diff --git a/.kitchen.yml b/.kitchen.yml
index ec30974..98adee0 100644
--- a/.kitchen.yml
+++ b/.kitchen.yml
@@ -22,14 +22,6 @@ platforms:
         - apt-get update && apt-get install -y software-properties-common &&  add-apt-repository -y ppa:ansible/ansible
         - apt-get update && apt-get -y -q install python-apt python-pycurl
       use_sudo: false
-  - name: debian-7
-    driver_config:
-      image: dliappis/debian-devopsci:7
-      privileged: true
-      provision_command:
-        - apt-get update && apt-get -y install python python-dev python-pip build-essential libyaml-dev python-yaml
-        - apt-get install -y -q net-tools
-      use_sudo: false
   - name: debian-8
     driver_config:
       image: dliappis/debian-devopsci:8
@@ -43,12 +35,6 @@ platforms:
         - sed -ri 's/^#?UsePAM .*/UsePAM no/' /etc/ssh/sshd_config
       use_sudo: false
       run_command: "/sbin/init"
-  - name: centos-6
-    driver_config:
-      image: dliappis/centos-devopsci:6
-      privileged: true
-      provision_command:
-      use_sudo: false
   - name: centos-7
     driver_config:
       image: dliappis/centos-devopsci:7
@@ -92,48 +78,6 @@ suites:
             version: master
     provisioner:
       playbook: test/integration/multi.yml
-  - name: standard-1x
-    provisioner:
-      playbook: test/integration/standard.yml
-    run_list:
-    attributes:
-      extra_vars:
-        es_major_version: 1.7
-        es_version: 1.7.3
-  - name: package-1x
-    run_list:
-    attributes:
-      extra_vars:
-        es_major_version: 1.7
-        es_version: 1.7.3
-        es_plugins:
-          - plugin: lmenezes/elasticsearch-kopf
-            version: master
-          - plugin: elasticsearch/marvel
-            version: latest
-    provisioner:
-      playbook: test/integration/package.yml
-  - name: config-1x
-    run_list:
-    attributes:
-      extra_vars:
-        es_major_version: 1.7
-        es_version: 1.7.3
-    provisioner:
-      playbook: test/integration/config.yml
-  - name: multi-1x
-    run_list:
-    attributes:
-      extra_vars:
-        es_major_version: 1.7
-        es_version: 1.7.3
-        es_plugins:
-          - plugin: lmenezes/elasticsearch-kopf
-            version: master
-          - plugin: elasticsearch/marvel
-            version: latest
-    provisioner:
-      playbook: test/integration/multi.yml
   - name: xpack-2x
     run_list:
     attributes:
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5021917..7d8eb8b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -3,12 +3,10 @@
 Ansible role for Elasticsearch.  Currently this works on Debian and RedHat based linux systems.  Tested platforms are:
 
 * Ubuntu 14.04
-* Debian 7
 * Debian 8
-* Centos 6
 * Centos 7
 
-The latest Elasticsearch versions of 1.7.x and 2.x are actively tested.  **Only Ansible versions > 2.1.2 are supported.**
+The latest Elasticsearch versions of 2.x are actively tested.  **Only Ansible versions > 2.1.2 are supported.**. 5.x will be available shortly.
 
 ## Usage
 
@@ -75,7 +73,7 @@ The following illustrates applying configuration parameters to an Elasticsearch
     es_heap_size: 1g
 ```
 `
-The role utilises Elasticsearch version defaults.  Multicast is therefore enabled for 1.x and disabled for 2.x (plugin required in 2.x).  If using 1.x it is strongly recommended you disable
+The role utilises Elasticsearch version defaults.  Multicast is therefore enabled for 1.x (legacy) and disabled for 2.x (plugin required in 2.x).  If using 1.x it is strongly recommended you disable
 multicast and specify the required uni-cast settings for a production environment. 
 When not utilizing multicast, the following should be set to ensure a successful cluster forms.
 
@@ -128,6 +126,11 @@ A more complex example:
           proxy_port: 8080
 ```
 
