recipients):
                         # every recipient matched a quarantine already
-                        if quarantine["index"] >= max(
-                                [q["index"] for q in self.recipients_quarantines.values()]):
+                        if quarantine.index >= max(
+                                [q.index for q in self.recipients_quarantines.values()]):
                             # all recipients matched a quarantine with at least
                             # the same precedence already, skip checks against
                             # quarantines with lower precedence
                             self.logger.debug(
                                 "{}: {}: skip further checks of this header".format(
-                                    self.queueid, quarantine["name"]))
+                                    self.queueid, quarantine.name))
                             break
 
                     # check email header against quarantine regex
                     self.logger.debug(
                         "{}: {}: checking header against regex '{}'".format(
-                            self.queueid, quarantine["name"], quarantine["regex"]))
-                    match = quarantine["regex_compiled"].search(header)
+                            self.queueid, quarantine.name, quarantine.regex))
+                    match = quarantine.match(header)
                     if match:
                         self.logger.debug(
                             "{}: {}: header matched regex".format(
-                                self.queueid, quarantine["name"]))
+                                self.queueid, quarantine.name))
                         # check for whitelisted recipients
-                        whitelist = quarantine["whitelist_obj"]
-                        if whitelist is not None:
+                        whitelist = quarantine.get_whitelist()
+                        if whitelist:
                             try:
                                 whitelisted_recipients = self.whitelist_cache.get_whitelisted_recipients(
                                     whitelist, self.mailfrom, recipients_to_check)
                             except RuntimeError as e:
                                 self.logger.error(
                                     "{}: {}: unable to query whitelist: {}".format(
-                                        self.queueid, quarantine["name"], e))
+                                        self.queueid, quarantine.name, e))
                                 return Milter.TEMPFAIL
                         else:
                             whitelisted_recipients = {}
@@ -219,19 +437,19 @@ class QuarantineMilter(Milter.Base):
                                 # recipient is whitelisted in this quarantine
                                 self.logger.debug(
                                     "{}: {}: recipient '{}' is whitelisted".format(
-                                        self.queueid, quarantine["name"], recipient))
+                                        self.queueid, quarantine.name, recipient))
                                 continue
 
                             if recipient not in self.recipients_quarantines.keys() or \
-                                    self.recipients_quarantines[recipient]["index"] > quarantine["index"]:
+                                    self.recipients_quarantines[recipient].index > quarantine.index:
                                 self.logger.debug(
                                     "{}: {}: set quarantine for recipient '{}'".format(
-                                        self.queueid, quarantine["name"], recipient))
+                                        self.queueid, quarantine.name, recipient))
                                 # save match for later use as template
                                 # variables
-                                self.quarantines_matches[quarantine["name"]] = match
+                                self.quarantines_matches[quarantine.name] = match
                                 self.recipients_quarantines[recipient] = quarantine
-                                if quarantine["index"] == 0:
+                                if quarantine.index == 0:
                                     # we do not need to check recipients which
                                     # matched the quarantine with the highest
                                     # precedence already
@@ -240,7 +458,7 @@ class QuarantineMilter(Milter.Base):
                                 self.logger.debug(
                                     "{}: {}: a quarantine with same or higher precedence "
                                     "matched already for recipient '{}'".format(
-                                        self.queueid, quarantine["name"], recipient))
+                                        self.queueid, quarantine.name, recipient))
 
                 if not recipients_to_check:
                     self.logger.debug(
@@ -259,7 +477,7 @@ class QuarantineMilter(Milter.Base):
 
             # check if the mail body is needed
             for recipient, quarantine in self.recipients_quarantines.items():
-                if quarantine["quarantine_obj"] or quarantine["notification_obj"]:
+                if quarantine.get_storage() or quarantine.get_notification():
                     # mail body is needed, continue processing
                     return Milter.CONTINUE
 
@@ -269,12 +487,12 @@ class QuarantineMilter(Milter.Base):
             self.logger.info(
                 "{}: {} matching quarantine is '{}', performing milter action {}".format(
                     self.queueid,
-                    self.global_config["preferred_quarantine_action"],
-                    quarantine["name"],
-                    quarantine["action"].upper()))
-            if quarantine["action"] == "reject":
-                self.setreply("554", "5.7.0", quarantine["reject_reason"])
-            return quarantine["milter_action"]
+                    self.preferred_quarantine_action,
+                    quarantine.name,
+                    quarantine.action))
+            if quarantine.action == "REJECT":
+                self.setreply("554", "5.7.0", quarantine.reject_reason)
+            return quarantine.milter_action
 
         except Exception as e:
             self.logger.exception(
@@ -297,52 +515,54 @@ class QuarantineMilter(Milter.Base):
             quarantines = []
             for quarantine, recipients in groupby(
                     sorted(self.recipients_quarantines,
-                           key=lambda x: self.recipients_quarantines[x]["index"]),
+                           key=lambda x: self.recipients_quarantines[x].index),
                     lambda x: self.recipients_quarantines[x]):
                 quarantines.append((quarantine, list(recipients)))
 
             # iterate quarantines sorted by index
             for quarantine, recipients in sorted(
-                    quarantines, key=lambda x: x[0]["index"]):
-                quarantine_id = ""
+                    quarantines, key=lambda x: x[0].index):
                 headers = defaultdict(str)
                 for name, value in self.headers:
                     headers[name.lower()] = value
-                subgroups = self.quarantines_matches[quarantine["name"]].groups(
+                subgroups = self.quarantines_matches[quarantine.name].groups(
                     default="")
-                named_subgroups = self.quarantines_matches[quarantine["name"]].groupdict(
+                named_subgroups = self.quarantines_matches[quarantine.name].groupdict(
                     default="")
 
-                # check if a quarantine is configured
-                if quarantine["quarantine_obj"] is not None:
+                # check if a storage is configured
+                storage_id = ""
+                storage = quarantine.get_storage()
+                if storage:
                     # add email to quarantine
                     self.logger.info("{}: adding to quarantine '{}' for: {}".format(
-                        self.queueid, quarantine["name"], ", ".join(recipients)))
+                        self.queueid, quarantine.name, ", ".join(recipients)))
                     try:
-                        quarantine_id = quarantine["quarantine_obj"].add(
+                        storage_id = storage.add(
                             self.queueid, self.mailfrom, recipients, headers, self.fp,
                             subgroups, named_subgroups)
                     except RuntimeError as e:
                         self.logger.error(
                             "{}: unable to add to quarantine '{}': {}".format(
-                                self.queueid, quarantine["name"], e))
+                                self.queueid, quarantine.name, e))
                         return Milter.TEMPFAIL
 
