blackstack-deployer 1.2.12 → 1.2.16

data/lib/blackstack-deployer.rb

@@ -1,670 +1,722 @@
-require 'blackstack-nodes'
-require 'sequel'
-
-module BlackStack
-  # Deployer is a library that can be used to deploy a cluster of nodes.
-  module Deployer
-    @@logger = BlackStack::BaseLogger.new(nil)
-    @@nodes = []
-    @@routines = []
-
-    # set the logger
-    def self.set_logger(i_logger)
-      @@logger = i_logger
-    end
-
-    # get the logger assigned to the module
-    def self.logger
-      @@logger
-    end # def self.errors
-
-    # get the array of nodes assigned to the module
-    def self.nodes
-      @@nodes
-    end # def self.nodes
-
-    # get the array of routines assigned to the module
-    def self.routines
-      @@routines
-    end # def self.routines
-
-    # inherit BlackStack::Infrastructure::NodeModule, including features of deployer.
-    module NodeModule
-      attr_accessor :deployment_routine, :parameters
-
-      include BlackStack::Infrastructure::NodeModule
-
-      # get the IP address for an interface using the ip addr command.
-      # this is a helper method for installing cockroachdb nodes.
-      def eth0_ip(interface='eth0')
-        a = self.ssh.exec!('ip addr show dev eth0').scan(/inet [0-9]{1,3}\.[0-9]{1,3}\.[0-9]{1,3}\.[0-9]{1,3}/)
-        return nil if a.size == 0
-        return a.last.to_s.gsub(/inet /, '')
-      end
-
-      def self.descriptor_errors(h)
-        errors = BlackStack::Infrastructure::NodeModule.descriptor_errors(h)
- 
-        # validate: does not exist any other element in @@nodes with the same value for the parameter h[:name]
-        errors << "The parameter h[:name] is not unique" if BlackStack::Deployer.nodes.select{|n| n.name == h[:name]}.length > 0 
-
-        # validate: h[:deployment_routine] is not nil
-        errors << "The parameter h[:deployment_routine] is required" if h[:deployment_routine].nil?
-
-        # validate: h[:deployment_routine] is a string
-        errors << "The parameter h[:deployment_routine] is not a string" unless h[:deployment_routine].is_a?(String)
-        
-        # return list of errors
-        errors.uniq
-      end
-
-      def initialize(h, i_logger=nil)
-        self.parameters = h
-        errors = BlackStack::Deployer::NodeModule.descriptor_errors(h)
-        raise "The node descriptor is not valid: #{errors.uniq.join(".\n")}" if errors.length > 0
-        super(h, i_logger)
-        self.deployment_routine = h[:deployment_routine]
-      end # def self.create(h)
-
-      def to_hash
-        h = super
-        h[:deployment_routine] = self.deployment_routine
-        h
-      end # def to_hash
-
-      def deploy()
-        BlackStack::Deployer::run_routine(self.name, self.deployment_routine);
-      end
-    end # module NodeModule
-
-    # define attributes and methods of a deployer routine
-    module RoutineModule
-      attr_accessor :name, :commands
-
-      def self.descriptor_errors(h)
-        errors = []
-
-        # validate: the parameter h is a hash
-        errors << "The parameter h is not a hash" unless h.is_a?(Hash)
-  
-        # validate: the paramerer h has a key :name
-        errors << "The parameter h does not have a key :name" unless h.has_key?(:name)
-  
-        # validate: the paramerer h has a key :command
-        errors << "The parameter h does not have a key :commands" unless h.has_key?(:commands)
-  
-        # validate: the parameter h[:name] is a string or a symbol
-        errors << "The parameter h[:name] is not a string" unless h[:name].is_a?(String)
-  
-        # validate: the parameter h[:name] is not 'reboot' because it is a reserved name
-        errors << "The parameter h[:name] is a reserved name (#{h[:name].to_s})" if h[:name] == 'reboot'
-  
-        # validate: the parameter h[:commands] is required
-        errors << "The parameter h[:commands] is required" if h[:commands].nil?
-
-        # validate: the parametrer h[:commands] is an array
-        errors << "The parameter h[:commands] is not an array" unless h[:commands].is_a?(Array)
-  
-        # validate: the parameter h[:commands] has at least one element
-        errors << "The parameter h[:commands] does not have at least one element" unless h[:commands].size > 0
-  
-        # validate: each element of the array h[:commands] is a hash
-        h[:commands].each do |c|
-          errors += BlackStack::Deployer::CommandModule.descriptor_errors(c)
-        end # h[:commands].each do |c|
-    
-        errors.uniq
-      end # def self.descriptor_error(h)
-
-      def initialize(h)
-        errors = BlackStack::Deployer::RoutineModule.descriptor_errors(h)
-        raise "The node descriptor is not valid: #{errors.uniq.join(".\n")}" if errors.length > 0
-        self.name = h[:name]
-        self.commands = []
-        h[:commands].each do |c|
-          self.commands << BlackStack::Deployer::Command.new(c)
-        end
-      end
-
-      def to_hash
-        h = {}
-        h[:name] = self.name
-        h[:commands] = []
-        self.commands.each do |c|
-          h[:commands] << c.to_hash
-        end
-        h
-      end
-
-      def run(node)
-        ret = []
-        self.commands.each do |c|
-          BlackStack::Deployer.logger.logs "Running command: #{c.command.to_s}... "
