diff --git a/coordinator/config.lua b/coordinator/config.lua
index 8e12c53..3196e80 100644
--- a/coordinator/config.lua
+++ b/coordinator/config.lua
@@ -28,5 +28,7 @@ config.LOG_PATH = "/log.txt"
 --  0 = APPEND (adds to existing file on start)
 --  1 = NEW (replaces existing file on start)
 config.LOG_MODE = 0
+-- true to log verbose debug messages
+config.LOG_DEBUG = false
 
 return config
diff --git a/coordinator/startup.lua b/coordinator/startup.lua
index d9d5160..2944c14 100644
--- a/coordinator/startup.lua
+++ b/coordinator/startup.lua
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ cfv.assert_type_num(config.SOUNDER_VOLUME)
 cfv.assert_type_bool(config.TIME_24_HOUR)
 cfv.assert_type_str(config.LOG_PATH)
 cfv.assert_type_int(config.LOG_MODE)
+cfv.assert_type_bool(config.LOG_DEBUG)
 
 assert(cfv.valid(), "bad config file: missing/invalid fields")
 
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ assert(cfv.valid(), "bad config file: missing/invalid fields")
 -- log init
 ----------------------------------------
 
-log.init(config.LOG_PATH, config.LOG_MODE)
+log.init(config.LOG_PATH, config.LOG_MODE, config.LOG_DEBUG)
 
 log.info("========================================")
 log.info("BOOTING coordinator.startup " .. COORDINATOR_VERSION)
diff --git a/pocket/config.lua b/pocket/config.lua
index cacd9f1..27e1489 100644
--- a/pocket/config.lua
+++ b/pocket/config.lua
@@ -17,5 +17,7 @@ config.LOG_PATH = "/log.txt"
 --  0 = APPEND (adds to existing file on start)
 --  1 = NEW (replaces existing file on start)
 config.LOG_MODE = 0
+-- true to log verbose debug messages
+config.LOG_DEBUG = false
 
 return config
diff --git a/pocket/startup.lua b/pocket/startup.lua
index 42752a8..9ed088c 100644
--- a/pocket/startup.lua
+++ b/pocket/startup.lua
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ cfv.assert_type_num(config.COMMS_TIMEOUT)
 cfv.assert_min(config.COMMS_TIMEOUT, 2)
 cfv.assert_type_str(config.LOG_PATH)
 cfv.assert_type_int(config.LOG_MODE)
+cfv.assert_type_bool(config.LOG_DEBUG)
 
 assert(cfv.valid(), "bad config file: missing/invalid fields")
 
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ assert(cfv.valid(), "bad config file: missing/invalid fields")
 -- log init
 ----------------------------------------
 
-log.init(config.LOG_PATH, config.LOG_MODE)
+log.init(config.LOG_PATH, config.LOG_MODE, config.LOG_DEBUG)
 
 log.info("========================================")
 log.info("BOOTING pocket.startup " .. POCKET_VERSION)
diff --git a/reactor-plc/config.lua b/reactor-plc/config.lua
index e479ede..e402bbb 100644
--- a/reactor-plc/config.lua
+++ b/reactor-plc/config.lua
@@ -24,5 +24,7 @@ config.LOG_PATH = "/log.txt"
 --  0 = APPEND (adds to existing file on start)
 --  1 = NEW (replaces existing file on start)
 config.LOG_MODE = 0
+-- true to log verbose debug messages
+config.LOG_DEBUG = false
 
 return config
diff --git a/reactor-plc/startup.lua b/reactor-plc/startup.lua
index afe733f..183fbf3 100644
--- a/reactor-plc/startup.lua
+++ b/reactor-plc/startup.lua
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ cfv.assert_type_num(config.COMMS_TIMEOUT)
 cfv.assert_min(config.COMMS_TIMEOUT, 2)
 cfv.assert_type_str(config.LOG_PATH)
 cfv.assert_type_int(config.LOG_MODE)
+cfv.assert_type_bool(config.LOG_DEBUG)
 
 assert(cfv.valid(), "bad config file: missing/invalid fields")
 
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ end
 -- log init
 ----------------------------------------
 
-log.init(config.LOG_PATH, config.LOG_MODE)
+log.init(config.LOG_PATH, config.LOG_MODE, config.LOG_DEBUG)
 
 log.info("========================================")
 log.info("BOOTING reactor-plc.startup " .. R_PLC_VERSION)
diff --git a/rtu/config.lua b/rtu/config.lua
index 96b26ee..1b96bec 100644
--- a/rtu/config.lua
+++ b/rtu/config.lua
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ config.LOG_PATH = "/log.txt"
 --  0 = APPEND (adds to existing file on start)
 --  1 = NEW (replaces existing file on start)
 config.LOG_MODE = 0
+-- true to log verbose debug messages
+config.LOG_DEBUG = false
 