                 # check if a notification is configured
-                if quarantine["notification_obj"] is not None:
+                notification = quarantine.get_notification()
+                if notification:
                     # notify
                     self.logger.info(
                         "{}: sending notification for quarantine '{}' to: {}".format(
-                            self.queueid, quarantine["name"], ", ".join(recipients)))
+                            self.queueid, quarantine.name, ", ".join(recipients)))
                     try:
-                        quarantine["notification_obj"].notify(
-                            self.queueid, quarantine_id,
+                        notification.notify(
+                            self.queueid, storage_id,
                             self.mailfrom, recipients, headers, self.fp,
                             subgroups, named_subgroups)
                     except RuntimeError as e:
                         self.logger.error(
                             "{}: unable to send notification for quarantine '{}': {}".format(
-                                self.queueid, quarantine["name"], e))
+                                self.queueid, quarantine.name, e))
                         return Milter.TEMPFAIL
 
                 # remove processed recipient
@@ -365,12 +585,12 @@ class QuarantineMilter(Milter.Base):
             self.logger.info(
                 "{}: {} matching quarantine is '{}', performing milter action {}".format(
                     self.queueid,
-                    self.global_config["preferred_quarantine_action"],
-                    quarantine["name"],
-                    quarantine["action"].upper()))
-            if quarantine["action"] == "reject":
-                self.setreply("554", "5.7.0", quarantine["reject_reason"])
-            return quarantine["milter_action"]
+                    self.preferred_quarantine_action,
+                    quarantine.name,
+                    quarantine.action))
+            if quarantine.action == "REJECT":
+                self.setreply("554", "5.7.0", quarantine.reject_reason)
+            return quarantine.milter_action
 
         except Exception as e:
             self.logger.exception(
@@ -381,23 +601,24 @@ class QuarantineMilter(Milter.Base):
         self.logger.debug(
             "disconnect from {} port {}".format(
                 *self.hostaddr))
+        return Milter.CONTINUE
 
 
-def generate_milter_config(configtest=False, config_files=[]):
+def setup_milter(test=False, cfg_files=[]):
     "Generate the configuration for QuarantineMilter class."
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
     # read config file
     parser = configparser.ConfigParser()
-    if not config_files:
-        config_files = parser.read(QuarantineMilter.get_configfiles())
+    if not cfg_files:
+        cfg_files = parser.read(QuarantineMilter.get_cfg_files())
     else:
-        config_files = parser.read(config_files)
-    if not config_files:
+        cfg_files = parser.read(cfg_files)
+    if not cfg_files:
         raise RuntimeError("config file not found")
 
-    QuarantineMilter.set_configfiles(config_files)
-    os.chdir(os.path.dirname(config_files[0]))
+    QuarantineMilter.set_cfg_files(cfg_files)
+    os.chdir(os.path.dirname(cfg_files[0]))
 
     # check if mandatory config options in global section are present
     if "global" not in parser.sections():
@@ -409,164 +630,41 @@ def generate_milter_config(configtest=False, config_files=[]):
                 "mandatory option '{}' not present in config section 'global'".format(option))
 
     # read global config section
-    global_config = dict(parser.items("global"))
-    global_config["preferred_quarantine_action"] = global_config["preferred_quarantine_action"].lower()
-    if global_config["preferred_quarantine_action"] not in ["first", "last"]:
+    global_cfg = dict(parser.items("global"))
+    preferred_quarantine_action = global_cfg["preferred_quarantine_action"].lower()
+    if preferred_quarantine_action not in ["first", "last"]:
         raise RuntimeError(
             "option preferred_quarantine_action has illegal value")
 
     # read active quarantine names
-    quarantine_names = [
-        q.strip() for q in global_config["quarantines"].split(",")]
-    if len(quarantine_names) != len(set(quarantine_names)):
+    quarantines = [
+        q.strip() for q in global_cfg["quarantines"].split(",")]
+    if len(quarantines) != len(set(quarantines)):
         raise RuntimeError(
             "at least one quarantine is specified multiple times in quarantines option")
-    if "global" in quarantine_names:
-        quarantine_names.remove("global")
+    if "global" in quarantines:
+        quarantines.remove("global")
         logger.warning(
             "removed illegal quarantine name 'global' from list of active quarantines")
-    if not quarantine_names:
+    if not quarantines:
         raise RuntimeError("no quarantines configured")
 
-    milter_config = []
-
+    milter_quarantines = []
     logger.debug("preparing milter configuration ...")
     # iterate quarantine names
-    for index, quarantine_name in enumerate(quarantine_names):
-
+    for index, name in enumerate(quarantines):
         # check if config section for current quarantine exists
-        if quarantine_name not in parser.sections():
+        if name not in parser.sections():
             raise RuntimeError(
-                "config section '{}' does not exist".format(quarantine_name))
-        config = dict(parser.items(quarantine_name))
+                "config section '{}' does not exist".format(name))
 
-        # check if mandatory config options are present in config
-        for option in ["regex", "quarantine_type", "notification_type",
-                       "action", "whitelist_type", "smtp_host", "smtp_port"]:
-            if option not in config.keys() and \
-                    option in global_config.keys():
-                config[option] = global_config[option]
-            if option not in config.keys():
-                raise RuntimeError(
-                    "mandatory option '{}' not present in config section '{}' or 'global'".format(
-                        option, quarantine_name))
+        cfg = dict(parser.items(name))
+        quarantine = Quarantine(name, index)
+        quarantine.setup_from_cfg(global_cfg, cfg, test)
+        milter_quarantines.append(quarantine)
 