-          h = c.run(node)
-          ret << h
-
-          #BlackStack::Deployer.logger.logs "Result: "
-          #BlackStack::Deployer.logger.logf h.to_s
-
-          if h[:errors].size == 0
-            BlackStack::Deployer.logger.done
-          else
-            BlackStack::Deployer.logger.logf('error: ' + h.to_s)
-            raise "Error running command: #{h.to_s}"
-          end
-        end
-        ret
-      end # def run(node)
-    end # module RoutineModule
-
-    # define attributes and methods of a routine's command
-    module CommandModule
-      attr_accessor :command, :matches, :nomatches, :sudo
-
-      def self.descriptor_errors(c)
-        errors = []
-
-        # validate: h is a hash
-        errors << "The command descriptor is not a hash" unless c.is_a?(Hash)
-
-        # validate: the hash c has a key :command
-        errors << "The command descriptor does not have a key :command" unless c.has_key?(:command)
-
-        # validate: the value of c[:command] is a string or symbol
-        errors << "The value of c[:command] is not a string and is not a symbol" unless c[:command].is_a?(String) || c[:command].is_a?(Symbol)
-
-        # validate: if the key :sudo exists, then its value is a boolean
-        if c.has_key?(:sudo)
-          errors << "The value of c[:sudo] is not a boolean" unless c[:sudo].is_a?(TrueClass) || c[:sudo].is_a?(FalseClass)
-        end
-
-        # if the parameter h[:name] is a symbol
-        if c[:command].is_a?(Symbol)
-          if c[:command] == :reboot
-            # :reboot is a reserved word, so it is fine to call :reboot
-          else
-            # validate: existis a routine with a the value c[:command].to_s on its :name key
-            errors << "The routine with the name #{c[:command].to_s} does not exist" unless BlackStack::Deployer::routines.select { |r| r.name == c[:command].to_s }.size > 0
-          end
-        end
-
-        # if c[:matches] exists
-        if c.has_key?(:matches)
-          # validate: the value of c[:matches] must by a regex or an array
-          errors << "The value of the key :matches is not a regex nor an array" unless c[:matches].is_a?(Regexp) || c[:matches].is_a?(Array)
-          # if c[:matches] is a array
-          if c[:matches].is_a?(Array)
-            # validate: each element in the the array c[:matches] is a regex
-            c[:matches].each do |m|
-              errors += BlackStack::Deployer::MatchModule.descriptor_errors(m)
-            end # each
-          end # if c[:matches].is_a?(Array)
-        end # if :matches exists
-
-        # if c[:nomatches] exists
-        if c.has_key?(:nomatches)
-          # validate: the value of c[:nomatches] must by a regex or an array
-          errors << "The value of the key :nomatches is not a regex nor an array" unless c[:nomatches].is_a?(Regexp) || c[:nomatches].is_a?(Array)
-          # if c[:nomatches] is a array
-          if c[:nomatches].is_a?(Array)
-            # validate: each element in the the array c[:nomatches] is a hash
-            c[:nomatches].each do |m|
-              errors += BlackStack::Deployer::NoMatchModule.descriptor_errors(m)
-            end # each
-          end # if c[:matches].is_a?(Array)
-        end # if :matches exists
-        # 
-        errors.uniq
-      end # def self.descriptor_error(h)
-
-      def initialize(h)
-        errors = BlackStack::Deployer::CommandModule.descriptor_errors(h)
-        raise "The node descriptor is not valid: #{errors.uniq.join(".\n")}" if errors.length > 0
-        self.command = h[:command]
-        self.sudo = h[:sudo].nil? ? true : h[:sudo]
-        self.matches = []
-        self.nomatches = []
-        if h.has_key?(:matches)
-          if h[:matches].is_a?(Regexp)
-            self.matches << BlackStack::Deployer::Match.new(h[:matches])
-          else
-            h[:matches].each do |m|
-              self.matches << BlackStack::Deployer::Match.new(m)
-            end
-          end
-        end
-        if h.has_key?(:nomatches)
-          if h[:nomatches].is_a?(Regexp)
-            self.nomatches << BlackStack::Deployer::NoMatch.new(h[:nomatches])
-          else
-            h[:nomatches].each do |m|
-              self.nomatches << BlackStack::Deployer::NoMatch.new(m)
-            end
-          end
-        end                                                                                                                       
-      end # def initialize(h)
-
-      def to_hash
-        h = {}
-        h[:command] = self.command
-        h[:sudo] = self.sudo
-        h[:matches] = []
-        h[:nomatches] = []
-        self.matches.each do |m|
-          h[:matches] << m.to_hash
-        end
-        self.nomatches.each do |m|
-          h[:nomatches] << m.to_hash
-        end
-        h
-      end # def to_hash
-
-      def run(node)
-        errors = []
-        code = self.command
-        output = nil
-
-        # if code is a symbol
-        if code.is_a?(Symbol)
-
-          # if code is equel than :reboot
-          if code == :reboot
-            # call the node reboot method
-            node.reboot
-          else
-            # look for a routine with this name
-            r = BlackStack::Deployer.routines.select { |r| r.name == code.to_s }.first
-            if !r.nil?
