diff --git a/examples/getme.cpp b/examples/getme.cpp
index 0635609..21f19cb 100644
--- a/examples/getme.cpp
+++ b/examples/getme.cpp
@@ -17,12 +17,12 @@
 #include <epicsEvent.h>
 #include <epicsMutex.h>
 #include <epicsGuard.h>
+#include <epicsGetopt.h>
 
-//! [Headers]
 #include <pv/configuration.h>
 #include <pv/caProvider.h>
+#include <pv/reftrack.h>
 #include <pva/client.h>
-//! [Headers]
 
 namespace pvd = epics::pvData;
 namespace pva = epics::pvAccess;
@@ -92,37 +92,36 @@ struct Getter : public pvac::ClientChannel::GetCallback,
 
 int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
     try {
+        epics::RefMonitor refmon;
         double waitTime = -1.0;
         std::string providerName("pva");
         typedef std::vector<std::string> pvs_t;
         pvs_t pvs;
 
-        for(int i=1; i<argc; i++) {
-            if(argv[i][0]=='-') {
-                if(strcmp(argv[i], "-P")==0 || strcmp(argv[i], "--provider")==0) {
-                    if(i<argc-1) {
-                        providerName = argv[++i];
-                    } else {
-                        std::cerr << "--provider requires value\n";
-                        return 1;
-                    }
-                } else if(strcmp(argv[i], "-T")==0 || strcmp(argv[i], "--timeout")==0) {
-                    if(i<argc-1) {
-                        waitTime = pvd::castUnsafe<double, std::string>(argv[++i]);
-                    } else {
-                        std::cerr << "--timeout requires value\n";
-                        return 1;
-                    }
-                } else {
-                    std::cerr<<"Unknown argument: "<<argv[i]<<"\n";
-                }
-
-            } else {
-                pvs.push_back(argv[i]);
+        int opt;
+        while((opt = getopt(argc, argv, "hRp:w:")) != -1) {
+            switch(opt) {
+            case 'R':
+                refmon.start(5.0);
+                break;
+            case 'p':
+                providerName = optarg;
+                break;
+            case 'w':
+                waitTime = pvd::castUnsafe<double, std::string>(optarg);
+                break;
+            case 'h':
+                std::cout<<"Usage: "<<argv[0]<<" [-p <provider>] [-w <timeout>] [-R] <pvname> ...\n";
+                return 0;
+            default:
+                std::cerr<<"Unknown argument: "<<opt<<"\n";
+                return -1;
             }
-
         }
 
+        for(int i=optind; i<argc; i++)
+            pvs.push_back(argv[i]);
+
 #ifdef USE_SIGNAL
         signal(SIGINT, alldone);
         signal(SIGTERM, alldone);
@@ -162,6 +161,14 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
         else
             done.wait(waitTime);
 
+        if(refmon.running()) {
+            refmon.stop();
+            // drop refs to operations, but keep ref to ClientProvider
+            gets.clear();
+            // show final counts
+            refmon.current();
+        }
+
     } catch(std::exception& e){
         std::cerr<<"Error: "<<e.what()<<"\n";
         return 1;
diff --git a/examples/monitorme.cpp b/examples/monitorme.cpp
index 6e05b4e..86c7713 100644
--- a/examples/monitorme.cpp
+++ b/examples/monitorme.cpp
@@ -18,9 +18,11 @@
 #include <epicsEvent.h>
 #include <epicsMutex.h>
 #include <epicsGuard.h>
+#include <epicsGetopt.h>
 
 #include <pv/configuration.h>
 #include <pv/caProvider.h>
+#include <pv/reftrack.h>
 #include <pv/thread.h>
 #include <pva/client.h>
 
@@ -184,45 +186,40 @@ struct MonTracker : public pvac::ClientChannel::MonitorCallback,
 
 int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
     try {
+        epics::RefMonitor refmon;
         double waitTime = -1.0;
         std::string providerName("pva"),
                     requestStr("field()");
         typedef std::vector<std::string> pvs_t;
         pvs_t pvs;
 
-        for(int i=1; i<argc; i++) {
-            if(argv[i][0]=='-') {
-                if(strcmp(argv[i], "-P")==0 || strcmp(argv[i], "--provider")==0) {
-                    if(i<argc-1) {
-                        providerName = argv[++i];
-                    } else {
-                        std::cout << "--provider requires value\n";
-                        return 1;
-                    }
-                } else if(strcmp(argv[i], "-T")==0 || strcmp(argv[i], "--timeout")==0) {
-                    if(i<argc-1) {
-                        waitTime = pvd::castUnsafe<double, std::string>(argv[++i]);
-                    } else {
-                        std::cout << "--timeout requires value\n";
-                        return 1;
-                    }
-                } else if(strcmp(argv[i], "-r")==0 || strcmp(argv[i], "--request")==0) {
-                    if(i<argc-1) {
-                        requestStr = argv[++i];
-                    } else {
-                        std::cout << "--request requires value\n";
-                        return 1;
-                    }
-                } else {
-                    std::cout<<"Unknown argument: "<<argv[i]<<"\n";
-                }
-
-            } else {
-                pvs.push_back(argv[i]);
+        int opt;
+        while((opt = getopt(argc, argv, "hRp:w:r:")) != -1) {
+            switch(opt) {
+            case 'R':
+                refmon.start(5.0);
+                break;
+            case 'p':
+                providerName = optarg;
+                break;
+            case 'w':
+                waitTime = pvd::castUnsafe<double, std::string>(optarg);
+                break;
+            case 'r':
+                requestStr = optarg;
+                break;
+            case 'h':
+                std::cout<<"Usage: "<<argv[0]<<" [-p <provider>] [-w <timeout>] [-r <request>] [-R] <pvname> ...\n";
+                return 0;
+            default:
+                std::cerr<<"Unknown argument: "<<opt<<"\n";
+                return -1;
             }
-
         }
 