-        # check if optional config options are present in config
-        defaults = {
-            "reject_reason": "Message rejected",
-            "ignore_hosts": ""
-        }
-        for option in defaults.keys():
-            if option not in config.keys() and \
-                    option in global_config.keys():
-                config[option] = global_config[option]
-            if option not in config.keys():
-                config[option] = defaults[option]
-
-        # set quarantine name
-        config["name"] = quarantine_name
-
-        # set the index
-        config["index"] = index
-
-        # pre-compile regex
-        logger.debug(
-            "{}: compiling regex '{}'".format(
-                quarantine_name,
-                config["regex"]))
-        config["regex_compiled"] = re.compile(
-            config["regex"], re.MULTILINE + re.DOTALL + re.IGNORECASE)
-
-        # create quarantine instance
-        quarantine_type = config["quarantine_type"].lower()
-        if quarantine_type in quarantines.TYPES.keys():
-            logger.debug(
-                "{}: initializing quarantine type '{}'".format(
-                    quarantine_name,
-                    quarantine_type.upper()))
-            quarantine = quarantines.TYPES[quarantine_type](
-                global_config, config, configtest)
-        elif quarantine_type == "none":
-            logger.debug("{}: quarantine is NONE".format(quarantine_name))
-            quarantine = None
-        else:
-            raise RuntimeError(
-                "{}: unknown quarantine type '{}'".format(
-                    quarantine_name, quarantine_type))
-
-        config["quarantine_obj"] = quarantine
-
-        # create whitelist instance
-        whitelist_type = config["whitelist_type"].lower()
-        if whitelist_type in whitelists.TYPES.keys():
-            logger.debug(
-                "{}: initializing whitelist type '{}'".format(
-                    quarantine_name,
-                    whitelist_type.upper()))
-            whitelist = whitelists.TYPES[whitelist_type](
-                global_config, config, configtest)
-        elif whitelist_type == "none":
-            logger.debug("{}: whitelist is NONE".format(quarantine_name))
-            whitelist = None
-        else:
-            raise RuntimeError(
-                "{}: unknown whitelist type '{}'".format(
-                    quarantine_name, whitelist_type))
-
-        config["whitelist_obj"] = whitelist
-
-        # create notification instance
-        notification_type = config["notification_type"].lower()
-        if notification_type in notifications.TYPES.keys():
-            logger.debug(
-                "{}: initializing notification type '{}'".format(
-                    quarantine_name,
-                    notification_type.upper()))
-            notification = notifications.TYPES[notification_type](
-                global_config, config, configtest)
-        elif notification_type == "none":
-            logger.debug("{}: notification is NONE".format(quarantine_name))
-            notification = None
-        else:
-            raise RuntimeError(
-                "{}: unknown notification type '{}'".format(
-                    quarantine_name, notification_type))
-
-        config["notification_obj"] = notification
-
-        # determining milter action for this quarantine
-        action = config["action"].upper()
-        if action in QuarantineMilter.get_actions().keys():
-            logger.debug("{}: action is {}".format(quarantine_name, action))
-            config["milter_action"] = QuarantineMilter.get_actions()[action]
-        else:
-            raise RuntimeError(
-                "{}: unknown action '{}'".format(
-                    quarantine_name, action))
-
-        # create host/network whitelist
-        config["ignore_hosts_list"] = []
-        ignored = set([p.strip()
-                       for p in config["ignore_hosts"].split(",") if p])
-        for ignore in ignored:
-            if not ignore:
-                continue
-            # parse network notation
-            try:
-                net = IPNetwork(ignore)
-            except AddrFormatError as e:
-                raise RuntimeError("error parsing ignore_hosts: {}".format(e))
-            else:
-                config["ignore_hosts_list"].append(net)
-        if config["ignore_hosts_list"]:
-            logger.debug(
-                "{}: ignore hosts: {}".format(
-                    quarantine_name,
-                    ", ".join(ignored)))
-
-        milter_config.append(config)
-
-    return global_config, milter_config
+    QuarantineMilter.preferred_quarantine_action = preferred_quarantine_action
+    QuarantineMilter.quarantines = milter_quarantines
 
 
 def reload_config():
@@ -574,11 +672,9 @@ def reload_config():
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
     try:
-        global_config, config = generate_milter_config()
+        setup_milter()
     except RuntimeError as e:
         logger.info(e)
         logger.info("daemon is still running with previous configuration")
     else:
-        logger.info("reloading configuration")
-        QuarantineMilter.global_config = global_config
-        QuarantineMilter.config = config
+        logger.info("reloaded configuration")
diff --git a/pyquarantine/cli.py b/pyquarantine/cli.py
index 3fb0701..42e7bdf 100644
--- a/pyquarantine/cli.py
+++ b/pyquarantine/cli.py
@@ -26,23 +26,36 @@ import pyquarantine
 
 from pyquarantine.version import __version__ as version
 
-def _get_quarantine_obj(config, quarantine):
+def _get_quarantine(quarantines, name):
     try:
-        quarantine_obj = next((q["quarantine_obj"]
-                               for q in config if q["name"] == quarantine))
+        quarantine = next((q for q in quarantines if q.name == name))
     except StopIteration:
-        raise RuntimeError("invalid quarantine '{}'".format(quarantine))
-    return quarantine_obj
+        raise RuntimeError("invalid quarantine '{}'".format(name))
+    return quarantine
 
+def _get_storage(quarantines, name):
+    quarantine = _get_quarantine(quarantines, name)
+    storage = quarantine.get_storage()
+    if not storage:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+                "storage type is set to NONE")
+    return storage
 
-def _get_whitelist_obj(config, quarantine):
-    try:
-        whitelist_obj = next((q["whitelist_obj"]
-                              for q in config if q["name"] == quarantine))
-    except StopIteration:
-        raise RuntimeError("invalid quarantine '{}'".format(quarantine))
-    return whitelist_obj
+def _get_notification(quarantines, name):
+    quarantine = _get_quarantine(quarantines, name)
+    notification = quarantine.get_notification()
+    if not notification:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+                "notification type is set to NONE")
+    return notification
 
+def _get_whitelist(quarantines, name):
+    quarantine = _get_quarantine(quarantines, name)
+    whitelist = quarantine.get_whitelist()
+    if not whitelist:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+                "whitelist type is set to NONE")
+    return whitelist
 
 def print_table(columns, rows):
     if not rows:
@@ -85,51 +98,72 @@ def print_table(columns, rows):
         print(row_format.format(*row))
 
