diff --git a/src/agent/block_store_speed.js b/src/agent/block_store_speed.js
index 27c69aef47..1d480effe8 100644
--- a/src/agent/block_store_speed.js
+++ b/src/agent/block_store_speed.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 // const _ = require('lodash');
 const argv = require('minimist')(process.argv);
 const cluster = require('cluster');
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../util/mongo_utils');
 
 const api = require('../api');
 const config = require('../../config');
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ async function worker(client) {
 }
 
 async function write_block(client) {
-    const block_id = new mongodb.ObjectId();
+    const block_id = new mongo_utils.ObjectId();
     return client.block_store.write_block({
         [RPC_BUFFERS]: { data: Buffer.allocUnsafe(argv.size) },
         block_md: {
diff --git a/src/sdk/nb.d.ts b/src/sdk/nb.d.ts
index 0541b68f98..7c264eec31 100644
--- a/src/sdk/nb.d.ts
+++ b/src/sdk/nb.d.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ export as namespace nb;
 
 import * as fs from 'fs';
 import * as mongodb from 'mongodb';
+import * as mongo_utils from '../util/mongo_utils';
 import { EventEmitter } from 'events';
 import { Readable, Writable } from 'stream';
 import { IncomingMessage, ServerResponse } from 'http';
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ interface Base {
     toString?(): string;
 }
 
-type ID = mongodb.ObjectID;
+type ID = mongo_utils.ObjectId;
 type DBBuffer = mongodb.Binary | Buffer;
 
 interface System extends Base {
@@ -719,8 +720,8 @@ interface DBClient {
     populate(docs: object[] | object, doc_path: string, collection: DBCollection, fields: object): Promise<object[] | object>;
     resolve_object_ids_recursive(idmap: object, item: object): object;
     resolve_object_ids_paths(idmap: object, item: object, paths: string[], allow_missing: boolean): object;
-    new_object_id(): mongodb.ObjectId;
-    parse_object_id(id_str: string): mongodb.ObjectId;
+    new_object_id(): mongo_utils.ObjectId;
+    parse_object_id(id_str: string): mongo_utils.ObjectId;
     fix_id_type(doc: object[] | object): object[] | object;
     is_object_id(id: object[] | object): boolean;
     is_err_duplicate_key(err: object): boolean;
diff --git a/src/server/analytic_services/activity_log_store.js b/src/server/analytic_services/activity_log_store.js
index c0411730b9..678588d5a2 100644
--- a/src/server/analytic_services/activity_log_store.js
+++ b/src/server/analytic_services/activity_log_store.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /* Copyright (C) 2016 NooBaa */
 'use strict';
 
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../../util/mongo_utils');
 const _ = require('lodash');
 
 const db_client = require('../../util/db_client');
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ class ActivityLogStore {
     }
 
     make_activity_log_id(id_str) {
-        return new mongodb.ObjectID(id_str);
+        return new mongo_utils.ObjectId(id_str);
     }
 
 
diff --git a/src/server/analytic_services/history_data_store.js b/src/server/analytic_services/history_data_store.js
index 3ab9068cec..09de5a55f7 100644
--- a/src/server/analytic_services/history_data_store.js
+++ b/src/server/analytic_services/history_data_store.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /* Copyright (C) 2016 NooBaa */
 'use strict';
 
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../../util/mongo_utils');
 
 // const dbg = require('../../util/debug_module')(__filename);
 const config = require('../../../config.js');
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class HistoryDataStore {
             const time_stamp = new Date();
             const record_expiration_date = new Date(time_stamp.getTime() - config.STATISTICS_COLLECTOR_EXPIRATION);
             const record = {
-                _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+                _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
                 time_stamp,
                 system_snapshot: item,
                 history_type: 'SYSTEM'
diff --git a/src/server/bg_services/mirror_writer.js b/src/server/bg_services/mirror_writer.js
index d58b777aab..ea3a35e076 100644
--- a/src/server/bg_services/mirror_writer.js
+++ b/src/server/bg_services/mirror_writer.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 const util = require('util');
 const _ = require('lodash');
-const { ObjectId } = require('mongodb');
+const { ObjectId } = require('../../util/mongo_utils');
 
 const config = require('../../../config');
 const dbg = require('../../util/debug_module')(__filename);
diff --git a/src/server/node_services/nodes_store.js b/src/server/node_services/nodes_store.js
index 3b54631aa1..89425324cf 100644
--- a/src/server/node_services/nodes_store.js
+++ b/src/server/node_services/nodes_store.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 const _ = require('lodash');
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../../util/mongo_utils');
 
 const dbg = require('../../util/debug_module')(__filename);
 const node_schema = require('./node_schema');
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class NodesStore {
     }
 
     make_node_id(id_str) {
-        return new mongodb.ObjectId(id_str);
+        return new mongo_utils.ObjectId(id_str);
     }
 
     is_connected() {
diff --git a/src/server/notifications/alerts_log_store.js b/src/server/notifications/alerts_log_store.js
index 77d7aa915e..8d30474ab9 100644
--- a/src/server/notifications/alerts_log_store.js
+++ b/src/server/notifications/alerts_log_store.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /* Copyright (C) 2016 NooBaa */
 'use strict';
 
