fixed test regressions
moved function to util.py to minimize merge conflicts
Revert "Fix 428e9dad72e79ae8c396f6b50cd0b3f13b0f202d."

This reverts commit 854a2bf68925c4f86c249fd60c81056ef99a22cc.
Revert "Update docstrings following removal of _syncComputerPartition()."

This reverts commit 3b7705a5358ab950e4f2c7334c5d828c3ad408e8.
Revert "No need for 'else' clause."

This reverts commit 151637036319630ca583e48f94e8f29c37d2d588.

Conflicts:
	slapos/slap/slap.py
Revert "Factor request methods."

This reverts commit 14a638108c1a2a4d8b76807e8577ba6fe782d5ab.

Conflicts:
	slapos/slap/slap.py