diff --git a/src/util.py b/src/util.py
--- a/src/util.py
+++ b/src/util.py
@@ -33,6 +33,12 @@ def spawnDaemon(fun):
 	os._exit(os.EX_OK)
 
 
+def splitHost(host,defaultPort=0):
+	address,_,port=host.partition(":")
+	if not port: port=defaultPort
+	return (address,port)
+
+
 class Progress:
 	def __init__(self,n,i0=0):
 		self._n=n