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../../util/mongo_utils');
 const _ = require('lodash');
 const P = require('../../util/promise');
 const db_client = require('../../util/db_client');
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ class AlertsLogStore {
     }
 
     make_alert_log_id(id_str) {
-        return new mongodb.ObjectID(id_str);
+        return new mongo_utils.ObjectId(id_str);
     }
 
     create(alert_log) {
@@ -94,12 +94,12 @@ class AlertsLogStore {
 
         let _id;
         if (ids) {
-            const obj_ids = ids.map(id => new mongodb.ObjectID(id));
+            const obj_ids = ids.map(id => new mongo_utils.ObjectId(id));
             _id = { $in: obj_ids };
         } else if (till) {
-            _id = { $lt: new mongodb.ObjectID(till) };
+            _id = { $lt: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(till) };
         } else if (since) {
-            _id = { $gt: new mongodb.ObjectID(since) };
+            _id = { $gt: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(since) };
         }
 
         return _.omitBy({
diff --git a/src/server/object_services/md_store.js b/src/server/object_services/md_store.js
index 14b716cc58..e6e1260587 100644
--- a/src/server/object_services/md_store.js
+++ b/src/server/object_services/md_store.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 const _ = require('lodash');
 const assert = require('assert');
 const moment = require('moment');
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../../util/mongo_utils');
 const mime = require('mime-types');
 
 const P = require('../../util/promise');
@@ -92,18 +92,18 @@ class MDStore {
         if (zero_suffix) {
             suffix = '0'.repeat(16);
         } else {
-            suffix = String(new mongodb.ObjectId()).slice(8, 24);
+            suffix = String(new mongo_utils.ObjectId()).slice(8, 24);
         }
         const hex_id = padded_hex_time + suffix;
         assert(padded_hex_time.length === 8);
         assert(suffix.length === 16);
         assert(hex_id.length === 24);
         assert(parseInt(padded_hex_time, 16) === Math.floor(time / 1000));
-        return new mongodb.ObjectId(hex_id);
+        return new mongo_utils.ObjectId(hex_id);
     }
 
     is_valid_md_id(id_str) {
-        return mongodb.ObjectId.isValid(id_str);
+        return mongo_utils.ObjectId.isValid(id_str);
     }
 
     /////////////
@@ -2113,7 +2113,7 @@ function sort_list_uploads_with_delimiter(a, b) {
  * @returns {nb.ID}
  */
 function make_md_id(id_str) {
-    return new mongodb.ObjectId(id_str);
+    return new mongo_utils.ObjectId(id_str);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/server/system_services/config_file_store.js b/src/server/system_services/config_file_store.js
index 7a9ab7d435..2c91d17971 100644
--- a/src/server/system_services/config_file_store.js
+++ b/src/server/system_services/config_file_store.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 const _ = require('lodash');
 const dbg = require('../../util/debug_module')(__filename);
 const db_client = require('../../util/db_client');
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../../util/mongo_utils');
 const config_file_schema = require('./schemas/config_file_schema');
 const config_file_indexes = require('./schemas/config_file_indexes');
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ class ConfigFileStore {
     async insert(item) {
         dbg.log0(`insert`, item);
         _.defaults(item, {
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId()
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId()
         });
         // There shouldn't be more than one record, this is being on the safe side
         this._config_files.validate(item);
diff --git a/src/server/system_services/replication_store.js b/src/server/system_services/replication_store.js
index 66b98e7a70..b9ee00c415 100644
--- a/src/server/system_services/replication_store.js
+++ b/src/server/system_services/replication_store.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 const _ = require('lodash');
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../../util/mongo_utils');
 const db_client = require('../../util/db_client');
 const dbg = require('../../util/debug_module')(__filename);
 const replication_schema = require('./schemas/replication_configuration_schema');
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ class ReplicationStore {
         item = _.omitBy(item, _.isNil);
         dbg.log1(`insert_replication`, item);
         const record = {
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             ...item
         };
         this._replicationconfigs.validate(record);
diff --git a/src/test/integration_tests/api/s3/test_lifecycle.js b/src/test/integration_tests/api/s3/test_lifecycle.js
index 74d1b37455..cf607b5bb6 100644
--- a/src/test/integration_tests/api/s3/test_lifecycle.js
+++ b/src/test/integration_tests/api/s3/test_lifecycle.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ const { NodeHttpHandler } = require("@smithy/node-http-handler");
 const util = require('util');
 const mocha = require('mocha');
 const assert = require('assert');
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../../../../util/mongo_utils');
 const _ = require('lodash');
 const crypto = require('crypto');
 const stream = require('stream');
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ mocha.describe('lifecycle', () => {
             if (tagging) update.tagging = tagging;
 