 
-def list_quarantines(config, args):
+def list_quarantines(quarantines, args):
     if args.batch:
-        print("\n".join([quarantine["name"] for quarantine in config]))
+        print("\n".join([q.name for q in quarantines]))
     else:
+        qlist = []
+        for q in quarantines:
+            storage = q.get_storage()
+            if storage:
+                storage_type = q.get_storage().storage_type
+            else:
+                storage_type = "NONE"
+
+            notification = q.get_notification()
+            if notification:
+                notification_type = q.get_notification().notification_type
+            else:
+                notification_type = "NONE"
+
+            whitelist = q.get_whitelist()
+            if whitelist:
+                whitelist_type = q.get_whitelist().whitelist_type
+            else:
+                whitelist_type = "NONE"
+
+            qlist.append({
+                "name": q.name,
+                "storage": storage_type,
+                "notification": notification_type,
+                "whitelist": whitelist_type,
+                "action": q.action})
         print_table(
-            [("Name", "name"), ("Quarantine", "quarantine_type"),
-             ("Notification", "notification_type"), ("Action", "action")],
-            config
+            [("Name", "name"),
+             ("Storage", "storage"),
+             ("Notification", "notification"),
+             ("Whitelist", "whitelist"),
+             ("Action", "action")],
+            qlist
         )
 
 
-def list_quarantine_emails(config, args):
+def list_quarantine_emails(quarantines, args):
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-
-    # get quarantine object
-    quarantine = _get_quarantine_obj(config, args.quarantine)
-    if quarantine is None:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            "quarantine type is set to None, unable to list emails")
-
+    storage = _get_storage(quarantines, args.quarantine)
     # find emails and transform some metadata values to strings
     rows = []
-    emails = quarantine.find(
-        mailfrom=args.mailfrom,
-        recipients=args.recipients,
-        older_than=args.older_than)
-    for quarantine_id, metadata in emails.items():
-        row = emails[quarantine_id]
-        row["quarantine_id"] = quarantine_id
+    emails = storage.find(
+        args.mailfrom, args.recipients, args.older_than)
+    for storage_id, metadata in emails.items():
+        row = emails[storage_id]
+        row["storage_id"] = storage_id
         row["date"] = time.strftime(
             '%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S',
             time.localtime(
                 metadata["date"]))
         row["mailfrom"] = metadata["mailfrom"]
         row["recipient"] = metadata["recipients"].pop(0)
-        if "subject" not in emails[quarantine_id]["headers"].keys():
-            emails[quarantine_id]["headers"]["subject"] = ""
+        if "subject" not in emails[storage_id]["headers"].keys():
+            emails[storage_id]["headers"]["subject"] = ""
         row["subject"] = str(make_header(decode_header(
-            emails[quarantine_id]["headers"]["subject"])))[:60].replace(
+            emails[storage_id]["headers"]["subject"])))[:60].replace(
                 "\r", "").replace("\n", "").strip()
         rows.append(row)
 
         if metadata["recipients"]:
             row = {
-                "quarantine_id": "",
+                "storage_id": "",
                 "date": "",
                 "mailfrom": "",
                 "recipient": metadata["recipients"].pop(0),
@@ -145,21 +179,16 @@ def list_quarantine_emails(config, args):
     if not emails:
         logger.info("quarantine '{}' is empty".format(args.quarantine))
     print_table(
-        [("Quarantine-ID", "quarantine_id"), ("Date", "date"),
+        [("Quarantine-ID", "storage_id"), ("Date", "date"),
          ("From", "mailfrom"), ("Recipient(s)", "recipient"),
          ("Subject", "subject")],
         rows
     )
 
 
-def list_whitelist(config, args):
+def list_whitelist(quarantines, args):
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-
-    # get whitelist object
-    whitelist = _get_whitelist_obj(config, args.quarantine)
-    if whitelist is None:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            "whitelist type is set to None, unable to list entries")
+    whitelist = _get_whitelist(quarantines, args.quarantine)
 
     # find whitelist entries
     entries = whitelist.find(
@@ -190,14 +219,9 @@ def list_whitelist(config, args):
     )
 
 
-def add_whitelist_entry(config, args):
+def add_whitelist_entry(quarantines, args):
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-
-    # get whitelist object
-    whitelist = _get_whitelist_obj(config, args.quarantine)
-    if whitelist is None:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            "whitelist type is set to None, unable to add entries")
+    whitelist = _get_whitelist(quarantines, args.quarantine)
 
     # check existing entries
     entries = whitelist.check(args.mailfrom, args.recipient)
@@ -235,50 +259,31 @@ def add_whitelist_entry(config, args):
     logger.info("whitelist entry added successfully")
 
 
-def delete_whitelist_entry(config, args):
+def delete_whitelist_entry(quarantines, args):
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-
-    whitelist = _get_whitelist_obj(config, args.quarantine)
-    if whitelist is None:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            "whitelist type is set to None, unable to delete entries")
-
+    whitelist = _get_whitelist(quarantines, args.quarantine)
     whitelist.delete(args.whitelist_id)
     logger.info("whitelist entry deleted successfully")
 
 
-def notify_email(config, args):
+def notify(quarantines, args):
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-
-    quarantine = _get_quarantine_obj(config, args.quarantine)
-    if quarantine is None:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            "quarantine type is set to None, unable to send notification")
+    quarantine = _get_quarantine(quarantines, args.quarantine)
     quarantine.notify(args.quarantine_id, args.recipient)
-    logger.info("sent notification successfully")
+    logger.info("notification sent successfully")
 
 
-def release_email(config, args):
+def release(quarantines, args):
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-
-    quarantine = _get_quarantine_obj(config, args.quarantine)
-    if quarantine is None:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            "quarantine type is set to None, unable to release email")
-
+    quarantine = _get_quarantine(quarantines, args.quarantine)
     quarantine.release(args.quarantine_id, args.recipient)
     logger.info("quarantined email released successfully")
 
 
-def delete_email(config, args):
+def delete(quarantines, args):
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-
-    quarantine = _get_quarantine_obj(config, args.quarantine)
-    if quarantine is None:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            "quarantine type is set to None, unable to delete email")
-
-    quarantine.delete(args.quarantine_id, args.recipient)
+    storage = _get_storage(quarantines, args.quarantine)
+    storage.delete(args.quarantine_id, args.recipient)
     logger.info("quarantined email deleted successfully")
 
