diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index d006fb0..73ba8c2 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -145,7 +145,10 @@ kubevirt.core
 /tests/output/
 /tests/integration/inventory
 /tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/all.yml
+/tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/cache_after.yml
+/tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/cache_before.yml
 /tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/empty.yml
 /tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/label.yml
 /tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/net.yml
 /tests/integration/targets/kubevirt_vm/files
+kubevirt-cache
diff --git a/examples/cache.kubevirt.yml b/examples/cache.kubevirt.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..237454b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/cache.kubevirt.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+plugin: kubevirt.core.kubevirt
+cache: true
+cache_plugin: ansible.builtin.jsonfile
+cache_connection: kubevirt-cache
diff --git a/plugins/inventory/kubevirt.py b/plugins/inventory/kubevirt.py
index 46aaed3..daed6f4 100644
--- a/plugins/inventory/kubevirt.py
+++ b/plugins/inventory/kubevirt.py
@@ -136,7 +136,6 @@ from typing import (
 # potentially print a warning to the user if the client is missing.
 try:
     from kubernetes.dynamic.exceptions import DynamicApiError
-    from kubernetes.dynamic.resource import ResourceField
 
     HAS_K8S_MODULE_HELPER = True
     K8S_IMPORT_EXCEPTION = None
@@ -147,17 +146,11 @@ except ImportError as e:
         Dummy class, mainly used for ansible-test sanity.
         """
 
-    class ResourceField:
-        """
-        Dummy class, mainly used for ansible-test sanity.
-        """
-
     HAS_K8S_MODULE_HELPER = False
     K8S_IMPORT_EXCEPTION = e
 
 from ansible.plugins.inventory import BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable
 
-
 from ansible_collections.kubernetes.core.plugins.module_utils.k8s.client import (
     get_api_client,
     K8SClient,
@@ -193,6 +186,8 @@ class InventoryOptions:
     base_domain: Optional[str] = None
     append_base_domain: Optional[bool] = None
     host_format: Optional[str] = None
+    namespaces: Optional[List[str]] = None
+    name: Optional[str] = None
     config_data: InitVar[Optional[Dict]] = None
 
     def __post_init__(self, config_data: Optional[Dict]) -> None:
@@ -245,6 +240,12 @@ class InventoryOptions:
             if self.host_format is not None
             else config_data.get("host_format", "{namespace}-{name}")
         )
+        self.namespaces = (
+            self.namespaces
+            if self.namespaces is not None
+            else config_data.get("namespaces")
+        )
+        self.name = self.name if self.name is not None else config_data.get("name")
 
 
 class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
@@ -258,7 +259,7 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
     snake_case_pattern = re_compile(r"(?<=[a-z])(?=[A-Z])|(?<=[A-Z])(?=[A-Z][a-z])")
 
     @staticmethod
-    def get_default_host_name(host: str) -> str:
+    def get_default_hostname(host: str) -> str:
         """
         get_default_host_name strips URL schemes from the host name and
         replaces invalid characters.
@@ -293,6 +294,20 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
         """
         return InventoryModule.snake_case_pattern.sub("_", name).lower()
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def obj_is_valid(obj: Dict) -> bool:
+        """
+        obj_is_valid ensures commonly used keys are present in the passed object.
+        """
+        return bool(
+            "spec" in obj
+            and "status" in obj
+            and "metadata" in obj
+            and obj["metadata"].get("name")
+            and obj["metadata"].get("namespace")
+            and obj["metadata"].get("uid")
+        )
+
     @staticmethod
     def get_host_from_service(service: Dict, node_name: Optional[str]) -> Optional[str]:
         """
@@ -360,9 +375,6 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
 
         return False
 
-    def __init__(self) -> None:
-        super().__init__()
-
     def verify_file(self, path: str) -> None:
         """
         verify_file ensures the inventory file is compatible with this plugin.
@@ -375,61 +387,49 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
         """
         parse is the main entry point of the inventory.
         It checks for availability of the Kubernetes Python client,
-        gets the configuration and runs fetch_objects or
-        if there is a cache it is used instead.
+        gets the configuration, retrieves the cache or runs fetch_objects and
+        populates the inventory.
         """
-        super().parse(inventory, loader, path)
-        cache_key = self._get_cache_prefix(path)
-        config_data = self._read_config_data(path)
-
         if not HAS_K8S_MODULE_HELPER:
             raise KubeVirtInventoryException(
                 "This module requires the Kubernetes Python client. "
                 + f"Try `pip install kubernetes`. Detail: {K8S_IMPORT_EXCEPTION}"
             )
 
-        source_data = None
-        if cache and cache_key in self._cache:
-            try:
-                source_data = self._cache[cache_key]
-            except KeyError:
-                pass
+        super().parse(inventory, loader, path)
 
-        if not source_data:
-            self.fetch_objects(config_data)
-
-    def fetch_objects(self, config_data: Dict) -> None:
-        """
-        fetch_objects populates the inventory with the specified parameters.
-        """
-        if not config_data or not isinstance(config_data, dict):
-            config_data = {}
+        config_data = self._read_config_data(path)
+        cache_key = self.get_cache_key(path)
+        user_cache_setting = self.get_option("cache")
+        attempt_to_read_cache = user_cache_setting and cache
+        cache_needs_update = user_cache_setting and not cache
 
         self.connections_compatibility(config_data)
-        client = get_api_client(**config_data)
-        name = config_data.get(
-            "name", self.get_default_host_name(client.configuration.host)
-        )
-        namespaces = (
-            config_data["namespaces"]
-            if config_data.get("namespaces")
-            else self.get_available_namespaces(client)
-        )
         opts = InventoryOptions(config_data=config_data)
-        if opts.base_domain is None:
-            opts.base_domain = self.get_cluster_domain(client)
-        for namespace in namespaces:
-            self.populate_inventory_from_namespace(client, name, namespace, opts)
+
+        results = {}
+        if attempt_to_read_cache:
+            try:
+                results = self._cache[cache_key]
+            except KeyError:
+                cache_needs_update = True
+        if not attempt_to_read_cache or cache_needs_update:
+            results = self.fetch_objects(get_api_client(**config_data), opts)
+        if cache_needs_update:
+            self._cache[cache_key] = results
+
+        self.populate_inventory(results, opts)
 
     def connections_compatibility(self, config_data: Dict) -> None:
         collection_name = "kubevirt.core"
+        version_removed_in = "3.0.0"
 
         if (connections := config_data.get("connections")) is None:
             return
 
         self.display.deprecated(
             msg="The 'connections' parameter is deprecated and now supports only a single list entry.",
-            version="2.0.0",
+            version=version_removed_in,
             collection_name=collection_name,
         )
 
@@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
                 config_data[k] = v
             self.display.deprecated(
                 msg="Move all of your connection parameters to the configuration top level.",
-                version="3.0.0",
+                version=version_removed_in,
                 collection_name=collection_name,
             )
         elif len(connections) > 1:
@@ -457,6 +457,35 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
                 removed=True,
             )
 
+    def fetch_objects(self, client: Any, opts: InventoryOptions) -> Dict:
+        """
+        fetch_objects fetches all relevant objects from the K8S API.
+        """
+        namespaces = {}
+        for namespace in (
+            opts.namespaces
+            if opts.namespaces
+            else self.get_available_namespaces(client)
+        ):
+            vms = self.get_vms_for_namespace(client, namespace, opts)
+            vmis = self.get_vmis_for_namespace(client, namespace, opts)
+
+            if not vms and not vmis:
+                # Continue if no VMs and VMIs were found to avoid adding empty groups.
+                continue
+
+            namespaces[namespace] = {
+                "vms": vms,
+                "vmis": vmis,
+                "services": self.get_ssh_services_for_namespace(client, namespace),
+            }
+
+        return {
+            "default_hostname": self.get_default_hostname(client.configuration.host),
+            "cluster_domain": self.get_cluster_domain(client),
+            "namespaces": namespaces,
+        }
+
     def get_cluster_domain(self, client: K8SClient) -> Optional[str]:
         """
         get_cluster_domain tries to get the base domain of an OpenShift cluster.
@@ -479,7 +508,7 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
 
     def get_resources(
         self, client: K8SClient, api_version: str, kind: str, **kwargs
-    ) -> List[ResourceField]:
+    ) -> List[Dict]:
         """
         get_resources uses a dynamic K8SClient to fetch resources from the K8S API.
         """
@@ -492,7 +521,7 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
                 f"Error fetching {kind} list: {self.format_dynamic_api_exc(exc)}"
             ) from exc
 
