diff --git a/configuration/config.go b/configuration/config.go
index b884627..a76d3f7 100644
--- a/configuration/config.go
+++ b/configuration/config.go
@@ -38,7 +38,12 @@ import (
 // Global configuration
 var GlobalConfig *config.Config = nil
 
-var ScenarioGroupMap = map[string][]int{}
+type GroupedScenario struct {
+	Scenario  int  `yaml:"scenario"`
+	Duplicate bool `default:"false" yaml:"duplicate"`
+}
+
+var ScenarioGroupMap = map[string][]GroupedScenario{}
 
 func InitConfig() error {
 	if GlobalConfig != nil {
@@ -182,35 +187,45 @@ func InitConfig() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func remove(arr []GroupedScenario, index int) []GroupedScenario {
+	arr[index] = arr[len(arr)-1]
+	return arr[:len(arr)-1]
+}
+
 func ReadGroupsFile(path string) error {
 
 	_, err := os.Stat(path)
-
-	if err == nil {
-
-		yamlFile, err := os.Open(path)
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("error opening yaml file for groups: %v", err)
-		}
-		log.Println("Successfully opened yaml groups file", path)
-
-		defer yamlFile.Close()
-
-		byteValue, _ := ioutil.ReadAll(yamlFile)
-
-		err = yaml.Unmarshal(byteValue, &ScenarioGroupMap)
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("error unmarshalling yaml into ScenarioGroupMap: %v", err)
-		}
-
-		log.Println("ScenarioGroupMap", ScenarioGroupMap)
-
-		return nil
-	} else if os.IsNotExist(err) {
-		log.Println("File does not exist, no goups/scenarios mapping created:", path)
-		return nil
-	} else {
-		log.Println("Something is wrong with this file path:", path)
-		return nil
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
+
+	yamlFile, err := os.Open(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("error opening yaml file for groups: %v", err)
+	}
+	log.Println("Successfully opened yaml groups file", path)
+
+	defer yamlFile.Close()
+
+	byteValue, _ := ioutil.ReadAll(yamlFile)
+
+	err = yaml.Unmarshal(byteValue, &ScenarioGroupMap)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("error unmarshalling yaml into ScenarioGroupMap: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	for _, group := range ScenarioGroupMap {
+		for i, scenario := range group {
+			// remove invalid values that might have been introduced by typos
+			// (Unmarshal sets default values when it doesn't find a field)
+			if scenario.Scenario == 0 {
+				log.Println("Removing entry from ScenarioGroupMap, check for typos in the yaml!")
+				remove(group, i)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	log.Println("ScenarioGroupMap", ScenarioGroupMap)
+
+	return nil
 }
diff --git a/configuration/groups.yaml b/configuration/groups.yaml
index fec1fbf..c30058f 100644
--- a/configuration/groups.yaml
+++ b/configuration/groups.yaml
@@ -1,12 +1,16 @@
-moodle-l2pmanager@13306:
-  - 1
-  - 2
-  - 3
+# Warning: this file is used for testing - please consider when making changes
+moodle-l2pmanager@13306:
+  - scenario: 1
+  - scenario: 2
+  - scenario: 3
 testGroup1:
-  - 4
-  - 5
-  - 6
+  - scenario: 1
+    duplicate: true
+  - scenario: 2
+    duplicate: false
+  - scenario: 3
 testGroup2:
-  - 7
-  - 8
-  - 9
+  - scenario: 1
+  - scenario: 4
+    duplicate: true
+  - scenario: 2
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/helper/amqp.go b/helper/amqp.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c8420c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/helper/amqp.go
@@ -0,0 +1,265 @@
+/** helper package, AMQP client.
+*
+* @author Sonja Happ <sonja.happ@eonerc.rwth-aachen.de>
+* @copyright 2014-2021, Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems, EONERC
+* @license GNU General Public License (version 3)
+*
+* VILLASweb-backend-go
+*
+* This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+* it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+* the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+* any later version.
+*
+* This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+* but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+* MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+* GNU General Public License for more details.
+*
+* You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+* along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*********************************************************************************/
+
+package helper
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"log"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.rwth-aachen.de/acs/public/villas/web-backend-go/database"
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
+	"github.com/streadway/amqp"
+)
+
+type AMQPclient struct {
+	connection *amqp.Connection
+	sendCh     *amqp.Channel
+	recvCh     *amqp.Channel
+}
+
+type Action struct {
+	Act        string          `json:"action"`
+	When       int64           `json:"when"`
+	Parameters json.RawMessage `json:"parameters,omitempty"`
+	Model      json.RawMessage `json:"model,omitempty"`
+	Results    json.RawMessage `json:"results,omitempty"`
+}
+
+var client AMQPclient
+
+const VILLAS_EXCHANGE = "villas"
+
+type callback func(amqp.Delivery) error
+
+func ConnectAMQP(uri string, cb callback) error {
+
+	var err error
+
+	// connect to broker
+	client.connection, err = amqp.Dial(uri)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("AMQP: failed to connect to RabbitMQ broker %v, error: %v", uri, err)
+	}
+
+	// create sendCh
+	client.sendCh, err = client.connection.Channel()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("AMQP: failed to open a sendCh, error: %v", err)
+	}
+	// declare exchange
+	err = client.sendCh.ExchangeDeclare(VILLAS_EXCHANGE,