 
@@ -304,7 +309,7 @@ def main():
         "-c", "--config",
         help="Config files to read.",
         nargs="+", metavar="CFG",
-        default=pyquarantine.QuarantineMilter.get_configfiles())
+        default=pyquarantine.QuarantineMilter.get_cfg_files())
     parser.add_argument(
         "-d", "--debug",
         help="Log debugging messages.",
@@ -394,7 +399,7 @@ def main():
         "-a", "--all",
         help="Release email for all recipients.",
         action="store_true")
-    quarantine_notify_parser.set_defaults(func=notify_email)
+    quarantine_notify_parser.set_defaults(func=notify)
     # quarantine release command
     quarantine_release_parser = quarantine_subparsers.add_parser(
         "release",
@@ -421,7 +426,7 @@ def main():
         "-a", "--all",
         help="Release email for all recipients.",
         action="store_true")
-    quarantine_release_parser.set_defaults(func=release_email)
+    quarantine_release_parser.set_defaults(func=release)
     # quarantine delete command
     quarantine_delete_parser = quarantine_subparsers.add_parser(
         "delete",
@@ -447,7 +452,7 @@ def main():
         "-a", "--all",
         help="Delete email for all recipients.",
         action="store_true")
-    quarantine_delete_parser.set_defaults(func=delete_email)
+    quarantine_delete_parser.set_defaults(func=delete)
 
     # whitelist command group
     whitelist_parser = subparsers.add_parser(
@@ -558,8 +563,8 @@ def main():
 
     # try to generate milter configs
     try:
-        global_config, config = pyquarantine.generate_milter_config(
-            config_files=args.config, configtest=True)
+        pyquarantine.setup_milter(
+            cfg_files=args.config, test=True)
     except RuntimeError as e:
         logger.error(e)
         sys.exit(255)
@@ -580,7 +585,7 @@ def main():
 
     # call the commands function
     try:
-        args.func(config, args)
+        args.func(pyquarantine.QuarantineMilter.quarantines, args)
     except RuntimeError as e:
         logger.error(e)
         sys.exit(1)
diff --git a/pyquarantine/notifications.py b/pyquarantine/notifications.py
index a93525d..db46167 100644
--- a/pyquarantine/notifications.py
+++ b/pyquarantine/notifications.py
@@ -31,14 +31,13 @@ from pyquarantine import mailer
 
 class BaseNotification(object):
     "Notification base class"
+    notification_type = "base"
 
-    def __init__(self, global_config, config, configtest=False):
-        self.quarantine_name = config["name"]
-        self.global_config = global_config
-        self.config = config
+    def __init__(self, name, global_cfg, cfg, test=False):
+        self.name = name
         self.logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-    def notify(self, queueid, quarantine_id, mailfrom, recipients, headers,
+    def notify(self, queueid, storage_id, mailfrom, recipients, headers,
                fp, subgroups=None, named_subgroups=None, synchronous=False):
         fp.seek(0)
         pass
@@ -46,6 +45,7 @@ class BaseNotification(object):
 
 class EMailNotification(BaseNotification):
     "Notification class to send notifications via mail."
+    notification_type = "email"
     _html_text = "text/html"
     _plain_text = "text/plain"
     _bad_tags = [
@@ -111,44 +111,40 @@ class EMailNotification(BaseNotification):
         "width"
     ]
 
-    def __init__(self, global_config, config, configtest=False):
+    def __init__(self, name, global_cfg, cfg, test=False):
         super(EMailNotification, self).__init__(
-            global_config, config, configtest)
+            name, global_cfg, cfg, test)
 
-        # check if mandatory options are present in config
-        for option in [
+        defaults = {
+            "notification_email_replacement_img": "",
+            "notification_email_strip_images": "false",
+            "notification_email_parser_lib": "lxml"
+        }
+        # check config
+        for opt in [
             "notification_email_smtp_host",
             "notification_email_smtp_port",
             "notification_email_envelope_from",
             "notification_email_from",
             "notification_email_subject",
             "notification_email_template",
-                "notification_email_embedded_imgs"]:
-            if option not in self.config.keys() and option in self.global_config.keys():
-                self.config[option] = self.global_config[option]
-            if option not in self.config.keys():
+                "notification_email_embedded_imgs"] + list(defaults.keys()):
+            if opt in cfg:
+                continue
+            if opt in global_cfg:
+                cfg[opt] = global_cfg[opt]
+            elif opt in defaults:
+                cfg[opt] = defaults[opt]
+            else:
                 raise RuntimeError(
                     "mandatory option '{}' not present in config section '{}' or 'global'".format(
-                        option, self.quarantine_name))
+                        opt, self.name))
 
-        # check if optional config options are present in config
-        defaults = {
-            "notification_email_replacement_img": "",
-            "notification_email_strip_images": "false",
-            "notification_email_parser_lib": "lxml"
-        }
-        for option in defaults.keys():
-            if option not in config.keys() and \
-                    option in global_config.keys():
-                config[option] = global_config[option]
-            if option not in config.keys():
-                config[option] = defaults[option]
-
-        self.smtp_host = self.config["notification_email_smtp_host"]
-        self.smtp_port = self.config["notification_email_smtp_port"]
-        self.mailfrom = self.config["notification_email_envelope_from"]
-        self.from_header = self.config["notification_email_from"]
-        self.subject = self.config["notification_email_subject"]
+        self.smtp_host = cfg["notification_email_smtp_host"]
+        self.smtp_port = cfg["notification_email_smtp_port"]
+        self.mailfrom = cfg["notification_email_envelope_from"]
+        self.from_header = cfg["notification_email_from"]
+        self.subject = cfg["notification_email_subject"]
 
         testvars = defaultdict(str, test="TEST")
 
@@ -169,14 +165,14 @@ class EMailNotification(BaseNotification):
         # read and parse email notification template
         try:
             self.template = open(
-                self.config["notification_email_template"], "r").read()
+                cfg["notification_email_template"], "r").read()
             self.template.format_map(testvars)
         except IOError as e:
             raise RuntimeError("error reading template: {}".format(e))
         except ValueError as e:
             raise RuntimeError("error parsing template: {}".format(e))
 
-        strip_images = self.config["notification_email_strip_images"].strip().upper()
+        strip_images = cfg["notification_email_strip_images"].strip().upper()
         if strip_images in ["TRUE", "ON", "YES"]:
             self.strip_images = True
         elif strip_images in ["FALSE", "OFF", "NO"]:
@@ -184,12 +180,12 @@ class EMailNotification(BaseNotification):
         else:
             raise RuntimeError("error parsing notification_email_strip_images: unknown value")
 
-        self.parser_lib = self.config["notification_email_parser_lib"].strip()
+        self.parser_lib = cfg["notification_email_parser_lib"].strip()
         if self.parser_lib not in ["lxml", "html.parser"]:
             raise RuntimeError("error parsing notification_email_parser_lib: unknown value")
 