-        return result.items
+        return [item.to_dict() for item in result.items]
 
     def get_available_namespaces(self, client: K8SClient) -> List[str]:
         """
@@ -500,13 +529,14 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
         configured credentials and returns them.
         """
         return [
-            namespace.metadata.name
+            namespace["metadata"]["name"]
             for namespace in self.get_resources(client, "v1", "Namespace")
+            if "metadata" in namespace and "name" in namespace["metadata"]
         ]
 
     def get_vms_for_namespace(
         self, client: K8SClient, namespace: str, opts: InventoryOptions
-    ) -> List[ResourceField]:
+    ) -> List[Dict]:
         """
         get_vms_for_namespace returns a list of all VirtualMachines in a namespace.
         """
@@ -520,7 +550,7 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
 
     def get_vmis_for_namespace(
         self, client: K8SClient, namespace: str, opts: InventoryOptions
-    ) -> List[ResourceField]:
+    ) -> List[Dict]:
         """
         get_vmis_for_namespace returns a list of all VirtualMachineInstances in a namespace.
         """
@@ -537,7 +567,7 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
         get_ssh_services_for_namespace retrieves all services of a namespace exposing port 22/ssh.
         The services are mapped to the name of the corresponding domain.
         """
-        service_list = self.get_resources(
+        items = self.get_resources(
             client,
             "v1",
             "Service",
@@ -545,12 +575,12 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
         )
 
         services = {}
-        for service in service_list:
+        for service in items:
             # Continue if service is not of type LoadBalancer or NodePort
-            if service.get("spec") is None:
+            if not (spec := service.get("spec")):
                 continue
 
-            if service["spec"].get("type") not in (
+            if spec.get("type") not in (
                 TYPE_LOADBALANCER,
                 TYPE_NODEPORT,
             ):
@@ -558,40 +588,58 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
 
             # Continue if ports are not defined, there are more than one port mapping
             # or the target port is not port 22/ssh
-            ports = service["spec"].get("ports")
-            if ports is None or len(ports) != 1 or ports[0].get("targetPort") != 22:
+            if (
+                (ports := spec.get("ports")) is None
+                or len(ports) != 1
+                or ports[0].get("targetPort") != 22
+            ):
                 continue
 
             # Only add the service to the dict if the domain selector is present
-            domain = service["spec"].get("selector", {}).get(LABEL_KUBEVIRT_IO_DOMAIN)
-            if domain is not None:
+            if domain := spec.get("selector", {}).get(LABEL_KUBEVIRT_IO_DOMAIN):
                 services[domain] = service
 
         return services
 
+    def populate_inventory(self, results: Dict, opts: InventoryOptions) -> None:
+        """
+        populate_inventory populates the inventory by completing the InventoryOptions
+        and invoking populate_inventory_from_namespace for every namespace in results.
+        """
+        if opts.base_domain is None:
+            opts.base_domain = results["cluster_domain"]
+        if opts.name is None:
+            opts.name = results["default_hostname"]
+        for namespace, data in results["namespaces"].items():
+            self.populate_inventory_from_namespace(namespace, data, opts)
+
     def populate_inventory_from_namespace(
-        self, client: K8SClient, name: str, namespace: str, opts: InventoryOptions
+        self, namespace: str, data: Dict, opts: InventoryOptions
     ) -> None:
         """
         populate_inventory_from_namespace adds groups and hosts from a
         namespace to the inventory.
         """
         vms = {
-            vm.metadata.name: vm
-            for vm in self.get_vms_for_namespace(client, namespace, opts)
+            vm["metadata"]["name"]: vm for vm in data["vms"] if self.obj_is_valid(vm)
         }
         vmis = {
-            vmi.metadata.name: vmi
-            for vmi in self.get_vmis_for_namespace(client, namespace, opts)
+            vmi["metadata"]["name"]: vmi
+            for vmi in data["vmis"]
+            if self.obj_is_valid(vmi)
         }
 
         if not vms and not vmis:
             # Return early if no VMs and VMIs were found to avoid adding empty groups.
             return
 
-        services = self.get_ssh_services_for_namespace(client, namespace)
+        services = {
+            domain: service
+            for domain, service in data["services"].items()
+            if self.obj_is_valid(service)
+        }
 
-        name = self._sanitize_group_name(name)
+        name = self._sanitize_group_name(opts.name)
         namespace_group = self._sanitize_group_name(f"namespace_{namespace}")
 
         self.inventory.add_group(name)
@@ -600,7 +648,7 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
 
         # Add found VMs and optionally enhance with VMI data
         for name, vm in vms.items():
-            hostname = self.add_host(vm, opts.host_format, namespace_group)
+            hostname = self.add_host(vm["metadata"], opts.host_format, namespace_group)
             self.set_vars_from_vm(hostname, vm, opts)
             if name in vmis:
                 self.set_vars_from_vmi(hostname, vmis[name], services, opts)
@@ -610,36 +658,32 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
         for name, vmi in vmis.items():
             if name in vms:
                 continue
-            hostname = self.add_host(vmi, opts.host_format, namespace_group)
+            hostname = self.add_host(vmi["metadata"], opts.host_format, namespace_group)
             self.set_vars_from_vmi(hostname, vmi, services, opts)
             self.set_composable_vars(hostname)
 
-    def add_host(
-        self, obj: ResourceField, host_format: str, namespace_group: str
-    ) -> str:
+    def add_host(self, metadata: Dict, host_format: str, namespace_group: str) -> str:
         """
         add_hosts adds a host to the inventory.
         """
         hostname = host_format.format(
-            namespace=obj.metadata.namespace,
-            name=obj.metadata.name,
-            uid=obj.metadata.uid,
+            namespace=metadata["namespace"],
+            name=metadata["name"],
+            uid=metadata["uid"],
         )
         self.inventory.add_host(hostname)
         self.inventory.add_child(namespace_group, hostname)
 
         return hostname
 
-    def set_vars_from_vm(
-        self, hostname: str, vm: ResourceField, opts: InventoryOptions
-    ) -> None:
+    def set_vars_from_vm(self, hostname: str, vm: Dict, opts: InventoryOptions) -> None:
         """
         set_vars_from_vm sets inventory variables from a VM prefixed with vm_.
         """
         self.set_common_vars(hostname, "vm", vm, opts)
 
     def set_vars_from_vmi(
-        self, hostname: str, vmi: ResourceField, services: Dict, opts: InventoryOptions
+        self, hostname: str, vmi: Dict, services: Dict, opts: InventoryOptions
     ) -> None:
         """
         set_vars_from_vmi sets inventory variables from a VMI prefixed with vmi_ and
@@ -647,76 +691,76 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
         """
         self.set_common_vars(hostname, "vmi", vmi, opts)
 
+        if not (interfaces := vmi["status"].get("interfaces")):
+            return
+
         if opts.network_name is None:
             # Use first interface
-            interface = vmi.status.interfaces[0] if vmi.status.interfaces else None
+            interface = interfaces[0]
         else:
             # Find interface by its name
             interface = next(
-                (i for i in vmi.status.interfaces if i.name == opts.network_name),
+                (i for i in interfaces if i.get("name") == opts.network_name),
                 None,
             )
 
         # If interface is not found or IP address is not reported skip this VMI
-        if interface is None or interface.ipAddress is None:
+        if not interface or not interface.get("ipAddress"):
             return
 