+		"headers",
+		true,
+		false,
+		false,
+		false,
+		nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("AMQP: failed to declare the exchange, error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// add a queue for the ICs
+	ICQueue, err := client.sendCh.QueueDeclare("infrastructure_components",
+		true,
+		false,
+		false,
+		false,
+		nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("AMQP: failed to declare the queue, error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	err = client.sendCh.QueueBind(ICQueue.Name, "", VILLAS_EXCHANGE, false, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("AMQP: failed to bind the queue, error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// create receive channel
+	client.recvCh, err = client.connection.Channel()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("AMQP: failed to open a recvCh, error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// start deliveries
+	messages, err := client.recvCh.Consume(ICQueue.Name,
+		"",
+		true,
+		false,
+		false,
+		false,
+		nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("AMQP: failed to start deliveries: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// consume deliveries
+	go func() {
+		for {
+			for message := range messages {
+				err = cb(message)
+				if err != nil {
+					log.Println("AMQP: Error processing message: ", err.Error())
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+
+	log.Printf(" AMQP: Waiting for messages... ")
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func SendActionAMQP(action Action, destinationUUID string) error {
+
+	payload, err := json.Marshal(action)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	msg := amqp.Publishing{
+		DeliveryMode:    2,
+		Timestamp:       time.Now(),
+		ContentType:     "application/json",
+		ContentEncoding: "utf-8",
+		Priority:        0,
+		Body:            payload,
+	}
+
+	// set message headers
+	msg.Headers = make(map[string]interface{}) // empty map
+	msg.Headers["uuid"] = destinationUUID
+
+	err = CheckConnection()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	//log.Println("AMQP: Sending message", string(msg.Body))
+	err = client.sendCh.Publish(VILLAS_EXCHANGE,
+		"",
+		false,
+		false,
+		msg)
+	return PublishAMQP(msg)
+
+}
+
+func PublishAMQP(msg amqp.Publishing) error {
+	err := client.sendCh.Publish(VILLAS_EXCHANGE,
+		"",
+		false,
+		false,
+		msg)
+	return err
+}
+
+func SendPing(uuid string) error {
+	var ping Action
+	ping.Act = "ping"
+
+	payload, err := json.Marshal(ping)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	msg := amqp.Publishing{
+		DeliveryMode:    2,
+		Timestamp:       time.Now(),
+		ContentType:     "application/json",
+		ContentEncoding: "utf-8",
+		Priority:        0,
+		Body:            payload,
+	}
+
+	// set message headers
+	msg.Headers = make(map[string]interface{}) // empty map
+	msg.Headers["uuid"] = uuid                 // leave uuid empty if ping should go to all ICs
+
+	err = CheckConnection()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	err = client.sendCh.Publish(VILLAS_EXCHANGE,
+		"",
+		false,
+		false,
+		msg)
+	return err
+}
+
+func CheckConnection() error {
+
+	if client.connection != nil {
+		if client.connection.IsClosed() {
+			return fmt.Errorf("connection to broker is closed")
+		}
+	} else {
+		return fmt.Errorf("connection is nil")
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func RequestICcreateAMQP(ic *database.InfrastructureComponent, managerUUID string) (string, error) {
+	newUUID := uuid.New().String()
+	// TODO: where to get the properties part from?
+	msg := `{"name": "` + ic.Name + `",` +
+		`"location": "` + ic.Location + `",` +
+		`"category": "` + ic.Category + `",` +
+		`"type": "` + ic.Type + `",` +
+		`"uuid": "` + newUUID + `",` +
+		`"realm": "de.rwth-aachen.eonerc.acs",` +
+		`"properties": {` +
+		`"job": {` +
+		`"apiVersion": "batch/v1",` +
+		`"kind": "Job",` +
+		`"metadata": {` +
+		`"name": "dpsim"` +
+		`},` +
+		`"spec": {` +
+		`"activeDeadlineSeconds": 3600,` +
+		`"backoffLimit": 1,` +
+		`"ttlSecondsAfterFinished": 3600,` +
+		`"template": {` +
+		`"spec": {` +
+		`"restartPolicy": "Never",` +
+		`"containers": [{` +
+		`"image": "dpsimrwth/slew-villas",` +
+		`"name": "slew-dpsim"` +
+		`}]}}}}}}`
+
+	log.Print(msg)
+
+	actionCreate := Action{
+		Act:        "create",
+		When:       time.Now().Unix(),
+		Parameters: json.RawMessage(msg),
+	}
+
+	err := SendActionAMQP(actionCreate, managerUUID)
+
+	return newUUID, err
+}
diff --git a/helper/utilities.go b/helper/utilities.go
index 1a2f795..4cb600e 100644
--- a/helper/utilities.go
+++ b/helper/utilities.go
@@ -62,3 +62,13 @@ func Find(slice []string, val string) (int, bool) {
 	}
 	return -1, false
 }
+
+// Returns whether slice contains the given element
+func Contains(slice []uint, element uint) bool {
+	for _, elem := range slice {
+		if elem == element {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
diff --git a/routes/healthz/healthz_endpoint.go b/routes/healthz/healthz_endpoint.go
index 6c3a546..eb5f65e 100644
--- a/routes/healthz/healthz_endpoint.go
+++ b/routes/healthz/healthz_endpoint.go
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ import (
 	"git.rwth-aachen.de/acs/public/villas/web-backend-go/configuration"
 	"git.rwth-aachen.de/acs/public/villas/web-backend-go/database"
 	"git.rwth-aachen.de/acs/public/villas/web-backend-go/helper"
-	infrastructure_component "git.rwth-aachen.de/acs/public/villas/web-backend-go/routes/infrastructure-component"
 	"github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
 )
 