+        for(int i=optind; i<argc; i++)
+            pvs.push_back(argv[i]);
+
 #ifdef USE_SIGNAL
         signal(SIGINT, sigdone);
         signal(SIGTERM, sigdone);
@@ -276,6 +273,14 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
             }
         }
 
+        if(refmon.running()) {
+            refmon.stop();
+            // drop refs to operations, but keep ref to ClientProvider
+            monitors.clear();
+            // show final counts
+            refmon.current();
+        }
+
     } catch(std::exception& e){
         std::cout<<"Error: "<<e.what()<<"\n";
         return 1;
diff --git a/pvtoolsSrc/pvget.cpp b/pvtoolsSrc/pvget.cpp
index e9c83b6..d2cec37 100644
--- a/pvtoolsSrc/pvget.cpp
+++ b/pvtoolsSrc/pvget.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include <pv/logger.h>
 #include <pv/lock.h>
 #include <pv/event.h>
+#include <pv/reftrack.h>
 
 #include "pvutils.cpp"
 
@@ -355,6 +356,7 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
     istream* inputStream = 0;
     ifstream ifs;
     bool fromStream = false;
+    epics::RefMonitor refmon;
 
     double timeOut = -1.0;
     bool explicit_timeout = false;
@@ -363,7 +365,7 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 
     // ================ Parse Arguments
 
-    while ((opt = getopt(argc, argv, ":hvr:w:tmp:qdcF:f:ni")) != -1) {
+    while ((opt = getopt(argc, argv, ":hvRr:w:tmp:qdcF:f:ni")) != -1) {
         switch (opt) {
         case 'h':               /* Print usage */
             usage();
@@ -378,6 +380,9 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
             fprintf(stdout, "%s\n", version.getVersionString().c_str());
             return 0;
         }
+        case 'R':
+            refmon.start(5.0);
+            break;
         case 'w':               /* Set PVA timeout value */
             if((epicsScanDouble(optarg, &timeOut)) != 1 || timeOut <= 0.0)
             {
@@ -609,6 +614,14 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
         }
     }
 
+    if(refmon.running()) {
+        refmon.stop();
+        // drop refs to operations, but keep ref to ClientProvider
+        ops.clear();
+        // show final counts
+        refmon.current();
+    }
+
     // ========================== All done now
 
     if(debugFlag)
diff --git a/src/ca/caChannel.cpp b/src/ca/caChannel.cpp
index c3e0077..83b20d9 100644
--- a/src/ca/caChannel.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/caChannel.cpp
@@ -10,7 +10,9 @@
 #include <pv/standardField.h>
 #include <pv/logger.h>
 #include <pv/pvAccess.h>
+#include <pv/reftrack.h>
 
+#define epicsExportSharedSymbols
 #include "caChannel.h"
 #include <pv/caStatus.h>
 
@@ -356,6 +358,8 @@ void CAChannel::disconnected()
     }
 }
 
+size_t CAChannel::num_instances;
+
 CAChannel::CAChannel(std::string const & _channelName,
                      CAChannelProvider::shared_pointer const & _channelProvider,
                      ChannelRequester::shared_pointer const & _channelRequester) :
@@ -367,6 +371,7 @@ CAChannel::CAChannel(std::string const & _channelName,
     elementCount(0),
     destroyed(false)
 {
+    REFTRACE_INCREMENT(num_instances);
     PVACCESS_REFCOUNT_MONITOR_CONSTRUCT(caChannel);
     if(CAClientFactory::getDebug()>0) {
           cout<< "CAChannel::CAChannel " << channelName << endl;
@@ -443,6 +448,7 @@ CAChannel::~CAChannel()
     /* Clear CA Channel */
     threadAttach();
     ca_clear_channel(channelID);
+    REFTRACE_DECREMENT(num_instances);
 }
 
 
@@ -652,6 +658,7 @@ static chtype getDBRType(PVStructure::shared_pointer const & pvRequest, chtype n
     return nativeType;
 }
 
+size_t CAChannelGet::num_instances;
 
 CAChannelGet::CAChannelGet(CAChannel::shared_pointer const & channel,
     ChannelGetRequester::shared_pointer const & channelGetRequester,
@@ -662,6 +669,7 @@ CAChannelGet::CAChannelGet(CAChannel::shared_pointer const & channel,
     pvRequest(pvRequest),  
     lastRequestFlag(false)
 {
+    REFTRACE_INCREMENT(num_instances);
     if(CAClientFactory::getDebug()>0) {
         cout << "CAChannelGet::CAChannelGet() " << channel->getChannelName() << endl;
     }
@@ -675,6 +683,7 @@ CAChannelGet::~CAChannelGet()
         if(caChannel) channelName = caChannel->getChannelName();
         std::cout << "CAChannelGet::~CAChannelGet() " << channelName << endl;
     }
+    REFTRACE_DECREMENT(num_instances);
 }
 
 void CAChannelGet::activate()
@@ -1193,8 +1202,10 @@ CAChannelPut::~CAChannelPut()
         if(caChannel) channelName = caChannel->getChannelName();
         std::cout << "CAChannelPut::~CAChannelPut() " << channelName << endl;
     }
+    REFTRACE_DECREMENT(num_instances);
 }
 
+size_t CAChannelPut::num_instances;
 