             console.log('create_mock_object bucket', bucket, 'key', key, 'update', util.inspect(update));
-            const id = new mongodb.ObjectId(obj_id);
+            const id = new mongo_utils.ObjectId(obj_id);
             console.log('create_mock_object id', id, 'obj_id', obj_id);
 
             const updateResult = await MDStore.instance().update_object_by_id(id, update);
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ mocha.describe('lifecycle', () => {
                     source_stream: readable_buffer(mp_data, split, finish),
                 });
                 console.log("upload_multipart", resp);
-                multiparts_ids.push(new mongodb.ObjectId(resp.multipart_id));
+                multiparts_ids.push(new mongo_utils.ObjectId(resp.multipart_id));
             };
             // upload the real multiparts we want to complete with
             await Promise.all(_.times(num_parts,
@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@ mocha.describe('lifecycle', () => {
             // go back in time
             const update = {
                 // eslint-disable-next-line new-cap
-                upload_started: new mongodb.ObjectId(moment().subtract(age, 'days').unix()),
+                upload_started: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(moment().subtract(age, 'days').unix()),
             };
 
             console.log('create_mock_multipart_upload bucket', bucket, 'obj_id', obj_id, 'multiparts_ids', multiparts_ids);
@@ -610,7 +610,7 @@ mocha.describe('lifecycle', () => {
                 // everything but last will be aged, 
                 // For simple Expiration rule all version should be expired 
                 if (expire_all || i < version_count - 1) {
-                    obj_upload_ids.push(new mongodb.ObjectId(obj_id));
+                    obj_upload_ids.push(new mongo_utils.ObjectId(obj_id));
                 }
             }
             // go back in time
diff --git a/src/test/integration_tests/internal/test_agent_blocks_reclaimer.js b/src/test/integration_tests/internal/test_agent_blocks_reclaimer.js
index bf314a0adc..89d9ec2106 100644
--- a/src/test/integration_tests/internal/test_agent_blocks_reclaimer.js
+++ b/src/test/integration_tests/internal/test_agent_blocks_reclaimer.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ const _ = require('lodash');
 const mocha = require('mocha');
 const assert = require('assert');
 const crypto = require('crypto');
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../../../util/mongo_utils');
 
 const P = require('../../../util/promise');
 const config = require('../../../../config');
@@ -246,13 +246,13 @@ mocha.describe('mocked agent_blocks_reclaimer', function() {
     mocha.it('should mark reclaimed on deleted nodes', async function() {
         const self = this; // eslint-disable-line no-invalid-this
         const nodes = [{
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             rpc_address: 'n2n://SlothTown',
             online: false,
             deleted: new Date()
         }];
         const blocks = [{
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             node: nodes[0]._id,
             deleted: new Date()
         }];
@@ -271,12 +271,12 @@ mocha.describe('mocked agent_blocks_reclaimer', function() {
     mocha.it('should not mark reclaimed on offline nodes', async function() {
         const self = this; // eslint-disable-line no-invalid-this
         const nodes = [{
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             rpc_address: 'n2n://SlothTown',
             online: false,
         }];
         const blocks = [{
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             node: nodes[0]._id,
             deleted: new Date(),
             fail_to_delete: true
@@ -296,14 +296,14 @@ mocha.describe('mocked agent_blocks_reclaimer', function() {
     mocha.it('should mark reclaimed on non existing nodes', async function() {
         const self = this; // eslint-disable-line no-invalid-this
         const nodes = [{
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             rpc_address: 'n2n://SlothTown',
             online: true,
         }];
         const blocks = [{
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             // Non existing node on purpose
-            node: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            node: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             deleted: new Date()
         }];
         const reclaimer_mock =
@@ -321,16 +321,16 @@ mocha.describe('mocked agent_blocks_reclaimer', function() {
     mocha.it('should not mark reclaimed on failure to delete', async function() {
         const self = this; // eslint-disable-line no-invalid-this
         const nodes = [{
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             rpc_address: 'n2n://SlothTown',
             online: true,
         }];
         const blocks = [{
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             node: nodes[0]._id,
             deleted: new Date()
         }, {
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             node: nodes[0]._id,
             deleted: new Date(),
             fail_to_delete: true
diff --git a/src/test/integration_tests/internal/test_agent_blocks_verifier.js b/src/test/integration_tests/internal/test_agent_blocks_verifier.js
index 635fdcbf45..6dceef73d1 100644
--- a/src/test/integration_tests/internal/test_agent_blocks_verifier.js
+++ b/src/test/integration_tests/internal/test_agent_blocks_verifier.js
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ const assert = require('assert');
 const AgentBlocksVerifier = require('../../../server/bg_services/agent_blocks_verifier').AgentBlocksVerifier;
 const db_client = require('../../../util/db_client');
 const schema_utils = require('../../../util/schema_utils');
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../../../util/mongo_utils');
 const config = require('../../../../config');
 const { ChunkDB, BlockDB } = require('../../../server/object_services/map_db_types');
 