@@ -69,7 +68,7 @@ func getHealth(c *gin.Context) {
 	}
 
 	if len(url) != 0 {
-		err = infrastructure_component.CheckConnection()
+		err = helper.CheckConnection()
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Println(err.Error())
 			c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{
diff --git a/routes/healthz/healthz_test.go b/routes/healthz/healthz_test.go
index 84c6a77..6202654 100644
--- a/routes/healthz/healthz_test.go
+++ b/routes/healthz/healthz_test.go
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ func TestHealthz(t *testing.T) {
 	amqpURI := "amqp://" + user + ":" + pass + "@" + host
 	log.Println("AMQP URI is", amqpURI)
 
-	err = infrastructure_component.ConnectAMQP(amqpURI)
+	err = helper.ConnectAMQP(amqpURI, infrastructure_component.ProcessMessage)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// test healthz endpoint for connected DB and AMQP client
diff --git a/routes/infrastructure-component/ic_amqpclient.go b/routes/infrastructure-component/ic_amqpclient.go
index 126e580..3f129ab 100644
--- a/routes/infrastructure-component/ic_amqpclient.go
+++ b/routes/infrastructure-component/ic_amqpclient.go
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"log"
 	"strings"
-	"time"
 
+	"git.rwth-aachen.de/acs/public/villas/web-backend-go/helper"
 	"github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
 	"github.com/jinzhu/gorm"
@@ -35,22 +35,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/streadway/amqp"
 )
 
-const VILLAS_EXCHANGE = "villas"
-
-type AMQPclient struct {
-	connection *amqp.Connection
-	sendCh     *amqp.Channel
-	recvCh     *amqp.Channel
-}
-
-type Action struct {
-	Act        string          `json:"action"`
-	When       int64           `json:"when"`
-	Parameters json.RawMessage `json:"parameters,omitempty"`
-	Model      json.RawMessage `json:"model,omitempty"`
-	Results    json.RawMessage `json:"results,omitempty"`
-}
-
 type ICStatus struct {
 	State     string  `json:"state"`
 	Version   string  `json:"version"`
@@ -85,174 +69,11 @@ type ICUpdate struct {
 	Action     string       `json:"action"`
 }
 