+#### Important Note
+
+The role uses es_api_host and es_api_port to communicate with the node for actions only achievable via http e.g. to install templates.  These default to "localhost" and 9200 respectively.  
+If the node is deployed to bind on either a different host or port, these must be changed.
+
 ### Multi Node Server Installations
 
 The application of the elasticsearch role results in the installation of a node on a host. Specifying the role multiple times for a host therefore results in the installation of multiple nodes for the host. 
@@ -212,8 +215,10 @@ Additional parameters to es_config allow the customization of the Java and Elast
 
 Following variables affect the versions installed:
 
-* ```es_major_version``` (e.g. "1.5" ). Should be consistent with es_version. For versions >= 2.0 this must be "2.x".
-* ```es_version``` (e.g. "1.5.2").  
+* ```es_major_version``` (e.g. "2.4" ). Should be consistent with es_version. For versions >= 2.0 this must be "2.x".
+* ```es_version``` (e.g. "2.4.2").  
+* ```es_api_host``` The host name used for actions requiring HTTP e.g. installing templates. Defaults to "localhost".
+* ```es_api_port``` The port used for actions requiring HTTP e.g. installing templates. Defaults to 9200.
 * ```es_start_service``` (true (default) or false)
 * ```es_plugins_reinstall``` (true or false (default) )
 * ```es_plugins``` an array of plugin definitions e.g.:
@@ -235,7 +240,6 @@ Earlier examples illustrate the installation of plugins for 2.x.  The correct us
  
  - 2.x. - For officially supported plugins no version or source delimiter is required. The plugin script will determine the appropriate plugin version based on the target Elasticsearch version.  
  For community based plugins include the full path e.g. "lmenezes/elasticsearch-kopf" and the appropriate version for the target version of Elasticsearch.
- - 1.x - Full path and version is required for both community and official plugins e.g. "elasticsearch/marvel"
  
 If installing Marvel or Watcher, ensure the license plugin is also specified.  Shield configuration is currently not supported but planned for later versions.
 
diff --git a/handlers/elasticsearch-templates.yml b/handlers/elasticsearch-templates.yml
index b09cbc2..4595ef6 100644
--- a/handlers/elasticsearch-templates.yml
+++ b/handlers/elasticsearch-templates.yml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
   service: name={{instance_init_script | basename}} state=started enabled=yes
 
 - name: Wait for elasticsearch to startup
-  wait_for: host={% if es_config['network.host'] is defined %}{{es_config['network.host']}}{% else %}{{es_api_host}}{% endif %} port={% if es_config['http.port'] is defined %}{{es_config['http.port']}}{% else %}{{es_api_port}}{% endif %} delay=10
+  wait_for: host={{es_api_host}} port={{es_api_port}} delay=10
 
 - name: Get template files
   find: paths="/etc/elasticsearch/templates" patterns="*.json"
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 
 - name: Install templates without auth
   uri:
-    url: "http://{% if es_config['network.host'] is defined %}{{es_config['network.host']}}{% else %}{{es_api_host}}{% endif %}:{% if es_config['http.port'] is defined %}{{es_config['http.port']}}{% else %}{{es_api_port}}{% endif %}/_template/{{item.path | filename}}"
+    url: "http://{{es_api_host}}:{{es_api_port}}/_template/{{item.path | filename}}"
     method: PUT
     status_code: 200
     body_format: json
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 
 - name: Install templates with auth
   uri:
-    url: "http://{% if es_config['network.host'] is defined %}{{es_config['network.host']}}{% else %}{{es_api_host}}{% endif %}:{% if es_config['http.port'] is defined %}{{es_config['http.port']}}{% else %}{{es_api_port}}{% endif %}/_template/{{item.path | filename}}"
+    url: "http://{{es_api_host}}:{{es_api_port}}/_template/{{item.path | filename}}"
     method: PUT
     status_code: 200