 CAChannelPut::CAChannelPut(CAChannel::shared_pointer const & channel,
     ChannelPutRequester::shared_pointer const & channelPutRequester,
@@ -1206,6 +1217,7 @@ CAChannelPut::CAChannelPut(CAChannel::shared_pointer const & channel,
     block(false),   
     lastRequestFlag(false)
 {
+    REFTRACE_INCREMENT(num_instances);
     if(CAClientFactory::getDebug()>0) {
         cout << "CAChannelPut::CAChannePut() " << channel->getChannelName() << endl;
     }
@@ -1720,8 +1732,11 @@ CAChannelMonitor::~CAChannelMonitor()
     if(!isStarted) return;
     caChannel->threadAttach();
     ca_clear_subscription(eventID);
+    REFTRACE_DECREMENT(num_instances);
 }
 
+size_t CAChannelMonitor::num_instances;
+
 CAChannelMonitor::CAChannelMonitor(
     CAChannel::shared_pointer const & channel,
     MonitorRequester::shared_pointer const & monitorRequester,
@@ -1732,6 +1747,7 @@ CAChannelMonitor::CAChannelMonitor(
     pvRequest(pvRequest),
     isStarted(false)
 {
+    REFTRACE_INCREMENT(num_instances);
     if(CAClientFactory::getDebug()>0) {
         cout << "CAChannelMonitor::CAChannelMonitor() " << channel->getChannelName() << endl;
     }
diff --git a/src/ca/caChannel.h b/src/ca/caChannel.h
index 2d5cf66..8a5e95f 100644
--- a/src/ca/caChannel.h
+++ b/src/ca/caChannel.h
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ class CAChannel :
 public:
     POINTER_DEFINITIONS(CAChannel);
 
+    static size_t num_instances;
+
     static shared_pointer create(CAChannelProvider::shared_pointer const & channelProvider,
                                  std::string const & channelName,
                                  short priority,
@@ -139,6 +141,8 @@ class CAChannelGet :
 public:
     POINTER_DEFINITIONS(CAChannelGet);
 
+    static size_t num_instances;
+
     static CAChannelGet::shared_pointer create(CAChannel::shared_pointer const & channel,
             ChannelGetRequester::shared_pointer const & channelGetRequester,
             epics::pvData::PVStructure::shared_pointer const & pvRequest);
@@ -198,6 +202,8 @@ class CAChannelPut :
 public:
     POINTER_DEFINITIONS(CAChannelPut);
 
+    static size_t num_instances;
+
     static CAChannelPut::shared_pointer create(CAChannel::shared_pointer const & channel,
             ChannelPutRequester::shared_pointer const & channelPutRequester,
             epics::pvData::PVStructure::shared_pointer const & pvRequest);
@@ -267,6 +273,8 @@ class CAChannelMonitor :
 public:
     POINTER_DEFINITIONS(CAChannelMonitor);
 
+    static size_t num_instances;
+
     static CAChannelMonitor::shared_pointer create(CAChannel::shared_pointer const & channel,
             MonitorRequester::shared_pointer const & monitorRequester,
             epics::pvData::PVStructure::shared_pointer const & pvRequest);
diff --git a/src/ca/caProvider.cpp b/src/ca/caProvider.cpp
index 3b9bcec..6afdb9a 100644
--- a/src/ca/caProvider.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/caProvider.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #include <pv/logger.h>
 #include <pv/configuration.h>
 #include <pv/pvAccess.h>
+#include <pv/reftrack.h>
 
 #define epicsExportSharedSymbols
 #include <pv/caProvider.h>
@@ -30,17 +31,19 @@ using namespace epics::pvData;
         catch (std::exception &e) { LOG(logLevelError, "Unhandled exception caught from client code at %s:%d: %s", __FILE__, __LINE__, e.what()); } \
                 catch (...) { LOG(logLevelError, "Unhandled exception caught from client code at %s:%d.", __FILE__, __LINE__); }
 
-
-int CAClientFactory::debug = 1;
+size_t CAChannelProvider::num_instances;
+int CAClientFactory::debug = 0;
 CAChannelProvider::CAChannelProvider() 
     : current_context(0)
 {
+    REFTRACE_INCREMENT(num_instances);
     initialize();
 }
 
 CAChannelProvider::CAChannelProvider(const std::tr1::shared_ptr<Configuration>&)
     : current_context(0)
 {
+    REFTRACE_INCREMENT(num_instances);
     if(CAClientFactory::getDebug()>0) {
           std::cout<< "CAChannelProvider::CAChannelProvider\n";
     }
@@ -52,6 +55,7 @@ CAChannelProvider::CAChannelProvider(const std::tr1::shared_ptr<Configuration>&)
 CAChannelProvider::~CAChannelProvider()
 {
     if(CAClientFactory::getDebug()>0) std::cout << "CAChannelProvider::~CAChannelProvider()\n";
+    REFTRACE_DECREMENT(num_instances);
 }
 
 std::string CAChannelProvider::getProviderName()
@@ -151,7 +155,9 @@ void CAChannelProvider::initialize()
 static
 void ca_factory_cleanup(void*)
 {
-std::cout << "ca_factory_cleanup\n";
+    if(CAClientFactory::getDebug()>0) {
+          std::cout << "ca_factory_cleanup\n";
+    }
     try {
         ChannelProviderRegistry::clients()->remove("ca");
         ca_context_destroy(); 
@@ -164,6 +170,11 @@ void CAClientFactory::start()
 {
     epicsSignalInstallSigAlarmIgnore();
     epicsSignalInstallSigPipeIgnore();
+    registerRefCounter("CAChannelProvider", &CAChannelProvider::num_instances);
+    registerRefCounter("CAChannel", &CAChannel::num_instances);
+    registerRefCounter("CAChannelGet", &CAChannelGet::num_instances);
+    registerRefCounter("CAChannelPut", &CAChannelPut::num_instances);
+    registerRefCounter("CAChannelMonitor", &CAChannelMonitor::num_instances);
 
     if(ChannelProviderRegistry::clients()->add<CAChannelProvider>("ca", false))
         epicsAtExit(&ca_factory_cleanup, NULL);
diff --git a/src/ca/caProviderPvt.h b/src/ca/caProviderPvt.h
index 8fb9a32..5f6bec1 100644
--- a/src/ca/caProviderPvt.h
+++ b/src/ca/caProviderPvt.h
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ class CAChannelProvider :
 public:
     POINTER_DEFINITIONS(CAChannelProvider);
 
