diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/CMakeLists.txt b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/CMakeLists.txt
index 2a8b01b63..7697e1564 100644
--- a/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # TODO: should be different executable if not simulators on !! 
 add_executable(matterhornDetectorServer_virtual
     ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/MatterhornApp.cpp
-    ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/MatterhornServer.cpp
-    ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/StopServer.cpp
+    ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/VirtualMatterhornServer.cpp
+    #${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/StopServer.cpp
     ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/CommandLineOptions.cpp
 )
 
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ target_link_libraries(matterhornDetectorServer_virtual
     PUBLIC 
         slsSupportStatic
         slsDetectorStatic
-        slsServerStatic) 
+        slsServerStatic
+)
 
 set_target_properties(matterhornDetectorServer_virtual PROPERTIES
     RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/bin
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/include/BaseMatterhornServer.h b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/include/BaseMatterhornServer.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7dbec3502
--- /dev/null
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/include/BaseMatterhornServer.h
@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+#pragma once
+#include "TCPInterface.h"
+#include "communication_funcs.h"
+#include "sls/logger.h"
+#include "sls/network_utils.h"
+#include "sls/sls_detector_defs.h"
+#include "sls/versionAPI.h"
+#include <array>
+#include <memory>
+
+namespace sls {
+
+/// @brief struct saving udp details (one UDP port per module)
+struct UDPInfo {
+    uint16_t srcport{};
+    uint16_t dstport{};
+    uint64_t srcmac{};
+    uint64_t dstmac{};
+    uint32_t srcip{};
+    uint32_t dstip{};
+};
+
+/// @brief Base class for Matterhorn Server, can be used to implement a virtual
+/// server for testing and actual server
+template <typename DerivedServer> class BaseMatterhornServer {
+
+  public:
+    /**
+     * Constructor
+     * Starts up a Matterhorn server.
+     * Assembles a Matterhorn server using TCP and UDP detector interfaces
+     * throws an exception in case of failure
+     * @param port TCP/IP port number
+     */
+    explicit BaseMatterhornServer(uint16_t port = DEFAULT_TCP_CNTRL_PORTNO);
+
+    ~BaseMatterhornServer() = default;
+
+    ReturnCode get_version(ServerInterface &socket);
+
+    ReturnCode get_detector_type(ServerInterface &socket);
+
+    ReturnCode initial_checks(ServerInterface &socket);
+
+    ReturnCode get_num_udp_interfaces(ServerInterface &socket);
+
+    ReturnCode get_update_mode(ServerInterface &socket);
+
+    ReturnCode get_source_udp_mac(ServerInterface &socket);
+
+  protected:
+    size_t num_udp_interfaces() const;
+
+    /// @brief  TODO what is this?
+    bool updateMode{true};
+
+    /// @brief TCP/IP interface for communication with the client
+    std::unique_ptr<TCPInterface> tcpInterface;
+    std::array<UDPInfo, 1>
+        udpDetails{}; // TODO: for now only one receiver per module
+
+  private:
+    static std::string getMatterhornServerVersion();
+
+  private:
+    /// @brief map of function IDs and corresponding functions
+    // maybe load from additional file cleaner
+    std::unordered_map<detFuncs, std::function<ReturnCode(ServerInterface &)>>
+        function_table = {