-var client AMQPclient
-
-func ConnectAMQP(uri string) error {
-
-	var err error
-
-	// connect to broker
-	client.connection, err = amqp.Dial(uri)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("AMQP: failed to connect to RabbitMQ broker %v, error: %v", uri, err)
-	}
-
-	// create sendCh
-	client.sendCh, err = client.connection.Channel()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("AMQP: failed to open a sendCh, error: %v", err)
-	}
-	// declare exchange
-	err = client.sendCh.ExchangeDeclare(VILLAS_EXCHANGE,
-		"headers",
-		true,
-		false,
-		false,
-		false,
-		nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("AMQP: failed to declare the exchange, error: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	// add a queue for the ICs
-	ICQueue, err := client.sendCh.QueueDeclare("infrastructure_components",
-		true,
-		false,
-		false,
-		false,
-		nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("AMQP: failed to declare the queue, error: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	err = client.sendCh.QueueBind(ICQueue.Name, "", VILLAS_EXCHANGE, false, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("AMQP: failed to bind the queue, error: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	// create receive channel
-	client.recvCh, err = client.connection.Channel()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("AMQP: failed to open a recvCh, error: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	// start deliveries
-	messages, err := client.recvCh.Consume(ICQueue.Name,
-		"",
-		true,
-		false,
-		false,
-		false,
-		nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("AMQP: failed to start deliveries: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	// consume deliveries
-	go func() {
-		for {
-			for message := range messages {
-				err = processMessage(message)
-				if err != nil {
-					log.Println("AMQP: Error processing message: ", err.Error())
-				}
-			}
-		}
-	}()
-
-	log.Printf(" AMQP: Waiting for messages... ")
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-func sendActionAMQP(action Action, destinationUUID string) error {
-
-	payload, err := json.Marshal(action)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	msg := amqp.Publishing{
-		DeliveryMode:    2,
-		Timestamp:       time.Now(),
-		ContentType:     "application/json",
-		ContentEncoding: "utf-8",
-		Priority:        0,
-		Body:            payload,
-	}
-
-	// set message headers
-	msg.Headers = make(map[string]interface{}) // empty map
-	msg.Headers["uuid"] = destinationUUID
-
-	err = CheckConnection()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	//log.Println("AMQP: Sending message", string(msg.Body))
-	err = client.sendCh.Publish(VILLAS_EXCHANGE,
-		"",
-		false,
-		false,
-		msg)
-	return err
-
-}
-
-func SendPing(uuid string) error {
-	var ping Action
-	ping.Act = "ping"
-
-	payload, err := json.Marshal(ping)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	msg := amqp.Publishing{
-		DeliveryMode:    2,
-		Timestamp:       time.Now(),
-		ContentType:     "application/json",
-		ContentEncoding: "utf-8",
-		Priority:        0,
-		Body:            payload,
-	}
-
-	// set message headers
-	msg.Headers = make(map[string]interface{}) // empty map
-	msg.Headers["uuid"] = uuid                 // leave uuid empty if ping should go to all ICs
-
-	err = CheckConnection()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	err = client.sendCh.Publish(VILLAS_EXCHANGE,
-		"",
-		false,
-		false,
-		msg)
-	return err
-}
-
-func CheckConnection() error {
-
-	if client.connection != nil {
-		if client.connection.IsClosed() {
-			return fmt.Errorf("connection to broker is closed")
-		}
-	} else {
-		return fmt.Errorf("connection is nil")
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
 func StartAMQP(AMQPurl string, api *gin.RouterGroup) error {
 	if AMQPurl != "" {
 		log.Println("Starting AMQP client")
 
-		err := ConnectAMQP(AMQPurl)
+		err := helper.ConnectAMQP(AMQPurl, ProcessMessage)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -266,7 +87,7 @@ func StartAMQP(AMQPurl string, api *gin.RouterGroup) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func processMessage(message amqp.Delivery) error {
+func ProcessMessage(message amqp.Delivery) error {
 
 	var payload ICUpdate
 	err := json.Unmarshal(message.Body, &payload)
@@ -358,7 +179,7 @@ func createExternalIC(payload ICUpdate, ICUUID string, body []byte) error {
 	log.Println("AMQP: Created IC with UUID ", newIC.UUID)
 
 	// send ping to get full status update of this IC
-	err = SendPing(ICUUID)
+	err = helper.SendPing(ICUUID)
 	return err
 }
 
diff --git a/routes/infrastructure-component/ic_endpoints.go b/routes/infrastructure-component/ic_endpoints.go
index e26198b..0f1471c 100644
--- a/routes/infrastructure-component/ic_endpoints.go
+++ b/routes/infrastructure-component/ic_endpoints.go
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ func sendActionToIC(c *gin.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	var actions []Action
+	var actions []helper.Action
 	err := c.BindJSON(&actions)
 	if err != nil {
 		helper.BadRequestError(c, "Error binding form data to JSON: "+err.Error())
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ func sendActionToIC(c *gin.Context) {
 		if (action.Act == "delete" || action.Act == "create") && s.Category != "manager" {
 			helper.BadRequestError(c, "cannot send a delete or create action to an IC of category "+s.Category)
 		}
-		err = sendActionAMQP(action, s.UUID)
+		err = helper.SendActionAMQP(action, s.UUID)
 		if err != nil {
 			helper.InternalServerError(c, "Unable to send actions to IC: "+err.Error())
 			return
diff --git a/routes/infrastructure-component/ic_test.go b/routes/infrastructure-component/ic_test.go
index 64f193b..2144700 100644
--- a/routes/infrastructure-component/ic_test.go
+++ b/routes/infrastructure-component/ic_test.go
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 	scenario.RegisterScenarioEndpoints(api.Group("/scenarios"))
 
 	// check AMQP connection
-	err = CheckConnection()
+	err = helper.CheckConnection()
 	if err.Error() != "connection is nil" {
 		return
 	}
@@ -320,14 +320,10 @@ func TestUpdateICAsAdmin(t *testing.T) {
 		Headers:         headers,
 	}
 