+    static size_t num_instances;
+
     CAChannelProvider();
     CAChannelProvider(const std::tr1::shared_ptr<Configuration>&);
     virtual ~CAChannelProvider();
diff --git a/src/ca/caStatus.cpp b/src/ca/caStatus.cpp
index 9eab588..3e9d352 100644
--- a/src/ca/caStatus.cpp
+++ b/src/ca/caStatus.cpp
@@ -4,13 +4,14 @@
  * in file LICENSE that is included with this distribution.
  */
 
+#define epicsExportSharedSymbols
 #include <pv/caStatus.h>
 
 namespace epics {
 namespace pvAccess {
 namespace ca {
 
-std::string dbrStatus2alarmMessage[] = {
+epicsShareDef std::string dbrStatus2alarmMessage[] = {
     "NO_ALARM",     // 0 ..
     "READ_ALARM",
     "WRITE_ALARM",
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ std::string dbrStatus2alarmMessage[] = {
     "WRITE_ACCESS_ALARM"        // .. 21
 };
 
-int dbrStatus2alarmStatus[] = {
+epicsShareDef int dbrStatus2alarmStatus[] = {
     noStatus,           //"NO_ALARM"
     driverStatus,       //"READ_ALARM",
     driverStatus,       //"WRITE_ALARM",
diff --git a/src/ca/pv/caStatus.h b/src/ca/pv/caStatus.h
index 5b8746b..33ba6f3 100644
--- a/src/ca/pv/caStatus.h
+++ b/src/ca/pv/caStatus.h
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 #define CASTATUS_H
 
 #include <string>
+#include <shareLib.h>
 
 namespace epics {
 namespace pvAccess {
@@ -18,8 +19,8 @@ enum AlarmStatus {
     dbStatus,confStatus,undefinedStatus,clientStatus
 };
 
-extern std::string dbrStatus2alarmMessage[];
-extern int dbrStatus2alarmStatus[];
+epicsShareExtern std::string dbrStatus2alarmMessage[];
+epicsShareExtern int dbrStatus2alarmStatus[];
 
 }
 }
diff --git a/src/client/pv/pvAccess.h b/src/client/pv/pvAccess.h
index 5e2630c..1515a4e 100644
--- a/src/client/pv/pvAccess.h
+++ b/src/client/pv/pvAccess.h
@@ -1056,7 +1056,10 @@ public:
     POINTER_DEFINITIONS(ChannelRequester);
     typedef Channel operation_type;
 
-    virtual ~ChannelRequester() {}
+    static size_t num_instances;
+
+    ChannelRequester();
+    virtual ~ChannelRequester();
 
     /**
      * The request made with ChannelProvider::createChannel() is satisfied.
diff --git a/src/client/pvAccess.cpp b/src/client/pvAccess.cpp
index 731b752..c585ffb 100644
--- a/src/client/pvAccess.cpp
+++ b/src/client/pvAccess.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
  * in file LICENSE that is included with this distribution.
  */
 
+#include <pv/reftrack.h>
+
 #define epicsExportSharedSymbols
 #include <pv/pvAccess.h>
 
@@ -118,6 +120,19 @@ ChannelArray::shared_pointer Channel::createChannelArray(
     return ret;
 }
 
+
+size_t ChannelRequester::num_instances;
+
+ChannelRequester::ChannelRequester()
+{
+    REFTRACE_INCREMENT(num_instances);
+}
+
+ChannelRequester::~ChannelRequester()
+{
+    REFTRACE_DECREMENT(num_instances);
+}
+
 std::string DefaultChannelRequester::getRequesterName() { return "DefaultChannelRequester"; }
 
 void DefaultChannelRequester::channelCreated(const epics::pvData::Status& status, Channel::shared_pointer const & channel)
diff --git a/src/factory/ChannelAccessFactory.cpp b/src/factory/ChannelAccessFactory.cpp
index 5b4a4f1..cd6a40d 100644
--- a/src/factory/ChannelAccessFactory.cpp
+++ b/src/factory/ChannelAccessFactory.cpp
@@ -12,10 +12,14 @@
 #include <pv/lock.h>
 #include <pv/noDefaultMethods.h>
 #include <pv/pvData.h>
+#include <pv/reftrack.h>
+#include <pv/timer.h>
 
 #define epicsExportSharedSymbols
 #include <pv/pvAccess.h>
 #include <pv/factory.h>
+#include "pv/codec.h"
+#include <pv/serverContextImpl.h>
 
 using namespace epics::pvData;
 using std::string;
@@ -156,6 +160,9 @@ epicsThreadOnceId providerRegOnce = EPICS_THREAD_ONCE_INIT;
 void providerRegInit(void*)
 {
     providerRegGbl = new providerRegGbl_t;
+    registerRefCounter("ServerContext (PVA)", &ServerContextImpl::num_instances);
+    registerRefCounter("BlockingTCPTransportCodec", &detail::BlockingTCPTransportCodec::num_instances);
+    registerRefCounter("ChannelRequester", &ChannelRequester::num_instances);
 }
 
 } // namespace
diff --git a/src/ioc/Makefile b/src/ioc/Makefile
index 5e165b5..16b1349 100644
--- a/src/ioc/Makefile
+++ b/src/ioc/Makefile
@@ -7,11 +7,13 @@ pvAccessIOC_LIBS += pvAccess pvData
 pvAccessIOC_LIBS += $(EPICS_BASE_IOC_LIBS)
 
