Add utility tools to ApexLake

Add utility tools and related tests to ApexLake
Fix also small things in all tests

JIRA: YARDSTICK-35

Change-Id: I76ab79b3b7ba3b48633517477b262f5bcdc743f0
Signed-off-by: Vincenzo Riccobene <vincenzox.m.riccobene@intel.com>

13 files changed, 1336 insertions, 29 deletions

diff --git a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/.gitignore b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ddcd58683
--- /dev/null
+++ b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+benchmark.log
+
diff --git a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/bin/run_tests.sh b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/bin/run_tests.sh
index 01592ddc7..6707ad75e 100755
--- a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/bin/run_tests.sh
+++ b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/bin/run_tests.sh
@@ -1 +1,2 @@
+export PYTHONPATH=`pwd`
 nosetests --with-coverage --cover-erase --cover-package experimental_framework
diff --git a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/experimental_framework/__init__.py b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/experimental_framework/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d4ab29e9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/experimental_framework/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2015 Intel Research and Development Ireland Ltd.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+'''
+Experimental Framework
+'''
diff --git a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/experimental_framework/benchmarks/__init__.py b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/experimental_framework/benchmarks/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..99635a45a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/experimental_framework/benchmarks/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2015 Intel Research and Development Ireland Ltd.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""
+Benchmarks to be executed within the framework
+"""
diff --git a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/experimental_framework/common.py b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/experimental_framework/common.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..97f5bee93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/experimental_framework/common.py
@@ -0,0 +1,570 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2015 Intel Research and Development Ireland Ltd.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+import os
+import re
+import ConfigParser
+import logging
+import fileinput
+from experimental_framework.constants import conf_file_sections as cf
+from experimental_framework.constants import framework_parameters as fp
+
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+# List of common variables
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+
+LOG = None
+CONF_FILE = None
+DEPLOYMENT_UNIT = None
+ITERATIONS = None
+
+BASE_DIR = None
+RESULT_DIR = None
+TEMPLATE_DIR = None
+TEMPLATE_NAME = None
+TEMPLATE_FILE_EXTENSION = None
+
+PKTGEN = None
+PKTGEN_DIR = None
+PKTGEN_DPDK_DIRECTORY = None
+PKTGEN_PROGRAM = None
+PKTGEN_COREMASK = None
+PKTGEN_MEMCHANNEL = None
+PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1 = None
+PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2 = None
+
+INFLUXDB_IP = None
+INFLUXDB_PORT = None
+INFLUXDB_DB_NAME = None
+
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+# Initialization and Input 'heat_templates/'validation
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+
+def init(api=False):
+    global BASE_DIR
+    BASE_DIR = os.getcwd()
+    BASE_DIR = BASE_DIR.replace('/experimental_framework', '')
+    BASE_DIR = InputValidation.validate_directory_exist_and_format(
+        BASE_DIR, "Error 000001")
+
+    init_conf_file(api)
+    init_general_vars()
+    init_log()
+    if len(CONF_FILE.get_variable_list(cf.CFS_PKTGEN)) > 0:
+        init_pktgen()
+
+
+def init_conf_file(api=False):
+    global CONF_FILE
+    if api:
+        CONF_FILE = ConfigurationFile(cf.get_sections_api())
+    else:
+        CONF_FILE = ConfigurationFile(cf.get_sections())
+
+
+def init_general_vars():
+    global TEMPLATE_FILE_EXTENSION
+    global TEMPLATE_NAME
+    global TEMPLATE_DIR
+    global RESULT_DIR
+    global ITERATIONS
+
+    TEMPLATE_FILE_EXTENSION = '.yaml'
+
+    # Check Section in Configuration File
+    InputValidation.\
+        validate_configuration_file_section(
+            cf.CFS_GENERAL,
+            "Section " + cf.CFS_GENERAL +
+            "is not present in configuration file")
+
+    TEMPLATE_DIR = BASE_DIR + 'heat_templates/'
+
+    # Validate template name
+    InputValidation.\
+        validate_configuration_file_parameter(
+            cf.CFS_GENERAL,
+            cf.CFSG_TEMPLATE_NAME,
+            "Parameter " + cf.CFSG_TEMPLATE_NAME +
+            "is not present in configuration file")
+
+    TEMPLATE_NAME = CONF_FILE.get_variable(cf.CFS_GENERAL,
+                                           cf.CFSG_TEMPLATE_NAME)
+    InputValidation.validate_file_exist(
+        TEMPLATE_DIR + TEMPLATE_NAME,
+        "The provided template file does not exist")
+    RESULT_DIR = BASE_DIR + 'results/'
+
+    # Validate and assign Iterations
+    if cf.CFSG_ITERATIONS in CONF_FILE.get_variable_list(cf.CFS_GENERAL):
+        ITERATIONS = int(CONF_FILE.get_variable(cf.CFS_GENERAL,
+                                                cf.CFSG_ITERATIONS))
+    else:
+        ITERATIONS = 1
+
+
+def init_log():
+    global LOG
+    if cf.CFSG_DEBUG in CONF_FILE.get_variable_list(cf.CFS_GENERAL) and \
+            CONF_FILE.get_variable(cf.CFS_GENERAL, cf.CFSG_DEBUG):
+            logging.basicConfig(level=logging.DEBUG)
+    else:
+        logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
+
+    LOG = logging.getLogger()
+    log_formatter = logging.Formatter("%(asctime)s --- %(message)s")
+    file_handler = logging.FileHandler("{0}/{1}.log".format("./", "benchmark"))
+    file_handler.setFormatter(log_formatter)
+    file_handler.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
+    LOG.addHandler(file_handler)
+
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+# InfluxDB conf variables
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+def init_influxdb():
+    global INFLUXDB_IP
+    global INFLUXDB_PORT
+    global INFLUXDB_DB_NAME
+
+    INFLUXDB_IP = CONF_FILE.get_variable(cf.CFS_INFLUXDB, cf.CFSI_IDB_IP)
+    INFLUXDB_PORT = CONF_FILE.get_variable(cf.CFS_INFLUXDB, cf.CFSI_IDB_PORT)
+    INFLUXDB_DB_NAME = CONF_FILE.get_variable(cf.CFS_INFLUXDB,
+                                              cf.CFSI_IDB_DB_NAME)
+
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+# Packet Generator conf variables
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+def init_pktgen():
+    global PKTGEN
+    global PKTGEN_DIR
+    global PKTGEN_PROGRAM
+    global PKTGEN_COREMASK
+    global PKTGEN_MEMCHANNEL
+    global PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1
+    global PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2
+    global PKTGEN_DPDK_DIRECTORY
+
+    msg = "Section {} is not present in the configuration file".\
+        format(cf.CFS_PKTGEN)
+    InputValidation.validate_configuration_file_section(cf.CFS_PKTGEN, msg)
+
+    pktgen_var_list = CONF_FILE.get_variable_list(cf.CFS_PKTGEN)
+    PKTGEN = 'dpdk_pktgen'  # default value
+    if cf.CFSP_PACKET_GENERATOR in pktgen_var_list:
+        msg = "Parameter {} is not present in section {}".format(
+            cf.CFSP_PACKET_GENERATOR, cf.CFS_PKTGEN)
+        InputValidation.validate_configuration_file_parameter(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_PACKET_GENERATOR, msg)
+        PKTGEN = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_PACKET_GENERATOR)
+
+    if PKTGEN not in fp.get_supported_packet_generators():
+        raise ValueError('The specified packet generator is not supported '
+                         'by the framework')
+
+    # Check if the packet gen is dpdk_pktgen
+    if PKTGEN == cf.CFSP_PG_DPDK:
+        # Validation of DPDK pktgen directory
+        msg = "Parameter {} is not present in section {}".format(
+            cf.CFSP_DPDK_PKTGEN_DIRECTORY, cf.CFS_PKTGEN)
+        InputValidation.validate_configuration_file_parameter(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_DPDK_PKTGEN_DIRECTORY, msg)
+        PKTGEN_DIR = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_DPDK_PKTGEN_DIRECTORY)
+        msg = "The directory {} does not exist.".format(PKTGEN_DIR)
+        PKTGEN_DIR = InputValidation.validate_directory_exist_and_format(
+            PKTGEN_DIR, msg)
+
+        # Validation of the DPDK program name
+        msg = "Parameter {} is not present in section {}".format(
+            cf.CFSP_DPDK_PROGRAM_NAME, cf.CFS_PKTGEN)
+        InputValidation.validate_configuration_file_parameter(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_DPDK_PROGRAM_NAME, msg)
+        PKTGEN_PROGRAM = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_DPDK_PROGRAM_NAME)
+
+        # Validation of the DPDK Coremask parameter
+        msg = "Parameter {} is not present in section {}".format(
+            cf.CFSP_DPDK_COREMASK, cf.CFS_PKTGEN)
+        InputValidation.validate_configuration_file_parameter(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_DPDK_COREMASK, msg)
+        PKTGEN_COREMASK = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_DPDK_COREMASK)
+
+        # Validation of the DPDK Memory Channel parameter
+        msg = "Parameter {} is not present in section {}".format(
+            cf.CFSP_DPDK_MEMORY_CHANNEL, cf.CFS_PKTGEN)
+        InputValidation.validate_configuration_file_parameter(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_DPDK_MEMORY_CHANNEL, msg)
+        PKTGEN_MEMCHANNEL = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_DPDK_MEMORY_CHANNEL)
+
+        # Validation of the DPDK Bus Slot 1
+        msg = "Parameter {} is not present in section {}".format(
+            cf.CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1, cf.CFS_PKTGEN)
+        InputValidation.validate_configuration_file_parameter(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1, msg)
+        PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1 = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1)
+
+        # Validation of the DPDK Bus Slot 2
+        msg = "Parameter {} is not present in section {}".format(
+            cf.CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2, cf.CFS_PKTGEN)
+        InputValidation.validate_configuration_file_parameter(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2, msg)
+        PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2 = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2)
+
+        # Validation of DPDK directory parameter
+        msg = "Parameter {} is not present in section {}".format(
+            cf.CFSP_DPDK_DPDK_DIRECTORY, cf.CFS_PKTGEN)
+        InputValidation.validate_configuration_file_parameter(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_DPDK_DPDK_DIRECTORY, msg)
+        PKTGEN_DPDK_DIRECTORY = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+            cf.CFS_PKTGEN, cf.CFSP_DPDK_DPDK_DIRECTORY)
+        msg = "Directory {} does not exist".format(
+            cf.CFSP_DPDK_DPDK_DIRECTORY)
+        PKTGEN_DPDK_DIRECTORY = InputValidation.\
+            validate_directory_exist_and_format(PKTGEN_DPDK_DIRECTORY, msg)
+
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+# Configuration file access
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+
+class ConfigurationFile:
+    """
+    Used to extract data from the configuration file
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, sections, config_file='conf.cfg'):
+        """
+        Reads configuration file sections
+
+        :param sections: list of strings representing the sections to be
+                         loaded