@@ -121,15 +121,15 @@ class VerifierMock extends AgentBlocksVerifier {
 
 
 mocha.describe('mocked agent_blocks_verifier', function() {
-    const tier_id = new mongodb.ObjectId();
-    const bucket_id = new mongodb.ObjectId();
-    const system_id = new mongodb.ObjectId();
+    const tier_id = new mongo_utils.ObjectId();
+    const bucket_id = new mongo_utils.ObjectId();
+    const system_id = new mongo_utils.ObjectId();
 
     mocha.it('should verify blocks on nodes', async function() {
         const self = this; // eslint-disable-line no-invalid-this
         const nodes = [make_node('bla2', false)];
         const chunk_coder_configs = [{
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             chunk_coder_config: {
                 frag_digest_type: 'sloth_type'
             }
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ mocha.describe('mocked agent_blocks_verifier', function() {
         const self = this; // eslint-disable-line no-invalid-this
         const nodes = [make_node('bla1', true)];
         const chunk_coder_configs = [{
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             chunk_coder_config: {
                 frag_digest_type: 'sloth_type'
             }
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ mocha.describe('mocked agent_blocks_verifier', function() {
         const self = this; // eslint-disable-line no-invalid-this
         // const nodes = [make_node('node1')];
         const chunk_coder_configs = [{
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             system: system_id,
             chunk_coder_config: {
                 frag_digest_type: 'sloth_type'
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ mocha.describe('mocked agent_blocks_verifier', function() {
         }];
         const chunks = [make_schema_chunk(chunk_coder_configs[0]._id, [make_schema_frag()])];
         const pools = [make_schema_pool('pool1')];
-        const blocks = [make_schema_block(chunks[0].frags[0]._id, chunks[0]._id, new mongodb.ObjectId(), pools[0]._id)];
+        const blocks = [make_schema_block(chunks[0].frags[0]._id, chunks[0]._id, new mongo_utils.ObjectId(), pools[0]._id)];
 
         const verifier_mock = new VerifierMock(blocks, [], chunks, pools);
         try {
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ mocha.describe('mocked agent_blocks_verifier', function() {
      */
     function make_schema_block(frag_id, chunk_id, node_id, pool_id) {
         return {
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             node: node_id,
             frag: frag_id,
             chunk: chunk_id,
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ mocha.describe('mocked agent_blocks_verifier', function() {
      */
     function make_schema_frag() {
         return {
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             digest: Buffer.from('bla')
         };
     }
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ mocha.describe('mocked agent_blocks_verifier', function() {
      */
     function make_schema_chunk(cc_id, frags) {
         return {
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             system: system_id,
             bucket: bucket_id,
             tier: tier_id,
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ mocha.describe('mocked agent_blocks_verifier', function() {
      */
     function make_node(node_name, offline) {
         return {
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             name: node_name,
             pool: 'pool1',
             node_type: 'BLOCK_STORE_FS',
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ mocha.describe('mocked agent_blocks_verifier', function() {
      */
     function make_schema_pool(name) {
         return {
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             name: name,
             system: undefined,
             resource_type: 'HOSTS',
diff --git a/src/test/integration_tests/internal/test_map_reader.js b/src/test/integration_tests/internal/test_map_reader.js
index cdef8ac62d..b0b0df7251 100644
--- a/src/test/integration_tests/internal/test_map_reader.js
+++ b/src/test/integration_tests/internal/test_map_reader.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ coretest.setup({ pools_to_create: [coretest.POOL_LIST[0]] });
 // const util = require('util');
 const mocha = require('mocha');
 // const assert = require('assert');
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../../../util/mongo_utils');
 
 // const P = require('../../util/promise');
 // const MDStore = require('../../server/object_services/md_store').MDStore;
@@ -40,14 +40,14 @@ coretest.describe_mapper_test_case({
     // TODO test_map_reader
 
     mocha.it('read_object_mapping', function() {
-        const obj = { size: 100, _id: new mongodb.ObjectId() };
+        const obj = { size: 100, _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId() };
         const start = 0;
         const end = 100;
         return map_reader.read_object_mapping(obj, start, end);
     });
 
     mocha.it('read_object_mapping_admin', function() {
-        const obj = { size: 100, _id: new mongodb.ObjectId() };
+        const obj = { size: 100, _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId() };
         const skip = 0;
         const limit = 100;
         return map_reader.read_object_mapping_admin(obj, skip, limit);
diff --git a/src/test/unit_tests/db/test_schema_keywords.js b/src/test/unit_tests/db/test_schema_keywords.js
index 2c546fad34..50e7c48b0a 100644
--- a/src/test/unit_tests/db/test_schema_keywords.js
+++ b/src/test/unit_tests/db/test_schema_keywords.js
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ const mocha = require('mocha');
 const { default: Ajv } = require('ajv');
 const schema_keywords = require('../../../util/schema_keywords');
 const SensitiveString = require('../../../util/sensitive_string');
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../../../util/mongo_utils');
 const assert = require('assert');
 