 INC += pv/syncChannelFind.h
+INC += pv/iocshelper.h
 
 DBD += PVAServerRegister.dbd
 DBD += PVAClientRegister.dbd
 
 pvAccessIOC_SRCS += PVAServerRegister.cpp
 pvAccessIOC_SRCS += PVAClientRegister.cpp
+pvAccessIOC_SRCS += reftrackioc.cpp
 
 include $(TOP)/configure/RULES
diff --git a/src/ioc/PVAServerRegister.cpp b/src/ioc/PVAServerRegister.cpp
index 24903aa..a7c386f 100644
--- a/src/ioc/PVAServerRegister.cpp
+++ b/src/ioc/PVAServerRegister.cpp
@@ -30,18 +30,19 @@
 
 #include <pv/pvAccess.h>
 #include <pv/serverContext.h>
+#include <pv/iocshelper.h>
 
 #include <epicsExport.h>
 
-using std::cout;
-using std::endl;
 namespace pvd = epics::pvData;
 namespace pva = epics::pvAccess;
 
-static pvd::Mutex the_server_lock;
-static pva::ServerContext::shared_pointer the_server;
+namespace {
 
-static void startitup() {
+pvd::Mutex the_server_lock;
+pva::ServerContext::shared_pointer the_server;
+
+void startitup() {
     the_server = pva::ServerContext::create(pva::ServerContext::Config()
                                             .config(pva::ConfigurationBuilder()
                                                     // default to all providers instead of just "local"
@@ -53,17 +54,9 @@ static void startitup() {
                                                     .build()));
 }
 
-static const iocshArg startPVAServerArg0 = { "providerNames", iocshArgString };
-static const iocshArg *startPVAServerArgs[] = {
-    &startPVAServerArg0};
-
-static const iocshFuncDef startPVAServerFuncDef = {
-    "startPVAServer", 1, startPVAServerArgs
-};
-static void startPVAServer(const iocshArgBuf *args)
+void startPVAServer(const char *names)
 {
     try {
-        char *names = args[0].sval;
         if(names && names[0]!='\0') {
             printf("Warning: startPVAServer() no longer accepts provider list as argument.\n"
                        "         Instead place the following before calling startPVAServer() and iocInit()\n"
@@ -81,11 +74,7 @@ static void startPVAServer(const iocshArgBuf *args)
     }
 }
 
-static const iocshArg *stopPVAServerArgs[1] = {};
-static const iocshFuncDef stopPVAServerFuncDef = {
-    "stopPVAServer", 0, stopPVAServerArgs
-};
-static void stopPVAServer(const iocshArgBuf *args)
+void stopPVAServer()
 {
     try {
         pvd::Lock G(the_server_lock);
@@ -99,11 +88,7 @@ static void stopPVAServer(const iocshArgBuf *args)
     }
 }
 
-static const iocshArg *statusPVAServerArgs[1] = {};
-static const iocshFuncDef statusPVAServerFuncDef = {
-    "statusPVAServer", 0, statusPVAServerArgs
-};
-static void statusPVAServer(const iocshArgBuf *args)
+void statusPVAServer()
 {
     try {
         pvd::Lock G(the_server_lock);
@@ -118,7 +103,7 @@ static void statusPVAServer(const iocshArgBuf *args)
     }
 }
 
-static void initStartPVAServer(initHookState state)
+void initStartPVAServer(initHookState state)
 {
     pvd::Lock G(the_server_lock);
     if(state==initHookAfterIocRunning && !the_server) {
@@ -130,14 +115,16 @@ static void initStartPVAServer(initHookState state)
 }
 
 
-static void registerStartPVAServer(void)
+void registerStartPVAServer(void)
 {
-    iocshRegister(&startPVAServerFuncDef, startPVAServer);
-    iocshRegister(&stopPVAServerFuncDef, stopPVAServer);
-    iocshRegister(&statusPVAServerFuncDef, statusPVAServer);
+    epics::iocshRegister<const char*, &startPVAServer>("startPVAServer", "provider names");
+    epics::iocshRegister<&statusPVAServer>("statusPVAServer");
+    epics::iocshRegister<&stopPVAServer>("stopPVAServer");
     initHookRegister(&initStartPVAServer);
 }
 
+} // namespace
+
 extern "C" {
     epicsExportRegistrar(registerStartPVAServer);
 }
diff --git a/src/ioc/PVAServerRegister.dbd b/src/ioc/PVAServerRegister.dbd
index f8627bd..b065342 100644
--- a/src/ioc/PVAServerRegister.dbd
+++ b/src/ioc/PVAServerRegister.dbd
@@ -1 +1,2 @@
 registrar("registerStartPVAServer")
+registrar("refTrackRegistrar")
diff --git a/src/ioc/pv/iocshelper.h b/src/ioc/pv/iocshelper.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b18dd91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/ioc/pv/iocshelper.h
@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+#ifndef IOCSHELPER_H
+#define IOCSHELPER_H
+/** Helper for exposing functions and variables in the IOC shell
+ *
+ * Limitations:
+ * - supports functions with up to 4 arguments
+ * - argument and variable types must be: int, double, char*, or const char*
+ *
+ @code
+ #include <pv/iocshelper.h>
+ void fn0() {}
+ void fn2(int a, const char *b) {}
+ int var;
+ void myRegistrar() {
+   epics::iocshRegister<&fn0>("fn0");
+   epics::iocshRegister<int, const char*, &fn2>("fn0", "a description", "b description");
+   epics::iocshVariable<int, &var>("var");
+ }
+ extern "C" {
+   epicsExportRegistrar(myRegistrar);
+ }
+ @endcode
+ */
+
+#include <string>
+
+#include <iocsh.h>
+
+namespace epics {
+namespace detail {
+
+template<typename T>
+struct getarg {};
+template<> struct getarg<int> {
+    static int op(const iocshArgBuf& a) { return a.ival; }
+    enum { argtype = iocshArgInt };
+};
+template<> struct getarg<double> {
+    static double op(const iocshArgBuf& a) { return a.dval; }
+    enum { argtype = iocshArgDouble };
+};
+template<> struct getarg<char*> {
+    static char* op(const iocshArgBuf& a) { return a.sval; }
+    enum { argtype = iocshArgString };
+};
+template<> struct getarg<const char*> {
+    static const char* op(const iocshArgBuf& a) { return a.sval; }
+    enum { argtype = iocshArgString };
+};
+
+
+template<int N>
+struct iocshFuncInfo{
+    iocshFuncDef def;
+    std::string name;
+    iocshArg *argarr[N+1];
+    iocshArg args[N+1];
+    std::string argnames[N+1];
+    iocshFuncInfo(const std::string& n) :name(n) {
+        def.name = name.c_str();
+        def.nargs = N;
+        def.arg = (iocshArg**)&argarr;
+        for(size_t i=0; i<N; i++)
+            argarr[i] = &args[i];
+    }
+    template<int n, typename T>
+    void set(const char *name) {
+        argnames[n] = name;
+        args[n].name = argnames[n].c_str();
+        args[n].type = (iocshArgType)detail::getarg<T>::argtype;
+    }
+};
+
+template<void (*fn)()>
+static void call0(const iocshArgBuf *args)
+{
+    fn();
+}
+
+template<typename A, void (*fn)(A)>
+static void call1(const iocshArgBuf *args)
+{
+    fn(getarg<A>::op(args[0]));
+}
+
+template<typename A, typename B, void (*fn)(A,B)>
+static void call2(const iocshArgBuf *args)
+{
+    fn(getarg<A>::op(args[0]),
+       getarg<B>::op(args[1]));
+}
+
+template<typename A, typename B, typename C, void (*fn)(A,B,C)>
+static void call3(const iocshArgBuf *args)
+{
+    fn(getarg<A>::op(args[0]),
+       getarg<B>::op(args[1]),
+       getarg<C>::op(args[2]));
+}
+
+} // namespace detail
+
+
+template<void (*fn)()>
+void iocshRegister(const char *name)
+{
+    static detail::iocshFuncInfo<0> info(name);
+    iocshRegister(&info.def, &detail::call0<fn>);
+}
+
+template<typename A, void (*fn)(A)>
+void iocshRegister(const char *name, const char *arg1name)
+{
+    static detail::iocshFuncInfo<1> info(name);
+    info.set<0,A>(arg1name);
+    iocshRegister(&info.def, &detail::call1<A, fn>);
+}
+
+template<typename A, typename B, void (*fn)(A,B)>
+void iocshRegister(const char *name,
+                   const char *arg1name,
+                   const char *arg2name)
+{
+    static detail::iocshFuncInfo<2> info(name);
+    info.set<0,A>(arg1name);
+    info.set<1,B>(arg2name);
+    iocshRegister(&info.def, &detail::call2<A, B, fn>);
+}
+
+template<typename A, typename B, typename C, void (*fn)(A,B,C)>
+void iocshRegister(const char *name,
+                   const char *arg1name,
+                   const char *arg2name,
+                   const char *arg3name)
+{
+    static detail::iocshFuncInfo<3> info(name);
+    info.set<0,A>(arg1name);
+    info.set<1,B>(arg2name);
+    info.set<2,C>(arg3name);
+    iocshRegister(&info.def, &detail::call3<A, B, C, fn>);
+}
+
+template<typename V, V* addr>
+void iocshVariable(const char *name)
+{
+    static iocshVarDef def[2];
+    def[0].name = name;
+    def[0].pval = (void*)addr;
+    def[0].type = (iocshArgType)detail::getarg<V>::argtype;
+    def[1].name = NULL;
+    iocshRegisterVariable(def);
+}
+
+} // namespace epics
+
+#endif // IOCSHELPER_H
diff --git a/src/ioc/reftrackioc.cpp b/src/ioc/reftrackioc.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..979b4a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/ioc/reftrackioc.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright - See the COPYRIGHT that is included with this distribution.
+ * EPICS pvData is distributed subject to a Software License Agreement found
+ * in file LICENSE that is included with this distribution.
+ */
+
+#include <exception>
+
+#include <pv/reftrack.h>
+#include <pv/iocshelper.h>
+
+#include <iocsh.h>
+
+#include <epicsExport.h>
+
+namespace {
+
+void showRefs(const epics::RefSnapshot& snap, int lvl, bool delta)
+{
+    for(epics::RefSnapshot::const_iterator it = snap.begin(), end = snap.end();
+        it != end; ++it)
+    {
+        if(it->second.current==0 && it->second.delta==0 && lvl<=0) continue;
+        if(delta && it->second.delta==0 && lvl<=0) continue;
+        if(delta) {
+            printf(" %s : %zu (delta %zd)\n",
+                   it->first.c_str(), it->second.current, it->second.delta);
+        } else {
+            printf(" %s : %zu\n", it->first.c_str(), it->second.current);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#define CATCH() catch(std::exception& e){printf("Error %s\n", e.what());}
+
+void refshow(int lvl)
+{
+    try {
+        epics::RefSnapshot snap;
+        snap.update();
+
+        showRefs(snap, lvl, false);
+    }CATCH()
+}
+
+// No locking.  assume only interactive iocsh use
+static epics::RefSnapshot savedSnap;
+
+void refsave()
+{
+    try {
+        epics::RefSnapshot snap;
+        snap.update();
+
+        savedSnap.swap(snap);
+    }CATCH()
+}
+
+void refdiff(int lvl)
+{
+    epics::RefSnapshot snap;
+    snap.update();
+
+    showRefs(snap-savedSnap, lvl, true);
+}
+
+static epics::RefMonitor gblmon;
+
+void refmon(double period, int lvl)
+{
+    if(period==0) {
+        gblmon.stop();
+    } else if(period>0) {
+        gblmon.start(period);
+    }
+}
+
+void refTrackRegistrar()
+{
+    epics::iocshRegister<int, &refshow>("refshow", "detail level");
+    epics::iocshRegister<&refsave>("refsave");
+    epics::iocshRegister<int, &refdiff>("refdiff", "detail level");
+    epics::iocshRegister<double, int, &refmon>("refmon", "update period", "detail level");
+}
+
+} // namespace
+
+extern "C" {
+    epicsExportRegistrar(refTrackRegistrar);
+}
diff --git a/src/remote/codec.cpp b/src/remote/codec.cpp
index da7cc12..14208dc 100644
--- a/src/remote/codec.cpp
+++ b/src/remote/codec.cpp
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #include <pv/lock.h>
 #include <pv/timer.h>
 #include <pv/event.h>
+#include <pv/reftrack.h>
 