+            {detFuncs::F_GET_SERVER_VERSION,
+             [this](ServerInterface &si) { return this->get_version(si); }},
+            {detFuncs::F_GET_DETECTOR_TYPE,
+             [this](ServerInterface &si) {
+                 return this->get_detector_type(si);
+             }},
+            {detFuncs::F_INITIAL_CHECKS,
+             [this](ServerInterface &si) {
+                 return static_cast<DerivedServer *>(this)->initial_checks(si);
+             }},
+            {detFuncs::F_GET_NUM_INTERFACES,
+             [this](ServerInterface &si) {
+                 return this->get_num_udp_interfaces(si);
+             }},
+            {detFuncs::F_GET_UPDATE_MODE,
+             [this](ServerInterface &si) {
+                 return static_cast<DerivedServer *>(this)->get_update_mode(si);
+             }},
+            {detFuncs::F_GET_SOURCE_UDP_MAC, [this](ServerInterface &si) {
+                 return this->get_source_udp_mac(si);
+             }}};
+};
+
+template <typename DerivedServer>
+BaseMatterhornServer<DerivedServer>::BaseMatterhornServer(uint16_t port) {
+
+    validatePortNumber(port);
+
+    udpDetails[0].srcport = DEFAULT_UDP_SRC_PORTNO;
+    udpDetails[0].dstport = DEFAULT_UDP_DST_PORTNO;
+
+    // TODO: when do i set the udp mac and ip ?
+
+    tcpInterface = std::make_unique<TCPInterface>(
+        function_table, port); // TODO: need a tcp and udp interface
+
+    // need a function to setup detector - e.g. set all registers etc.
+}
+
+template <typename DerivedServer>
+ReturnCode
+BaseMatterhornServer<DerivedServer>::get_version(ServerInterface &socket) {
+
+    auto version = getMatterhornServerVersion();
+    char version_cstr[MAX_STR_LENGTH]{};
+    strncpy(version_cstr, version.c_str(), version.size());
+    LOG(TLogLevel::logDEBUG) << "Matterhorn Server Version: " << version;
+    return static_cast<ReturnCode>(socket.sendResult(
+        version_cstr)); // TODO: check what would be possible return codes!!!
+}
+
+template <typename DerivedServer>
+ReturnCode BaseMatterhornServer<DerivedServer>::get_detector_type(
+    ServerInterface &socket) {
+    int detectortype = slsDetectorDefs::detectorType::MATTERHORN;
+    return static_cast<ReturnCode>(socket.sendResult(detectortype));
+}
+
+template <typename DerivedServer>
+std::string BaseMatterhornServer<DerivedServer>::getMatterhornServerVersion() {
+    return APIMATTERHORN;
+}
+
+template <typename DerivedServer>
+size_t BaseMatterhornServer<DerivedServer>::num_udp_interfaces() const {
+    return udpDetails.size();
+}
+
+template <typename DerivedServer>
+ReturnCode BaseMatterhornServer<DerivedServer>::get_num_udp_interfaces(
+    ServerInterface &socket) {
+    int numUDPInterfaces = static_cast<int>(num_udp_interfaces());
+    return static_cast<ReturnCode>(socket.sendResult(numUDPInterfaces));
+}
+
+template <typename DerivedServer>
+ReturnCode BaseMatterhornServer<DerivedServer>::get_source_udp_mac(
+    ServerInterface &socket) {
+    uint64_t srcMac = udpDetails[0].srcmac;
+    return static_cast<ReturnCode>(socket.sendResult(srcMac));
+}
+
+} // namespace sls
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/include/MatterhornServer.h b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/include/MatterhornServer.h
index 7219a9e4d..aa5f495ab 100644
--- a/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/include/MatterhornServer.h
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/include/MatterhornServer.h
@@ -1,88 +1,14 @@
 #pragma once
 #include "TCPInterface.h"
+#include "BaseMatterhornServer.h"
 #include "sls/sls_detector_defs.h"
 #include <array>
 #include <memory>
 