         # Set up the connection
         service = None
         if self.is_windows(
-            {} if not vmi.status.guestOSInfo else vmi.status.guestOSInfo.to_dict(),
-            {} if not vmi.metadata.annotations else vmi.metadata.annotations.to_dict(),
+            vmi["status"].get("guestOSInfo", {}),
+            vmi["metadata"].get("annotations", {}),
         ):
             self.inventory.set_variable(hostname, "ansible_connection", "winrm")
         else:
-            service = services.get(vmi.metadata.labels.get(LABEL_KUBEVIRT_IO_DOMAIN))
+            service = services.get(
+                vmi["metadata"].get("labels", {}).get(LABEL_KUBEVIRT_IO_DOMAIN)
+            )
         self.set_ansible_host_and_port(
             vmi,
             hostname,
-            interface.ipAddress,
+            interface["ipAddress"],
             service,
             opts,
         )
 
     def set_common_vars(
-        self, hostname: str, prefix: str, obj: ResourceField, opts: InventoryOptions
+        self, hostname: str, prefix: str, obj: Dict, opts: InventoryOptions
     ):
         """
         set_common_vars sets common inventory variables from VMs or VMIs.
         """
         # Add hostvars from metadata
-        if metadata := obj.metadata:
-            if metadata.annotations:
-                self.inventory.set_variable(
-                    hostname, f"{prefix}_annotations", metadata.annotations.to_dict()
-                )
-            if metadata.labels:
-                self.inventory.set_variable(
-                    hostname, f"{prefix}_labels", metadata.labels.to_dict()
-                )
-                # Create label groups and add vm to it if enabled
-                if opts.create_groups:
-                    self.set_groups_from_labels(hostname, metadata.labels)
-            if metadata.resourceVersion:
-                self.inventory.set_variable(
-                    hostname, f"{prefix}_resource_version", metadata.resourceVersion
-                )
-            if metadata.uid:
-                self.inventory.set_variable(hostname, f"{prefix}_uid", metadata.uid)
+        if annotations := obj["metadata"].get("annotations"):
+            self.inventory.set_variable(hostname, f"{prefix}_annotations", annotations)
+        if labels := obj["metadata"].get("labels"):
+            self.inventory.set_variable(hostname, f"{prefix}_labels", labels)
+            # Create label groups and add vm to it if enabled
+            if opts.create_groups:
+                self.set_groups_from_labels(hostname, labels)
+        if resource_version := obj["metadata"].get("resourceVersion"):
+            self.inventory.set_variable(
+                hostname, f"{prefix}_resource_version", resource_version
+            )
+        if uid := obj["metadata"].get("uid"):
+            self.inventory.set_variable(hostname, f"{prefix}_uid", uid)
 
         # Add hostvars from status
-        if obj.status:
-            for key, value in obj.status.to_dict().items():
-                name = self.format_var_name(key)
-                self.inventory.set_variable(hostname, f"{prefix}_{name}", value)
+        for key, value in obj["status"].items():
+            self.inventory.set_variable(
+                hostname, f"{prefix}_{self.format_var_name(key)}", value
+            )
 
-    def set_groups_from_labels(self, hostname: str, labels: ResourceField) -> None:
+    def set_groups_from_labels(self, hostname: str, labels: Dict) -> None:
         """
         set_groups_from_labels adds groups for each label of a VM or VMI and
         adds the host to each group.
         """
         groups = []
-        for key, value in labels.to_dict().items():
+        for key, value in labels.items():
             group_name = self._sanitize_group_name(f"label_{key}_{value}")
             if group_name not in groups:
                 groups.append(group_name)
@@ -727,7 +771,7 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
 
     def set_ansible_host_and_port(
         self,
-        vmi: ResourceField,
+        vmi: Dict,
         hostname: str,
         ip_address: str,
         service: Optional[Dict],
@@ -742,15 +786,13 @@ class InventoryModule(BaseInventoryPlugin, Constructable, Cacheable):
         if opts.kube_secondary_dns and opts.network_name:
             # Set ansible_host to the kubesecondarydns derived host name if enabled
             # See https://github.com/kubevirt/kubesecondarydns#parameters
-            ansible_host = (
-                f"{opts.network_name}.{vmi.metadata.name}.{vmi.metadata.namespace}.vm"
-            )
+            ansible_host = f"{opts.network_name}.{vmi['metadata']['name']}.{vmi['metadata']['namespace']}.vm"
             if opts.base_domain:
                 ansible_host += f".{opts.base_domain}"
         elif opts.use_service and service and not opts.network_name:
             # Set ansible_host and ansible_port to the host and port from the LoadBalancer
             # or NodePort service exposing SSH
-            node_name = vmi.status.nodeName
+            node_name = vmi["status"].get("nodeName")
             if node_name and opts.append_base_domain and opts.base_domain:
                 node_name += f".{opts.base_domain}"
             host = self.get_host_from_service(service, node_name)
diff --git a/test-requirements.txt b/test-requirements.txt
index fa4ef3c..2acc4f9 100644
--- a/test-requirements.txt
+++ b/test-requirements.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-addict
 pytest
 pytest-ansible
 pytest-mock
diff --git a/tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/runme.sh b/tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/runme.sh
index 97a0308..53a48fc 100755
--- a/tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/runme.sh
+++ b/tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/runme.sh
@@ -10,9 +10,12 @@ ansible-inventory -i test.kubevirt.yml -y --list --output empty.yml "$@"
 ansible-playbook playbook.yml "$@"
 
 ansible-inventory -i test.kubevirt.yml -y --list --output all.yml "$@"
+ansible-inventory -i test.cache.kubevirt.yml -y --list --output cache_before.yml "$@"
 ansible-inventory -i test.label.kubevirt.yml -y --list --output label.yml "$@"
 ansible-inventory -i test.net.kubevirt.yml -y --list --output net.yml "$@"
 
 ansible-playbook cleanup.yml "$@"
 
+ansible-inventory -i test.cache.kubevirt.yml -y --list --output cache_after.yml "$@"
+
 ansible-playbook verify.yml "$@"
diff --git a/tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/test.cache.kubevirt.yml b/tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/test.cache.kubevirt.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..16fa113
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/test.cache.kubevirt.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+---
+plugin: kubevirt.core.kubevirt
+name: test
+namespaces:
+  - default
+create_groups: true
+cache: true
+cache_plugin: ansible.builtin.jsonfile
+cache_connection: kubevirt-cache
diff --git a/tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/verify.yml b/tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/verify.yml
index 1864a82..36145d0 100644
--- a/tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/verify.yml
+++ b/tests/integration/targets/inventory_kubevirt/verify.yml
@@ -38,3 +38,16 @@
       ansible.builtin.assert:
         that:
           - inv_net['all']['children']['label_app_test']['hosts'] | length == 1
+    - name: Read cached inventory after VM creation
+      ansible.builtin.include_vars:
+        file: cache_before.yml
+        name: inv_cache_before
+    - name: Read cached inventory after VM deletion
+      ansible.builtin.include_vars:
+        file: cache_after.yml
+        name: inv_cache_after
+    - name: Assert cached inventories are populated
+      ansible.builtin.assert:
+        that:
+          - inv_cache_before == inv_all
+          - inv_cache_before == inv_cache_after
diff --git a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/blackbox/test_kubevirt_ansible_connection_winrm.py b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/blackbox/test_kubevirt_ansible_connection_winrm.py
index 22cc9c8..78ad62f 100644
--- a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/blackbox/test_kubevirt_ansible_connection_winrm.py
+++ b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/blackbox/test_kubevirt_ansible_connection_winrm.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 
 import pytest
 
-
 from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory.kubevirt import (
     InventoryOptions,
 )
@@ -22,7 +21,9 @@ BASE_VMI = {
     "metadata": {
         "name": "testvmi",
         "namespace": "default",
+        "uid": "e86c603c-fb13-4933-bf67-de100bdba0c3",
     },
+    "spec": {},
     "status": {
         "interfaces": [{"ipAddress": "10.10.10.10"}],
     },
@@ -58,19 +59,25 @@ WINDOWS_VMI_4 = merge_dicts(
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
-    "client,vmi,expected",
+    "vmi,expected",
     [
-        ({"vmis": [BASE_VMI]}, BASE_VMI, False),
-        ({"vmis": [WINDOWS_VMI_1]}, WINDOWS_VMI_1, True),
-        ({"vmis": [WINDOWS_VMI_2]}, WINDOWS_VMI_2, True),
-        ({"vmis": [WINDOWS_VMI_3]}, WINDOWS_VMI_3, True),
-        ({"vmis": [WINDOWS_VMI_4]}, WINDOWS_VMI_4, True),
+        (BASE_VMI, False),
+        (WINDOWS_VMI_1, True),
+        (WINDOWS_VMI_2, True),
+        (WINDOWS_VMI_3, True),
+        (WINDOWS_VMI_4, True),
     ],
-    indirect=["client"],
 )
-def test_ansible_connection_winrm(inventory, hosts, client, vmi, expected):
-    inventory.populate_inventory_from_namespace(
-        client, "", DEFAULT_NAMESPACE, InventoryOptions()
+def test_ansible_connection_winrm(inventory, hosts, vmi, expected):
+    inventory.populate_inventory(
+        {
+            "default_hostname": "test",
+            "cluster_domain": "test.com",
+            "namespaces": {
+                "default": {"vms": [], "vmis": [vmi], "services": {}},
+            },
+        },
+        InventoryOptions(),
     )
 
     host = f"{DEFAULT_NAMESPACE}-{vmi['metadata']['name']}"
diff --git a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/blackbox/test_kubevirt_set_composable_vars.py b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/blackbox/test_kubevirt_set_composable_vars.py
index 01bf367..18f931c 100644
--- a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/blackbox/test_kubevirt_set_composable_vars.py
+++ b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/blackbox/test_kubevirt_set_composable_vars.py
@@ -6,8 +6,6 @@ from __future__ import absolute_import, division, print_function
 