 #define epicsExportSharedSymbols
 #include <pv/blockingTCP.h>
@@ -1001,6 +1002,8 @@ bool AbstractCodec::directDeserialize(ByteBuffer *existingBuffer, char* deserial
 
 BlockingTCPTransportCodec::~BlockingTCPTransportCodec()
 {
+    REFTRACE_DECREMENT(num_instances);
+
     waitJoin();
 }
 
@@ -1138,6 +1141,7 @@ void BlockingTCPTransportCodec::sendBufferFull(int tries) {
 //
 //
 
+size_t BlockingTCPTransportCodec::num_instances;
 
 BlockingTCPTransportCodec::BlockingTCPTransportCodec(bool serverFlag, const Context::shared_pointer &context,
     SOCKET channel, const ResponseHandler::shared_pointer &responseHandler,
@@ -1163,6 +1167,8 @@ BlockingTCPTransportCodec::BlockingTCPTransportCodec(bool serverFlag, const Cont
     ,_remoteTransportRevision(0), _priority(priority)
     ,_verified(false)
 {
+    REFTRACE_INCREMENT(num_instances);
+
     _isOpen.getAndSet(true);
 
     // get remote address
diff --git a/src/remote/pv/codec.h b/src/remote/pv/codec.h
index afa082c..42162d2 100644
--- a/src/remote/pv/codec.h
+++ b/src/remote/pv/codec.h
@@ -302,6 +302,8 @@ public:
 
     POINTER_DEFINITIONS(BlockingTCPTransportCodec);
 
+    static size_t num_instances;
+
     BlockingTCPTransportCodec(
             bool serverFlag,
             Context::shared_pointer const & context,
diff --git a/src/remote/pv/remote.h b/src/remote/pv/remote.h
index 9d9b7fb..5407d0e 100644
--- a/src/remote/pv/remote.h
+++ b/src/remote/pv/remote.h
@@ -374,15 +374,9 @@ public:
                    epics::pvData::ByteBuffer* payloadBuffer) = 0;
 };
 
-/**
- * Base (abstract) channel access response handler.
- */
 class AbstractResponseHandler : public ResponseHandler {
 public:
-    /**
-     * @param description
-     */
-    AbstractResponseHandler(Context* context, std::string description) :
+    AbstractResponseHandler(Context* context, const std::string& description) :
         _description(description),
         _debugLevel(context->getConfiguration()->getPropertyAsInteger(PVACCESS_DEBUG, 0)) {
     }
diff --git a/src/remoteClient/clientContextImpl.cpp b/src/remoteClient/clientContextImpl.cpp
index ad733e1..68ac87b 100644
--- a/src/remoteClient/clientContextImpl.cpp
+++ b/src/remoteClient/clientContextImpl.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include <pv/timer.h>
 #include <pv/bitSetUtil.h>
 #include <pv/standardPVField.h>
+#include <pv/reftrack.h>
 
 #define epicsExportSharedSymbols
 #include <pv/pvAccess.h>
@@ -165,6 +166,9 @@ protected:
         return std::tr1::static_pointer_cast<subklass>(P);
     }
 public:
+    static size_t num_instances;
+    static size_t num_active;
+
     template<class subklass>
     static
     typename std::tr1::shared_ptr<subklass>
@@ -180,6 +184,7 @@ public:
         const_cast<BaseRequestImpl::weak_pointer&>(internal->m_this_internal) = internal;
         const_cast<BaseRequestImpl::weak_pointer&>(internal->m_this_external) = external;
         internal->activate();
+        REFTRACE_INCREMENT(num_active);
         return external;
     }
 protected:
@@ -197,9 +202,13 @@ protected:
         m_destroyed(false),
         m_initialized(false),
         m_subscribed()
-    {}
+    {
+        REFTRACE_INCREMENT(num_instances);
+    }
 
-    virtual ~BaseRequestImpl() {}
+    virtual ~BaseRequestImpl() {
+        REFTRACE_DECREMENT(num_instances);
+    }
 
     virtual void activate() {
         // register response request
@@ -344,6 +353,8 @@ public:
             }
 
         }
+
+        REFTRACE_DECREMENT(num_active);
     }
 
     virtual void timeout() OVERRIDE FINAL {
@@ -396,6 +407,8 @@ public:
 
 };
 
+size_t BaseRequestImpl::num_instances;
+size_t BaseRequestImpl::num_active;
 
 
 PVDataCreatePtr BaseRequestImpl::pvDataCreate = getPVDataCreate();
@@ -3248,6 +3261,11 @@ private:
          */
         ServerGUID m_guid;
 