 namespace sls {
 
-/// @brief struct saving udp details (one UDP port per module)
-struct UDPInfo {
-    uint16_t srcport{};
-    uint16_t dstport{};
-    uint64_t srcmac{};
-    uint64_t dstmac{};
-    uint32_t srcip{};
-    uint32_t dstip{};
-};
 
-/// @brief Base class for Matterhorn Server, can be used to implement a virtual
-/// server for testing and actual server
-class BaseMatterhornServer {
-
-  public:
-    /**
-     * Constructor
-     * Starts up a Matterhorn server.
-     * Assembles a Matterhorn server using TCP and UDP detector interfaces
-     * throws an exception in case of failure
-     * @param port TCP/IP port number
-     */
-    explicit BaseMatterhornServer(uint16_t port = DEFAULT_TCP_CNTRL_PORTNO);
-
-    ~BaseMatterhornServer() = default;
-
-    ReturnCode get_version(ServerInterface &socket);
-
-    ReturnCode get_detector_type(ServerInterface &socket);
-
-    virtual ReturnCode initial_checks(ServerInterface &socket) = 0;
-
-    ReturnCode get_num_udp_interfaces(ServerInterface &socket);
-
-    virtual ReturnCode get_update_mode(ServerInterface &socket) = 0;
-
-    ReturnCode get_source_udp_mac(ServerInterface &socket);
-
-  protected:
-    static std::string getMatterhornServerVersion();
-
-    size_t num_udp_interfaces() const;
-
-    /// @brief  TODO what is this?
-    bool updateMode{true};
-
-  protected:
-    /// @brief TCP/IP interface for communication with the client
-    std::unique_ptr<TCPInterface> tcpInterface;
-    std::array<UDPInfo, 1>
-        udpDetails{}; // TODO: for now only one receiver per module
-
-  private:
-    /// @brief map of function IDs and corresponding functions
-    // maybe load from additional file cleaner
-    std::unordered_map<detFuncs, std::function<ReturnCode(ServerInterface &)>>
-        function_table = {
-            {detFuncs::F_GET_SERVER_VERSION,
-             [this](ServerInterface &si) { return this->get_version(si); }},
-            {detFuncs::F_GET_DETECTOR_TYPE,
-             [this](ServerInterface &si) {
-                 return this->get_detector_type(si);
-             }},
-            {detFuncs::F_INITIAL_CHECKS,
-             [this](ServerInterface &si) { return this->initial_checks(si); }},
-            {detFuncs::F_GET_NUM_INTERFACES,
-             [this](ServerInterface &si) {
-                 return this->get_num_udp_interfaces(si);
-             }},
-            {detFuncs::F_GET_UPDATE_MODE,
-             [this](ServerInterface &si) { return this->get_update_mode(si); }},
-            {detFuncs::F_GET_SOURCE_UDP_MAC, [this](ServerInterface &si) {
-                 return this->get_source_udp_mac(si);
-             }}};
-};
-
-class MatterhornServer : public BaseMatterhornServer {
+class MatterhornServer : public BaseMatterhornServer<MatterhornServer> {
 
   public:
     /**
@@ -96,28 +22,11 @@ class MatterhornServer : public BaseMatterhornServer {
 
     ~MatterhornServer() = default;
 
-    ReturnCode initial_checks(ServerInterface &socket) override;
+    ReturnCode initial_checks(ServerInterface &socket);
 
-    ReturnCode get_update_mode(ServerInterface &socket) override;
+    ReturnCode get_update_mode(ServerInterface &socket);
 };
 
-class VirtualMatterhornServer : public BaseMatterhornServer {
 
-  public:
-    /**
-     * Constructor
-     * Starts up a virtual Matterhorn server.
-     * Assembles a virtual Matterhorn server using TCP and UDP detector
-     * interfaces throws an exception in case of failure
-     * @param port TCP/IP port number
-     */
-    explicit VirtualMatterhornServer(uint16_t port = DEFAULT_TCP_CNTRL_PORTNO);
-
-    ~VirtualMatterhornServer() = default;
-
-    ReturnCode initial_checks(ServerInterface &socket) override;
-
-    ReturnCode get_update_mode(ServerInterface &socket) override;
-};
 