 __metaclass__ = type
 
-import pytest
-
 from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory.kubevirt import (
     InventoryOptions,
 )
@@ -21,7 +19,9 @@ VMI = {
     "metadata": {
         "name": "testvmi",
         "namespace": "default",
+        "uid": "6ffdef43-6c39-4441-a088-82d319ea5c13",
     },
+    "spec": {},
     "status": {
         "interfaces": [{"ipAddress": "10.10.10.10"}],
         "migrationMethod": "BlockMigration",
@@ -34,16 +34,10 @@ VMI = {
 }
 
 
-@pytest.mark.parametrize(
-    "client",
-    [{"vmis": [VMI]}],
-    indirect=["client"],
-)
 def test_set_composable_vars(
     inventory,
     groups,
     hosts,
-    client,
 ):
     inventory._options = {
         "compose": {"set_from_another_var": "vmi_node_name"},
@@ -51,8 +45,15 @@ def test_set_composable_vars(
         "keyed_groups": [{"prefix": "fedora", "key": "vmi_guest_os_info.versionId"}],
         "strict": True,
     }
-    inventory.populate_inventory_from_namespace(
-        client, "", DEFAULT_NAMESPACE, InventoryOptions()
+    inventory.populate_inventory(
+        {
+            "default_hostname": "test",
+            "cluster_domain": "test.com",
+            "namespaces": {
+                "default": {"vms": [], "vmis": [VMI], "services": {}},
+            },
+        },
+        InventoryOptions(),
     )
 
     host = f"{DEFAULT_NAMESPACE}-testvmi"
diff --git a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/blackbox/test_kubevirt_stopped_vm.py b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/blackbox/test_kubevirt_stopped_vm.py
index 04d4c9d..e8cd967 100644
--- a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/blackbox/test_kubevirt_stopped_vm.py
+++ b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/blackbox/test_kubevirt_stopped_vm.py
@@ -6,17 +6,10 @@ from __future__ import absolute_import, division, print_function
 
 __metaclass__ = type
 
-import pytest
-
-
 from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory.kubevirt import (
     InventoryOptions,
 )
 
-from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.tests.unit.plugins.inventory.constants import (
-    DEFAULT_NAMESPACE,
-)
-
 VM1 = {
     "metadata": {
         "name": "testvm1",
@@ -24,6 +17,7 @@ VM1 = {
         "uid": "940003aa-0160-4b7e-9e55-8ec3df72047f",
     },
     "spec": {"running": True},
+    "status": {},
 }
 
 VM2 = {
@@ -33,6 +27,7 @@ VM2 = {
         "uid": "c2c68de5-b9d7-4c25-872f-462e7245b3e6",
     },
     "spec": {"running": False},
+    "status": {},
 }
 
 VMI1 = {
@@ -41,22 +36,23 @@ VMI1 = {
         "namespace": "default",
         "uid": "a84319a9-db31-4a36-9b66-3e387578f871",
     },
+    "spec": {},
     "status": {
         "interfaces": [{"ipAddress": "10.10.10.10"}],
     },
 }
 
 
-@pytest.mark.parametrize(
-    "client",
-    [
-        ({"vms": [VM1, VM2], "vmis": [VMI1]}),
-    ],
-    indirect=["client"],
-)
-def test_stopped_vm(inventory, hosts, client):
-    inventory.populate_inventory_from_namespace(
-        client, "", DEFAULT_NAMESPACE, InventoryOptions()
+def test_stopped_vm(inventory, hosts):
+    inventory.populate_inventory(
+        {
+            "default_hostname": "test",
+            "cluster_domain": "test.com",
+            "namespaces": {
+                "default": {"vms": [VM1, VM2], "vmis": [VMI1], "services": {}},
+            },
+        },
+        InventoryOptions(),
     )
 
     # The running VM should be present with ansible_host or ansible_port
diff --git a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/conftest.py b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/conftest.py
index f51606c..3f133e4 100644
--- a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/conftest.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 
 import pytest
 
-from addict import Dict
+from kubernetes.dynamic.resource import ResourceField
 
 from ansible.template import Templar
 
@@ -96,21 +96,21 @@ def client(mocker, request):
         items = param["namespaces"]
     else:
         items = [{"metadata": {"name": DEFAULT_NAMESPACE}}]
-    namespaces.items = [Dict(item) for item in items]
+    namespaces.items = [ResourceField(item) for item in items]
 
     vms = mocker.Mock()
-    vms.items = [Dict(item) for item in param.get("vms", [])]
+    vms.items = [ResourceField(item) for item in param.get("vms", [])]
     vmis = mocker.Mock()
-    vmis.items = [Dict(item) for item in param.get("vmis", [])]
+    vmis.items = [ResourceField(item) for item in param.get("vmis", [])]
     services = mocker.Mock()
-    services.items = [Dict(item) for item in param.get("services", [])]
+    services.items = [ResourceField(item) for item in param.get("services", [])]
 
     dns = mocker.Mock()
     if "base_domain" in param:
         base_domain = param["base_domain"]
     else:
         base_domain = DEFAULT_BASE_DOMAIN
-    dns_obj = Dict({"spec": {"baseDomain": base_domain}})
+    dns_obj = ResourceField({"spec": {"baseDomain": base_domain}})
     dns.items = [dns_obj]
 
     namespace_client = mocker.Mock()
diff --git a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt.py b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt.py
index ed28731..661d5d4 100644
--- a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt.py
+++ b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt.py
@@ -8,10 +8,9 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 
 import pytest
 
-from addict import Dict
-
 from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory.kubevirt import (
     InventoryModule,
+    InventoryOptions,
 )
 
 from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.tests.unit.plugins.inventory.constants import (
@@ -29,8 +28,8 @@ from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.tests.unit.plugins.inventory.constants im
         ("https://example.com:8080", "example-com_8080"),
     ],
 )
-def test_get_default_host_name(host, expected):
-    assert InventoryModule.get_default_host_name(host) == expected
+def test_get_default_hostname(host, expected):
+    assert InventoryModule.get_default_hostname(host) == expected
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
@@ -48,6 +47,55 @@ def test_format_var_name(name, expected):
     assert InventoryModule.format_var_name(name) == expected
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "obj,expected",
+    [
+        ({}, False),
+        ({"spec": {}}, False),
+        ({"status": {}}, False),
+        ({"metadata": {}}, False),
+        ({"spec": {}, "status": {}}, False),
+        ({"spec": {}, "metadata": {}}, False),
+        ({"status": {}, "metadata": {}}, False),
+        ({"spec": {}, "status": {}, "metadata": {}}, False),
+        ({"spec": {}, "status": {}, "metadata": {}, "something": {}}, False),
+        ({"spec": {}, "status": {}, "metadata": {"name": "test"}}, False),
+        ({"spec": {}, "status": {}, "metadata": {"namespace": "test"}}, False),
+        ({"spec": {}, "status": {}, "metadata": {"uid": "test"}}, False),
+        (
+            {
+                "spec": {},
+                "status": {},
+                "metadata": {"name": "test", "namespace": "test"},
+            },
+            False,
+        ),
+        (
+            {
+                "spec": {},
+                "status": {},
+                "metadata": {"name": "test", "namespace": "test", "something": "test"},
+            },
+            False,
+        ),
+        (
+            {"spec": {}, "status": {}, "metadata": {"name": "test", "uid": "test"}},
+            False,
+        ),
+        (
+            {
+                "spec": {},
+                "status": {},
+                "metadata": {"name": "test", "namespace": "test", "uid": "test"},
+            },
+            True,
+        ),
+    ],
+)
+def test_obj_is_valid(obj, expected):
+    assert InventoryModule.obj_is_valid(obj) == expected
+
+
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
     "service,node_name,expected",
     [
@@ -210,6 +258,56 @@ def test_get_cluster_domain(inventory, client):
     assert inventory.get_cluster_domain(client) == DEFAULT_BASE_DOMAIN
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "results,expected",
+    [
+        (
+            {
+                "cluster_domain": "example.com",
+                "default_hostname": "test",
+                "namespaces": {},
+            },
+            0,
+        ),
+        (
+            {
+                "cluster_domain": "example.com",
+                "default_hostname": "test",
+                "namespaces": {"test": {"vms": [], "vmis": [], "services": {}}},
+            },
+            1,
+        ),
+        (
+            {
+                "cluster_domain": "example.com",
+                "default_hostname": "test",
+                "namespaces": {
+                    "test": {"vms": [], "vmis": [], "services": {}},
+                    "test2": {"vms": [], "vmis": [], "services": {}},
+                },
+            },
+            2,
+        ),
+    ],
+)
+def test_populate_inventory(mocker, inventory, results, expected):
+    populate_inventory_from_namespace = mocker.patch.object(
+        inventory, "populate_inventory_from_namespace"
+    )
+
+    inventory.populate_inventory(results, InventoryOptions())
+
+    opts = InventoryOptions(
+        base_domain=results["cluster_domain"], name=results["default_hostname"]
+    )
+    calls = [
+        mocker.call(namespace, data, opts)
+        for namespace, data in results["namespaces"].items()
+    ]
+    populate_inventory_from_namespace.assert_has_calls(calls)
+    assert len(calls) == expected
+
+
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
     "labels,expected",
     [
@@ -223,7 +321,7 @@ def test_get_cluster_domain(inventory, client):
 )
 def test_set_groups_from_labels(inventory, groups, labels, expected):
     hostname = "default-testvm"
-    inventory.set_groups_from_labels(hostname, Dict(labels))
+    inventory.set_groups_from_labels(hostname, labels)
     for group in expected:
         assert group in groups
         assert hostname in groups[group]["children"]
diff --git a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_add_host.py b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_add_host.py
index fd1cb97..fd774e1 100644
--- a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_add_host.py
+++ b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_add_host.py
@@ -8,8 +8,6 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 
 import pytest
 