+        :param config_file: name of the configuration file (string)
+        :return: None
+        """
+        InputValidation.validate_string(
+            config_file, "The configuration file name must be a string")
+        config_file = BASE_DIR + config_file
+        InputValidation.validate_file_exist(
+            config_file, 'The provided configuration file does not exist')
+        self.config = ConfigParser.ConfigParser()
+        self.config.read(config_file)
+        for section in sections:
+            setattr(
+                self, section, ConfigurationFile.
+                _config_section_map(section, self.config))
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _config_section_map(section, config_file):
+        """
+        Returns a dictionary with the configuration values for the specific
+        section
+
+        :param section: section to be loaded (string)
+        :param config_file: name of the configuration file (string)
+        :return: dict
+        """
+        dict1 = dict()
+        options = config_file.options(section)
+        for option in options:
+            dict1[option] = config_file.get(section, option)
+        return dict1
+
+    def get_variable(self, section, variable_name):
+        """
+        Returns the value correspondent to a variable
+
+        :param section: section to be loaded (string)
+        :param variable_name: name of the variable (string)
+        :return: string
+        """
+        message = "The variable name must be a string"
+        InputValidation.validate_string(variable_name, message)
+        if variable_name in self.get_variable_list(section):
+            sect = getattr(self, section)
+            return sect[variable_name]
+        else:
+            exc_msg = 'Parameter {} is not in the {} section of the conf file'
+            exc_msg.format(variable_name, section)
+            raise ValueError(exc_msg)
+
+    def get_variable_list(self, section):
+        """
+        Returns the list of the available variables in a section
+        :param section: section to be loaded (string)
+        :return: list
+        """
+        try:
+            return getattr(self, section)
+        except:
+            msg = 'Section {}  not found in the configuration file'.\
+                format(section)
+            raise ValueError(msg)
+
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+# Get OpenStack Credentials
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+def get_credentials():
+    """
+    Returns the credentials for OpenStack access from the configuration file
+    :return: dictionary
+    """
+    credentials = dict()
+    credentials[cf.CFSO_IP_CONTROLLER] = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+        cf.CFS_OPENSTACK, cf.CFSO_IP_CONTROLLER)
+    credentials[cf.CFSO_HEAT_URL] = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+        cf.CFS_OPENSTACK, cf.CFSO_HEAT_URL)
+    credentials[cf.CFSO_USER] = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+        cf.CFS_OPENSTACK, cf.CFSO_USER)
+    credentials[cf.CFSO_PASSWORD] = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+        cf.CFS_OPENSTACK, cf.CFSO_PASSWORD)
+    credentials[cf.CFSO_AUTH_URI] = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+        cf.CFS_OPENSTACK, cf.CFSO_AUTH_URI)
+    credentials[cf.CFSO_PROJECT] = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+        cf.CFS_OPENSTACK, cf.CFSO_PROJECT)
+    return credentials
+
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+# Manage files
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+
+def get_heat_template_params():
+    """
+    Returns the list of deployment parameters from the configuration file
+    for the heat template
+
+    :return: dict
+    """
+    heat_parameters_list = CONF_FILE.get_variable_list(
+        cf.CFS_DEPLOYMENT_PARAMETERS)
+    testcase_parameters = dict()
+    for param in heat_parameters_list:
+        testcase_parameters[param] = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+            cf.CFS_DEPLOYMENT_PARAMETERS, param)
+    return testcase_parameters
+
+
+def get_testcase_params():
+    """
+    Returns the list of testcase parameters from the configuration file
+
+    :return: dict
+    """
+    testcase_parameters = dict()
+    parameters = CONF_FILE.get_variable_list(cf.CFS_TESTCASE_PARAMETERS)
+    for param in parameters:
+        testcase_parameters[param] = CONF_FILE.get_variable(
+            cf.CFS_TESTCASE_PARAMETERS, param)
+    return testcase_parameters
+
+
+def get_file_first_line(file_name):
+    """
+    Returns the first line of a file
+
+    :param file_name: name of the file to be read (str)
+    :return: str
+    """
+    message = "The name of the file must be a string"
+    InputValidation.validate_string(file_name, message)
+    message = 'The file {} does not exist'.format(file_name)
+    InputValidation.validate_file_exist(file_name, message)
+    res = open(file_name, 'r')
+    return res.readline()
+
+
+def replace_in_file(file, text_to_search, text_to_replace):
+    """
+    Replaces a string within a file
+
+    :param file: name of the file (str)
+    :param text_to_search: text to be replaced
+    :param text_to_replace: new text that will replace the previous
+    :return: None
+    """
+    message = 'The text to be replaced in the file must be a string'
+    InputValidation.validate_string(text_to_search, message)
+    message = 'The text to replace in the file must be a string'
+    InputValidation.validate_string(text_to_replace, message)
+    message = "The name of the file must be a string"
+    InputValidation.validate_string(file, message)
+    message = "The file does not exist"
+    InputValidation.validate_file_exist(file, message)
+    for line in fileinput.input(file, inplace=True):
+        print(line.replace(text_to_search, text_to_replace).rstrip())
+
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+# Shell interaction
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+def run_command(command):
+    LOG.info("Running command: " + command)
+    return os.system(command)
+
+
+def push_data_influxdb(data):
+    ip = INFLUXDB_IP
+    port = INFLUXDB_PORT
+    db_name = INFLUXDB_DB_NAME
+    command = "curl -i -XPOST 'http://{}:{}/write?db={}' " \
+              "--data-binary {}".format(ip, port, db_name, data)
+    run_command(command)
+
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+# Expose variables to other modules
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+
+def get_base_dir():
+    return BASE_DIR
+
+
+def get_template_dir():
+    return TEMPLATE_DIR
+
+
+def get_dpdk_pktgen_vars():
+    if not (PKTGEN == 'dpdk_pktgen'):
+        return dict()
+    ret_val = dict()
+    ret_val[cf.CFSP_DPDK_PKTGEN_DIRECTORY] = PKTGEN_DIR
+    ret_val[cf.CFSP_DPDK_PROGRAM_NAME] = PKTGEN_PROGRAM
+    ret_val[cf.CFSP_DPDK_COREMASK] = PKTGEN_COREMASK
+    ret_val[cf.CFSP_DPDK_MEMORY_CHANNEL] = PKTGEN_MEMCHANNEL
+    ret_val[cf.CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1] = PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1
+    ret_val[cf.CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2] = PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2
+    ret_val[cf.CFSP_DPDK_DPDK_DIRECTORY] = PKTGEN_DPDK_DIRECTORY
+    return ret_val
+
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+# Configuration Variables from Config File
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+def get_deployment_configuration_variables_from_conf_file():
+    variables = dict()
+    types = dict()
+    all_variables = CONF_FILE.get_variable_list(cf.CFS_EXPERIMENT_VNF)
+    for var in all_variables:
+        v = CONF_FILE.get_variable(cf.CFS_EXPERIMENT_VNF, var)
+        type = re.findall(r'@\w*', v)
+        values = re.findall(r'\"(.+?)\"', v)
+        variables[var] = values
+        try:
+            types[var] = type[0][1:]
+        except IndexError:
+            LOG.debug("No type has been specified for variable " + var)
+    return variables
+
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+# benchmarks from Config File
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+def get_benchmarks_from_conf_file():
+    requested_benchmarks = list()
+    benchmarks = \
+        CONF_FILE.get_variable(cf.CFS_GENERAL, cf.CFSG_BENCHMARKS).split(', ')
+    for benchmark in benchmarks:
+        requested_benchmarks.append(benchmark)
+    return requested_benchmarks
+
+
+class InputValidation(object):
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def validate_string(param, message):
+        if not isinstance(param, str):
+            raise ValueError(message)
+        return True
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def validate_integer(param, message):
+        if not isinstance(param, int):
+            raise ValueError(message)
+        return True
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def validate_dictionary(param, message):
+        if not isinstance(param, dict):
+            raise ValueError(message)
+        return True
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def validate_file_exist(file_name, message):
+        if not os.path.isfile(file_name):
+            raise ValueError(message + ' ' + file_name)
+        return True
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def validate_directory_exist_and_format(directory, message):
+        if not os.path.isdir(directory):
+            raise ValueError(message)
+        if not directory.endswith('/'):
+            return directory + '/'
+        return directory
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def validate_configuration_file_parameter(section, parameter, message):
+        params = CONF_FILE.get_variable_list(section)
+        if parameter not in params:
+            raise ValueError(message)
+        return True
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def validate_configuration_file_section(section, message):
+        if section not in cf.get_sections():
+            raise ValueError(message)
+        return True
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def validate_boolean(boolean, message):
+        if isinstance(boolean, bool):
+            return boolean
+        if isinstance(boolean, str):
+            if boolean == 'True':
+                return True
+            if boolean == 'False':
+                return False
+        raise ValueError(message)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def validate_os_credentials(credentials):
+        if not isinstance(credentials, dict):
+            raise ValueError(
+                'The provided openstack_credentials '
+                'variable must be in dictionary format')
+
+        credential_keys = ['ip_controller', 'heat_url', 'user', 'password',
+                           'auth_uri', 'project']
+        missing = [
+            credential_key
+            for credential_key in credential_keys
+            if credential_key not in credentials.keys()
+        ]
+        if len(missing) == 0:
+            return True
+        msg = 'OpenStack Credentials Error! ' \
+              'The following parameters are missing: {}'.\
+            format(", ".join(missing))
+        raise ValueError(msg)
diff --git a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/experimental_framework/constants/conf_file_sections.py b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/experimental_framework/constants/conf_file_sections.py
index eed00bce0..f397984e9 100644
--- a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/experimental_framework/constants/conf_file_sections.py
+++ b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/experimental_framework/constants/conf_file_sections.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ CFS_EXPERIMENT_VNF = 'Experiment-VNF'
 CFS_EXPERIMENT_GENERIC = 'Experiment-generic'
 CFS_TESTCASE_PARAMETERS = 'Testcase-parameters'
 CFS_DEPLOYMENT_PARAMETERS = 'Deployment-parameters'
+CFS_INFLUXDB = 'InfluxDB'
 