-	err = CheckConnection()
+	err = helper.CheckConnection()
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
-	err = client.sendCh.Publish(VILLAS_EXCHANGE,
-		"",
-		false,
-		false,
-		msg)
+	err = helper.PublishAMQP(msg)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Wait until externally managed IC is created (happens async)
@@ -377,6 +373,48 @@ func TestUpdateICAsUser(t *testing.T) {
 
 }
 
+func TestCreateICviaAMQP(t *testing.T) {
+	if os.Getenv("CI") != "" {
+		t.Skip("Skipping testing in CI environment")
+	}
+	database.DropTables()
+	database.MigrateModels()
+	assert.NoError(t, helper.AddTestUsers())
+
+	// authenticate as user
+	token, err := helper.AuthenticateForTest(router, helper.UserACredentials)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Count the number of all the ICs before sending Action
+	numberOfICs, err := helper.LengthOfResponse(router, token,
+		"/api/v2/ic", "GET", nil)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, numberOfICs)
+
+	err = helper.CheckConnection()
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+
+	var ic database.InfrastructureComponent
+	ic.Name = "kubernetes simulator dpsim (backend test)"
+	ic.Location = "iko backend dev"
+	ic.Category = "simulator"
+	ic.Type = "kubernetes"
+
+	// send create Action to kubernetes manager via AMQP broker
+	uuidManager := "444fb73e-7e74-11eb-8f63-f3a5b3ab82f6"
+	_, err = helper.RequestICcreateAMQP(&ic, uuidManager)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Wait until externally managed IC is created (happens async)
+	time.Sleep(2 * time.Second)
+
+	// check whether an external IC was created
+	numberOfICs, err = helper.LengthOfResponse(router, token,
+		"/api/v2/ic", "GET", nil)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, numberOfICs)
+}
+
 func TestDeleteICAsAdmin(t *testing.T) {
 	database.DropTables()
 	database.MigrateModels()
@@ -444,14 +482,10 @@ func TestDeleteICAsAdmin(t *testing.T) {
 		Headers:         headers,
 	}
 
-	err = CheckConnection()
+	err = helper.CheckConnection()
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
-	err = client.sendCh.Publish(VILLAS_EXCHANGE,
-		"",
-		false,
-		false,
-		msg)
+	err = helper.PublishAMQP(msg)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Wait until externally managed IC is created (happens async)
@@ -617,7 +651,7 @@ func TestSendActionToIC(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// create action to be sent to IC
-	action1 := Action{
+	action1 := helper.Action{
 		Act:  "start",
 		When: time.Now().Unix(),
 	}
@@ -630,7 +664,7 @@ func TestSendActionToIC(t *testing.T) {
 
 	paramsRaw, err := json.Marshal(&params)
 	action1.Parameters = paramsRaw
-	actions := [1]Action{action1}
+	actions := [1]helper.Action{action1}
 
 	// Send action to IC
 	code, resp, err = helper.TestEndpoint(router, token,
@@ -676,14 +710,10 @@ func TestCreateUpdateViaAMQPRecv(t *testing.T) {
 		Headers:         headers,
 	}
 
-	err = CheckConnection()
+	err = helper.CheckConnection()
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
-	err = client.sendCh.Publish(VILLAS_EXCHANGE,
-		"",
-		false,
-		false,
-		msg)
+	err = helper.PublishAMQP(msg)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 	time.Sleep(waitingTime * time.Second)
@@ -723,11 +753,7 @@ func TestCreateUpdateViaAMQPRecv(t *testing.T) {
 		Headers:         headersA,
 	}
 
-	err = client.sendCh.Publish(VILLAS_EXCHANGE,
-		"",
-		false,
-		false,
-		msg)
+	err = helper.PublishAMQP(msg)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 	time.Sleep(waitingTime * time.Second)
@@ -753,11 +779,7 @@ func TestCreateUpdateViaAMQPRecv(t *testing.T) {
 		Headers:         headersA,
 	}
 
-	err = client.sendCh.Publish(VILLAS_EXCHANGE,
-		"",
-		false,
-		false,
-		msg)
+	err = helper.PublishAMQP(msg)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 	time.Sleep(waitingTime * time.Second)
@@ -811,13 +833,9 @@ func TestDeleteICViaAMQPRecv(t *testing.T) {
 		Headers:         headers,
 	}
 
-	err = CheckConnection()
+	err = helper.CheckConnection()
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
-	err = client.sendCh.Publish(VILLAS_EXCHANGE,
-		"",
-		false,
-		false,
-		msg)
+	err = helper.PublishAMQP(msg)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 	time.Sleep(waitingTime * time.Second)
@@ -885,11 +903,7 @@ func TestDeleteICViaAMQPRecv(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// attempt to delete IC (should not work immediately because IC is still associated with component config)
-	err = client.sendCh.Publish(VILLAS_EXCHANGE,
-		"",
-		false,
-		false,
-		msg)
+	err = helper.PublishAMQP(msg)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
 	time.Sleep(waitingTime * time.Second)
diff --git a/routes/user/authenticate_endpoint.go b/routes/user/authenticate_endpoint.go
index 1715f9e..8b466af 100644
--- a/routes/user/authenticate_endpoint.go
+++ b/routes/user/authenticate_endpoint.go
@@ -220,6 +220,241 @@ func authenticateInternal(c *gin.Context) (User, error) {
 	return myUser, nil
 }
 