-from addict import Dict
-
 from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.tests.unit.plugins.inventory.constants import (
     DEFAULT_NAMESPACE,
 )
@@ -65,15 +63,11 @@ def test_add_host(inventory, groups, hosts, host_format, expected):
     inventory.inventory.add_group(namespace_group)
 
     inventory.add_host(
-        Dict(
-            {
-                "metadata": {
-                    "name": "testvm",
-                    "namespace": DEFAULT_NAMESPACE,
-                    "uid": "f8abae7c-d792-4b9b-af95-62d322ae5bc1",
-                }
-            }
-        ),
+        {
+            "name": "testvm",
+            "namespace": DEFAULT_NAMESPACE,
+            "uid": "f8abae7c-d792-4b9b-af95-62d322ae5bc1",
+        },
         host_format,
         namespace_group,
     )
diff --git a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_fetch_objects.py b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_fetch_objects.py
index 485c41b..5b1ecea 100644
--- a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_fetch_objects.py
+++ b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_fetch_objects.py
@@ -17,127 +17,93 @@ from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.tests.unit.plugins.inventory.constants im
     DEFAULT_NAMESPACE,
 )
 
-from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory import kubevirt
-
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
-    "config_data,expected",
+    "opts,namespaces",
     [
         (
-            None,
-            {
-                "name": "default-hostname",
-                "namespaces": [DEFAULT_NAMESPACE],
-                "opts": InventoryOptions(),
-            },
+            InventoryOptions(),
+            [DEFAULT_NAMESPACE],
         ),
         (
-            {
-                "name": "test",
-            },
-            {
-                "name": "test",
-                "namespaces": [DEFAULT_NAMESPACE],
-                "opts": InventoryOptions(),
-            },
+            InventoryOptions(namespaces=["test"]),
+            ["test"],
         ),
         (
-            {"name": "test", "namespaces": ["test"]},
-            {"name": "test", "namespaces": ["test"], "opts": InventoryOptions()},
-        ),
-        (
-            {
-                "name": "test",
-                "namespaces": ["test"],
-                "use_service": True,
-                "create_groups": True,
-                "append_base_domain": True,
-                "base_domain": "test-domain",
-            },
-            {
-                "name": "test",
-                "namespaces": ["test"],
-                "opts": InventoryOptions(
-                    use_service=True,
-                    create_groups=True,
-                    append_base_domain=True,
-                    base_domain="test-domain",
-                ),
-            },
-        ),
-        (
-            {
-                "name": "test",
-                "namespaces": ["test"],
-                "use_service": True,
-                "create_groups": True,
-                "append_base_domain": True,
-                "base_domain": "test-domain",
-                "network_name": "test-network",
-            },
-            {
-                "name": "test",
-                "namespaces": ["test"],
-                "opts": InventoryOptions(
-                    use_service=True,
-                    create_groups=True,
-                    append_base_domain=True,
-                    base_domain="test-domain",
-                    network_name="test-network",
-                ),
-            },
-        ),
-        (
-            {
-                "name": "test",
-                "namespaces": ["test"],
-                "use_service": True,
-                "create_groups": True,
-                "append_base_domain": True,
-                "base_domain": "test-domain",
-                "interface_name": "test-interface",
-            },
-            {
-                "name": "test",
-                "namespaces": ["test"],
-                "opts": InventoryOptions(
-                    use_service=True,
-                    create_groups=True,
-                    append_base_domain=True,
-                    base_domain="test-domain",
-                    network_name="test-interface",
-                ),
-            },
+            InventoryOptions(namespaces=["test1", "test2"]),
+            ["test1", "test2"],
         ),
     ],
 )
-def test_fetch_objects(mocker, inventory, config_data, expected):
-    mocker.patch.object(kubevirt, "get_api_client")
-    mocker.patch.object(
-        inventory, "get_default_host_name", return_value="default-hostname"
-    )
-
-    cluster_domain = "test.com"
-    mocker.patch.object(inventory, "get_cluster_domain", return_value=cluster_domain)
-    expected["opts"].base_domain = expected["opts"].base_domain or cluster_domain
-
+def test_fetch_objects(mocker, inventory, opts, namespaces):
     get_available_namespaces = mocker.patch.object(
         inventory, "get_available_namespaces", return_value=[DEFAULT_NAMESPACE]
     )
-    populate_inventory_from_namespace = mocker.patch.object(
-        inventory, "populate_inventory_from_namespace"
+    get_vms_for_namespace = mocker.patch.object(
+        inventory, "get_vms_for_namespace", return_value=[{}]
+    )
+    get_vmis_for_namespace = mocker.patch.object(
+        inventory, "get_vmis_for_namespace", return_value=[{}]
+    )
+    get_ssh_services_for_namespace = mocker.patch.object(
+        inventory, "get_ssh_services_for_namespace", return_value=[]
+    )
+    get_default_hostname = mocker.patch.object(
+        inventory, "get_default_hostname", return_value="default-hostname"
+    )
+    get_cluster_domain = mocker.patch.object(
+        inventory, "get_cluster_domain", return_value="test.com"
     )
 
-    inventory.fetch_objects(config_data)
+    inventory.fetch_objects(mocker.Mock(), opts)
 
-    if config_data and "namespaces" in config_data:
+    if opts.namespaces:
         get_available_namespaces.assert_not_called()
     else:
         get_available_namespaces.assert_called()
 
-    populate_inventory_from_namespace.assert_has_calls(
-        [
-            mocker.call(mocker.ANY, expected["name"], namespace, expected["opts"])
-            for namespace in expected["namespaces"]
-        ]
+    get_vms_for_namespace.assert_has_calls(
+        [mocker.call(mocker.ANY, namespace, opts) for namespace in namespaces]
     )
+    get_vmis_for_namespace.assert_has_calls(
+        [mocker.call(mocker.ANY, namespace, opts) for namespace in namespaces]
+    )
+    get_ssh_services_for_namespace.assert_has_calls(
+        [mocker.call(mocker.ANY, namespace) for namespace in namespaces]
+    )
+    get_default_hostname.assert_called_once()
+    get_cluster_domain.assert_called_once()
+
+
+def test_fetch_objects_early_return(mocker, inventory):
+    get_available_namespaces = mocker.patch.object(
+        inventory, "get_available_namespaces", return_value=[DEFAULT_NAMESPACE]
+    )
+    get_vms_for_namespace = mocker.patch.object(
+        inventory, "get_vms_for_namespace", return_value=[]
+    )
+    get_vmis_for_namespace = mocker.patch.object(
+        inventory, "get_vmis_for_namespace", return_value=[]
+    )
+    get_ssh_services_for_namespace = mocker.patch.object(
+        inventory, "get_ssh_services_for_namespace"
+    )
+    get_default_hostname = mocker.patch.object(
+        inventory, "get_default_hostname", return_value="default-hostname"
+    )
+    get_cluster_domain = mocker.patch.object(
+        inventory, "get_cluster_domain", return_value="test.com"
+    )
+
+    inventory.fetch_objects(mocker.Mock(), InventoryOptions())
+
+    get_available_namespaces.assert_called_once()
+    get_vms_for_namespace.assert_called_once_with(
+        mocker.ANY, DEFAULT_NAMESPACE, InventoryOptions()
+    )
+    get_vmis_for_namespace.assert_called_once_with(
+        mocker.ANY, DEFAULT_NAMESPACE, InventoryOptions()
+    )
+    get_ssh_services_for_namespace.assert_not_called()
+    get_default_hostname.assert_called_once()
+    get_cluster_domain.assert_called_once()
diff --git a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_parse.py b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_parse.py
index 634752b..f7729c6 100644
--- a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_parse.py
+++ b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_parse.py
@@ -13,39 +13,151 @@ from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory import (
 )
 