         # read email replacement image if specified
-        replacement_img = self.config["notification_email_replacement_img"].strip()
+        replacement_img = cfg["notification_email_replacement_img"].strip()
         if not self.strip_images and replacement_img:
             try:
                 self.replacement_img = MIMEImage(
@@ -205,7 +201,7 @@ class EMailNotification(BaseNotification):
 
         # read images to embed if specified
         embedded_img_paths = [
-            p.strip() for p in self.config["notification_email_embedded_imgs"].split(",") if p]
+            p.strip() for p in cfg["notification_email_embedded_imgs"].split(",") if p]
         self.embedded_imgs = []
         for img_path in embedded_img_paths:
             # read image
@@ -291,14 +287,14 @@ class EMailNotification(BaseNotification):
                         del(element.attrs[attribute])
         return soup
 
-    def notify(self, queueid, quarantine_id, mailfrom, recipients, headers, fp,
+    def notify(self, queueid, storage_id, mailfrom, recipients, headers, fp,
                subgroups=None, named_subgroups=None, synchronous=False):
         "Notify recipients via email."
         super(
             EMailNotification,
             self).notify(
             queueid,
-            quarantine_id,
+            storage_id,
             mailfrom,
             recipients,
             headers,
@@ -372,7 +368,7 @@ class EMailNotification(BaseNotification):
                                     EMAIL_ENVELOPE_TO=escape(recipient),
                                     EMAIL_ENVELOPE_TO_URL=escape(quote(recipient)),
                                     EMAIL_SUBJECT=escape(decoded_headers["subject"]),
-                                    EMAIL_QUARANTINE_ID=quarantine_id)
+                                    EMAIL_QUARANTINE_ID=storage_id)
 
             if subgroups:
                 number = 0
diff --git a/pyquarantine/quarantines.py b/pyquarantine/quarantines.py
index ec6dd53..864aaab 100644
--- a/pyquarantine/quarantines.py
+++ b/pyquarantine/quarantines.py
@@ -22,63 +22,60 @@ from glob import glob
 from shutil import copyfileobj
 from time import gmtime
 
-from pyquarantine import mailer
 
+class BaseMailStorage(object):
+    "Mail storage base class"
+    storage_type = "base"
 
-class BaseQuarantine(object):
-    "Quarantine base class"
-
-    def __init__(self, global_config, config, configtest=False):
-        self.name = config["name"]
-        self.global_config = global_config
-        self.config = config
+    def __init__(self, name, global_cfg, cfg, test=False):
+        self.name = name
         self.logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
     def add(self, queueid, mailfrom, recipients, headers,
             fp, subgroups=None, named_subgroups=None):
-        "Add email to quarantine."
+        "Add email to storage."
         fp.seek(0)
         return ""
 
     def find(self, mailfrom=None, recipients=None, older_than=None):
-        "Find emails in quarantine."
+        "Find emails in storage."
         return
 
-    def get_metadata(self, quarantine_id):
-        "Return metadata of quarantined email."
+    def get_metadata(self, storage_id):
+        "Return metadata of email in storage."
         return
 
-    def delete(self, quarantine_id, recipient=None):
-        "Delete email from quarantine."
+    def delete(self, storage_id, recipients=None):
+        "Delete email from storage."
         return
 
-    def notify(self, quarantine_id, recipient=None):
-        "Notify recipient about email in quarantine."
-        if not self.config["notification_obj"]:
-            raise RuntimeError(
-                "notification type is set to None, unable to send notifications")
-        return
-
-    def release(self, quarantine_id, recipient=None):
-        "Release email from quarantine."
+    def get_mail(self, storage_id):
+        "Return a file pointer to the email and metadata."
         return
 
 
-class FileQuarantine(BaseQuarantine):
-    "Quarantine class to store mails on filesystem."
+class FileMailStorage(BaseMailStorage):
+    "Storage class to store mails on filesystem."
+    storage_type = "file"
 
-    def __init__(self, global_config, config, configtest=False):
-        super(FileQuarantine, self).__init__(global_config, config, configtest)
+    def __init__(self, name, global_cfg, cfg, test=False):
+        super(FileMailStorage, self).__init__(name, global_cfg, cfg, test)
 
-        # check if mandatory options are present in config
-        for option in ["quarantine_directory"]:
-            if option not in self.config.keys() and option in self.global_config.keys():
-                self.config[option] = self.global_config[option]
-            if option not in self.config.keys():
+        defaults = {}
+        # check config
+
+        for opt in ["storage_directory"] + list(defaults.keys()):
+            if opt in cfg:
+                continue
+            if opt in global_cfg:
+                cfg[opt] = global_cfg[opt]
+            elif opt in defaults:
+                cfg[opt] = defaults[opt]
+            else:
                 raise RuntimeError(
                     "mandatory option '{}' not present in config section '{}' or 'global'".format(
-                        option, self.name))
-        self.directory = self.config["quarantine_directory"]
+                        opt, self.name))
+        self.directory = cfg["storage_directory"]
 
         # check if quarantine directory exists and is writable
         if not os.path.isdir(self.directory) or not os.access(
@@ -88,26 +85,26 @@ class FileQuarantine(BaseQuarantine):
                     self.directory))
         self._metadata_suffix = ".metadata"
 
-    def _save_datafile(self, quarantine_id, fp):
-        datafile = os.path.join(self.directory, quarantine_id)
+    def _save_datafile(self, storage_id, fp):
+        datafile = os.path.join(self.directory, storage_id)
         try:
             with open(datafile, "wb") as f:
                 copyfileobj(fp, f)
         except IOError as e:
             raise RuntimeError("unable save data file: {}".format(e))
 
-    def _save_metafile(self, quarantine_id, metadata):
+    def _save_metafile(self, storage_id, metadata):
         metafile = os.path.join(
             self.directory, "{}{}".format(
-                quarantine_id, self._metadata_suffix))
+                storage_id, self._metadata_suffix))
         try:
             with open(metafile, "w") as f:
                 json.dump(metadata, f, indent=2)
         except IOError as e:
             raise RuntimeError("unable to save metadata file: {}".format(e))
 