+    public:
+        static size_t num_instances;
+        static size_t num_active;
+    private:
+
         /**
          * Constructor.
          * @param context
@@ -3275,6 +3293,7 @@ private:
             m_serverChannelID(0xFFFFFFFF),
             m_issueCreateMessage(true)
         {
+            REFTRACE_INCREMENT(num_instances);
             PVACCESS_REFCOUNT_MONITOR_CONSTRUCT(channel);
         }
 
@@ -3285,6 +3304,8 @@ private:
 
             // connect
             connect();
+
+            REFTRACE_INCREMENT(num_active);
         }
 
     public:
@@ -3307,11 +3328,15 @@ private:
 
         virtual ~InternalChannelImpl()
         {
+            REFTRACE_DECREMENT(num_instances);
+
             PVACCESS_REFCOUNT_MONITOR_DESTRUCT(channel);
         }
 
         virtual void destroy() OVERRIDE FINAL
         {
+            REFTRACE_DECREMENT(num_active);
+
             destroy(false);
         }
 
@@ -4035,6 +4060,7 @@ public:
 
 
 public:
+    static size_t num_instances;
 
     InternalClientContextImpl(const Configuration::shared_pointer& conf) :
         m_addressList(""), m_autoAddressList(true), m_connectionTimeout(30.0f), m_beaconPeriod(15.0f),
@@ -4049,6 +4075,8 @@ public:
         m_configuration(conf),
         m_flushStrategy(DELAYED)
     {
+        REFTRACE_INCREMENT(num_instances);
+
         PVACCESS_REFCOUNT_MONITOR_CONSTRUCT(remoteClientContext);
         MB_INIT;
         if(!m_configuration) m_configuration = ConfigurationFactory::getConfiguration("pvAccess-client");
@@ -4148,6 +4176,7 @@ public:
 
     virtual ~InternalClientContextImpl()
     {
+        REFTRACE_DECREMENT(num_instances);
         PVACCESS_REFCOUNT_MONITOR_DESTRUCT(remoteClientContext);
     }
 
@@ -4716,6 +4745,10 @@ private:
     FlushStrategy m_flushStrategy;
 };
 
+size_t InternalClientContextImpl::num_instances;
+size_t InternalClientContextImpl::InternalChannelImpl::num_instances;
+size_t InternalClientContextImpl::InternalChannelImpl::num_active;
+
 PVACCESS_REFCOUNT_MONITOR_DEFINE(channelGetField);
 
 class ChannelGetFieldRequestImpl :
@@ -4908,6 +4941,11 @@ namespace pvAccess {
 
 ChannelProvider::shared_pointer createClientProvider(const Configuration::shared_pointer& conf)
 {
+    registerRefCounter("InternalClientContextImpl", &InternalClientContextImpl::num_instances);
+    registerRefCounter("InternalChannelImpl", &InternalClientContextImpl::InternalChannelImpl::num_instances);
+    registerRefCounter("InternalChannelImpl (Active)", &InternalClientContextImpl::InternalChannelImpl::num_active);
+    registerRefCounter("BaseRequestImpl", &BaseRequestImpl::num_instances);
+    registerRefCounter("BaseRequestImpl (Active)", &BaseRequestImpl::num_active);
     InternalClientContextImpl::shared_pointer internal(new InternalClientContextImpl(conf)),
                                               external(internal.get(), epics::pvAccess::Destroyable::cleaner(internal));
     const_cast<InternalClientContextImpl::weak_pointer&>(internal->m_external_this) = external;
diff --git a/src/server/pv/serverContextImpl.h b/src/server/pv/serverContextImpl.h
index 1d63d47..c7addf9 100644
--- a/src/server/pv/serverContextImpl.h
+++ b/src/server/pv/serverContextImpl.h
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ public:
     typedef std::tr1::shared_ptr<ServerContextImpl> shared_pointer;
     typedef std::tr1::shared_ptr<const ServerContextImpl> const_shared_pointer;
 
+    static size_t num_instances;
+
     ServerContextImpl();
     virtual ~ServerContextImpl();
 
diff --git a/src/server/serverContext.cpp b/src/server/serverContext.cpp
index 08331f7..73fcb0e 100644
--- a/src/server/serverContext.cpp
+++ b/src/server/serverContext.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 #include <pv/lock.h>
 #include <pv/timer.h>
 #include <pv/thread.h>
+#include <pv/reftrack.h>
 
 #define epicsExportSharedSymbols
 #include <pv/responseHandlers.h>
@@ -27,6 +28,8 @@ namespace pvAccess {
 const Version ServerContextImpl::VERSION("pvAccess Server", "cpp",
         EPICS_PVA_MAJOR_VERSION, EPICS_PVA_MINOR_VERSION, EPICS_PVA_MAINTENANCE_VERSION, EPICS_PVA_DEVELOPMENT_FLAG);
 
+size_t ServerContextImpl::num_instances;
+
 ServerContextImpl::ServerContextImpl():
     _beaconAddressList(),
     _ignoreAddressList(),
@@ -43,6 +46,8 @@ ServerContextImpl::ServerContextImpl():
     _beaconServerStatusProvider(),
     _startTime()
 {
+    REFTRACE_INCREMENT(num_instances);
+
     epicsTimeGetCurrent(&_startTime);
 
     // TODO maybe there is a better place for this (when there will be some factory)
@@ -63,6 +68,7 @@ ServerContextImpl::~ServerContextImpl()
     {
         std::cerr<<"Error in: ServerContextImpl::dispose: "<<e.what()<<"\n";
     }
+    REFTRACE_DECREMENT(num_instances);
 }
 
 const ServerGUID& ServerContextImpl::getGUID()