 } // namespace sls
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/include/VirtualMatterhornServer.h b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/include/VirtualMatterhornServer.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3f2a1c570
--- /dev/null
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/include/VirtualMatterhornServer.h
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+
+#include "BaseMatterhornServer.h"
+
+namespace sls {
+
+class VirtualMatterhornServer
+    : public BaseMatterhornServer<VirtualMatterhornServer> {
+
+  public:
+    /**
+     * Constructor
+     * Starts up a virtual Matterhorn server.
+     * Assembles a virtual Matterhorn server using TCP and UDP detector
+     * interfaces throws an exception in case of failure
+     * @param port TCP/IP port number
+     */
+    explicit VirtualMatterhornServer(uint16_t port = DEFAULT_TCP_CNTRL_PORTNO);
+
+    ~VirtualMatterhornServer() = default;
+
+    ReturnCode initial_checks(ServerInterface &socket);
+
+    ReturnCode get_update_mode(ServerInterface &socket);
+};
+
+} // namespace sls
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/BaseMatterhornServer.cpp b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/BaseMatterhornServer.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 80538b62a..000000000
--- a/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/BaseMatterhornServer.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,80 +0,0 @@
-#include "MatterhornServer.h"
-#include "communication_funcs.h"
-#include "sls/logger.h"
-#include "sls/network_utils.h"
-#include "sls/sls_detector_defs.h"
-#include "sls/versionAPI.h"
-
-namespace sls {
-
-BaseMatterhornServer::BaseMatterhornServer(uint16_t port) {
-
-    validatePortNumber(port);
-
-// mmh do I want a virtual server inheriting from parent Server class? and
-// parent Matterhorn class - probably better
-#ifdef VIRTUAL
-    udpDetails[0].srcip = LOCALHOSTIP_INT;
-#endif
-    udpDetails[0].srcport = DEFAULT_UDP_SRC_PORTNO;
-    udpDetails[0].dstport = DEFAULT_UDP_DST_PORTNO;
-
-    // TODO: when do i set the udp mac and ip ?
-
-    tcpInterface = std::make_unique<TCPInterface>(
-        function_table, port); // TODO: need a tcp and udp interface
-
-    // should maybe be part of the constructor?
-    tcpInterface->startTCPServer();
-
-    // need a function to setup detector - e.g. set all registers etc.
-}
-
-ReturnCode BaseMatterhornServer::get_version(ServerInterface &socket) {
-
-    auto version = getMatterhornServerVersion();
-    char version_cstr[MAX_STR_LENGTH]{};
-    strncpy(version_cstr, version.c_str(), version.size());
-    LOG(TLogLevel::logDEBUG) << "Matterhorn Server Version: " << version;
-    return static_cast<ReturnCode>(socket.sendResult(
-        version_cstr)); // TODO: check what would be possible return codes!!!
-}
-
-ReturnCode BaseMatterhornServer::get_detector_type(ServerInterface &socket) {
-    int detectortype = slsDetectorDefs::detectorType::MATTERHORN;
-    return static_cast<ReturnCode>(socket.sendResult(detectortype));
-}
-
-std::string BaseMatterhornServer::getMatterhornServerVersion() {
-    return APIMATTERHORN;
-}
-
-size_t BaseMatterhornServer::num_udp_interfaces() const {
-    return udpDetails.size();
-}
-
-ReturnCode MatterhornServer::initial_checks(ServerInterface &socket) {
-
-    // TODO: add more checks here, for now just return true to be able to test
-    // the should check firmware -client compatibility
-    bool initial_checks_passed = true;
-    return static_cast<ReturnCode>(socket.sendResult(initial_checks_passed));
-}
-
-ReturnCode
-BaseMatterhornServer::get_num_udp_interfaces(ServerInterface &socket) {
-    int numUDPInterfaces = static_cast<int>(num_udp_interfaces());
-    return static_cast<ReturnCode>(socket.sendResult(numUDPInterfaces));
-}
-
-ReturnCode MatterhornServer::get_update_mode(ServerInterface &socket) {
-    return static_cast<ReturnCode>(
-        socket.sendResult(static_cast<int>(updateMode)));
-}
-
-ReturnCode BaseMatterhornServer::get_source_udp_mac(ServerInterface &socket) {
-    uint64_t srcMac = udpDetails[0].srcmac;
-    return static_cast<ReturnCode>(socket.sendResult(srcMac));
-}
-
-} // namespace sls
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/MatterhornApp.cpp b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/MatterhornApp.cpp
index 1fd73a154..9debc24b5 100644
--- a/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/MatterhornApp.cpp
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/MatterhornApp.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #include "CommandLineOptions.h"
-#include "MatterhornServer.h"
 #include "StopServer.h"
+#include "VirtualMatterhornServer.h"
 #include "sls/logger.h"
 #include "sls/sls_detector_exceptions.h"
 #include <semaphore.h>
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
         // std::signal(SIGTERM, childSigTermHandler);
         LOG(TLogLevel::logINFOBLUE) << "Stop Server [" << opts.port + 1 << "]";
         try {
-            MatterhornServer stopServer(opts.port + 1);
+            VirtualMatterhornServer stopServer(opts.port + 1);
         } catch (...) {
             LOG(TLogLevel::logINFOBLUE)
                 << "Exiting Stop Server [ Tid: " << gettid() << " ]";
@@ -79,7 +79,9 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
         LOG(TLogLevel::logINFOBLUE) << "Control Server [" << opts.port << "]\n";
 