+func duplicateDashboards(originalSo *database.Scenario, duplicateSo *database.Scenario,
+	signalMap map[uint]uint, appendix string) error {
+
+	db := database.GetDB()
+	var dabs []database.Dashboard
+	err := db.Order("ID asc").Model(originalSo).Related(&dabs, "Dashboards").Error
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("error getting dashboards for scenario %d", originalSo.ID)
+	}
+
+	for _, dab := range dabs {
+		var duplicateD database.Dashboard
+		duplicateD.Grid = dab.Grid
+		duplicateD.Name = dab.Name + appendix
+		duplicateD.ScenarioID = duplicateSo.ID
+		duplicateD.Height = dab.Height
+		err = db.Create(&duplicateD).Error
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Print("error creating duplicate dashboard")
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// add widgets to duplicated dashboards
+		var widgets []database.Widget
+		err = db.Order("ID asc").Model(&dab).Related(&widgets, "Widgets").Error
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Printf("error getting widgets for dashboard %d", dab.ID)
+		}
+		for _, widget := range widgets {
+			var duplicateW database.Widget
+			duplicateW.DashboardID = duplicateD.ID
+			duplicateW.CustomProperties = widget.CustomProperties
+			duplicateW.Height = widget.Height
+			duplicateW.Width = widget.Width
+			duplicateW.MinHeight = widget.MinHeight
+			duplicateW.MinWidth = widget.MinWidth
+			duplicateW.Name = widget.Name
+			duplicateW.Type = widget.Type
+			duplicateW.X = widget.X
+			duplicateW.Y = widget.Y
+
+			duplicateW.SignalIDs = []int64{}
+			for _, id := range widget.SignalIDs {
+				duplicateW.SignalIDs = append(duplicateW.SignalIDs, int64(signalMap[uint(id)]))
+			}
+
+			err = db.Create(&duplicateW).Error
+			if err != nil {
+				log.Print("error creating duplicate widget")
+				continue
+			}
+			// associate dashboard with simulation
+			err = db.Model(&duplicateD).Association("Widgets").Append(&duplicateW).Error
+			if err != nil {
+				log.Print("error associating duplicate widget and dashboard")
+			}
+		}
+
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func duplicateComponentConfig(config *database.ComponentConfiguration,
+	duplicateSo *database.Scenario, icIds map[uint]string, appendix string, signalMap *map[uint]uint) error {
+	var configDpl database.ComponentConfiguration
+	configDpl.Name = config.Name
+	configDpl.StartParameters = config.StartParameters
+	configDpl.ScenarioID = duplicateSo.ID
+	configDpl.OutputLength = config.OutputLength
+	configDpl.InputLength = config.InputLength
+
+	db := database.GetDB()
+	if icIds[config.ICID] == "" {
+		configDpl.ICID = config.ICID
+	} else {
+		var duplicatedIC database.InfrastructureComponent
+		err := db.Find(&duplicatedIC, "UUID = ?", icIds[config.ICID]).Error
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Print(err)
+			return err
+		}
+		configDpl.ICID = duplicatedIC.ID
+	}
+	err := db.Create(&configDpl).Error
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Print(err)
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// get all signals corresponding to component config
+	var sigs []database.Signal
+	err = db.Order("ID asc").Model(&config).Related(&sigs, "OutputMapping").Error
+	smap := *signalMap
+	for _, signal := range sigs {
+		var sig database.Signal
+		sig.Direction = signal.Direction
+		sig.Index = signal.Index
+		sig.Name = signal.Name + appendix
+		sig.ScalingFactor = signal.ScalingFactor
+		sig.Unit = signal.Unit
+		sig.ConfigID = configDpl.ID
+		err = db.Create(&sig).Error
+		if err == nil {
+			smap[signal.ID] = sig.ID
+		}
+	}
+
+	return err
+}
+
+func duplicateScenario(so *database.Scenario, duplicateSo *database.Scenario, icIds map[uint]string, appendix string) error {
+	duplicateSo.Name = so.Name + appendix
+	duplicateSo.StartParameters.RawMessage = so.StartParameters.RawMessage
+	db := database.GetDB()
+	err := db.Create(&duplicateSo).Error
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("Could not create duplicate of scenario %d", so.ID)
+		return err
+	}
+	log.Print("created duplicate scenario")
+
+	var configs []database.ComponentConfiguration
+	// map existing signal IDs to duplicated signal IDs for widget duplication
+	signalMap := make(map[uint]uint)
+	err = db.Order("ID asc").Model(so).Related(&configs, "ComponentConfigurations").Error
+	if err == nil {
+		for _, config := range configs {
+			err = duplicateComponentConfig(&config, duplicateSo, icIds, appendix, &signalMap)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+
+	}
+
+	err = duplicateDashboards(so, duplicateSo, signalMap, appendix)
+	return err
+}
+
+func DuplicateScenarioForUser(so *database.Scenario, user *database.User) {
+	go func() {
+
+		// get all component configs of the scenario
+		db := database.GetDB()
+		var configs []database.ComponentConfiguration
+		err := db.Order("ID asc").Model(so).Related(&configs, "ComponentConfigurations").Error
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Printf("Warning: scenario to duplicate (id=%d) has no component configurations", so.ID)
+		}
+
+		// iterate over component configs to check for ICs to duplicate
+		duplicatedICuuids := make(map[uint]string) // key: icID; value: UUID of duplicate
+		var externalUUIDs []string                 // external ICs to wait for
+		for _, config := range configs {
+			icID := config.ICID
+			if duplicatedICuuids[icID] != "" { // this IC was already added
+				continue
+			}
+
+			var ic database.InfrastructureComponent
+			err = db.Find(&ic, icID).Error
+			if err != nil {
+				log.Printf("Cannot find IC with id %d in DB, will not duplicate for User %s", icID, user.Username)
+				continue
+			}
+
+			if ic.Category == "simulator" && ic.Type == "kubernetes" {
+				duplicateUUID, err := helper.RequestICcreateAMQP(&ic, ic.Manager)
+				duplicatedICuuids[ic.ID] = duplicateUUID
+
+				if err != nil { // TODO: should this function call be interrupted here?
+					log.Printf("Duplication of IC (id=%d) unsuccessful", icID)
+					continue
+				}
+				externalUUIDs = append(externalUUIDs, duplicateUUID)
+			} else { // use existing IC
+				duplicatedICuuids[ic.ID] = ""
+				err = nil
+			}
+		}
+
+		// copy scenario after all new external ICs are in DB
+		icsToWaitFor := len(externalUUIDs)
+		var duplicatedScenario database.Scenario
+		var timeout = 5 // seconds
+
+		for i := 0; i < timeout; i++ {
+			log.Printf("i = %d", i)
+			if icsToWaitFor == 0 {
+				appendix := fmt.Sprintf("--%s-%d-%d", user.Username, user.ID, so.ID)
+				duplicateScenario(so, &duplicatedScenario, duplicatedICuuids, appendix)
+
+				// associate user to new scenario
+				err = db.Model(&duplicatedScenario).Association("Users").Append(user).Error
+				if err != nil {
+					log.Printf("Could not associate User %s to scenario %d", user.Username, duplicatedScenario.ID)
+				}
+				log.Print("associated user to duplicated scenario")
+
+				return
+			} else {
+				time.Sleep(1 * time.Second)
+			}
+
+			// check for new ICs with previously created UUIDs
+			for _, uuid := range externalUUIDs {
+				if uuid == "" {
+					continue
+				}
+				log.Printf("looking for IC with UUID %s", uuid)
+				var duplicatedIC database.InfrastructureComponent
+				err = db.Find(&duplicatedIC, "UUID = ?", uuid).Error
+				// TODO: check if not found or other error
+				if err != nil {
+					log.Print(err)
+				} else {
+					icsToWaitFor--
+					uuid = ""
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+}
+
+func isAlreadyDuplicated(duplicatedName string) bool {
+	db := database.GetDB()
+	var scenarios []database.Scenario
+
+	db.Find(&scenarios, "name = ?", duplicatedName)
+	if len(scenarios) > 0 {
+		return true
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 func authenticateExternal(c *gin.Context) (User, error) {
 	var myUser User
 	username := c.Request.Header.Get("X-Forwarded-User")
@@ -237,7 +472,11 @@ func authenticateExternal(c *gin.Context) (User, error) {
 	groups := strings.Split(c.Request.Header.Get("X-Forwarded-Groups"), ",")
 	// preferred_username := c.Request.Header.Get("X-Forwarded-Preferred-Username")
 