-    def _remove(self, quarantine_id):
-        datafile = os.path.join(self.directory, quarantine_id)
+    def _remove(self, storage_id):
+        datafile = os.path.join(self.directory, storage_id)
         metafile = "{}{}".format(datafile, self._metadata_suffix)
 
         try:
@@ -122,9 +119,9 @@ class FileQuarantine(BaseQuarantine):
 
     def add(self, queueid, mailfrom, recipients, headers,
             fp, subgroups=None, named_subgroups=None):
-        "Add email to file quarantine and return quarantine-id."
+        "Add email to file storage and return storage id."
         super(
-            FileQuarantine,
+            FileMailStorage,
             self).add(
             queueid,
             mailfrom,
@@ -133,11 +130,11 @@ class FileQuarantine(BaseQuarantine):
             fp,
             subgroups,
             named_subgroups)
-        quarantine_id = "{}_{}".format(
+        storage_id = "{}_{}".format(
             datetime.now().strftime("%Y%m%d%H%M%S"), queueid)
 
         # save mail
-        self._save_datafile(quarantine_id, fp)
+        self._save_datafile(storage_id, fp)
 
         # save metadata
         metadata = {
@@ -150,24 +147,24 @@ class FileQuarantine(BaseQuarantine):
             "named_subgroups": named_subgroups
         }
         try:
-            self._save_metafile(quarantine_id, metadata)
+            self._save_metafile(storage_id, metadata)
         except RuntimeError as e:
-            datafile = os.path.join(self.directory, quarantine_id)
+            datafile = os.path.join(self.directory, storage_id)
             os.remove(datafile)
             raise e
 
-        return quarantine_id
+        return storage_id
 
-    def get_metadata(self, quarantine_id):
-        "Return metadata of quarantined email."
-        super(FileQuarantine, self).get_metadata(quarantine_id)
+    def get_metadata(self, storage_id):
+        "Return metadata of email in storage."
+        super(FileMailStorage, self).get_metadata(storage_id)
 
         metafile = os.path.join(
             self.directory, "{}{}".format(
-                quarantine_id, self._metadata_suffix))
+                storage_id, self._metadata_suffix))
         if not os.path.isfile(metafile):
             raise RuntimeError(
-                "invalid quarantine id '{}'".format(quarantine_id))
+                "invalid storage id '{}'".format(storage_id))
 
         try:
             with open(metafile, "r") as f:
@@ -182,8 +179,8 @@ class FileQuarantine(BaseQuarantine):
         return metadata
 
     def find(self, mailfrom=None, recipients=None, older_than=None):
-        "Find emails in quarantine."
-        super(FileQuarantine, self).find(mailfrom, recipients, older_than)
+        "Find emails in storage."
+        super(FileMailStorage, self).find(mailfrom, recipients, older_than)
         if isinstance(mailfrom, str):
             mailfrom = [mailfrom]
         if isinstance(recipients, str):
@@ -196,9 +193,9 @@ class FileQuarantine(BaseQuarantine):
             if not os.path.isfile(metafile):
                 continue
 
-            quarantine_id = os.path.basename(
+            storage_id = os.path.basename(
                 metafile[:-len(self._metadata_suffix)])
-            metadata = self.get_metadata(quarantine_id)
+            metadata = self.get_metadata(storage_id)
             if older_than is not None:
                 if timegm(gmtime()) - metadata["date"] < (older_than * 86400):
                     continue
@@ -214,96 +211,44 @@ class FileQuarantine(BaseQuarantine):
                 elif len(set(recipients + metadata["recipients"])) == len(recipients + metadata["recipients"]):
                     continue
 
-            emails[quarantine_id] = metadata
+            emails[storage_id] = metadata
 
         return emails
 
-    def delete(self, quarantine_id, recipient=None):
-        "Delete email in quarantine."
-        super(FileQuarantine, self).delete(quarantine_id, recipient)
+    def delete(self, storage_id, recipients=None):
+        "Delete email from storage."
+        super(FileMailStorage, self).delete(storage_id, recipients)
 
         try:
-            metadata = self.get_metadata(quarantine_id)
+            metadata = self.get_metadata(storage_id)
         except RuntimeError as e:
             raise RuntimeError("unable to delete email: {}".format(e))
 
-        if recipient is None:
-            self._remove(quarantine_id)
+        if not recipients:
+            self._remove(storage_id)
         else:
-            if recipient not in metadata["recipients"]:
-                raise RuntimeError("invalid recipient '{}'".format(recipient))
+            if type(recipients) == str:
+                recipients = [recipients]
+            for recipient in recipients:
+                if recipient not in metadata["recipients"]:
+                    raise RuntimeError("invalid recipient '{}'".format(recipient))
+                metadata["recipients"].remove(recipient)
+                if not metadata["recipients"]:
+                    self._remove(storage_id)
+                else:
+                    self._save_metafile(storage_id, metadata)
 
-            metadata["recipients"].remove(recipient)
-            if not metadata["recipients"]:
-                self._remove(quarantine_id)
-            else:
-                self._save_metafile(quarantine_id, metadata)
-
-    def notify(self, quarantine_id, recipient=None):
-        "Notify recipient about email in quarantine."
-        super(FileQuarantine, self).notify(quarantine_id, recipient)
+    def get_mail(self, storage_id):
+        super(FileMailStorage, self).get_mail(storage_id)
 
+        metadata = self.get_metadata(storage_id)
+        datafile = os.path.join(self.directory, storage_id)
         try:
-            metadata = self.get_metadata(quarantine_id)
-        except RuntimeError as e:
-            raise RuntimeError("unable to release email: {}".format(e))
-
-        if recipient is not None:
-            if recipient not in metadata["recipients"]:
-                raise RuntimeError("invalid recipient '{}'".format(recipient))
-            recipients = [recipient]
-        else:
-            recipients = metadata["recipients"]
-
-        datafile = os.path.join(self.directory, quarantine_id)
-        try:
-            with open(datafile, "rb") as fp:
-                self.config["notification_obj"].notify(
-                    metadata["queue_id"], quarantine_id, metadata["mailfrom"],
-                    recipients, metadata["headers"], fp,
-                    metadata["subgroups"], metadata["named_subgroups"],
-                    synchronous=True)
+            fp = open(datafile, "rb")
         except IOError as e:
-            raise RuntimeError
-
-    def release(self, quarantine_id, recipient=None):
-        "Release email from quarantine."
-        super(FileQuarantine, self).release(quarantine_id, recipient)
-
-        try:
-            metadata = self.get_metadata(quarantine_id)
-        except RuntimeError as e:
-            raise RuntimeError("unable to release email: {}".format(e))
-
-        if recipient is not None:
-            if recipient not in metadata["recipients"]:
-                raise RuntimeError("invalid recipient '{}'".format(recipient))
-            recipients = [recipient]
-        else:
-            recipients = metadata["recipients"]
-
-        datafile = os.path.join(self.directory, quarantine_id)
-        try:
-            with open(datafile, "rb") as f:
-                mail = f.read()
-        except IOError as e:
-            raise RuntimeError("unable to read data file: {}".format(e))
-
-        for recipient in recipients:
-            try:
-                mailer.smtp_send(
-                    self.config["smtp_host"],
-                    self.config["smtp_port"],
-                    metadata["mailfrom"],
-                    recipient,
-                    mail)
-            except Exception as e:
-                raise RuntimeError(
-                    "error while sending email to '{}': {}".format(
-                        recipient, e))
-
-            self.delete(quarantine_id, recipient)
+            raise RuntimeError("unable to open email data file: {}".format(e))
+        return (fp, metadata)
 