-              r.run(node)
-            else
-              raise "The routine #{code.to_s} does not exist"
-            end
-          end
-
-        # if code is a string
-        elsif code.is_a?(String)
-          # replacing parameters
-          code.scan(/%[a-zA-Z0-9\_]+%/).each do |p|
-            if p == '%eth0_ip%' # reserved parameter
-              # TODO: move the method eth0_ip to the blackstack-nodes library
-              code.gsub!(p, node.eth0_ip) 
-            elsif p == '%timestamp%' # reserved parameter
-              # TODO: move this to a timestamp function on blackstack-core
-              code.gsub!(p, Time.now.to_s.gsub(/\D/, '')) 
-            else
-              if node.parameters.has_key?(p.gsub(/%/, '').to_sym)
-                code.gsub!(p, node.parameters[p.gsub(/%/, '').to_sym].to_s)
-              else
-                raise "The parameter #{p} does not exist in the node descriptor #{node.parameters.to_s}"
-              end
-            end
-          end
-
-#puts
-#puts
-#puts code
-#exit(0)
-#puts
-#puts "SUDO: #{self.sudo}"
-          # running the command
-          output = node.exec(code, self.sudo)
-#puts
-#puts '1'
-          # validation: at least one of the matches should happen
-          if self.matches.size > 0
-            i = 0
-            self.matches.each do |m|
-              if m.validate(output).size == 0 # no errors 
-                i += 1
-              end
-            end
-            errors << "Command output doesn't match with any of the :matches" if i == 0
-          end # if self.matches.size > 0 
-          
-          # validation: no one of the nomatches should happen
-          self.nomatches.each do |m|
-            errors += m.validate(output)
-          end
-        end # elsif code.is_a?(String)
-
-        # return a hash descriptor of the command result 
-        {
-          :command => self.command,
-          :code => code,
-          :output => output,
-          :errors => errors,
-        }
-      end # def run(node)
-    end # module CommandModule
-
-    # define attributes and methods of a command's match
-    module MatchModule
-      attr_accessor :match
-
-      def self.descriptor_errors(m)
-        errors = []
-        # validate the match is a regular expresion
-        errors << "The match is not a regex" unless m.is_a?(Regexp)
-        # 
-        errors.uniq
-      end # def self.descriptor_error(h)
-
-      def initialize(h)
-        errors = BlackStack::Deployer::MatchModule.descriptor_errors(h)
-        raise "The node descriptor is not valid: #{errors.uniq.join(".\n")}" if errors.length > 0
-        self.match = h
-      end
-
-      def to_hash
-        h = {}
-        h[:match] = self.match
-        h
-      end
-
-      def validate(output)
-        errors = []
-        errors << "The output of the command does not match the regular expression #{self.match.inspect}" unless output.match(self.match)
-        errors
-      end
-    end # module MatchModule
-
-    # define attributes and methods of a command's nomatch
-    module NoMatchModule
-      attr_accessor :nomatch, :error_description
-
-      def self.descriptor_errors(m)
-        errors = []
-        # validate the nomatch is a regular expresion
-        errors << "Each nomatch is not a regex nor a hash" unless m.is_a?(Hash) || m.is_a?(Regexp)
-        # if m is a hash
-        if m.is_a?(Hash)
-          # validate: the hash m has a key :nomatch
-          errors << "The hash descriptor of the nomatch does not have a key :nomatch" unless m.has_key?(:nomatch)
-          # validate: the value of m[:nomatch] is a string
-          errors << "The value of the key :nomatch is not a regex" unless m[:nomatch].is_a?(Regexp)
-          # validate: the hash m has a key :error_description
-          errors << "The hash descriptor of the nomatch does not have a key :error_description" unless m.has_key?(:error_description)
-          # validate: the value of m[:error_description] is a string
-          errors << "The value of the key :error_description is not a string" unless m[:error_description].is_a?(String)
-        end # if m.is_a?(Hash)
-        # 
-        errors.uniq
-      end # def self.descriptor_error(h)
-
-      def initialize(h)
-        errors = BlackStack::Deployer::NoMatchModule.descriptor_errors(h)
-        raise "The node descriptor is not valid: #{errors.uniq.join(".\n")}" if errors.length > 0
-        self.nomatch = h[:nomatch]
-        self.error_description = h[:error_description]
-      end
-
-      def to_hash
-        h = {}
-        h[:nomatch] = self.nomatch
-        h[:error_description] = self.error_description
-        h
-      end
-
-      def validate(output)
-        errors = []
-        if !self.error_description.nil?
-          errors << self.error_description if output.match(self.nomatch)
-        else
-          errors << "The output of the command matches the regular expression #{self.nomatch.inspect}" if output.match(self.nomatch)
-        end
-        errors
-      end
-
-    end # module NoMatchModule
-
-
-    # TODO: declare these classes (stub and skeleton) using blackstack-rpc
-    #
-    # Stub Classes
-    # These classes represents a node, without using connection to the database.
-    # Use this class at the client side.
-    class Node
-      include BlackStack::Deployer::NodeModule
-    end # class Node
-
-    class Command
-      include BlackStack::Deployer::CommandModule
-    end # class Command
-
-    class Routine
-      include BlackStack::Deployer::RoutineModule
-    end # class Routine
-
-    class Match
-      include BlackStack::Deployer::MatchModule
-    end # class Match
-
-    class NoMatch
-      include BlackStack::Deployer::NoMatchModule
-    end # class NoMatch
-  
-    # add a node to the list of nodes.
-    def self.add_node(h)
-      errors = BlackStack::Deployer::NodeModule.descriptor_errors(h)
-      raise errors.join(".\n") unless errors.empty?
-      @@nodes << BlackStack::Deployer::Node.new(h, @@logger)
-    end # def
-
-    # add an array of nodes to the list of nodes.
-    def self.add_nodes(a)
-      # validate: the parameter a is an array
-      raise "The parameter a is not an array" unless a.is_a?(Array)
-      a.each { |h| BlackStack::Deployer.add_node(h) }
-    end # def
-
-    # remove all exisiting nodes in he list of nodes.
-    # then, add the nodes in the parameter a to the list of nodes.
-    def self.set_nodes(a)
-      @@nodes.clear
-      BlackStack::Deployer.add_nodes(a)
-    end # def
-
-    # add a routine to the list of routines.
-    def self.add_routine(h)
-      errors = BlackStack::Deployer::RoutineModule.descriptor_errors(h)
-      raise errors.join(".\n") unless errors.empty?
-      @@routines << BlackStack::Deployer::Routine.new(h)
-    end # def
-
-    # add an array of routines to the list of routines.
-    def self.add_routines(a)
-      # validate: the parameter a is an array
-      raise "The parameter a is not an array" unless a.is_a?(Array)
-      a.each { |h| BlackStack::Deployer.add_routine(h) }
-    end # def
-
-    # remove all exisiting routines in he list of routines.
-    # then, add the routines in the parameter a to the list of routines.