-	if err := myUser.ByUsername(username); err != nil {
+	// check if user already exists
+	err := myUser.ByUsername(username)
+
+	if err != nil {
+		// this is the first login, create new user
 		role := "User"
 		if _, found := helper.Find(groups, "admin"); found {
 			role = "Admin"
@@ -255,22 +494,33 @@ func authenticateExternal(c *gin.Context) (User, error) {
 	// Add users to scenarios based on static map
 	db := database.GetDB()
 	for _, group := range groups {
-		if soIDs, ok := configuration.ScenarioGroupMap[group]; ok {
-			for _, soID := range soIDs {
+		if groupedArr, ok := configuration.ScenarioGroupMap[group]; ok {
+			for _, groupedScenario := range groupedArr {
 				var so database.Scenario
-				err := db.Find(&so, soID).Error
+				err := db.Find(&so, groupedScenario.Scenario).Error
 				if err != nil {
-					log.Printf("Failed to add user %s (id=%d) to scenario %s (id=%d): %s\n", myUser.Username, myUser.ID, so.Name, so.ID, err)
+					log.Printf(`Cannot find scenario %s (id=%d) for adding/duplication.
+					Affecting user %s (id=%d): %s\n`, so.Name, so.ID, myUser.Username, myUser.ID, err)
 					continue
 				}
 