 from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory.kubevirt import (
+    InventoryOptions,
     KubeVirtInventoryException,
 )
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
-    "cache",
+    "config_data,expected",
     [
-        True,
-        False,
+        (
+            {},
+            InventoryOptions(),
+        ),
+        (
+            {
+                "name": "test",
+            },
+            InventoryOptions(name="test"),
+        ),
+        (
+            {"name": "test", "namespaces": ["test"]},
+            InventoryOptions(name="test", namespaces=["test"]),
+        ),
+        (
+            {
+                "name": "test",
+                "namespaces": ["test"],
+                "use_service": True,
+                "create_groups": True,
+                "append_base_domain": True,
+                "base_domain": "test-domain",
+            },
+            InventoryOptions(
+                use_service=True,
+                create_groups=True,
+                append_base_domain=True,
+                base_domain="test-domain",
+                name="test",
+                namespaces=["test"],
+            ),
+        ),
+        (
+            {
+                "name": "test",
+                "namespaces": ["test"],
+                "use_service": True,
+                "create_groups": True,
+                "append_base_domain": True,
+                "base_domain": "test-domain",
+                "network_name": "test-network",
+            },
+            InventoryOptions(
+                use_service=True,
+                create_groups=True,
+                append_base_domain=True,
+                base_domain="test-domain",
+                network_name="test-network",
+                name="test",
+                namespaces=["test"],
+            ),
+        ),
+        (
+            {
+                "name": "test",
+                "namespaces": ["test"],
+                "use_service": True,
+                "create_groups": True,
+                "append_base_domain": True,
+                "base_domain": "test-domain",
+                "interface_name": "test-interface",
+            },
+            InventoryOptions(
+                use_service=True,
+                create_groups=True,
+                append_base_domain=True,
+                base_domain="test-domain",
+                network_name="test-interface",
+                name="test",
+                namespaces=["test"],
+            ),
+        ),
     ],
 )
-def test_parse(mocker, inventory, cache):
-    path = "/testpath"
-    cache_prefix = "test-prefix"
-    config_data = {"host_format": "test-format"}
-
-    mocker.patch.dict(inventory._cache, {cache_prefix: {"test-key": "test-value"}})
-    get_cache_prefix = mocker.patch.object(
-        inventory, "_get_cache_prefix", return_value=cache_prefix
-    )
+def test_config_data_to_opts(mocker, inventory, config_data, expected):
     read_config_data = mocker.patch.object(
         inventory, "_read_config_data", return_value=config_data
     )
+    mocker.patch.object(inventory, "get_cache_key")
+    mocker.patch.object(inventory, "get_option")
+    mocker.patch.object(kubevirt, "get_api_client")
+    mocker.patch.object(inventory, "fetch_objects")
+    populate_inventory = mocker.patch.object(inventory, "populate_inventory")
+
+    inventory.parse(None, None, "", False)
+
+    populate_inventory.assert_called_once_with(mocker.ANY, expected)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "cache_parse,cache_option,cache_data,expected",
+    [
+        (True, True, {"test-key": {"something": "something"}}, True),
+        (None, True, {"test-key": {"something": "something"}}, True),
+        (False, True, {"test-key": {"something": "something"}}, False),
+        (True, False, {"test-key": {"something": "something"}}, False),
+        (None, False, {"test-key": {"something": "something"}}, False),
+        (False, False, {"test-key": {"something": "something"}}, False),
+        (True, True, {"test-key2": {"something": "something"}}, False),
+        (None, True, {"test-key2": {"something": "something"}}, False),
+    ],
+)
+def test_use_of_cache(
+    mocker, inventory, cache_parse, cache_option, cache_data, expected
+):
+    path = "/testpath"
+    config_data = {"host_format": "test-format"}
+
+    mocker.patch.dict(inventory._cache, cache_data)
+
+    read_config_data = mocker.patch.object(
+        inventory, "_read_config_data", return_value=config_data
+    )
+    get_cache_key = mocker.patch.object(
+        inventory, "get_cache_key", return_value="test-key"
+    )
+    get_option = mocker.patch.object(inventory, "get_option", return_value=cache_option)
+    get_api_client = mocker.patch.object(kubevirt, "get_api_client")
     fetch_objects = mocker.patch.object(inventory, "fetch_objects")
+    populate_inventory = mocker.patch.object(inventory, "populate_inventory")
 
-    inventory.parse(None, None, path, cache)
+    if cache_parse is None:
+        inventory.parse(None, None, path)
+    else:
+        inventory.parse(None, None, path, cache_parse)
 
-    get_cache_prefix.assert_called_once_with(path)
+    opts = InventoryOptions(config_data=config_data)
+    get_cache_key.assert_called_once_with(path)
+    get_option.assert_called_once_with("cache")
     read_config_data.assert_called_once_with(path)
-    if cache:
+    if expected:
+        get_api_client.assert_not_called()
         fetch_objects.assert_not_called()
     else:
-        fetch_objects.assert_called_once_with(config_data)
+        get_api_client.assert_called_once_with(**config_data)
+        fetch_objects.assert_called_once_with(mocker.ANY, opts)
+    populate_inventory.assert_called_once_with(mocker.ANY, opts)
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
@@ -57,8 +169,10 @@ def test_parse(mocker, inventory, cache):
 )
 def test_k8s_client_missing(mocker, inventory, present):
     mocker.patch.object(kubevirt, "HAS_K8S_MODULE_HELPER", present)
-    mocker.patch.object(inventory, "_get_cache_prefix")
-    mocker.patch.object(inventory, "_read_config_data")
+    mocker.patch.object(kubevirt, "get_api_client")
+    mocker.patch.object(inventory, "_read_config_data", return_value={})
+    mocker.patch.object(inventory, "get_cache_key")
+    mocker.patch.object(inventory, "get_option")
     fetch_objects = mocker.patch.object(inventory, "fetch_objects")
 
     if present:
diff --git a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_populate_inventory_from_namespace.py b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_populate_inventory_from_namespace.py
index 1077a39..bff847f 100644
--- a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_populate_inventory_from_namespace.py
+++ b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_populate_inventory_from_namespace.py
@@ -8,9 +8,6 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 
 import pytest
 
-from addict import Dict
-
-
 from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory.kubevirt import (
     InventoryOptions,
 )
@@ -25,6 +22,8 @@ VM1 = {
         "namespace": DEFAULT_NAMESPACE,
         "uid": "940003aa-0160-4b7e-9e55-8ec3df72047f",
     },
+    "spec": {},
+    "status": {},
 }
 
 VM2 = {
@@ -33,6 +32,8 @@ VM2 = {
         "namespace": DEFAULT_NAMESPACE,
         "uid": "c2c68de5-b9d7-4c25-872f-462e7245b3e6",
     },
+    "spec": {},
+    "status": {},
 }
 