-    def self.set_routines(a)
-      @@routines.clear
-      BlackStack::Deployer.add_routines(a)
-    end # def
-      
-    # running a routine on a node
-    def self.run_routine(node_name, routine_name)
-      errors = []
-
-      # find the node with the value node_name in the key :name
-      n = @@nodes.select { |n| n.name == node_name }.first
-
-      # find the routine with the value routine_name in the key :name
-      r = @@routines.select { |r| r.name == routine_name }.first
-
-      # validate: the node n exists
-      errors << "Node #{node_name} not found" unless n
-
-      # validate: the routine r exists
-      errors << "Routine #{routine_name} not found" unless r
-
-      # raise exception if any error has been found
-      raise "The routine #{routine_name} cannot be run on the node #{node_name}: #{errors.uniq.join(".\n")}" if errors.length > 0
-        
-      # connect the node
-      self.logger.logs "Connecting to node #{n.name}... "
-      n.connect
-      self.logger.done
-
-      # run the routine
-      self.logger.logs "Running routine #{r.name}... "
-      r.run(n)
-      self.logger.done
-        
-      # disconnect the node
-      self.logger.logs "Disconnecting from node #{n.name}... "
-      n.disconnect
-      self.logger.done
-        
-    end # def
-      
-    module DB
-      LOCKFILE = './blackstack-deployer.lock'
-      @@checkpoint = nil
-      @@superhuser = nil
-      @@ndb = nil
-      @@folder = nil
-
-      def self.set_checkpoint(s)
-        @@checkpoint = s
-      end
-
-      def self.checkpoint
-        @@checkpoint
-      end
-
-      def self.save_checkpoint(lockfilename=BlackStack::Deployer::DB::LOCKFILE)
-        File.new(lockfilename, "w").write(@@checkpoint)
-      end
-
-      def self.load_checkpoint(lockfilename=BlackStack::Deployer::DB::LOCKFILE)
-        if File.exists?(lockfilename)
-          @@checkpoint = File.new(lockfilename, "r").read
-        else
-          @@checkpoint = nil
-        end
-        @@checkpoint
-      end
-
-      def self.connect(s)
-        @@db = Sequel::connect(s)
-      end # def
-    
-      def self.set_folder(s)
-        @@folder = s
-      end # def
-
-
-      # Return `true` if the name of the file matches with `/\.transactions\./`, and it doesn't match with `/\.sentences\./`, and the matches with `/\.transactions\./` are no more than one.
-      # Otherwise, return `false`.
-      # This method should not be called directly by user code.
-      def self.is_transactions_file?(filename)
-        filename =~ /\.transactions\./ && filename !~ /\.sentences\./ && filename.scan(/\.transactions\./).size == 1
-      end
-  
-      # Return `true` if the name of the file matches with `/\.sentences\./`, and it doesn't match with `/\.transactions\./`, and the matches with `/\.sentences\./` are no more than one.
-      # Otherwise({, return `false`.
-      # This method should not be called directly by user code.
-      def self.is_sentences_file?(filename)
-        filename =~ /\.sentences\./ && filename !~ /\.transactions\./ && filename.scan(/\.sentences\./).size == 1
-      end
-
-      # Method to process an `.sql` file with transactions code, separated by `BEGIN;` and `COMMIT;` statements.
-      # Reference: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/64066344/import-large-sql-files-with-ruby-sequel-gem
-      # This method is called by `BlackStack::Deployer::db_execute_file` if the filename matches with `/\.tsql\./`. 
-      # This method should not be called directly by user code.
-      def self.execute_transactions(sql)  
-        # TODO: Code Me!
-      end # def db_execute_tsql
-      
-      # Method to process an `.sql` file with one sql sentence by line.
-      # Reference: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/64066344/import-large-sql-files-with-ruby-sequel-gem
-      # This method is called by `BlackStack::Deployer::db_execute_file` if the filename matches with `/\.sentences\./`. 
-      # This method should not be called directly by user code.
-      def self.execute_sentences(sql, chunk_size=200)      
-        tlogger = BlackStack::Deployer::logger
-
-        # Fix issue: Ruby `split': invalid byte sequence in UTF-8 (ArgumentError)
-        # Reference: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11065962/ruby-split-invalid-byte-sequence-in-utf-8-argumenterror
-        #
-        # Fix issue: `PG::SyntaxError: ERROR:  at or near "��truncate": syntax error`
-        #
-        sql.encode!('UTF-8', :invalid => :replace, :replace => '')
-
-        # Remove null bytes to avoid error: `String contains null byte`
-        # Reference: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/29320369/coping-with-string-contains-null-byte-sent-from-users
-        sql.gsub!("\u0000", "")
-
-        # Get the array of sentences
-        tlogger.logs "Splitting the sql sentences... "
-        sentences = sql.split(/;/i) 
-        tlogger.logf "done (#{sentences.size})"
-
-        # Chunk the array into parts of chunk_size elements
-        # Reference: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2699584/how-to-split-chunk-a-ruby-array-into-parts-of-x-elements
-        tlogger.logs "Bunlding the array of sentences into chunks of #{chunk_size} each... "
-        chunks = sentences.each_slice(chunk_size).to_a
-        tlogger.logf "done (#{chunks.size})"
-
-        chunk_number = -1
-        chunks.each { |chunk|
-          chunk_number += 1
-          statement = chunk.join(";\n").to_s.strip
-          tlogger.logs "lines #{chunk_size*chunk_number+1} to #{chunk_size*chunk_number+chunk.size} of #{sentences.size}... "
-          begin
-            @@db.execute(statement) #if statement.to_s.strip.size > 0
-            tlogger.done
-          rescue => e
-            tlogger.logf e.to_s 
-            raise "Error executing statement: #{statement}\n#{e.message}"
-          end
-        }
-        tlogger.done
-      end # def db_execute_sql_sentences_file
-
-      # Run a series of `.sql` files with updates to the database.
-      #
-      def self.deploy(save_checkpoints=false, lockfilename=BlackStack::Deployer::DB::LOCKFILE)
-        tlogger = BlackStack::Deployer::logger
-        # get list of `.sql` files in the directory `sql_path`, with a name higher than `last_filename`, sorted by name.
-        Dir.entries(@@folder).select { 
-          |filename| filename =~ /\.sql$/ && filename > @@checkpoint.to_s
-        }.uniq.sort.each { |filename|
-          fullfilename = "#{@@folder}/#{filename}"
-
-          tlogger.logs "#{fullfilename}... "
-          BlackStack::Deployer::DB::execute_sentences( File.open(fullfilename).read )
-          tlogger.done
-
-          tlogger.logs "Updating checkpoint... "
-          BlackStack::Deployer::DB::set_checkpoint filename
-          tlogger.done
-
-          tlogger.logs 'Saving checkpoint... '
-          if save_checkpoints
-            BlackStack::Deployer::DB::save_checkpoint(lockfilename)
-            tlogger.done
-          else
-            tlogger.logf 'disabled'
-          end
-        }
-      end # def
-    end # module DB
-
-    # deploying all db-updates and run all routines on all nodes
-    def self.deploy()
-      tlogger = BlackStack::Deployer::logger
-
-      @@nodes.each { |n|
-        tlogger.logs "Node #{n.name}... "
-        n.deploy()
-        tlogger.done
-      }
-    end # def
-
-  end # module Deployer
-
+require 'blackstack-nodes'
+require 'sequel'
+
+module BlackStack
+  # Deployer is a library that can be used to deploy a cluster of nodes.