-				err = db.Model(&so).Association("Users").Append(&(myUser.User)).Error
-				if err != nil {
-					log.Printf("Failed to add user %s (id=%d) to scenario %s (id=%d): %s\n", myUser.Username, myUser.ID, so.Name, so.ID, err)
-					continue
+				duplicateName := fmt.Sprintf("%s--%s-%d-%d", so.Name, myUser.Username, myUser.ID, so.ID)
+				alreadyDuplicated := isAlreadyDuplicated(duplicateName)
+				if alreadyDuplicated {
+					log.Printf("Scenario %d already duplicated for user %s", so.ID, myUser.Username)
+					return myUser, nil
 				}
 
-				log.Printf("Added user %s (id=%d) to scenario %s (id=%d)", myUser.Username, myUser.ID, so.Name, so.ID)
+				if groupedScenario.Duplicate {
+					DuplicateScenarioForUser(&so, &myUser.User)
+				} else {
+					err = db.Model(&so).Association("Users").Append(&(myUser.User)).Error
+					if err != nil {
+						log.Printf("Failed to add user %s (id=%d) to scenario %s (id=%d): %s\n", myUser.Username, myUser.ID, so.Name, so.ID, err)
+						continue
+					}
+					log.Printf("Added user %s (id=%d) to scenario %s (id=%d)", myUser.Username, myUser.ID, so.Name, so.ID)
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/routes/user/user_test.go b/routes/user/user_test.go
index 12db59d..c109cba 100644
--- a/routes/user/user_test.go
+++ b/routes/user/user_test.go
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import (
 	"net/http"
 	"net/http/httptest"
 	"os"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	"git.rwth-aachen.de/acs/public/villas/web-backend-go/helper"
@@ -130,6 +131,43 @@ func TestAuthenticate(t *testing.T) {
 
 }
 
+func TestUserGroups(t *testing.T) {
+	// Create new user
+	// (user, email and groups are read from request headers in real case)
+	var myUser User
+	username := "Fridolin"
+	email := "Fridolin@rwth-aachen.de"
+	role := "User"
+	userGroups := strings.Split("testGroup1,testGroup2", ",")
+
+	err := myUser.ByUsername(username)
+	assert.Error(t, err)
+	myUser, err = NewUser(username, "", email, role, true)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Read groups file
+	err = configuration.ReadGroupsFile("notexisting.yaml")
+	assert.Error(t, err)
+
+	err = configuration.ReadGroupsFile("../../configuration/groups.yaml")
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Check whether duplicate flag is saved correctly in configuration
+	for _, group := range userGroups {
+		if gsarray, ok := configuration.ScenarioGroupMap[group]; ok {
+			for _, groupedScenario := range gsarray {
+				if group == "testGroup1" && groupedScenario.Scenario == 1 {
+					assert.Equal(t, true, groupedScenario.Duplicate)
+				} else if group == "testGroup2" && groupedScenario.Scenario == 4 {
+					assert.Equal(t, true, groupedScenario.Duplicate)
+				} else {
+					assert.Equal(t, false, groupedScenario.Duplicate)
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func TestAuthenticateQueryToken(t *testing.T) {
 
 	database.DropTables()
diff --git a/start.go b/start.go
index b86a1bc..cd1433a 100644
--- a/start.go
+++ b/start.go
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import (
 
 	"git.rwth-aachen.de/acs/public/villas/web-backend-go/configuration"
 	"git.rwth-aachen.de/acs/public/villas/web-backend-go/database"
+	"git.rwth-aachen.de/acs/public/villas/web-backend-go/helper"
 	"git.rwth-aachen.de/acs/public/villas/web-backend-go/routes"
 	infrastructure_component "git.rwth-aachen.de/acs/public/villas/web-backend-go/routes/infrastructure-component"
 	"github.com/gin-gonic/gin"
@@ -128,7 +129,7 @@ func main() {
 		}
 
 		// send Ping to all externally managed ICs
-		err = infrastructure_component.SendPing("")
+		err = helper.SendPing("")
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Println("error sending ping action via AMQP: ", err)
 		}