 /**
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ mocha.describe('Test Schema Keywords', function() {
 
     mocha.it('Test keyword objectid', async function() {
         const validator = ajv.getSchema('test_schema_keywords#/methods/params');
-        const should_pass = { key3: new mongodb.ObjectId() };
+        const should_pass = { key3: new mongo_utils.ObjectId() };
         assert.strictEqual(validator(should_pass), true);
         const should_fail = { key3: 'not_an_objectid' };
         assert.strictEqual(validator(should_fail), false);
diff --git a/src/test/unit_tests/internal/test_mapper.js b/src/test/unit_tests/internal/test_mapper.js
index 633928ee03..927b9d3dce 100644
--- a/src/test/unit_tests/internal/test_mapper.js
+++ b/src/test/unit_tests/internal/test_mapper.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const _ = require('lodash');
 const util = require('util');
 const mocha = require('mocha');
 const assert = require('assert');
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../../../util/mongo_utils');
 
 const config = require('../../../../config.js');
 const mapper = require('../../../server/object_services/mapper');
@@ -32,45 +32,45 @@ coretest.describe_mapper_test_case({
 }) => {
 
     const frags = _.concat(
-        _.times(data_frags, data_index => ({ _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(), data_index })),
-        _.times(parity_frags, parity_index => ({ _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(), parity_index }))
+        _.times(data_frags, data_index => ({ _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(), data_index })),
+        _.times(parity_frags, parity_index => ({ _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(), parity_index }))
     );
-    const first_pools = _.times(num_pools, i => ({ _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(), name: 'first_pool' + i, }));
-    const second_pools = _.times(num_pools, i => ({ _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(), name: 'second_pool' + i, }));
-    const external_pools = _.times(num_pools, i => ({ _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(), name: 'external_pool' + i, }));
+    const first_pools = _.times(num_pools, i => ({ _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(), name: 'first_pool' + i, }));
+    const second_pools = _.times(num_pools, i => ({ _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(), name: 'second_pool' + i, }));
+    const external_pools = _.times(num_pools, i => ({ _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(), name: 'external_pool' + i, }));
     const pool_by_id = _.keyBy(_.concat(first_pools, second_pools, external_pools), '_id');
     const first_mirrors = data_placement === 'MIRROR' ?
         first_pools.map(pool => ({
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             spread_pools: [pool]
         })) : [{
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             spread_pools: first_pools
         }];
     const second_mirrors = data_placement === 'MIRROR' ?
         second_pools.map(pool => ({
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             spread_pools: [pool]
         })) : [{
-            _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+            _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
             spread_pools: second_pools
         }];
     const first_tier = {
-        _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+        _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
         name: 'first_tier',
         data_placement,
         mirrors: first_mirrors,
         chunk_config: { chunk_coder_config },
     };
     const second_tier = {
-        _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+        _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
         name: 'second_tier',
         data_placement,
         mirrors: second_mirrors,
         chunk_config: { chunk_coder_config },
     };
     const tiering = {
-        _id: new mongodb.ObjectId(),
+        _id: new mongo_utils.ObjectId(),
         name: 'tiering_policy',
         tiers: [{
             order: 0,
@@ -653,7 +653,7 @@ coretest.describe_mapper_test_case({
         const pool = params.pool || pools_to_use[pool_i];
         const pool_name = pool.name;
 
-        const _id = new mongodb.ObjectID();
+        const _id = new mongo_utils.ObjectId();
         const _id_str = _id.toString();
 
         return {
diff --git a/src/test/unit_tests/internal/test_mirror_writer.js b/src/test/unit_tests/internal/test_mirror_writer.js
index 453c5cc164..6bf159d410 100644
--- a/src/test/unit_tests/internal/test_mirror_writer.js
+++ b/src/test/unit_tests/internal/test_mirror_writer.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ const mocha = require('mocha');
 const assert = require('assert');
 const sinon = require('sinon');
 const _ = require('lodash');
-const { ObjectId } = require('mongodb');
+const { ObjectId } = require('../../../util/mongo_utils');
 