+  module Deployer
+    @@logger = BlackStack::BaseLogger.new(nil)
+    @@show_output = false
+    @@nodes = []
+    @@routines = []
+
+    # set show_output
+    def self.set_show_output(value)
+      @@show_output = value
+    end
+
+    # set the logger
+    def self.set_logger(i_logger)
+      @@logger = i_logger
+    end
+
+    # get show_output
+    def self.show_output
+      @@show_output
+    end
+
+    # get the logger assigned to the module
+    def self.logger
+      @@logger
+    end # def self.errors
+
+    # get the array of nodes assigned to the module
+    def self.nodes
+      @@nodes
+    end # def self.nodes
+
+    # get the array of routines assigned to the module
+    def self.routines
+      @@routines
+    end # def self.routines
+
+    # inherit BlackStack::Infrastructure::NodeModule, including features of deployer.
+    module NodeModule
+      attr_accessor :deployment_routine, :parameters
+
+      include BlackStack::Infrastructure::NodeModule
+
+      def self.eth0_ip(insterface)
+        ret = nil
+        a = `ip addr show dev #{insterface}`.scan(/inet [0-9]{1,3}\.[0-9]{1,3}\.[0-9]{1,3}\.[0-9]{1,3}/)
+        if a.size > 0
+          ret = a.last.to_s.gsub(/inet /, '')           
+        else
+          raise "Cannot get ip address of the interface #{insterface}"
+        end
+        ret
+      end
+
+      # get the IP address for an interface using the ip addr command.
+      # this is a helper method for installing cockroachdb nodes.
+      def eth0_ip()
+        ret = nil
+        a = self.ssh.exec!("ip addr show dev #{parameters[:laninterface]}").scan(/inet [0-9]{1,3}\.[0-9]{1,3}\.[0-9]{1,3}\.[0-9]{1,3}/)
+        if a.size > 0
+          ret = a.last.to_s.gsub(/inet /, '')           
+        else
+          raise "Cannot get ip address of the interface #{parameters[:laninterface]}"
+        end
+        ret
+      end
+
+      def self.descriptor_errors(h)
+        errors = BlackStack::Infrastructure::NodeModule.descriptor_errors(h)
+ 
+        # validate: does not exist any other element in @@nodes with the same value for the parameter h[:name]
+        errors << "The parameter h[:name] is not unique" if BlackStack::Deployer.nodes.select{|n| n.name == h[:name]}.length > 0 
+
+        # validate: h[:deployment_routine] is not nil
+        errors << "The parameter h[:deployment_routine] is required" if h[:deployment_routine].nil?
+
+        # validate: h[:deployment_routine] is a string
+        errors << "The parameter h[:deployment_routine] is not a string" unless h[:deployment_routine].is_a?(String)
+        
+        # return list of errors
+        errors.uniq
+      end
+
+      def initialize(h, i_logger=nil)
+        self.parameters = h
+        errors = BlackStack::Deployer::NodeModule.descriptor_errors(h)
+        raise "The node descriptor is not valid: #{errors.uniq.join(".\n")}" if errors.length > 0
+        super(h, i_logger)
+        self.deployment_routine = h[:deployment_routine]
+      end # def self.create(h)
+
+      def to_hash
+        h = super
+        h[:deployment_routine] = self.deployment_routine
+        h
+      end # def to_hash
+
+      def deploy()
+        BlackStack::Deployer::run_routine(self.name, self.deployment_routine);
+      end
+    end # module NodeModule
+
+    # define attributes and methods of a deployer routine
+    module RoutineModule
+      attr_accessor :name, :commands
+
+      def self.descriptor_errors(h)
+        errors = []
+
+        # validate: the parameter h is a hash
+        errors << "The parameter h is not a hash" unless h.is_a?(Hash)
+  
+        # validate: the paramerer h has a key :name
+        errors << "The parameter h does not have a key :name" unless h.has_key?(:name)
+  
+        # validate: the paramerer h has a key :command
+        errors << "The parameter h does not have a key :commands" unless h.has_key?(:commands)
+  
+        # validate: the parameter h[:name] is a string or a symbol
+        errors << "The parameter h[:name] is not a string" unless h[:name].is_a?(String)
+  
+        # validate: the parameter h[:name] is not 'reboot' because it is a reserved name
+        errors << "The parameter h[:name] is a reserved name (#{h[:name].to_s})" if h[:name] == 'reboot'
+  
+        # validate: the parameter h[:commands] is required
+        errors << "The parameter h[:commands] is required" if h[:commands].nil?
+
+        # validate: the parametrer h[:commands] is an array
+        errors << "The parameter h[:commands] is not an array" unless h[:commands].is_a?(Array)
+  
+        # validate: the parameter h[:commands] has at least one element
+        errors << "The parameter h[:commands] does not have at least one element" unless h[:commands].size > 0
+  
+        # validate: each element of the array h[:commands] is a hash
+        h[:commands].each do |c|
+          errors += BlackStack::Deployer::CommandModule.descriptor_errors(c)
+        end # h[:commands].each do |c|
+    
+        errors.uniq
+      end # def self.descriptor_error(h)
+
+      def initialize(h)
+        errors = BlackStack::Deployer::RoutineModule.descriptor_errors(h)
+        raise "The node descriptor is not valid: #{errors.uniq.join(".\n")}" if errors.length > 0
+        self.name = h[:name]
+        self.commands = []
+        h[:commands].each do |c|
+          self.commands << BlackStack::Deployer::Command.new(c)
+        end
+      end
+
+      def to_hash
+        h = {}
+        h[:name] = self.name
+        h[:commands] = []
+        self.commands.each do |c|
+          h[:commands] << c.to_hash
+        end
+        h
+      end
+
+      def run(node)
+        ret = []
+        self.commands.each do |c|
+          #BlackStack::Deployer.logger.logs "Running command: #{c.command.to_s}... "
+          h = c.run(node)
+          ret << h
+
+          #BlackStack::Deployer.logger.logs "Result: "
+          #BlackStack::Deployer.logger.logf h.to_s
+
+          if h[:errors].size == 0
+            #BlackStack::Deployer.logger.done
+          else
+            #BlackStack::Deployer.logger.logf('error: ' + h.to_s)
+            raise "Error running command:\n#{h[:errors].uniq.join("\n")}"
+          end
+        end
+        ret
+      end # def run(node)
+    end # module RoutineModule
+
+    # define attributes and methods of a routine's command
+    module CommandModule
+      attr_accessor :command, :matches, :nomatches, :sudo, :background
+
+      def self.descriptor_errors(c)
+        errors = []
+
+        # validate: h is a hash
+        errors << "The command descriptor is not a hash" unless c.is_a?(Hash)
+
+        # validate: the hash c has a key :command
+        errors << "The command descriptor does not have a key :command" unless c.has_key?(:command)
+
+        # validate: the value of c[:command] is a string or symbol
+        errors << "The value of c[:command] is not a string and is not a symbol" unless c[:command].is_a?(String) || c[:command].is_a?(Symbol)
+
+        # validate: if the key :sudo exists, then its value is a boolean
+        if c.has_key?(:sudo)
+          errors << "The value of c[:sudo] is not a boolean" unless c[:sudo].is_a?(TrueClass) || c[:sudo].is_a?(FalseClass)
+        end
+
+        # if the parameter h[:name] is a symbol
+        if c[:command].is_a?(Symbol)
+          if c[:command] == :reboot
+            # :reboot is a reserved word, so it is fine to call :reboot
+          else
+            # validate: existis a routine with a the value c[:command].to_s on its :name key
+            errors << "The routine with the name #{c[:command].to_s} does not exist" unless BlackStack::Deployer::deployment_routines.select { |r| r.name == c[:command].to_s }.size > 0
+          end
+        end
+
+        # if c[:matches] exists
+        if c.has_key?(:matches)
+          # validate: the value of c[:matches] must by a regex or an array
+          errors << "The value of the key :matches is not a regex nor an array" unless c[:matches].is_a?(Regexp) || c[:matches].is_a?(Array)
+          # if c[:matches] is a array
+          if c[:matches].is_a?(Array)
+            # validate: each element in the the array c[:matches] is a regex
+            c[:matches].each do |m|
+              errors += BlackStack::Deployer::MatchModule.descriptor_errors(m)
+            end # each
+          end # if c[:matches].is_a?(Array)
+        end # if :matches exists
+
+        # if c[:nomatches] exists
+        if c.has_key?(:nomatches)
+          # validate: the value of c[:nomatches] must by a regex or an array
+          errors << "The value of the key :nomatches is not a regex nor an array" unless c[:nomatches].is_a?(Regexp) || c[:nomatches].is_a?(Array)
+          # if c[:nomatches] is a array
+          if c[:nomatches].is_a?(Array)
+            # validate: each element in the the array c[:nomatches] is a hash
+            c[:nomatches].each do |m|
+              errors += BlackStack::Deployer::NoMatchModule.descriptor_errors(m)
+            end # each
+          end # if c[:matches].is_a?(Array)
+        end # if :matches exists
+
+        # if c[:background] exists, it must be a boolean
+        if c.has_key?(:background)
+          errors << "The value of the key :background is not a boolean" unless c[:background].is_a?(TrueClass) || c[:background].is_a?(FalseClass)
+        end
+
+        # 
+        errors.uniq
+      end # def self.descriptor_error(h)
+
+      def initialize(h)
+        errors = BlackStack::Deployer::CommandModule.descriptor_errors(h)
+        raise "The node descriptor is not valid: #{errors.uniq.join(".\n")}" if errors.length > 0
+        self.command = h[:command]
+        self.sudo = h[:sudo].nil? ? true : h[:sudo]
+        self.matches = []
+        self.nomatches = []
+        if h.has_key?(:matches)
+          if h[:matches].is_a?(Regexp)
+            self.matches << BlackStack::Deployer::Match.new(h[:matches])
+          else
+            h[:matches].each do |m|
+              self.matches << BlackStack::Deployer::Match.new(m)
+            end
+          end
+        end
+        if h.has_key?(:nomatches)
+          if h[:nomatches].is_a?(Regexp)
+            self.nomatches << BlackStack::Deployer::NoMatch.new(h[:nomatches])
+          else
+            h[:nomatches].each do |m|
+              self.nomatches << BlackStack::Deployer::NoMatch.new(m)
+            end
+          end
+        end
+        if h.has_key?(:background)
+          self.background = h[:background]
+        else
+          self.background = false
+        end                                                                                                            
+      end # def initialize(h)
+
+      def to_hash
+        h = {}
+        h[:command] = self.command
+        h[:sudo] = self.sudo
+        h[:matches] = []
+        h[:nomatches] = []
+        self.matches.each do |m|
+          h[:matches] << m.to_hash
+        end
+        self.nomatches.each do |m|
+          h[:nomatches] << m.to_hash
+        end
+        h
+      end # def to_hash
+
+      def run(node)
+        l = BlackStack::Deployer.logger
+        errors = []
+        code = self.command
+        output = nil
+
+        # if code is a symbol
+        if code.is_a?(Symbol)
+
+          # if code is equel than :reboot
+          if code == :reboot
+            # call the node reboot method
+            node.reboot
+          else
+            # look for a routine with this name
+            r = BlackStack::Deployer.routines.select { |r| r.name == code.to_s }.first
+            if !r.nil?
+              r.run(node)
+            else
+              raise "The routine #{code.to_s} does not exist"
+            end
+          end
+
+        # if code is a string
+        elsif code.is_a?(String)
+          # replacing parameters
+          code.scan(/%[a-zA-Z0-9\_]+%/).each do |p|
+            if p == '%eth0_ip%' # reserved parameter
+              # TODO: move the method eth0_ip to the blackstack-nodes library
+              code.gsub!(p, node.eth0_ip) 
+            elsif p == '%timestamp%' # reserved parameter
+              # TODO: move this to a timestamp function on blackstack-core
+              code.gsub!(p, Time.now.to_s.gsub(/\D/, '')) 
+            else
+              if node.parameters.has_key?(p.gsub(/%/, '').to_sym)
+                code.gsub!(p, node.parameters[p.gsub(/%/, '').to_sym].to_s)
+              else
+                raise "The parameter #{p} does not exist in the node descriptor #{node.parameters.to_s}"
+              end
+            end
+          end
+
+          # if the command is configured to run in background, and the flag show_ouput is off, then modify the code to run in background
+          if self.background && !BlackStack::Deployer.show_output
+            lines = code.strip.lines
+            total = lines.size
+            i = 0
+            lines.each { |l| 
+              i += 1
+              if i == total
+                l.gsub!(/;$/, '> /dev/null 2>&1 &')
+              else
+                l.gsub!(/;$/, '> /dev/null 2>&1;')
+              end
+            }
+            code = lines.join("\n")
+          end
+
+          # running the command
+          l.logs "Show command output... " if BlackStack::Deployer.show_output
+          l.log "\n\nCommand:\n--------\n\n#{code} " if BlackStack::Deployer.show_output
+          output = node.exec(code, self.sudo)
+          l.log "\n\nOutput:\n-------\n\n#{output}" if BlackStack::Deployer.show_output
+          l.logf('done tracing.') if BlackStack::Deployer.show_output
+
+          # validation: at least one of the matches should happen
+          if self.matches.size > 0
+            i = 0
+            self.matches.each do |m|
+              if m.validate(output).size == 0 # no errors 
+                i += 1
+              end
+            end
+            errors << "Command output doesn't match with any of the :matches" if i == 0
+          end # if self.matches.size > 0 
+          
+          # validation: no one of the nomatches should happen
+          self.nomatches.each do |m|
+            errors += m.validate(output)
+          end
+        end # elsif code.is_a?(String)
+
+        # return a hash descriptor of the command result 
+        {
+          :command => self.command,
+          :code => code,
+          :output => output,
+          :errors => errors,
+        }
+      end # def run(node)
+    end # module CommandModule
+
+    # define attributes and methods of a command's match
+    module MatchModule
+      attr_accessor :match
+
+      def self.descriptor_errors(m)
+        errors = []
+        # validate the match is a regular expresion
+        errors << "The match is not a regex" unless m.is_a?(Regexp)
+        # 
+        errors.uniq
+      end # def self.descriptor_error(h)
+
+      def initialize(h)
+        errors = BlackStack::Deployer::MatchModule.descriptor_errors(h)
+        raise "The node descriptor is not valid: #{errors.uniq.join(".\n")}" if errors.length > 0
+        self.match = h
+      end
+
+      def to_hash
+        h = {}
+        h[:match] = self.match
+        h
+      end
+
+      def validate(output)
+        errors = []
+        errors << "The output of the command does not match the regular expression #{self.match.inspect}" unless output.match(self.match)
+        errors
+      end
+    end # module MatchModule
+
+    # define attributes and methods of a command's nomatch
+    module NoMatchModule
+      attr_accessor :nomatch, :error_description
+
+      def self.descriptor_errors(m)
+        errors = []
+        # validate the nomatch is a regular expresion
+        errors << "Each nomatch is not a regex nor a hash" unless m.is_a?(Hash) || m.is_a?(Regexp)
+        # if m is a hash
+        if m.is_a?(Hash)
+          # validate: the hash m has a key :nomatch
+          errors << "The hash descriptor of the nomatch does not have a key :nomatch" unless m.has_key?(:nomatch)
+          # validate: the value of m[:nomatch] is a string
+          errors << "The value of the key :nomatch is not a regex" unless m[:nomatch].is_a?(Regexp)
+          # validate: the hash m has a key :error_description
+          errors << "The hash descriptor of the nomatch does not have a key :error_description" unless m.has_key?(:error_description)
+          # validate: the value of m[:error_description] is a string
+          errors << "The value of the key :error_description is not a string" unless m[:error_description].is_a?(String)
+        end # if m.is_a?(Hash)
+        # 
+        errors.uniq
+      end # def self.descriptor_error(h)
+
+      def initialize(h)
+        errors = BlackStack::Deployer::NoMatchModule.descriptor_errors(h)
+        raise "The node descriptor is not valid: #{errors.uniq.join(".\n")}" if errors.length > 0
+        self.nomatch = h[:nomatch]
+        self.error_description = h[:error_description]
+      end
+
+      def to_hash
+        h = {}
+        h[:nomatch] = self.nomatch
+        h[:error_description] = self.error_description
+        h
+      end
+
+      def validate(output)
+        errors = []
+        if !self.error_description.nil?
+          errors << self.error_description if output.match(self.nomatch)
+        else
+          errors << "The output of the command matches the regular expression #{self.nomatch.inspect}" if output.match(self.nomatch)
+        end
+        errors
+      end
+
+    end # module NoMatchModule
+
+
+    # TODO: declare these classes (stub and skeleton) using blackstack-rpc
+    #
+    # Stub Classes
+    # These classes represents a node, without using connection to the database.
+    # Use this class at the client side.
+    class Node
+      include BlackStack::Deployer::NodeModule
+    end # class Node
+
+    class Command
+      include BlackStack::Deployer::CommandModule
+    end # class Command
+
+    class Routine
+      include BlackStack::Deployer::RoutineModule
+    end # class Routine
+
+    class Match
+      include BlackStack::Deployer::MatchModule
+    end # class Match
+
+    class NoMatch
+      include BlackStack::Deployer::NoMatchModule
+    end # class NoMatch
+  
+    # add a node to the list of nodes.
+    def self.add_node(h)
+      errors = BlackStack::Deployer::NodeModule.descriptor_errors(h)
+      raise errors.join(".\n") unless errors.empty?
+      @@nodes << BlackStack::Deployer::Node.new(h, @@logger)
+    end # def
+
+    # add an array of nodes to the list of nodes.