         try {
-            sls::MatterhornServer server(opts.port);
+            VirtualMatterhornServer server(
+                opts.port); // TODO use virtual if compiled with virtual
+                            // simulators on
         } catch (...) {
             kill(child_pid, SIGTERM); // tell child to exit
             LOG(sls::logINFOBLUE) << "Exiting [ Tid: " << gettid() << " ]";
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/MatterhornServer.cpp b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/MatterhornServer.cpp
index e69de29bb..4ced25a56 100644
--- a/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/MatterhornServer.cpp
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/MatterhornServer.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+#include "MatterhornServer.h"
+
+namespace sls {
+
+MatterhornServer::MatterhornServer(uint16_t port)
+    : BaseMatterhornServer(port) {
+
+    // TODO: when do i set the udp mac and ip ?
+
+    // should maybe be part of the constructor?
+    tcpInterface->startTCPServer();
+
+    // need a function to setup detector - e.g. set all registers etc.
+}
+
+ReturnCode MatterhornServer::initial_checks(ServerInterface &socket) {
+
+    // TODO: add more checks here, for now just return true to be able to test
+    // the should check firmware -client compatibility
+    bool initial_checks_passed = true;
+    return static_cast<ReturnCode>(socket.sendResult(initial_checks_passed));
+}
+
+ReturnCode MatterhornServer::get_update_mode(ServerInterface &socket) {
+    return static_cast<ReturnCode>(
+        socket.sendResult(static_cast<int>(updateMode)));
+}
+
+} // namespace sls
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/VirtualMatterhornServer.cpp b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/VirtualMatterhornServer.cpp
index 0cf47a334..92811d7ec 100644
--- a/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/VirtualMatterhornServer.cpp
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/matterhonServer/src/VirtualMatterhornServer.cpp
@@ -1,21 +1,30 @@
-#include "MatterhornServer.h"
+#include "VirtualMatterhornServer.h"
+
+namespace sls {
 
 VirtualMatterhornServer::VirtualMatterhornServer(uint16_t port)
-    : BaseMatterhornServer(port) {
+    : BaseMatterhornServer<VirtualMatterhornServer>(port) {
 
     udpDetails[0].srcip = LOCALHOSTIP_INT;
-    udpDetails[0].srcport = DEFAULT_UDP_SRC_PORTNO;
-    udpDetails[0].dstport = DEFAULT_UDP_DST_PORTNO;
-
     // TODO: when do i set the udp mac and ip ?
 
-    BaseMatterhornServer(port);
-
-    tcpInterface = std::make_unique<TCPInterface>(
-        function_table, port); // TODO: need a tcp and udp interface
-
     // should maybe be part of the constructor?
     tcpInterface->startTCPServer();
 
     // need a function to setup detector - e.g. set all registers etc.
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
+
+ReturnCode VirtualMatterhornServer::initial_checks(ServerInterface &socket) {
+
+    // TODO: add more checks here, for now just return true to be able to test
+    // the should check firmware -client compatibility
+    bool initial_checks_passed = true;
+    return static_cast<ReturnCode>(socket.sendResult(initial_checks_passed));
+}
+
+ReturnCode VirtualMatterhornServer::get_update_mode(ServerInterface &socket) {
+    return static_cast<ReturnCode>(
+        socket.sendResult(static_cast<int>(updateMode)));
+}
+
+} // namespace sls
\ No newline at end of file