 VMI1 = {
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@ VMI1 = {
         "namespace": DEFAULT_NAMESPACE,
         "uid": "a84319a9-db31-4a36-9b66-3e387578f871",
     },
+    "spec": {},
     "status": {
         "interfaces": [{"ipAddress": "10.10.10.10"}],
     },
@@ -52,6 +54,7 @@ VMI2 = {
         "namespace": DEFAULT_NAMESPACE,
         "uid": "fd35700a-9cbe-488b-8f32-7adbe57eadc2",
     },
+    "spec": {},
     "status": {
         "interfaces": [{"ipAddress": "10.10.10.10"}],
     },
@@ -78,24 +81,25 @@ VMI2 = {
 def test_populate_inventory_from_namespace(
     mocker, inventory, groups, vms, vmis, expected
 ):
-    _vms = {vm["metadata"]["name"]: Dict(vm) for vm in vms}
-    _vmis = {vmi["metadata"]["name"]: Dict(vmi) for vmi in vmis}
-    opts = InventoryOptions()
+    _vms = {vm["metadata"]["name"]: vm for vm in vms}
+    _vmis = {vmi["metadata"]["name"]: vmi for vmi in vmis}
+    opts = InventoryOptions(name="test")
 
     def format_hostname(obj):
         return opts.host_format.format(
-            namespace=obj.metadata.namespace,
-            name=obj.metadata.name,
-            uid=obj.metadata.uid,
+            namespace=obj["metadata"]["namespace"],
+            name=obj["metadata"]["name"],
+            uid=obj["metadata"]["uid"],
         )
 
     def add_host_call(obj):
         return mocker.call(
-            obj,
+            obj["metadata"],
             opts.host_format,
             f"namespace_{DEFAULT_NAMESPACE}",
         )
 
+    obj_is_valid_calls = []
     add_host_side_effects = []
     add_host_calls = []
     set_vars_from_vm_calls = []
@@ -105,33 +109,27 @@ def test_populate_inventory_from_namespace(
     # For each VM add the expected calls
     # Also add expected calls for VMIs for which a VM exists
     for name, vm in _vms.items():
+        obj_is_valid_calls.append(mocker.call(vm))
         hostname = format_hostname(vm)
         add_host_side_effects.append(hostname)
         add_host_calls.append(add_host_call(vm))
         set_vars_from_vm_calls.append(mocker.call(hostname, vm, opts))
         if name in _vmis.keys():
-            set_vars_from_vmi_calls.append(mocker.call(hostname, _vmis[name], [], opts))
+            set_vars_from_vmi_calls.append(mocker.call(hostname, _vmis[name], {}, opts))
         set_composable_vars_calls.append(mocker.call(hostname))
 
     # For each VMI add the expected calls
     # Do not add for VMIs for which a VM exists
     for name, vmi in _vmis.items():
+        obj_is_valid_calls.append(mocker.call(vmi))
         if name not in _vms.keys():
             hostname = format_hostname(vmi)
             add_host_side_effects.append(hostname)
             add_host_calls.append(add_host_call(vmi))
-            set_vars_from_vmi_calls.append(mocker.call(hostname, vmi, [], opts))
+            set_vars_from_vmi_calls.append(mocker.call(hostname, vmi, {}, opts))
             set_composable_vars_calls.append(mocker.call(hostname))
 
-    get_vms_for_namespace = mocker.patch.object(
-        inventory, "get_vms_for_namespace", return_value=_vms.values()
-    )
-    get_vmis_for_namespace = mocker.patch.object(
-        inventory, "get_vmis_for_namespace", return_value=_vmis.values()
-    )
-    get_ssh_services_for_namespace = mocker.patch.object(
-        inventory, "get_ssh_services_for_namespace", return_value=[]
-    )
+    obj_is_valid = mocker.patch.object(inventory, "obj_is_valid", return_value=True)
     add_host = mocker.patch.object(
         inventory, "add_host", side_effect=add_host_side_effects
     )
@@ -139,23 +137,20 @@ def test_populate_inventory_from_namespace(
     set_vars_from_vmi = mocker.patch.object(inventory, "set_vars_from_vmi")
     set_composable_vars = mocker.patch.object(inventory, "set_composable_vars")
 
-    inventory.populate_inventory_from_namespace(None, "test", DEFAULT_NAMESPACE, opts)
-
-    # These should always get called once
-    get_vms_for_namespace.assert_called_once_with(None, DEFAULT_NAMESPACE, opts)
-    get_vmis_for_namespace.assert_called_once_with(None, DEFAULT_NAMESPACE, opts)
+    inventory.populate_inventory_from_namespace(
+        DEFAULT_NAMESPACE, {"vms": vms, "vmis": vmis, "services": {}}, opts
+    )
 
     # Assert it tries to add the expected vars for all provided VMs/VMIs
+    obj_is_valid.assert_has_calls(obj_is_valid_calls)
     set_vars_from_vm.assert_has_calls(set_vars_from_vm_calls)
     set_vars_from_vmi.assert_has_calls(set_vars_from_vmi_calls)
     set_composable_vars.assert_has_calls(set_composable_vars_calls)
 
     # If no VMs or VMIs were provided the function should not add any groups
     if vms or vmis:
-        get_ssh_services_for_namespace.assert_called_once_with(None, DEFAULT_NAMESPACE)
         assert list(groups.keys()) == ["test", f"namespace_{DEFAULT_NAMESPACE}"]
     else:
-        get_ssh_services_for_namespace.assert_not_called()
         assert not list(groups.keys())
 
     # Assert the expected amount of hosts was added
diff --git a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_set_ansible_host_and_port.py b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_set_ansible_host_and_port.py
index ab20265..5550167 100644
--- a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_set_ansible_host_and_port.py
+++ b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_set_ansible_host_and_port.py
@@ -8,8 +8,6 @@ __metaclass__ = type
 
 import pytest
 
-from addict import Dict
-
 from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory.kubevirt import (
     InventoryOptions,
 )
@@ -29,7 +27,7 @@ def test_use_ip_address_by_default(mocker, inventory, opts):
     hostname = "default-testvm"
     ip_address = "1.1.1.1"
 
-    inventory.set_ansible_host_and_port(Dict(), hostname, ip_address, None, opts)
+    inventory.set_ansible_host_and_port({}, hostname, ip_address, None, opts)
 
     set_variable.assert_has_calls(
         [
@@ -50,12 +48,10 @@ def test_kube_secondary_dns(mocker, inventory, base_domain):
     set_variable = mocker.patch.object(inventory.inventory, "set_variable")
 
     hostname = "default-testvm"
-    vmi = Dict(
-        {
-            "metadata": {"name": "testvm", "namespace": "default"},
-            "status": {"interfaces": [{"name": "awesome"}]},
-        }
-    )
+    vmi = {
+        "metadata": {"name": "testvm", "namespace": "default"},
+        "status": {"interfaces": [{"name": "awesome"}]},
+    }
 
     inventory.set_ansible_host_and_port(
         vmi,
@@ -85,12 +81,10 @@ def test_kube_secondary_dns_precedence_over_service(mocker, inventory):
     set_variable = mocker.patch.object(inventory.inventory, "set_variable")
 
     hostname = "default-testvm"
-    vmi = Dict(
-        {
-            "metadata": {"name": "testvm", "namespace": "default"},
-            "status": {"interfaces": [{"name": "awesome"}]},
-        }
-    )
+    vmi = {
+        "metadata": {"name": "testvm", "namespace": "default"},
+        "status": {"interfaces": [{"name": "awesome"}]},
+    }
 
     inventory.set_ansible_host_and_port(
         vmi,
@@ -170,13 +164,11 @@ def test_service(mocker, inventory, service, expected_host, expected_port):
     set_variable = mocker.patch.object(inventory.inventory, "set_variable")
 
     hostname = "default-testvm"
-    vmi = Dict(
-        {
-            "status": {
-                "nodeName": "testnode.example.com",
-            },
-        }
-    )
+    vmi = {
+        "status": {
+            "nodeName": "testnode.example.com",
+        },
+    }
 
     inventory.set_ansible_host_and_port(
         vmi,
@@ -198,13 +190,11 @@ def test_service_append_base_domain(mocker, inventory):
     set_variable = mocker.patch.object(inventory.inventory, "set_variable")
 
     hostname = "default-testvm"
-    vmi = Dict(
-        {
-            "status": {
-                "nodeName": "testnode",
-            },
-        }
-    )
+    vmi = {
+        "status": {
+            "nodeName": "testnode",
+        },
+    }
     service = {
         "spec": {
             "type": "NodePort",
@@ -243,13 +233,11 @@ def test_service_fallback(mocker, inventory, host, port):
     mocker.patch.object(inventory, "get_port_from_service", return_value=port)
 
     hostname = "default-testvm"
-    vmi = Dict(
-        {
-            "status": {
-                "nodeName": "testnode",
-            },
-        }
-    )
+    vmi = {
+        "status": {
+            "nodeName": "testnode",
+        },
+    }
     inventory.set_ansible_host_and_port(
         vmi,
         hostname,
@@ -271,7 +259,7 @@ def test_no_service_if_network_name(mocker, inventory):
 