 
 def get_sections():
@@ -31,9 +32,10 @@ def get_sections():
         CFS_GENERAL,
         CFS_OPENSTACK,
         CFS_EXPERIMENT_VNF,
-        CFS_EXPERIMENT_GENERIC,
+        # CFS_EXPERIMENT_GENERIC,
         CFS_TESTCASE_PARAMETERS,
-        CFS_DEPLOYMENT_PARAMETERS
+        CFS_DEPLOYMENT_PARAMETERS,
+        CFS_INFLUXDB
         # Add here eventually new sections in configuration file ...
     ]
 
@@ -42,8 +44,7 @@ def get_sections_api():
     return [
         CFS_PKTGEN,
         CFS_GENERAL,
-        # TODO: TO BE REMOVED AFTER TESTING THE API
-        CFS_OPENSTACK
+        CFS_INFLUXDB
         # Add here eventually new sections in configuration file ...
     ]
 
@@ -55,17 +56,30 @@ CFSG_TEMPLATE_DIR = 'template_dir'
 CFSG_TEMPLATE_NAME = 'template_base_name'
 CFSG_RESULT_DIRECTORY = 'results_directory'
 CFSG_BENCHMARKS = 'benchmarks'
+CFSG_DEBUG = 'debug'
+
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+# InfluxDB
+# ------------------------------------------------------
+CFSI_IDB_IP = 'influxdb_ip_address'
+CFSI_IDB_PORT = 'influxdb_port'
+CFSI_IDB_DB_NAME = 'influxdb_db_name'
 
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------
 # Packet generator section parameters
 # ------------------------------------------------------
 CFSP_PACKET_GENERATOR = 'packet_generator'
-CFSP_DPDK_DIRECTORY = 'directory'
+CFSP_DPDK_PKTGEN_DIRECTORY = 'pktgen_directory'
+CFSP_DPDK_DPDK_DIRECTORY = 'dpdk_directory'
 CFSP_DPDK_PROGRAM_NAME = 'program_name'
 CFSP_DPDK_COREMASK = 'coremask'
 CFSP_DPDK_MEMORY_CHANNEL = 'memory_channels'
-CFSP_DPDK_CORE_NICS = 'core_nics'
+CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1 = 'bus_slot_nic_1'
+CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2 = 'bus_slot_nic_2'
+CFSP_DPDK_NAME_IF_1 = 'name_if_1'
+CFSP_DPDK_NAME_IF_2 = 'name_if_2'
 
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/common_test.py b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/common_test.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a80672522
--- /dev/null
+++ b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/common_test.py
@@ -0,0 +1,643 @@
+__author__ = 'vmricco'
+
+import unittest
+import mock
+import os
+import logging
+import ConfigParser
+import experimental_framework.common as common
+import experimental_framework.constants.conf_file_sections as cf
+
+
+def reset_common():
+    common.LOG = None
+    common.CONF_FILE = None
+    common.DEPLOYMENT_UNIT = None
+    common.ITERATIONS = None
+    common.BASE_DIR = None
+    common.RESULT_DIR = None
+    common.TEMPLATE_DIR = None
+    common.TEMPLATE_NAME = None
+    common.TEMPLATE_FILE_EXTENSION = None
+    common.PKTGEN = None
+    common.PKTGEN_DIR = None
+    common.PKTGEN_DPDK_DIRECTORY = None
+    common.PKTGEN_PROGRAM = None
+    common.PKTGEN_COREMASK = None
+    common.PKTGEN_MEMCHANNEL = None
+    common.PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1 = None
+    common.PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2 = None
+    common.INFLUXDB_IP = None
+    common.INFLUXDB_PORT = None
+    common.INFLUXDB_DB_NAME = None
+
+
+class DummyConfigurationFile(common.ConfigurationFile):
+    def __init__(self, sections):
+        pass
+
+    def get_variable(self, section, variable_name):
+        return 'vTC.yaml'
+
+    def get_variable_list(self, section):
+        return ['template_base_name']
+
+
+class DummyConfigurationFile2(common.ConfigurationFile):
+    def __init__(self, sections):
+        self.pktgen_counter = 0
+
+    def get_variable(self, section, variable_name):
+        if variable_name == cf.CFSG_TEMPLATE_NAME:
+            return 'vTC.yaml'
+        if variable_name == cf.CFSG_ITERATIONS:
+            return 2
+        if variable_name == cf.CFSG_DEBUG:
+            return True
+        if variable_name == cf.CFSP_PACKET_GENERATOR:
+            if self.pktgen_counter == 1:
+                return 'non_supported'
+            self.pktgen_counter += 1
+            return 'dpdk_pktgen'
+        if variable_name == cf.CFSP_DPDK_PKTGEN_DIRECTORY:
+            return os.getcwd()
+        if variable_name == cf.CFSP_DPDK_PROGRAM_NAME:
+            return 'program'
+        if variable_name == cf.CFSP_DPDK_COREMASK:
+            return 'coremask'
+        if variable_name == cf.CFSP_DPDK_MEMORY_CHANNEL:
+            return 'memchannel'
+        if variable_name == cf.CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1:
+            return 'bus_slot_nic_1'
+        if variable_name == cf.CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2:
+            return 'bus_slot_nic_2'
+        if variable_name == cf.CFSP_DPDK_DPDK_DIRECTORY:
+            return os.getcwd()
+
+    def get_variable_list(self, section):
+        if section == cf.CFS_PKTGEN:
+            return [
+                cf.CFSP_DPDK_NAME_IF_2,
+                cf.CFSP_DPDK_NAME_IF_1,
+                cf.CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1,
+                cf.CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2,
+                cf.CFSP_DPDK_COREMASK,
+                cf.CFSP_DPDK_DPDK_DIRECTORY,
+                cf.CFSP_DPDK_PKTGEN_DIRECTORY,
+                cf.CFSP_DPDK_MEMORY_CHANNEL,
+                cf.CFSP_DPDK_PROGRAM_NAME,
+                cf.CFSP_PACKET_GENERATOR
+            ]
+        else:
+            return [
+                'template_base_name',
+                'iterations',
+                cf.CFSG_DEBUG
+            ]
+
+
+class TestCommonInit(unittest.TestCase):
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        common.CONF_FILE = DummyConfigurationFile('')
+        self.dir = '{}/{}'.format(os.getcwd(),
+                                  'experimental_framework/')
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        reset_common()
+        # common.CONF_FILE = None
+
+    @mock.patch('os.getcwd')
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.init_conf_file')
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.init_general_vars')
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.init_log')
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.init_pktgen')
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.CONF_FILE')
+    def test_init_for_success(self, mock_conf_file, init_pkgen, init_log,
+                              init_general_vars, init_conf_file, mock_getcwd):
+        mock_getcwd.return_value = self.dir
+        common.init(True)
+        init_pkgen.assert_called_once()
+        init_conf_file.assert_called_once()
+        init_general_vars.assert_called_once()
+        init_log.assert_called_once()
+        expected = self.dir.split('experimental_framework/')[0]
+        self.assertEqual(common.BASE_DIR, expected)
+
+    def test_init_general_vars_for_success(self):
+        common.BASE_DIR = "{}/".format(os.getcwd())
+        common.init_general_vars()
+        self.assertEqual(common.TEMPLATE_FILE_EXTENSION, '.yaml')
+        heat_dir = self.dir.split('experimental_framework/')[0]
+        self.assertEqual(common.TEMPLATE_DIR,
+                         '{}{}'.format(heat_dir, 'heat_templates/'))
+        self.assertEqual(common.TEMPLATE_NAME, 'vTC.yaml')
+        self.assertEqual(common.RESULT_DIR,
+                         '{}{}'.format(heat_dir, 'results/'))
+        self.assertEqual(common.ITERATIONS, 1)
+
+
+class TestCommonInit2(unittest.TestCase):
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        common.CONF_FILE = DummyConfigurationFile2('')
+        self.dir = '{}/{}'.format(os.getcwd(), 'experimental_framework/')
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        reset_common()
+        common.CONF_FILE = None
+
+    def test_init_general_vars_2_for_success(self):
+        common.BASE_DIR = "{}/".format(os.getcwd())
+        common.init_general_vars()
+        self.assertEqual(common.TEMPLATE_FILE_EXTENSION, '.yaml')
+        heat_dir = self.dir.split('experimental_framework/')[0]
+        self.assertEqual(common.TEMPLATE_DIR,
+                         '{}{}'.format(heat_dir, 'heat_templates/'))
+        self.assertEqual(common.TEMPLATE_NAME, 'vTC.yaml')
+        self.assertEqual(common.RESULT_DIR,
+                         '{}{}'.format(heat_dir, 'results/'))
+        self.assertEqual(common.ITERATIONS, 2)
+
+    def test_init_log_2_for_success(self):
+        common.init_log()
+        self.assertIsInstance(common.LOG, logging.RootLogger)
+
+    def test_init_pktgen_for_success(self):
+        common.init_pktgen()
+        self.assertEqual(common.PKTGEN, 'dpdk_pktgen')
+        directory = self.dir.split('experimental_framework/')[0]
+        self.assertEqual(common.PKTGEN_DIR, directory)
+        self.assertEqual(common.PKTGEN_PROGRAM, 'program')
+        self.assertEqual(common.PKTGEN_COREMASK, 'coremask')
+        self.assertEqual(common.PKTGEN_MEMCHANNEL, 'memchannel')
+        self.assertEqual(common.PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1, 'bus_slot_nic_1')
+        self.assertEqual(common.PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2, 'bus_slot_nic_2')
+        expected_dir = "{}/".format(os.getcwd())
+        self.assertEqual(common.PKTGEN_DPDK_DIRECTORY, expected_dir)
+
+    def test_init_pktgen_for_failure(self):
+        common.CONF_FILE.get_variable('', cf.CFSP_PACKET_GENERATOR)
+        self.assertRaises(ValueError, common.init_pktgen)
+
+
+class TestConfFileInitialization(unittest.TestCase):
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        pass
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        reset_common()
+
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.ConfigurationFile',
+                side_effect=DummyConfigurationFile)
+    def test_init_conf_file_for_success(self, conf_file):
+        common.CONF_FILE = None
+        common.init_conf_file(False)
+        self.assertIsInstance(common.CONF_FILE,
+                              DummyConfigurationFile)
+
+        common.CONF_FILE = None
+        common.init_conf_file(True)
+        self.assertIsInstance(common.CONF_FILE,
+                              DummyConfigurationFile)
+
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.CONF_FILE')
+    def test_init_log_for_success(self, mock_conf_file):
+        mock_conf_file.get_variable_list.return_value = 'value'
+        common.init_log()
+        self.assertIsInstance(common.LOG, logging.RootLogger)
+
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.CONF_FILE')
+    def test_init_influxdb_for_success(self, mock_conf_file):
+        mock_conf_file.get_variable.return_value = 'value'
+        common.init_influxdb()
+        self.assertEqual(common.INFLUXDB_IP, 'value')
+        self.assertEqual(common.INFLUXDB_PORT, 'value')
+        self.assertEqual(common.INFLUXDB_DB_NAME, 'value')
+
+
+class DummyConfigurationFile3(common.ConfigurationFile):
+    counter = 0
+
+    def __init__(self, sections, config_file='conf.cfg'):
+        common.ConfigurationFile.__init__(self, sections, config_file)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _config_section_map(section, config_file, get_counter=None):
+        if get_counter:
+            return DummyConfigurationFile3.counter
+        else:
+            DummyConfigurationFile3.counter += 1
+            return dict()
+
+
+class TestConfigFileClass(unittest.TestCase):
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.sections = [
+            'General',
+            'OpenStack',
+            'Experiment-VNF',
+            'PacketGen',
+            'Deployment-parameters',
+            'Testcase-parameters'
+        ]
+        c_file = '/tests/data/common/conf.cfg'
+        common.BASE_DIR = os.getcwd()
+        self.conf_file = common.ConfigurationFile(self.sections, c_file)
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        reset_common()
+        common.BASE_DIR = None
+
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.ConfigurationFile.'
+                '_config_section_map',
+                side_effect=DummyConfigurationFile3._config_section_map)
+    def test___init___for_success(self, mock_conf_map):
+        sections = ['General', 'OpenStack', 'Experiment-VNF', 'PacketGen',
+                    'Deployment-parameters', 'Testcase-parameters']
+        c = DummyConfigurationFile3(
+            sections, config_file='/tests/data/common/conf.cfg')
+        self.assertEqual(
+            DummyConfigurationFile3._config_section_map('', '', True),
+            6)
+        for section in sections:
+            self.assertEqual(getattr(c, section), dict())
+
+    def test__config_section_map_for_success(self):
+        general_section = 'General'
+        # openstack_section = 'OpenStack'
+        config_file = 'tests/data/common/conf.cfg'
+        config = ConfigParser.ConfigParser()
+        config.read(config_file)
+
+        expected = {
+            'benchmarks': 'b_marks',
+            'iterations': '1',
+            'template_base_name': 't_name'
+        }
+        output = common.\
+            ConfigurationFile._config_section_map(general_section, config)
+        self.assertEqual(expected, output)
+
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.'
+                'ConfigurationFile.get_variable_list')
+    def test_get_variable_for_success(self, mock_get_var_list):
+        section = self.sections[0]
+        variable_name = 'template_base_name'
+        expected = 't_name'
+        mock_get_var_list.return_value = [variable_name]
+        output = self.conf_file.get_variable(section, variable_name)
+        self.assertEqual(expected, output)
+
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.'
+                'ConfigurationFile.get_variable_list')
+    def test_get_variable_for_failure(self, mock_get_var_list):
+        section = self.sections[0]
+        variable_name = 'something_else'
+        self.assertRaises(
+            ValueError,
+            self.conf_file.get_variable,
+            section, variable_name
+        )
+
+    def test_get_variable_list_for_success(self):
+        section = self.sections[0]
+        expected = {
+            'benchmarks': 'b_marks',
+            'iterations': '1',
+            'template_base_name': 't_name'
+        }
+        output = self.conf_file.get_variable_list(section)
+        self.assertEqual(expected, output)