 -- RTU peripheral devices (named: side/network device name)
 config.RTU_DEVICES = {
diff --git a/rtu/startup.lua b/rtu/startup.lua
index 8612d72..0693f9f 100644
--- a/rtu/startup.lua
+++ b/rtu/startup.lua
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ cfv.assert_type_num(config.COMMS_TIMEOUT)
 cfv.assert_min(config.COMMS_TIMEOUT, 2)
 cfv.assert_type_str(config.LOG_PATH)
 cfv.assert_type_int(config.LOG_MODE)
+cfv.assert_type_bool(config.LOG_DEBUG)
 cfv.assert_type_table(config.RTU_DEVICES)
 cfv.assert_type_table(config.RTU_REDSTONE)
 assert(cfv.valid(), "bad config file: missing/invalid fields")
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ assert(cfv.valid(), "bad config file: missing/invalid fields")
 -- log init
 ----------------------------------------
 
-log.init(config.LOG_PATH, config.LOG_MODE)
+log.init(config.LOG_PATH, config.LOG_MODE, config.LOG_DEBUG)
 
 log.info("========================================")
 log.info("BOOTING rtu.startup " .. RTU_VERSION)
diff --git a/scada-common/log.lua b/scada-common/log.lua
index 40baef2..7e2d3fd 100644
--- a/scada-common/log.lua
+++ b/scada-common/log.lua
@@ -15,12 +15,10 @@ local MODE = {
 
 log.MODE = MODE
 
--- whether to log debug messages or not
-local LOG_DEBUG = true
-
-local log_sys = {
+local logger = {
     path = "/log.txt",
     mode = MODE.APPEND,
+    debug = false,
     file = nil,
     dmesg_out = nil
 }
@@ -41,8 +39,8 @@ local function _log(msg)
 
     -- attempt to write log
     local status, result = pcall(function ()
-        log_sys.file.writeLine(stamped)
-        log_sys.file.flush()
+        logger.file.writeLine(stamped)
+        logger.file.flush()
     end)
 
     -- if we don't have space, we need to create a new log file
@@ -57,18 +55,18 @@ local function _log(msg)
         end
     end
 
-    if out_of_space or (free_space(log_sys.path) < 100) then
+    if out_of_space or (free_space(logger.path) < 100) then
         -- delete the old log file before opening a new one
-        log_sys.file.close()
-        fs.delete(log_sys.path)
+        logger.file.close()
+        fs.delete(logger.path)
 
         -- re-init logger and pass dmesg_out so that it doesn't change
-        log.init(log_sys.path, log_sys.mode, log_sys.dmesg_out)
+        log.init(logger.path, logger.mode, logger.debug, logger.dmesg_out)
 
         -- leave a message
-        log_sys.file.writeLine(time_stamp .. "recycled log file")
-        log_sys.file.writeLine(stamped)
-        log_sys.file.flush()
+        logger.file.writeLine(time_stamp .. "recycled log file")
+        logger.file.writeLine(stamped)
+        logger.file.flush()
     end
 end
 
@@ -78,33 +76,35 @@ end
 
 -- initialize logger
 ---@param path string file path
----@param write_mode MODE
+---@param write_mode MODE file write mode
+---@param include_debug boolean whether or not to include debug logs
 ---@param dmesg_redirect? table terminal/window to direct dmesg to
-function log.init(path, write_mode, dmesg_redirect)
-    log_sys.path = path
-    log_sys.mode = write_mode
+function log.init(path, write_mode, include_debug, dmesg_redirect)
+    logger.path = path
+    logger.mode = write_mode
+    logger.debug = include_debug
 
-    if log_sys.mode == MODE.APPEND then
-        log_sys.file = fs.open(path, "a")
+    if logger.mode == MODE.APPEND then
+        logger.file = fs.open(path, "a")
     else
-        log_sys.file = fs.open(path, "w")
+        logger.file = fs.open(path, "w")
     end
 
     if dmesg_redirect then
-        log_sys.dmesg_out = dmesg_redirect
+        logger.dmesg_out = dmesg_redirect
     else
-        log_sys.dmesg_out = term.current()
+        logger.dmesg_out = term.current()
     end
 end
 
 -- close the log file handle
 function log.close()
-    log_sys.file.close()
+    logger.file.close()
 end
 
 -- direct dmesg output to a monitor/window
 ---@param window table window or terminal reference
-function log.direct_dmesg(window) log_sys.dmesg_out = window end
+function log.direct_dmesg(window) logger.dmesg_out = window end
 
 -- dmesg style logging for boot because I like linux-y things
 ---@param msg string message
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ function log.dmesg(msg, tag, tag_color)
     tag = util.strval(tag)
 
     local t_stamp = string.format("%12.2f", os.clock())
-    local out = log_sys.dmesg_out
+    local out = logger.dmesg_out
 
     if out ~= nil then
         local out_w, out_h = out.getSize()
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ end
 function log.dmesg_working(msg, tag, tag_color)
     local ts_coord = log.dmesg(msg, tag, tag_color)
 
-    local out = log_sys.dmesg_out
+    local out = logger.dmesg_out
     local width = (ts_coord.x2 - ts_coord.x1) + 1
 
     if out ~= nil then
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ end
 ---@param msg string message
 ---@param trace? boolean include file trace
 function log.debug(msg, trace)
-    if LOG_DEBUG then
+    if logger.debug then
         local dbg_info = ""
 
         if trace then
diff --git a/supervisor/config.lua b/supervisor/config.lua
index 0aa26d8..b716d38 100644
--- a/supervisor/config.lua
+++ b/supervisor/config.lua
@@ -28,5 +28,7 @@ config.LOG_PATH = "/log.txt"
 --  0 = APPEND (adds to existing file on start)
 --  1 = NEW (replaces existing file on start)
 config.LOG_MODE = 0
+-- true to log verbose debug messages
+config.LOG_DEBUG = false
 
 return config
diff --git a/supervisor/session/rtu.lua b/supervisor/session/rtu.lua
index 96309a0..13460f6 100644
--- a/supervisor/session/rtu.lua
+++ b/supervisor/session/rtu.lua
@@ -118,26 +118,31 @@ function rtu.new_session(id, in_queue, out_queue, timeout, advertisement, facili
                 if unit_advert.reactor > 0 then
                     local target_unit = self.fac_units[unit_advert.reactor] ---@type reactor_unit
 
+                    -- unit RTUs
                     if u_type == RTU_UNIT_TYPE.REDSTONE then
                         -- redstone
                         unit = svrs_redstone.new(id, i, unit_advert, self.modbus_q)
                         if type(unit) ~= "nil" then target_unit.add_redstone(unit) end
                     elseif u_type == RTU_UNIT_TYPE.BOILER_VALVE then
-                        -- boiler (Mekanism 10.1+)
+                        -- boiler
                         unit = svrs_boilerv.new(id, i, unit_advert, self.modbus_q)
                         if type(unit) ~= "nil" then target_unit.add_boiler(unit) end
                     elseif u_type == RTU_UNIT_TYPE.TURBINE_VALVE then
-                        -- turbine (Mekanism 10.1+)
+                        -- turbine
                         unit = svrs_turbinev.new(id, i, unit_advert, self.modbus_q)
                         if type(unit) ~= "nil" then target_unit.add_turbine(unit) end
                     elseif u_type == RTU_UNIT_TYPE.ENV_DETECTOR then
                         -- environment detector
                         unit = svrs_envd.new(id, i, unit_advert, self.modbus_q)
                         if type(unit) ~= "nil" then target_unit.add_envd(unit) end
+                    elseif u_type == RTU_UNIT_TYPE.VIRTUAL then
+                        -- skip virtual units
+                        log.debug(util.c(log_header, "skipping virtual RTU unit #", i))
                     else
                         log.error(util.c(log_header, "bad advertisement: encountered unsupported reactor-specific RTU type ", type_string))
                     end
                 else
+                    -- facility RTUs
                     if u_type == RTU_UNIT_TYPE.REDSTONE then
                         -- redstone
                         unit = svrs_redstone.new(id, i, unit_advert, self.modbus_q)
@@ -156,6 +161,9 @@ function rtu.new_session(id, in_queue, out_queue, timeout, advertisement, facili
                         -- environment detector
                         unit = svrs_envd.new(id, i, unit_advert, self.modbus_q)
                         if type(unit) ~= "nil" then facility.add_envd(unit) end
+                    elseif u_type == RTU_UNIT_TYPE.VIRTUAL then
+                        -- skip virtual units
+                        log.debug(util.c(log_header, "skipping virtual RTU unit #", i))
                     else
                         log.error(util.c(log_header, "bad advertisement: encountered unsupported reactor-independent RTU type ", type_string))
                     end
@@ -164,7 +172,7 @@ function rtu.new_session(id, in_queue, out_queue, timeout, advertisement, facili
 
             if unit ~= nil then
                 table.insert(self.units, unit)
-            else
+            elseif u_type ~= RTU_UNIT_TYPE.VIRTUAL then
                 _reset_config()
                 log.error(util.c(log_header, "bad advertisement: error occured while creating a unit (type is ", type_string, ")"))
                 break
diff --git a/supervisor/startup.lua b/supervisor/startup.lua
index f14236e..2e16777 100644
--- a/supervisor/startup.lua
+++ b/supervisor/startup.lua
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ local supervisor = require("supervisor.supervisor")
 
 local svsessions = require("supervisor.session.svsessions")
 
-local SUPERVISOR_VERSION = "v0.15.6"
+local SUPERVISOR_VERSION = "v0.15.7"
 
 local println = util.println
 local println_ts = util.println_ts
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ cfv.assert_type_int(config.NUM_REACTORS)
 cfv.assert_type_table(config.REACTOR_COOLING)
 cfv.assert_type_str(config.LOG_PATH)
 cfv.assert_type_int(config.LOG_MODE)
+cfv.assert_type_bool(config.LOG_DEBUG)
 
 assert(cfv.valid(), "bad config file: missing/invalid fields")
 
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ end
 -- log init
 ----------------------------------------
 
-log.init(config.LOG_PATH, config.LOG_MODE)
+log.init(config.LOG_PATH, config.LOG_MODE, config.LOG_DEBUG)
 
 log.info("========================================")
 log.info("BOOTING supervisor.startup " .. SUPERVISOR_VERSION)