     hostname = "default-testvm"
     inventory.set_ansible_host_and_port(
-        Dict(),
+        {},
         hostname,
         "1.2.3.4",
         {"something": "something"},
diff --git a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_set_common_vars.py b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_set_common_vars.py
index 6e76032..0085b83 100644
--- a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_set_common_vars.py
+++ b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_set_common_vars.py
@@ -11,8 +11,6 @@ from string import ascii_lowercase
 
 import pytest
 
-from addict import Dict
-
 from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory.kubevirt import (
     InventoryOptions,
 )
@@ -26,6 +24,8 @@ from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory.kubevirt import (
                 "metadata": {
                     "something": "idontcare",
                 },
+                "spec": {},
+                "status": {},
             },
             {},
         ),
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory.kubevirt import (
                 "metadata": {
                     "annotations": {"testanno": "testval"},
                 },
+                "spec": {},
+                "status": {},
             },
             {"annotations": {"testanno": "testval"}},
         ),
@@ -42,6 +44,8 @@ from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory.kubevirt import (
                 "metadata": {
                     "labels": {"testlabel": "testval"},
                 },
+                "spec": {},
+                "status": {},
             },
             {"labels": {"testlabel": "testval"}},
         ),
@@ -50,6 +54,8 @@ from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory.kubevirt import (
                 "metadata": {
                     "resourceVersion": "123",
                 },
+                "spec": {},
+                "status": {},
             },
             {"resource_version": "123"},
         ),
@@ -58,11 +64,15 @@ from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory.kubevirt import (
                 "metadata": {
                     "uid": "48e6ed2c-d8a2-4172-844d-0fe7056aa180",
                 },
+                "spec": {},
+                "status": {},
             },
             {"uid": "48e6ed2c-d8a2-4172-844d-0fe7056aa180"},
         ),
         (
             {
+                "metadata": {},
+                "spec": {},
                 "status": {
                     "interfaces": [{"ipAddress": "10.10.10.10"}],
                 },
@@ -75,7 +85,7 @@ def test_set_common_vars(inventory, hosts, obj, expected):
     hostname = "default-testvm"
     prefix = "".join(choice(ascii_lowercase) for i in range(5))
     inventory.inventory.add_host(hostname)
-    inventory.set_common_vars(hostname, prefix, Dict(obj), InventoryOptions())
+    inventory.set_common_vars(hostname, prefix, obj, InventoryOptions())
 
     for key, value in expected.items():
         prefixed_key = f"{prefix}_{key}"
@@ -99,7 +109,7 @@ def test_set_common_vars_create_groups(mocker, inventory, create_groups):
     opts = InventoryOptions(create_groups=create_groups)
 
     inventory.set_common_vars(
-        hostname, "prefix", Dict({"metadata": {"labels": labels}}), opts
+        hostname, "prefix", {"metadata": {"labels": labels}, "status": {}}, opts
     )
 
     if create_groups:
@@ -111,12 +121,16 @@ def test_set_common_vars_create_groups(mocker, inventory, create_groups):
 def test_called_by_set_vars_from(mocker, inventory):
     hostname = "default-testvm"
     opts = InventoryOptions()
+    obj = {"status": {}}
 
     set_common_vars = mocker.patch.object(inventory, "set_common_vars")
 
-    inventory.set_vars_from_vm(hostname, Dict(), opts)
-    inventory.set_vars_from_vmi(hostname, Dict(), {}, opts)
+    inventory.set_vars_from_vm(hostname, obj, opts)
+    inventory.set_vars_from_vmi(hostname, obj, {}, opts)
 
     set_common_vars.assert_has_calls(
-        [mocker.call(hostname, "vm", {}, opts), mocker.call(hostname, "vmi", {}, opts)]
+        [
+            mocker.call(hostname, "vm", obj, opts),
+            mocker.call(hostname, "vmi", obj, opts),
+        ]
     )
diff --git a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_set_vars_from_vmi.py b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_set_vars_from_vmi.py
index db7dc1f..917a9c2 100644
--- a/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_set_vars_from_vmi.py
+++ b/tests/unit/plugins/inventory/test_kubevirt_set_vars_from_vmi.py
@@ -6,8 +6,6 @@ from __future__ import absolute_import, division, print_function
 
 __metaclass__ = type
 
-from addict import Dict
-
 from ansible_collections.kubevirt.core.plugins.inventory.kubevirt import (
     InventoryOptions,
     LABEL_KUBEVIRT_IO_DOMAIN,
@@ -20,7 +18,7 @@ def test_ignore_vmi_without_interface(mocker, inventory):
         inventory, "set_ansible_host_and_port"
     )
 
-    vmi = Dict({"status": {}})
+    vmi = {"status": {}}
     inventory.set_vars_from_vmi("default-testvm", vmi, {}, InventoryOptions())
 
     set_ansible_host_and_port.assert_not_called()
@@ -33,9 +31,10 @@ def test_use_first_interface_by_default(mocker, inventory):
     )
 
     hostname = "default-testvm"
-    vmi = Dict(
-        {"status": {"interfaces": [{"ipAddress": "1.1.1.1"}, {"ipAddress": "2.2.2.2"}]}}
-    )
+    vmi = {
+        "metadata": {},
+        "status": {"interfaces": [{"ipAddress": "1.1.1.1"}, {"ipAddress": "2.2.2.2"}]},
+    }
     opts = InventoryOptions()
     inventory.set_vars_from_vmi(hostname, vmi, {}, opts)
 
@@ -51,16 +50,15 @@ def test_use_named_interface(mocker, inventory):
     )
 
     hostname = "default-testvm"
-    vmi = Dict(
-        {
-            "status": {
-                "interfaces": [
-                    {"name": "first", "ipAddress": "1.1.1.1"},
-                    {"name": "second", "ipAddress": "2.2.2.2"},
-                ]
-            }
-        }
-    )
+    vmi = {
+        "metadata": {},
+        "status": {
+            "interfaces": [
+                {"name": "first", "ipAddress": "1.1.1.1"},
+                {"name": "second", "ipAddress": "2.2.2.2"},
+            ]
+        },
+    }
     opts = InventoryOptions(network_name="second")
     inventory.set_vars_from_vmi(hostname, vmi, {}, opts)
 
@@ -75,9 +73,10 @@ def test_ignore_vmi_without_named_interface(mocker, inventory):
         inventory, "set_ansible_host_and_port"
     )
 
-    vmi = Dict(
-        {"status": {"interfaces": [{"name": "somename", "ipAddress": "1.1.1.1"}]}}
-    )
+    vmi = {
+        "metadata": {},
+        "status": {"interfaces": [{"name": "somename", "ipAddress": "1.1.1.1"}]},
+    }
     inventory.set_vars_from_vmi(
         "default-testvm", vmi, {}, InventoryOptions(network_name="awesome")
     )
@@ -92,7 +91,7 @@ def test_set_winrm_if_windows(mocker, inventory):
     set_variable = mocker.patch.object(inventory.inventory, "set_variable")
 
     hostname = "default-testvm"
-    vmi = Dict({"status": {"interfaces": [{"ipAddress": "1.1.1.1"}]}})
+    vmi = {"metadata": {}, "status": {"interfaces": [{"ipAddress": "1.1.1.1"}]}}
     inventory.set_vars_from_vmi(hostname, vmi, {}, InventoryOptions())
 
     set_variable.assert_called_once_with(hostname, "ansible_connection", "winrm")
@@ -105,12 +104,10 @@ def test_service_lookup(mocker, inventory):
     )
 
     hostname = "default-testvm"
-    vmi = Dict(
-        {
-            "metadata": {"labels": {LABEL_KUBEVIRT_IO_DOMAIN: "testdomain"}},
-            "status": {"interfaces": [{"name": "somename", "ipAddress": "1.1.1.1"}]},
-        }
-    )
+    vmi = {
+        "metadata": {"labels": {LABEL_KUBEVIRT_IO_DOMAIN: "testdomain"}},
+        "status": {"interfaces": [{"name": "somename", "ipAddress": "1.1.1.1"}]},
+    }
     opts = InventoryOptions()
     service = {"metadata": {"name": "testsvc"}}
     inventory.set_vars_from_vmi(hostname, vmi, {"testdomain": service}, opts)
diff --git a/tests/unit/requirements.txt b/tests/unit/requirements.txt
index 93e7491..ce8d356 100644
--- a/tests/unit/requirements.txt
+++ b/tests/unit/requirements.txt
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 jsonpatch
 kubernetes>=28.1.0
 PyYAML>=3.11
-addict
 pytest
 pytest-mock
 pytest-xdist