 const { MirrorWriter } = require('../../../server/bg_services/mirror_writer');
 const config = require('../../../../config');
diff --git a/src/test/unit_tests/util_functions_tests/signature_test_suite/awscli/awscli_iwgdisgt.sreq b/src/test/unit_tests/util_functions_tests/signature_test_suite/awscli/awscli_iwgdisgt.sreq
index 346b2f4e35..bedc86e019 100644
--- a/src/test/unit_tests/util_functions_tests/signature_test_suite/awscli/awscli_iwgdisgt.sreq
+++ b/src/test/unit_tests/util_functions_tests/signature_test_suite/awscli/awscli_iwgdisgt.sreq
@@ -1,19 +1,19 @@
-PUT /files/util/mongo_utils.js HTTP/1.1
-Host: 127.0.0.1
-Accept-Encoding: identity
-Content-Length: 5865
-Content-MD5: lUCXsCayypL6JVFjbf9kAg==
-Expect: 100-continue
-Date: Thu, 08 Dec 2016 13:02:39 GMT
-User-Agent: aws-cli/1.11.26 Python/2.7.10 Darwin/16.1.0 botocore/1.4.83
-Content-Type: application/javascript
-Authorization: AWS 123:Zy/+Do9VcaCZcfdno7lXzjw6qHM=
-
+PUT /files/util/mongo_utils.js HTTP/1.1
+Host: 127.0.0.1
+Accept-Encoding: identity
+Content-Length: 5887
+Content-MD5: r1I35pZpZXxuljKcjcoZyw==
+Expect: 100-continue
+Date: Thu, 08 Dec 2016 13:02:39 GMT
+User-Agent: aws-cli/1.11.26 Python/2.7.10 Darwin/16.1.0 botocore/1.4.83
+Content-Type: application/javascript
+Authorization: AWS 123:WW4i8kUV00kNk2QRoBXPxn6tGi4=
+
 'use strict';
 
 const _ = require('lodash');
 const util = require('util');
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('./mongo_utils');
 const mongoose = require('mongoose');
 
 const P = require('./promise');
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ function populate(docs, doc_path, collection, fields) {
 
 function resolve_object_ids_recursive(idmap, item) {
     _.each(item, (val, key) => {
-        if (val instanceof mongodb.ObjectId) {
+        if (val instanceof mongo_utils.ObjectId) {
             if (key !== '_id') {
                 const obj = idmap[val];
                 if (obj) {
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ function resolve_object_ids_paths(idmap, item, paths, allow_missing) {
 }
 
 function make_object_id(id_str) {
-    return new mongodb.ObjectId(id_str);
+    return new mongo_utils.ObjectId(id_str);
 }
 
 function fix_id_type(doc) {
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ function fix_id_type(doc) {
 // so we have to check both for now,
 // until we can get rid of mongoose completely.
 function is_object_id(id) {
-    return (id instanceof mongodb.ObjectId) ||
+    return (id instanceof mongo_utils.ObjectId) ||
         (id instanceof mongoose.Types.ObjectId);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/tools/md_blow_lifecycle.js b/src/tools/md_blow_lifecycle.js
index 5c2438b95f..1c57f5d94a 100644
--- a/src/tools/md_blow_lifecycle.js
+++ b/src/tools/md_blow_lifecycle.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 const _ = require('lodash');
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('../util/mongo_utils');
 const argvParse = require('minimist');
 const P = require('../util/promise');
 const api = require('../api');
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ async function blow_version_objects() {
         const { obj_id } = await client.object.create_object_upload({ bucket: argv.bucket, key: argv.version_key, content_type });
         await client.object.complete_object_upload({ obj_id, bucket: argv.bucket, key: argv.version_key });
         if (i < argv.version_count - 2) {
-            obj_upload_ids.push(new mongodb.ObjectId(obj_id));
+            obj_upload_ids.push(new mongo_utils.ObjectId(obj_id));
         }
     }
 
@@ -199,7 +199,8 @@ async function blow_multipart_object(index) {
             create_time,
         };
         console.log('create_mock_multipart_upload bucket', argv.bucket, 'obj_id', params.obj_id, 'multiparts_ids', complete_params.multipart_id);
-        const update_result = await MDStore.instance().update_multipart_by_id(new mongodb.ObjectId(complete_params.multipart_id), update);
+        const update_result = await MDStore.instance().update_multipart_by_id(
+            new mongo_utils.ObjectId(complete_params.multipart_id), update);
         console.log('update_multiparts_by_ids', update_result);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/util/db_client.js b/src/util/db_client.js
index 78bcee9d5e..ada33d124a 100644
--- a/src/util/db_client.js
+++ b/src/util/db_client.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 /** @typedef {typeof import('../sdk/nb')} nb */
 'use strict';
 
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('./mongo_utils');
 const { EventEmitter } = require('events');
 
 const dbg = require('./debug_module')(__filename);
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ class NoneDBClient extends EventEmitter {
     async populate(docs, doc_path, collection, fields) { return this.noop(); }
     resolve_object_ids_recursive(idmap, item) { return this.noop(); }
     resolve_object_ids_paths(idmap, item, paths, allow_missing) { return this.noop(); }
-    new_object_id() { return new mongodb.ObjectId(); }
-    parse_object_id(id_str) { return new mongodb.ObjectId(String(id_str || undefined)); }
+    new_object_id() { return new mongo_utils.ObjectId(); }
+    parse_object_id(id_str) { return new mongo_utils.ObjectId(String(id_str || undefined)); }
     fix_id_type(doc) { return doc; }
     is_object_id(id) { return false; }
     is_err_duplicate_key(err) { return false; }
diff --git a/src/util/mongo_client.js b/src/util/mongo_client.js
index 260d1506ad..d0acc5859b 100644
--- a/src/util/mongo_client.js
+++ b/src/util/mongo_client.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ const fs = require('fs');
 const { default: Ajv } = require('ajv');
 const util = require('util');
 const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('./mongo_utils');
 const EventEmitter = require('events').EventEmitter;
 
 const P = require('./promise');
@@ -259,7 +260,7 @@ class MongoClient extends EventEmitter {
 
     resolve_object_ids_recursive(idmap, item) {
         _.each(item, (val, key) => {
-            if (val instanceof mongodb.ObjectId) {
+            if (val instanceof mongo_utils.ObjectId) {
                 if (key !== '_id') {
                     const obj = idmap[val.toHexString()];
                     if (obj) {
@@ -298,7 +299,7 @@ class MongoClient extends EventEmitter {
      * @returns {nb.ID}
      */
     new_object_id() {
-        return new mongodb.ObjectId();
+        return new mongo_utils.ObjectId();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -307,20 +308,20 @@ class MongoClient extends EventEmitter {
      */
     parse_object_id(id_str) {
         if (!id_str) throw new TypeError('parse_object_id: arg required ' + id_str);
-        return new mongodb.ObjectId(String(id_str));
+        return new mongo_utils.ObjectId(id_str);
     }
 
     fix_id_type(doc) {
         if (_.isArray(doc)) {
             _.each(doc, d => this.fix_id_type(d));
         } else if (doc && doc._id) {
-            doc._id = new mongodb.ObjectId(doc._id);
+            doc._id = new mongo_utils.ObjectId(doc._id);
         }
         return doc;
     }
 
     is_object_id(id) {
-        return (id instanceof mongodb.ObjectId);
+        return (id instanceof mongo_utils.ObjectId) || mongo_utils.is_object_id(id);
     }
 
     is_err_duplicate_key(err) {
diff --git a/src/util/mongo_utils.js b/src/util/mongo_utils.js
index 440abfb257..6e9af151d2 100644
--- a/src/util/mongo_utils.js
+++ b/src/util/mongo_utils.js
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 // const _ = require('lodash');
 // const util = require('util');
-const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+// const mongodb = require('mongodb');
 
 // const { RpcError } = require('../rpc');
 
@@ -158,10 +158,34 @@ const mongodb = require('mongodb');
 //     return doc;
 // }
 
-function is_object_id(id) {
-    return (id instanceof mongodb.ObjectId);
+function is_object_id(id, generate = false) {
+    const err_msg = 'Argument passed must be a string of 24 hex characters';
+
+    if (id === null || id === undefined) {
+        return generate ? mongoObjectId() : false;
+    }
+
+    if (typeof id === 'number' && Number.isInteger(id) && id > 0) {
+        if (!generate) return true;
+        return id.toString(16).padStart(8, '0') + mongoObjectId().substring(8);
+    }
+
+    let hex_string = null;
+    if (typeof id === 'string') {
+        hex_string = id;
+    } else if (id._id && typeof id._id === 'string') {
+        hex_string = id._id;
+    }
+
+    if (hex_string && (/^[0-9a-f]{24}$/i).test(hex_string)) {
+        return generate ? hex_string.toLowerCase() : true;
+    }
+
+    if (generate) throw new Error(err_msg);
+    return false;
 }
 
+
 function mongoObjectId() {
     // eslint-disable-next-line no-bitwise
     const timestamp = (new Date().getTime() / 1000 | 0).toString(16);
@@ -230,6 +254,41 @@ function mongoObjectId() {
 //     return client.db().command({ dbStats: 1 });
 // }
 
+/**
+ * MongoDB ObjectId compatibility class
+ * behaves like mongodb.ObjectId with minimal validations
+ */
+class ObjectID {
+    constructor(id_str) {
+        this._id = is_object_id(id_str, true);
+    }
+
+    toString() {
+        return this._id;
+    }
+
+    toHexString() {
+        return this._id;
+    }
+
+    valueOf() {
+        return this._id;
+    }
+
+    toJSON() {
+        return this._id;
+    }
+
+    getTimestamp() {
+        const timestamp = parseInt(this._id.substring(0, 8), 16);
+        return new Date(timestamp * 1000);
+    }
+
+    static isValid(id) {
+        return is_object_id(id);
+    }
+}
+
 // // EXPORTS
 // exports.mongo_operators = mongo_operators;
 // exports.obj_ids_difference = obj_ids_difference;
@@ -249,4 +308,5 @@ exports.is_object_id = is_object_id;
 // exports.check_update_one = check_update_one;
 // exports.make_object_diff = make_object_diff;
 // exports.get_db_stats = get_db_stats;
+exports.ObjectId = ObjectID;
 exports.mongoObjectId = mongoObjectId;
diff --git a/src/util/postgres_client.js b/src/util/postgres_client.js
index 16ffa0359a..512e980295 100644
--- a/src/util/postgres_client.js
+++ b/src/util/postgres_client.js
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ const common_api = require('../api/common_api');
 const schema_utils = require('./schema_utils');
 const schema_keywords = require('./schema_keywords');
 const mongodb = require('mongodb');
+const mongo_utils = require('./mongo_utils');
 const mongo_to_pg = require('mongo-query-to-postgres-jsonb');
 const fs = require('fs');
 // TODO: Shouldn't be like that, we shouldn't use MongoDB functions to compare
@@ -55,7 +56,13 @@ function decode_json(schema, val) {
         return val;
     }
     if (schema.objectid === true) {
-        return new mongodb.ObjectId(val);
+        if (typeof val === 'string') {
+            return new mongo_utils.ObjectId(val);
+        } else if (val instanceof mongo_utils.ObjectId) {
+            return val;
+        } else {
+            return new mongo_utils.ObjectId(String(val));
+        }
     }
     if (schema.date === true) {
         return new Date(val);
@@ -98,7 +105,7 @@ function encode_json(schema, val) {
     const ops = handle_ops_encoding(schema, val);
     if (ops) return ops;
 
-    if (schema.objectid === true && val instanceof mongodb.ObjectID) {
+    if (schema.objectid === true && val instanceof mongo_utils.ObjectId) {
         return val.toString();
     }
 
@@ -1219,7 +1226,7 @@ class PostgresTable {
                 const new_row = {};
                 for (const key of Object.keys(row)) {
                     if (key === '_id') {
-                        new_row._id = new mongodb.ObjectID(row[key]);
+                        new_row._id = new mongo_utils.ObjectId(row[key]);
                     } else {
                         new_row[key] = parseInt(row[key], 10);
                     }
@@ -1658,7 +1665,7 @@ class PostgresClient extends EventEmitter {
     }
 
     generate_id() {
-        return new mongodb.ObjectId();
+        return new mongo_utils.ObjectId();
     }
 
     collection(name) {
@@ -1829,7 +1836,7 @@ class PostgresClient extends EventEmitter {
 
     resolve_object_ids_recursive(idmap, item) {
         _.each(item, (val, key) => {
-            if (val instanceof mongodb.ObjectId) {
+            if (val instanceof mongo_utils.ObjectId) {
                 if (key !== '_id') {
                     const obj = idmap[val.toHexString()];
                     if (obj) {
@@ -1868,7 +1875,7 @@ class PostgresClient extends EventEmitter {
      * @returns {nb.ID}
      */
     new_object_id() {
-        return new mongodb.ObjectId();
+        return new mongo_utils.ObjectId();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -1876,20 +1883,20 @@ class PostgresClient extends EventEmitter {
      * @returns {nb.ID}
      */
     parse_object_id(id_str) {
-        return new mongodb.ObjectId(String(id_str || undefined));
+        return new mongo_utils.ObjectId(id_str);
     }
 
     fix_id_type(doc) {
         if (_.isArray(doc)) {
             _.each(doc, d => this.fix_id_type(d));
         } else if (doc && doc._id) {
-            doc._id = new mongodb.ObjectId(doc._id);
+            doc._id = new mongo_utils.ObjectId(doc._id);
         }
         return doc;
     }
 
     is_object_id(id) {
-        return (id instanceof mongodb.ObjectId);
+        return (id instanceof mongo_utils.ObjectId) || mongo_utils.is_object_id(id);
     }
 
     // TODO: Figure out error codes
diff --git a/src/util/schema_keywords.js b/src/util/schema_keywords.js
index 1deb1de3c0..24c0f59bcc 100644
--- a/src/util/schema_keywords.js
+++ b/src/util/schema_keywords.js
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ const KEYWORDS = js_utils.deep_freeze({
         }
     },
 
-    // schema: { objectid: true } will match (new mongodb.ObjectId()) or (new mongodb.ObjectId()).valueOf()
+    // schema: { objectid: true } will match (new mongo_utils.ObjectId()) or (new mongo_utils.ObjectId()).valueOf()
     objectid: {
         keyword: 'objectid',
         // schemaType: 'boolean',