 
-# list of quarantine types and their related quarantine classes
-TYPES = {"file": FileQuarantine}
+# list of storage types and their related storage classes
+TYPES = {"file": FileMailStorage}
diff --git a/pyquarantine/run.py b/pyquarantine/run.py
index a38a064..487d736 100644
--- a/pyquarantine/run.py
+++ b/pyquarantine/run.py
@@ -35,11 +35,11 @@ def main():
         "-c", "--config",
         help="List of config files to read.",
         nargs="+",
-        default=pyquarantine.QuarantineMilter.get_configfiles())
+        default=pyquarantine.QuarantineMilter.get_cfg_files())
     parser.add_argument(
         "-s", "--socket",
         help="Socket used to communicate with the MTA.",
-        required=True)
+        default="inet:8899@127.0.0.1")
     parser.add_argument(
         "-d", "--debug",
         help="Log debugging messages.",
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ def main():
         syslog_name = "{}: [%(name)s] %(levelname)s".format(syslog_name)
 
     # set config files for milter class
-    pyquarantine.QuarantineMilter.set_configfiles(args.config)
+    pyquarantine.QuarantineMilter.set_cfg_files(args.config)
     root_logger = logging.getLogger()
     root_logger.setLevel(loglevel)
 
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ def main():
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
     if args.test:
         try:
-            pyquarantine.generate_milter_config(args.test)
+            pyquarantine.setup_milter(test=args.test)
             print("Configuration ok")
         except RuntimeError as e:
             logger.error(e)
@@ -101,18 +101,14 @@ def main():
     logger.info("PyQuarantine-Milter starting")
     try:
         # generate milter config
-        global_config, config = pyquarantine.generate_milter_config()
+        pyquarantine.setup_milter()
     except RuntimeError as e:
         logger.error(e)
         sys.exit(255)
 
-    pyquarantine.QuarantineMilter.global_config = global_config
-    pyquarantine.QuarantineMilter.config = config
-
     # register to have the Milter factory create instances of your class:
     Milter.factory = pyquarantine.QuarantineMilter
     Milter.set_exception_policy(Milter.TEMPFAIL)
-    # Milter.set_flags(0)       # tell sendmail which features we use
 
     # run milter
     rc = 0
@@ -122,6 +118,7 @@ def main():
     except Milter.milter.error as e:
         logger.error(e)
         rc = 255
+
     pyquarantine.mailer.queue.put(None)
     logger.info("PyQuarantine-Milter terminated")
     sys.exit(rc)
diff --git a/pyquarantine/whitelists.py b/pyquarantine/whitelists.py
index db8dcf1..208768f 100644
--- a/pyquarantine/whitelists.py
+++ b/pyquarantine/whitelists.py
@@ -24,11 +24,11 @@ from playhouse.db_url import connect
 class WhitelistBase(object):
     "Whitelist base class"
 
-    def __init__(self, global_config, config, configtest=False):
-        self.global_config = global_config
-        self.config = config
-        self.configtest = configtest
-        self.name = config["name"]
+    whitelist_type = "base"
+
+    def __init__(self, name, global_cfg, cfg, test=False):
+        self.name = name
+        self.test = test
         self.logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
         self.valid_entry_regex = re.compile(
             r"^[a-zA-Z0-9_.+-]*?(@[a-zA-Z0-9-]+\.[a-zA-Z0-9-.]+)?$")
@@ -73,28 +73,35 @@ class Meta(object):
 
 class DatabaseWhitelist(WhitelistBase):
     "Whitelist class to store whitelist in a database"
+    whitelist_type = "db"
     _db_connections = {}
     _db_tables = {}
 
-    def __init__(self, global_config, config, configtest=False):
+    def __init__(self, name, global_cfg, cfg, test=False):
         super(
             DatabaseWhitelist,
             self).__init__(
-            global_config,
-            config,
-            configtest)
+            global_cfg,
+            cfg,
+            test)
 
-        # check if mandatory options are present in config
-        for option in ["whitelist_db_connection", "whitelist_db_table"]:
-            if option not in self.config.keys() and option in self.global_config.keys():
-                self.config[option] = self.global_config[option]
-            if option not in self.config.keys():
+        defaults = {}
+
+        # check config
+        for opt in ["whitelist_db_connection", "whitelist_db_table"] + list(defaults.keys()):
+            if opt in cfg:
+                continue
+            if opt in global_cfg:
+                cfg[opt] = global_cfg[opt]
+            elif opt in defaults:
+                cfg[opt] = defaults[opt]
+            else:
                 raise RuntimeError(
                     "mandatory option '{}' not present in config section '{}' or 'global'".format(
-                        option, self.name))
+                        opt, self.name))
 
-        tablename = self.config["whitelist_db_table"]
-        connection_string = self.config["whitelist_db_connection"]
+        tablename = cfg["whitelist_db_table"]
+        connection_string = cfg["whitelist_db_connection"]
 
         if connection_string in DatabaseWhitelist._db_connections.keys():
             db = DatabaseWhitelist._db_connections[connection_string]
@@ -127,7 +134,7 @@ class DatabaseWhitelist(WhitelistBase):
 
         if tablename not in DatabaseWhitelist._db_tables[connection_string]:
             DatabaseWhitelist._db_tables[connection_string].append(tablename)
-            if not self.configtest:
+            if not self.test:
                 try:
                     db.create_tables([self.model])
                 except Exception as e: