diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 2e48ec4..9bd1841 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 AC_PREREQ([2.69])
 AC_INIT([nbd-proxy], 1.0, [jk@ozlabs.org])
+AC_CONFIG_MACRO_DIR([m4])
 AC_CONFIG_HEADERS([config.h])
 AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE([subdir-objects -Wall -Werror foreign dist-xz])
 AM_SILENT_RULES([yes])
diff --git a/m4/ax_append_compile_flags.m4 b/m4/ax_append_compile_flags.m4
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5b6f1af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/m4/ax_append_compile_flags.m4
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+# ============================================================================
+#  https://www.gnu.org/software/autoconf-archive/ax_append_compile_flags.html
+# ============================================================================
+#
+# SYNOPSIS
+#
+#   AX_APPEND_COMPILE_FLAGS([FLAG1 FLAG2 ...], [FLAGS-VARIABLE], [EXTRA-FLAGS], [INPUT])
+#
+# DESCRIPTION
+#
+#   For every FLAG1, FLAG2 it is checked whether the compiler works with the
+#   flag.  If it does, the flag is added FLAGS-VARIABLE
+#
+#   If FLAGS-VARIABLE is not specified, the current language's flags (e.g.
+#   CFLAGS) is used.  During the check the flag is always added to the
+#   current language's flags.
+#
+#   If EXTRA-FLAGS is defined, it is added to the current language's default
+#   flags (e.g. CFLAGS) when the check is done.  The check is thus made with
+#   the flags: "CFLAGS EXTRA-FLAGS FLAG".  This can for example be used to
+#   force the compiler to issue an error when a bad flag is given.
+#
+#   INPUT gives an alternative input source to AC_COMPILE_IFELSE.
+#
+#   NOTE: This macro depends on the AX_APPEND_FLAG and
+#   AX_CHECK_COMPILE_FLAG. Please keep this macro in sync with
+#   AX_APPEND_LINK_FLAGS.
+#
+# LICENSE
+#
+#   Copyright (c) 2011 Maarten Bosmans <mkbosmans@gmail.com>
+#
+#   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 (at your
+#   option) 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 <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+#   As a special exception, the respective Autoconf Macro's copyright owner
+#   gives unlimited permission to copy, distribute and modify the configure
+#   scripts that are the output of Autoconf when processing the Macro. You
+#   need not follow the terms of the GNU General Public License when using
+#   or distributing such scripts, even though portions of the text of the
+#   Macro appear in them. The GNU General Public License (GPL) does govern
+#   all other use of the material that constitutes the Autoconf Macro.
+#
+#   This special exception to the GPL applies to versions of the Autoconf
+#   Macro released by the Autoconf Archive. When you make and distribute a
+#   modified version of the Autoconf Macro, you may extend this special
+#   exception to the GPL to apply to your modified version as well.
+
+#serial 6
+
+AC_DEFUN([AX_APPEND_COMPILE_FLAGS],
+[AX_REQUIRE_DEFINED([AX_CHECK_COMPILE_FLAG])
+AX_REQUIRE_DEFINED([AX_APPEND_FLAG])
+for flag in $1; do
+  AX_CHECK_COMPILE_FLAG([$flag], [AX_APPEND_FLAG([$flag], [$2])], [], [$3], [$4])
+done
+])dnl AX_APPEND_COMPILE_FLAGS
diff --git a/m4/ax_append_flag.m4 b/m4/ax_append_flag.m4
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8c5312
--- /dev/null
+++ b/m4/ax_append_flag.m4
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+# ===========================================================================
+#      https://www.gnu.org/software/autoconf-archive/ax_append_flag.html
+# ===========================================================================
+#
+# SYNOPSIS
+#
+#   AX_APPEND_FLAG(FLAG, [FLAGS-VARIABLE])
+#
+# DESCRIPTION
+#
+#   FLAG is appended to the FLAGS-VARIABLE shell variable, with a space
+#   added in between.
+#
+#   If FLAGS-VARIABLE is not specified, the current language's flags (e.g.
+#   CFLAGS) is used.  FLAGS-VARIABLE is not changed if it already contains
+#   FLAG.  If FLAGS-VARIABLE is unset in the shell, it is set to exactly
+#   FLAG.
+#
+#   NOTE: Implementation based on AX_CFLAGS_GCC_OPTION.
+#
+# LICENSE
+#
+#   Copyright (c) 2008 Guido U. Draheim <guidod@gmx.de>
+#   Copyright (c) 2011 Maarten Bosmans <mkbosmans@gmail.com>
+#
+#   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 (at your
+#   option) 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 <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+#   As a special exception, the respective Autoconf Macro's copyright owner
+#   gives unlimited permission to copy, distribute and modify the configure
+#   scripts that are the output of Autoconf when processing the Macro. You
+#   need not follow the terms of the GNU General Public License when using
+#   or distributing such scripts, even though portions of the text of the
+#   Macro appear in them. The GNU General Public License (GPL) does govern
+#   all other use of the material that constitutes the Autoconf Macro.
+#
+#   This special exception to the GPL applies to versions of the Autoconf
+#   Macro released by the Autoconf Archive. When you make and distribute a
+#   modified version of the Autoconf Macro, you may extend this special
+#   exception to the GPL to apply to your modified version as well.
+
+#serial 7
+
+AC_DEFUN([AX_APPEND_FLAG],
+[dnl
+AC_PREREQ(2.64)dnl for _AC_LANG_PREFIX and AS_VAR_SET_IF
+AS_VAR_PUSHDEF([FLAGS], [m4_default($2,_AC_LANG_PREFIX[FLAGS])])
+AS_VAR_SET_IF(FLAGS,[
+  AS_CASE([" AS_VAR_GET(FLAGS) "],
+    [*" $1 "*], [AC_RUN_LOG([: FLAGS already contains $1])],
+    [
+     AS_VAR_APPEND(FLAGS,[" $1"])
+     AC_RUN_LOG([: FLAGS="$FLAGS"])
+    ])
+  ],
+  [
+  AS_VAR_SET(FLAGS,[$1])
+  AC_RUN_LOG([: FLAGS="$FLAGS"])
+  ])
+AS_VAR_POPDEF([FLAGS])dnl
+])dnl AX_APPEND_FLAG
diff --git a/m4/ax_check_compile_flag.m4 b/m4/ax_check_compile_flag.m4
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dcabb92
--- /dev/null
+++ b/m4/ax_check_compile_flag.m4
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+# ===========================================================================
+#  https://www.gnu.org/software/autoconf-archive/ax_check_compile_flag.html
+# ===========================================================================
+#
+# SYNOPSIS
+#
+#   AX_CHECK_COMPILE_FLAG(FLAG, [ACTION-SUCCESS], [ACTION-FAILURE], [EXTRA-FLAGS], [INPUT])
+#
+# DESCRIPTION
+#
+#   Check whether the given FLAG works with the current language's compiler
+#   or gives an error.  (Warnings, however, are ignored)
+#
+#   ACTION-SUCCESS/ACTION-FAILURE are shell commands to execute on
+#   success/failure.
+#
+#   If EXTRA-FLAGS is defined, it is added to the current language's default
+#   flags (e.g. CFLAGS) when the check is done.  The check is thus made with
+#   the flags: "CFLAGS EXTRA-FLAGS FLAG".  This can for example be used to
+#   force the compiler to issue an error when a bad flag is given.
+#
+#   INPUT gives an alternative input source to AC_COMPILE_IFELSE.
+#
+#   NOTE: Implementation based on AX_CFLAGS_GCC_OPTION. Please keep this
+#   macro in sync with AX_CHECK_{PREPROC,LINK}_FLAG.
+#
+# LICENSE
+#
+#   Copyright (c) 2008 Guido U. Draheim <guidod@gmx.de>
+#   Copyright (c) 2011 Maarten Bosmans <mkbosmans@gmail.com>
+#
+#   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 (at your
+#   option) 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 <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+#   As a special exception, the respective Autoconf Macro's copyright owner
+#   gives unlimited permission to copy, distribute and modify the configure
+#   scripts that are the output of Autoconf when processing the Macro. You
+#   need not follow the terms of the GNU General Public License when using
+#   or distributing such scripts, even though portions of the text of the
+#   Macro appear in them. The GNU General Public License (GPL) does govern
+#   all other use of the material that constitutes the Autoconf Macro.
+#
+#   This special exception to the GPL applies to versions of the Autoconf
+#   Macro released by the Autoconf Archive. When you make and distribute a
+#   modified version of the Autoconf Macro, you may extend this special
+#   exception to the GPL to apply to your modified version as well.
+
+#serial 5
+
+AC_DEFUN([AX_CHECK_COMPILE_FLAG],
+[AC_PREREQ(2.64)dnl for _AC_LANG_PREFIX and AS_VAR_IF
+AS_VAR_PUSHDEF([CACHEVAR],[ax_cv_check_[]_AC_LANG_ABBREV[]flags_$4_$1])dnl
+AC_CACHE_CHECK([whether _AC_LANG compiler accepts $1], CACHEVAR, [
+  ax_check_save_flags=$[]_AC_LANG_PREFIX[]FLAGS
+  _AC_LANG_PREFIX[]FLAGS="$[]_AC_LANG_PREFIX[]FLAGS $4 $1"
+  AC_COMPILE_IFELSE([m4_default([$5],[AC_LANG_PROGRAM()])],
+    [AS_VAR_SET(CACHEVAR,[yes])],
+    [AS_VAR_SET(CACHEVAR,[no])])
+  _AC_LANG_PREFIX[]FLAGS=$ax_check_save_flags])
+AS_VAR_IF(CACHEVAR,yes,
+  [m4_default([$2], :)],
+  [m4_default([$3], :)])
+AS_VAR_POPDEF([CACHEVAR])dnl
+])dnl AX_CHECK_COMPILE_FLAGS
diff --git a/m4/ax_require_defined.m4 b/m4/ax_require_defined.m4
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..17c3eab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/m4/ax_require_defined.m4
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+# ===========================================================================
+#    https://www.gnu.org/software/autoconf-archive/ax_require_defined.html
+# ===========================================================================
+#
+# SYNOPSIS
+#
+#   AX_REQUIRE_DEFINED(MACRO)
+#
+# DESCRIPTION
+#
+#   AX_REQUIRE_DEFINED is a simple helper for making sure other macros have
+#   been defined and thus are available for use.  This avoids random issues
+#   where a macro isn't expanded.  Instead the configure script emits a
+#   non-fatal:
+#
+#     ./configure: line 1673: AX_CFLAGS_WARN_ALL: command not found
+#
+#   It's like AC_REQUIRE except it doesn't expand the required macro.
+#
+#   Here's an example:
+#
+#     AX_REQUIRE_DEFINED([AX_CHECK_LINK_FLAG])
+#
+# LICENSE
+#
+#   Copyright (c) 2014 Mike Frysinger <vapier@gentoo.org>
+#
+#   Copying and distribution of this file, with or without modification, are
+#   permitted in any medium without royalty provided the copyright notice
+#   and this notice are preserved. This file is offered as-is, without any
+#   warranty.
+
+#serial 2
+
+AC_DEFUN([AX_REQUIRE_DEFINED], [dnl
+  m4_ifndef([$1], [m4_fatal([macro ]$1[ is not defined; is a m4 file missing?])])
+])dnl AX_REQUIRE_DEFINED