+
+    def test_get_variable_list_for_failure(self):
+        section = 'something_else'
+        self.assertRaises(
+            ValueError,
+            self.conf_file.get_variable_list,
+            section)
+
+
+class DummyConfigurationFile4(common.ConfigurationFile):
+
+    def get_variable(self, section, variable_name):
+        if variable_name == 'vnic2_type':
+            return '"value"'
+        elif variable_name == cf.CFSG_BENCHMARKS:
+            return "BenchmarkClass1, BenchmarkClass2"
+        return '@string "value"'
+
+    # def get_variable_list(self, section):
+    #     return list()
+
+
+class TestCommonMethods(unittest.TestCase):
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.sections = [
+            'General',
+            'OpenStack',
+            'Experiment-VNF',
+            'PacketGen',
+            'Deployment-parameters',
+            'Testcase-parameters'
+        ]
+        config_file = '/tests/data/common/conf.cfg'
+        common.BASE_DIR = os.getcwd()
+        common.CONF_FILE = DummyConfigurationFile4(self.sections, config_file)
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        reset_common()
+        common.CONF_FILE = None
+
+    def test_get_credentials_for_success(self):
+        expected = {
+            'ip_controller': '@string "value"',
+            'project': '@string "value"',
+            'auth_uri': '@string "value"',
+            'user': '@string "value"',
+            'heat_url': '@string "value"',
+            'password': '@string "value"'
+        }
+        output = common.get_credentials()
+        self.assertEqual(expected, output)
+
+    def test_get_heat_template_params_for_success(self):
+        expected = {
+            'param_1': '@string "value"',
+            'param_2': '@string "value"',
+            'param_3': '@string "value"',
+            'param_4': '@string "value"'
+        }
+        output = common.get_heat_template_params()
+        self.assertEqual(expected, output)
+
+    def test_get_testcase_params_for_success(self):
+        expected = {'test_case_param': '@string "value"'}
+        output = common.get_testcase_params()
+        self.assertEqual(expected, output)
+
+    def test_get_file_first_line_for_success(self):
+        file = 'tests/data/common/conf.cfg'
+        expected = '[General]\n'
+        output = common.get_file_first_line(file)
+        self.assertEqual(expected, output)
+
+    def test_replace_in_file_for_success(self):
+        filename = 'tests/data/common/file_replacement.txt'
+        text_to_search = 'replacement of'
+        text_to_replace = '***'
+        common.replace_in_file(filename, text_to_search, text_to_replace)
+        after = open(filename, 'r').readline()
+        self.assertEqual(after, 'Test for the *** strings into a file\n')
+        text_to_search = '***'
+        text_to_replace = 'replacement of'
+        common.replace_in_file(filename, text_to_search, text_to_replace)
+
+    @mock.patch('os.system')
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.LOG')
+    def test_run_command_for_success(self, mock_log, mock_os_system):
+        command = 'command to be run'
+        common.run_command(command)
+        mock_os_system.assert_called_once_with(command)
+
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.run_command')
+    def test_push_data_influxdb_for_success(self, mock_run_cmd):
+        data = 'string that describes the data'
+        expected = "curl -i -XPOST 'http://None:None/write?db=None' " \
+                   "--data-binary string that describes the data"
+        common.push_data_influxdb(data)
+        mock_run_cmd.assert_called_once_with(expected)
+
+    def test_get_base_dir_for_success(self):
+        base_dir = common.BASE_DIR
+        common.BASE_DIR = 'base_dir'
+        expected = 'base_dir'
+        output = common.get_base_dir()
+        self.assertEqual(expected, output)
+        common.BASE_DIR = base_dir
+
+    def test_get_template_dir_for_success(self):
+        template_dir = common.TEMPLATE_DIR
+        common.TEMPLATE_DIR = 'base_dir'
+        expected = 'base_dir'
+        output = common.get_template_dir()
+        self.assertEqual(expected, output)
+        common.TEMPLATE_DIR = template_dir
+
+    def test_get_dpdk_pktgen_vars_test(self):
+        # Test 1
+        common.PKTGEN = 'dpdk_pktgen'
+        common.PKTGEN_DIR = 'var'
+        common.PKTGEN_PROGRAM = 'var'
+        common.PKTGEN_COREMASK = 'var'
+        common.PKTGEN_MEMCHANNEL = 'var'
+        common.PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1 = 'var'
+        common.PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2 = 'var'
+        common.PKTGEN_DPDK_DIRECTORY = 'var'
+        expected = {
+            'bus_slot_nic_1': 'var',
+            'bus_slot_nic_2': 'var',
+            'coremask': 'var',
+            'dpdk_directory': 'var',
+            'memory_channels': 'var',
+            'pktgen_directory': 'var',
+            'program_name': 'var'
+        }
+        output = common.get_dpdk_pktgen_vars()
+        self.assertEqual(expected, output)
+
+        # Test 2
+        common.PKTGEN = 'something_else'
+        common.PKTGEN_DIR = 'var'
+        common.PKTGEN_PROGRAM = 'var'
+        common.PKTGEN_COREMASK = 'var'
+        common.PKTGEN_MEMCHANNEL = 'var'
+        common.PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1 = 'var'
+        common.PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2 = 'var'
+        common.PKTGEN_DPDK_DIRECTORY = 'var'
+        expected = {}
+        output = common.get_dpdk_pktgen_vars()
+        self.assertEqual(expected, output)
+
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.LOG')
+    def test_get_deployment_configuration_variables_for_success(self,
+                                                                mock_log):
+        expected = {
+            'vcpu': ['value'],
+            'vnic1_type': ['value'],
+            'ram': ['value'],
+            'vnic2_type': ['value']
+        }
+        output = common.get_deployment_configuration_variables_from_conf_file()
+        self.assertEqual(expected, output)
+
+    def test_get_benchmarks_from_conf_file_for_success(self):
+        expected = ['BenchmarkClass1', 'BenchmarkClass2']
+        output = common.get_benchmarks_from_conf_file()
+        self.assertEqual(expected, output)
+
+
+class TestinputValidation(unittest.TestCase):
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        pass
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        reset_common()
+
+    def test_validate_string_for_success(self):
+        output = common.InputValidation.validate_string('string', '')
+        self.assertTrue(output)
+
+    def test_validate_string_for_failure(self):
+        self.assertRaises(
+            ValueError,
+            common.InputValidation.validate_string,
+            list(), ''
+        )
+
+    def test_validate_int_for_success(self):
+        output = common.InputValidation.validate_integer(1111, '')
+        self.assertTrue(output)
+
+    def test_validate_int_for_failure(self):
+        self.assertRaises(
+            ValueError,
+            common.InputValidation.validate_integer,
+            list(), ''
+        )
+
+    def test_validate_dict_for_success(self):
+        output = common.InputValidation.validate_dictionary(dict(), '')
+        self.assertTrue(output)
+
+    def test_validate_dict_for_failure(self):
+        self.assertRaises(
+            ValueError,
+            common.InputValidation.validate_dictionary,
+            list(), ''
+        )
+
+    def test_validate_file_exist_for_success(self):
+        filename = 'tests/data/common/file_replacement.txt'
+        output = common.InputValidation.validate_file_exist(filename, '')
+        self.assertTrue(output)
+
+    def test_validate_file_exist_for_failure(self):
+        filename = 'tests/data/common/file_replacement'
+        self.assertRaises(
+            ValueError,
+            common.InputValidation.validate_file_exist,
+            filename, ''
+        )
+
+    def test_validate_directory_exist_and_format_for_success(self):
+        directory = 'tests/data/common/'
+        output = common.InputValidation.\
+            validate_directory_exist_and_format(directory, '')
+        self.assertTrue(output)
+
+    def test_validate_directory_exist_and_format_for_failure(self):
+        directory = 'tests/data/com/'
+        self.assertRaises(
+            ValueError,
+            common.InputValidation.validate_directory_exist_and_format,
+            directory, ''
+        )
+
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.CONF_FILE')
+    def test_validate_configuration_file_parameter_for_success(self,
+                                                               mock_conf):
+        mock_conf.get_variable_list.return_value = ['param']
+        section = ''
+        parameter = 'param'
+        message = ''
+        output = common.InputValidation.\
+            validate_configuration_file_parameter(section, parameter, message)
+        self.assertTrue(output)
+
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.CONF_FILE')
+    def test_validate_configuration_file_parameter_for_failure(
+            self, mock_conf_file):
+        section = ''
+        parameter = 'something_else'
+        message = ''
+        mock_conf_file.get_variable_list.return_value(['parameter'])
+        self.assertRaises(
+            ValueError,
+            common.InputValidation.
+            validate_configuration_file_parameter,
+            section, parameter, message
+        )
+
+    def test_validate_configuration_file_section_for_success(self):
+        section = 'General'
+        message = ''
+        output = common.InputValidation.\
+            validate_configuration_file_section(section, message)
+        self.assertTrue(output)
+
+    def test_validate_configuration_file_section_for_failure(self):
+        section = 'Something-Else'
+        message = ''
+        self.assertRaises(
+            ValueError,
+            common.InputValidation.validate_configuration_file_section,
+            section, message
+        )
+
+    def test_validate_boolean_for_success(self):
+        message = ''
+        boolean = True
+        output = common.InputValidation.validate_boolean(boolean, message)
+        self.assertTrue(output)
+
+        boolean = 'True'
+        output = common.InputValidation.validate_boolean(boolean, message)
+        self.assertTrue(output)
+
+        boolean = 'False'
+        output = common.InputValidation.validate_boolean(boolean, message)
+        self.assertFalse(output)
+
+    def test_validate_boolean_for_failure(self):
+        message = ''
+        boolean = 'string'
+        self.assertRaises(
+            ValueError,
+            common.InputValidation.validate_boolean,
+            boolean, message
+        )
+
+    def test_validate_os_credentials_for_failure(self):
+        # Test 1
+        credentials = list()
+        self.assertRaises(ValueError,
+                          common.InputValidation.validate_os_credentials,
+                          credentials)
+
+        # Test 2
+        credentials = dict()
+        credentials['ip_controller'] = ''
+        credentials['heat_url'] = ''
+        credentials['user'] = ''
+        credentials['password'] = ''
+        credentials['auth_uri'] = ''
+        # credentials['project'] = ''
+        self.assertRaises(ValueError,
+                          common.InputValidation.validate_os_credentials,
+                          credentials)
+
+    def test_validate_os_credentials_for_success(self):
+        credentials = dict()
+        credentials['ip_controller'] = ''
+        credentials['heat_url'] = ''
+        credentials['user'] = ''
+        credentials['password'] = ''
+        credentials['auth_uri'] = ''
+        credentials['project'] = ''
+        self.assertTrue(
+            common.InputValidation.validate_os_credentials(credentials))
diff --git a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/generates_template_test.py b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/generates_template_test.py
index 85435db6a..67e17cd37 100644
--- a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/generates_template_test.py
+++ b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/generates_template_test.py
@@ -19,6 +19,29 @@ import os
 import experimental_framework.common as common
 
 
+def reset_common():
+    common.LOG = None
+    common.CONF_FILE = None
+    common.DEPLOYMENT_UNIT = None
+    common.ITERATIONS = None
+    common.BASE_DIR = None
+    common.RESULT_DIR = None
+    common.TEMPLATE_DIR = None
+    common.TEMPLATE_NAME = None
+    common.TEMPLATE_FILE_EXTENSION = None
+    common.PKTGEN = None
+    common.PKTGEN_DIR = None
+    common.PKTGEN_DPDK_DIRECTORY = None
+    common.PKTGEN_PROGRAM = None
+    common.PKTGEN_COREMASK = None
+    common.PKTGEN_MEMCHANNEL = None
+    common.PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_1 = None
+    common.PKTGEN_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2 = None
+    common.INFLUXDB_IP = None
+    common.INFLUXDB_PORT = None
+    common.INFLUXDB_DB_NAME = None
+
+
 class TestGeneratesTemplate(unittest.TestCase):
     def setUp(self):
         self.deployment_configuration = {
@@ -27,16 +50,15 @@ class TestGeneratesTemplate(unittest.TestCase):
             'vcpus': ['2']
         }
         self.template_name = 'VTC_base_single_vm_wait.tmp'
-        common.init()
-
-    def test_dummy(self):
-        self.assertTrue(True)
+        # common.init()
 
     def tearDown(self):
-        pass
+        reset_common()
 
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.LOG')
     @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.get_template_dir')
-    def test_generates_template_for_success(self, mock_template_dir):
+    def test_generates_template_for_success(self, mock_template_dir,
+                                            mock_log):
         generated_templates_dir = 'tests/data/generated_templates/'
         mock_template_dir.return_value = generated_templates_dir
         test_templates = 'tests/data/test_templates/'
@@ -50,7 +72,7 @@ class TestGeneratesTemplate(unittest.TestCase):
                                              generated.readlines())
 
         t_name = '/tests/data/generated_templates/VTC_base_single_vm_wait.tmp'
-        self.template_name = os.getcwd() + t_name
+        self.template_name = "{}{}".format(os.getcwd(), t_name)
         heat_gen.generates_templates(self.template_name,
                                      self.deployment_configuration)
         for dirname, dirnames, filenames in os.walk(test_templates):
diff --git a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/heat_manager_test.py b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/heat_manager_test.py
index f89835cc7..9191a17f8 100644
--- a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/heat_manager_test.py
+++ b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/heat_manager_test.py
@@ -144,11 +144,13 @@ class TestHeatManager(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_delete_stack_for_success_2(self):
         self.assertTrue(self.heat_manager.delete_stack('stack_1'))
 
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.LOG')
     @mock.patch('heatclient.common.template_utils.get_template_contents')
     @mock.patch('heatclient.client.Client')
     # @mock.patch('heatclient.client.Client', side_effect=DummyHeatClient)
     def test_create_stack_for_success(self, mock_stack_create,
-                                      mock_get_template_contents):
+                                      mock_get_template_contents,
+                                      mock_log):
         return_value = ({'template': 'template'}, 'template')
         mock_get_template_contents.return_value = return_value
         self.heat_manager.create_stack('template', 'stack_n', 'parameters')
diff --git a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/instantiation_validation_bench_test.py b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/instantiation_validation_bench_test.py
index 569d24c5a..a44c1f26b 100644
--- a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/instantiation_validation_bench_test.py
+++ b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/instantiation_validation_bench_test.py
@@ -14,7 +14,9 @@
 
 import unittest
 import mock
+import os
 import experimental_framework.constants.conf_file_sections as cfs
+import experimental_framework.common as common
 import experimental_framework.benchmarks.\
     instantiation_validation_benchmark as iv_module
 from experimental_framework.benchmarks.\
@@ -152,11 +154,12 @@ class DummyInstantiaionValidationBenchmark(InstantiationValidationBenchmark):
 class InstantiationValidationInitTest(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def setUp(self):
+        common.BASE_DIR = os.getcwd()
         self.iv = InstantiationValidationBenchmark('InstantiationValidation',
                                                    dict())
 
     def tearDown(self):
-        pass
+        common.BASE_DIR = None
 
     @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.get_base_dir')
     def test___init___for_success(self, mock_base_dir):
@@ -301,11 +304,13 @@ class InstantiationValidationInitTest(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(dummy_replace_in_file('', '', '', True),
                          [0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1])
 
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.LOG')
     @mock.patch('experimental_framework.packet_generators.'
                 'dpdk_packet_generator.DpdkPacketGenerator',
                 side_effect=DummyDpdkPacketGenerator)
     @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.get_dpdk_pktgen_vars')
-    def test_run_for_success(self, mock_common_get_vars, mock_pktgen):
+    def test_run_for_success(self, mock_common_get_vars, mock_pktgen,
+                             mock_log):
         rval = dict()
         rval[cfs.CFSP_DPDK_BUS_SLOT_NIC_2] = 'bus_2'
         rval[cfs.CFSP_DPDK_NAME_IF_2] = 'if_2'
diff --git a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/instantiation_validation_noisy_bench_test.py b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/instantiation_validation_noisy_bench_test.py
index bbdf73947..cdcce37e3 100644
--- a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/instantiation_validation_noisy_bench_test.py
+++ b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/instantiation_validation_noisy_bench_test.py
@@ -14,8 +14,9 @@
 
 import unittest
 import mock
-
-
+import os
+import experimental_framework.common as common
+import experimental_framework.deployment_unit as deploy
 import experimental_framework.benchmarks.\
     instantiation_validation_noisy_neighbors_benchmark as mut
 
@@ -25,11 +26,22 @@ class InstantiationValidationInitTest(unittest.TestCase):
     def setUp(self):
         name = 'instantiation_validation_noisy'
         params = {'param': 'value'}
+        openstack_credentials = dict()
+        openstack_credentials['ip_controller'] = ''
+        openstack_credentials['project'] = ''
+        openstack_credentials['auth_uri'] = ''
+        openstack_credentials['user'] = ''
+        openstack_credentials['heat_url'] = ''
+        openstack_credentials['password'] = ''
+        common.DEPLOYMENT_UNIT = deploy.DeploymentUnit(openstack_credentials)
+        common.BASE_DIR = os.getcwd()
+        common.TEMPLATE_DIR = 'tests/data/generated_templates'
         self.iv = mut.\
             InstantiationValidationNoisyNeighborsBenchmark(name, params)
 
     def tearDown(self):
-        pass
+        common.BASE_DIR = None
+        common.TEMPLATE_DIR = None
 
     @mock.patch('experimental_framework.benchmarks.'
                 'instantiation_validation_benchmark.'
diff --git a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/multi_tenancy_throughput_benchmark_test.py b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/multi_tenancy_throughput_benchmark_test.py
index 78aff35ba..60d597513 100644
--- a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/multi_tenancy_throughput_benchmark_test.py
+++ b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/multi_tenancy_throughput_benchmark_test.py
@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-__author__ = 'gpetralx'
-
 
 import unittest
 import mock
+import os
+import experimental_framework.common as common
 from experimental_framework.benchmarks \
     import multi_tenancy_throughput_benchmark as bench
 
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ class TestMultiTenancyThroughputBenchmark(unittest.TestCase):
     def setUp(self):
         name = 'benchmark'
         params = dict()
+        common.BASE_DIR = os.getcwd()
         self.benchmark = bench.MultiTenancyThroughputBenchmark(name, params)
 
     def tearDown(self):
diff --git a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/rfc2544_throughput_benchmark_test.py b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/rfc2544_throughput_benchmark_test.py
index bef9b7f30..15d0f3040 100644
--- a/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/rfc2544_throughput_benchmark_test.py
+++ b/yardstick/vTC/apexlake/tests/rfc2544_throughput_benchmark_test.py
@@ -12,11 +12,10 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-__author__ = 'vmriccox'
-
 
 import unittest
 import mock
+import os
 from experimental_framework.benchmarks import rfc2544_throughput_benchmark \
     as mut
 import experimental_framework.common as common
@@ -29,11 +28,11 @@ class RFC2544ThroughputBenchmarkRunTest(unittest.TestCase):
         params = dict()
         params[mut.VLAN_SENDER] = '1'
         params[mut.VLAN_RECEIVER] = '2'
+        common.BASE_DIR = os.getcwd()
         self.benchmark = mut.RFC2544ThroughputBenchmark(name, params)
-        common.init_log()
 
     def tearDown(self):
-        pass
+        common.BASE_DIR = None
 
     def test_get_features_for_sanity(self):
         output = self.benchmark.get_features()
@@ -51,6 +50,7 @@ class RFC2544ThroughputBenchmarkRunTest(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_finalize(self):
         self.assertEqual(self.benchmark.finalize(), None)
 
+    @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.LOG')
     @mock.patch('experimental_framework.benchmarks.'
                 'rfc2544_throughput_benchmark.RFC2544ThroughputBenchmark.'
                 '_reset_lua_file')
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ class RFC2544ThroughputBenchmarkRunTest(unittest.TestCase):
                 'rfc2544_throughput_benchmark.dpdk.DpdkPacketGenerator')
     def test_run_for_success(self, mock_dpdk, mock_get_results,
                              mock_extract_size, conf_lua_file_mock,
-                             reset_lua_file_mock):
+                             reset_lua_file_mock, mock_common_log):
         expected = {'results': 0, 'packet_size': '1'}
         mock_extract_size.return_value = '1'
         mock_get_results.return_value = {'results': 0}
@@ -88,10 +88,11 @@ class RFC2544ThroughputBenchmarkOthers(unittest.TestCase):
     def setUp(self):
         name = 'benchmark'
         params = {'packet_size': '128'}
+        common.BASE_DIR = os.getcwd()
         self.benchmark = mut.RFC2544ThroughputBenchmark(name, params)
 
     def tearDown(self):
-        pass
+        common.BASE_DIR = None
 
     def test__extract_packet_size_from_params_for_success(self):
         expected = '128'
@@ -121,10 +122,10 @@ class RFC2544ThroughputBenchmarkOthers(unittest.TestCase):
 class RFC2544ThroughputBenchmarkGetResultsTest(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def setUp(self):
-        pass
+        common.BASE_DIR = os.getcwd()
 
     def tearDown(self):
-        pass
+        common.BASE_DIR = None
 
     @mock.patch('experimental_framework.common.get_file_first_line')
     def test__get_results_for_success(self, mock_common_file_line):