     user: "{{es_api_basic_auth_username}}"
diff --git a/handlers/shield/elasticsearch-shield-native.yml b/handlers/shield/elasticsearch-shield-native.yml
index 8875c0e..02b9b02 100644
--- a/handlers/shield/elasticsearch-shield-native.yml
+++ b/handlers/shield/elasticsearch-shield-native.yml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
   service: name={{instance_init_script | basename}} state=started enabled=yes
 
 - name: Wait for elasticsearch to startup
-  wait_for: host={% if es_config['network.host'] is defined %}{{es_config['network.host']}}{% else %}{{es_api_host}}{% endif %} port={% if es_config['http.port'] is defined %}{{es_config['http.port']}}{% else %}{{es_api_port}}{% endif %} delay=10
+  wait_for: host={{es_api_host}} port={{es_api_port}} delay=10
 
 - set_fact: manage_native_users=false
 
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
 #List current users
 - name: List Native Users
   uri:
-    url: http://{% if es_config['network.host'] is defined %}{{es_config['network.host']}}{% else %}{{es_api_host}}{% endif %}:{% if es_config['http.port'] is defined %}{{es_config['http.port']}}{% else %}{{es_api_port}}{% endif %}/_shield/user
+    url: http://{{es_api_host}}:{{es_api_port}}/_shield/user
     method: GET
     user: "{{es_api_basic_auth_username}}"
     password: "{{es_api_basic_auth_password}}"
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
 #Delete all non required users
 - name: Delete Native Users
   uri:
-    url: http://{% if es_config['network.host'] is defined %}{{es_config['network.host']}}{% else %}{{es_api_host}}{% endif %}:{% if es_config['http.port'] is defined %}{{es_config['http.port']}}{% else %}{{es_api_port}}{% endif %}/_shield/user/{{item}}
+    url: http://{{es_api_host}}:{{es_api_port}}/_shield/user/{{item}}
     method: DELETE
     status_code: 200
     user: "{{es_api_basic_auth_username}}"
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
 #Overwrite all other users
 - name: Update Native Users
   uri:
-    url: http://{% if es_config['network.host'] is defined %}{{es_config['network.host']}}{% else %}{{es_api_host}}{% endif %}:{% if es_config['http.port'] is defined %}{{es_config['http.port']}}{% else %}{{es_api_port}}{% endif %}/_shield/user/{{item.key}}
+    url: http://{{es_api_host}}:{{es_api_port}}/_shield/user/{{item.key}}
     method: POST
     body_format: json
     body: "{{item.value | to_json}}"
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@
 
 - name: List Native Roles
   uri:
-    url: http://{% if es_config['network.host'] is defined %}{{es_config['network.host']}}{% else %}{{es_api_host}}{% endif %}:{% if es_config['http.port'] is defined %}{{es_config['http.port']}}{% else %}{{es_api_port}}{% endif %}/_shield/role
+    url: http://{{es_api_host}}:{{es_api_port}}/_shield/role
     method: GET
     body_format: json
     user: "{{es_api_basic_auth_username}}"
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@
 #Delete all non required roles
 - name: Delete Native Roles
   uri:
-    url: http://{% if es_config['network.host'] is defined %}{{es_config['network.host']}}{% else %}{{es_api_host}}{% endif %}:{% if es_config['http.port'] is defined %}{{es_config['http.port']}}{% else %}{{es_api_port}}{% endif %}/_shield/role/{{item}}
+    url: http://{{es_api_host}}:{{es_api_port}}/_shield/role/{{item}}
     method: DELETE
     status_code: 200
     user: "{{es_api_basic_auth_username}}"
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@
 #Update other roles
 - name: Update Native Roles
   uri:
-    url: http://{% if es_config['network.host'] is defined %}{{es_config['network.host']}}{% else %}{{es_api_host}}{% endif %}:{% if es_config['http.port'] is defined %}{{es_config['http.port']}}{% else %}{{es_api_port}}{% endif %}/_shield/role/{{item.key}}
+    url: http://{{es_api_host}}:{{es_api_port}}/_shield/role/{{item.key}}
     method: POST
     body_format: json
     body: "{{item.value | to_json}}"