+    def self.add_nodes(a)
+      # validate: the parameter a is an array
+      raise "The parameter a is not an array" unless a.is_a?(Array)
+      a.each { |h| BlackStack::Deployer.add_node(h) }
+    end # def
+
+    # remove all exisiting nodes in he list of nodes.
+    # then, add the nodes in the parameter a to the list of nodes.
+    def self.set_nodes(a)
+      @@nodes.clear
+      BlackStack::Deployer.add_nodes(a)
+    end # def
+
+    # add a routine to the list of routines.
+    def self.add_routine(h)
+      errors = BlackStack::Deployer::RoutineModule.descriptor_errors(h)
+      raise errors.join(".\n") unless errors.empty?
+      @@routines << BlackStack::Deployer::Routine.new(h)
+    end # def
+
+    # add an array of routines to the list of routines.
+    def self.add_routines(a)
+      # validate: the parameter a is an array
+      raise "The parameter a is not an array" unless a.is_a?(Array)
+      a.each { |h| BlackStack::Deployer.add_routine(h) }
+    end # def
+
+    # remove all exisiting routines in he list of routines.
+    # then, add the routines in the parameter a to the list of routines.
+    def self.set_routines(a)
+      @@routines.clear
+      BlackStack::Deployer.add_routines(a)
+    end # def
+      
+    # running a routine on a node
+    def self.run_routine(node_name, routine_name)
+      errors = []
+
+      # find the node with the value node_name in the key :name
+      n = @@nodes.select { |n| n.name == node_name }.first
+
+      # find the routine with the value routine_name in the key :name
+      r = @@routines.select { |r| r.name == routine_name }.first
+
+      # validate: the node n exists
+      errors << "Node #{node_name} not found" unless n
+
+      # validate: the routine r exists
+      errors << "Routine #{routine_name} not found" unless r
+
+      # raise exception if any error has been found
+      raise "The routine #{routine_name} cannot be run on the node #{node_name}: #{errors.uniq.join(".\n")}" if errors.length > 0
+        
+      # connect the node
+      #self.logger.logs "Connecting to node #{n.name}... "
+      n.connect
+      #self.logger.done
+
+      # run the routine
+      #self.logger.logs "Running routine #{r.name}... "
+      r.run(n)
+      #self.logger.done
+        
+      # disconnect the node
+      #self.logger.logs "Disconnecting from node #{n.name}... "
+      n.disconnect
+      #self.logger.done
+        
+    end # def
+      
+    module DB
+      LOCKFILE = './blackstack-deployer.lock'
+      @@checkpoint = nil
+      @@superhuser = nil
+      @@ndb = nil
+      @@folder = nil
+
+      def self.set_checkpoint(s)
+        @@checkpoint = s
+      end
+
+      def self.checkpoint
+        @@checkpoint
+      end
+
+      def self.save_checkpoint(lockfilename=BlackStack::Deployer::DB::LOCKFILE)
+        File.new(lockfilename, "w").write(@@checkpoint)
+      end
+
+      def self.load_checkpoint(lockfilename=BlackStack::Deployer::DB::LOCKFILE)
+        if File.exists?(lockfilename)
+          @@checkpoint = File.new(lockfilename, "r").read
+        else
+          @@checkpoint = nil
+        end
+        @@checkpoint
+      end
+
+      def self.connect(s)
+        @@db = Sequel::connect(s)
+      end # def
+    
+      def self.set_folder(s)
+        @@folder = s
+      end # def
+
+
+      # Return `true` if the name of the file matches with `/\.transactions\./`, and it doesn't match with `/\.sentences\./`, and the matches with `/\.transactions\./` are no more than one.
+      # Otherwise, return `false`.
+      # This method should not be called directly by user code.
+      def self.is_transactions_file?(filename)
+        filename =~ /\.transactions\./ && filename !~ /\.sentences\./ && filename.scan(/\.transactions\./).size == 1
+      end
+  
+      # Return `true` if the name of the file matches with `/\.sentences\./`, and it doesn't match with `/\.transactions\./`, and the matches with `/\.sentences\./` are no more than one.
+      # Otherwise({, return `false`.
+      # This method should not be called directly by user code.
+      def self.is_sentences_file?(filename)
+        filename =~ /\.sentences\./ && filename !~ /\.transactions\./ && filename.scan(/\.sentences\./).size == 1
+      end
+
+      # Method to process an `.sql` file with transactions code, separated by `BEGIN;` and `COMMIT;` statements.
+      # Reference: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/64066344/import-large-sql-files-with-ruby-sequel-gem
+      # This method is called by `BlackStack::Deployer::db_execute_file` if the filename matches with `/\.tsql\./`. 
+      # This method should not be called directly by user code.
+      def self.execute_transactions(sql)  
+        # TODO: Code Me!
+      end # def db_execute_tsql
+      
+      # Method to process an `.sql` file with one sql sentence by line.
+      # Reference: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/64066344/import-large-sql-files-with-ruby-sequel-gem
+      # This method is called by `BlackStack::Deployer::db_execute_file` if the filename matches with `/\.sentences\./`. 
+      # This method should not be called directly by user code.
+      def self.execute_sentences(sql, chunk_size=200)      
+        tlogger = BlackStack::Deployer::logger
+
+        # Fix issue: Ruby `split': invalid byte sequence in UTF-8 (ArgumentError)
+        # Reference: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11065962/ruby-split-invalid-byte-sequence-in-utf-8-argumenterror
+        #
+        # Fix issue: `PG::SyntaxError: ERROR:  at or near "��truncate": syntax error`
+        #
+        sql.encode!('UTF-8', :invalid => :replace, :replace => '')
+
+        # Remove null bytes to avoid error: `String contains null byte`
+        # Reference: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/29320369/coping-with-string-contains-null-byte-sent-from-users
+        sql.gsub!("\u0000", "")
+
+        # Get the array of sentences
+        tlogger.logs "Splitting the sql sentences... "
+        sentences = sql.split(/;/i) 
+        tlogger.logf "done (#{sentences.size})"
+
+        # Chunk the array into parts of chunk_size elements
+        # Reference: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2699584/how-to-split-chunk-a-ruby-array-into-parts-of-x-elements
+        tlogger.logs "Bunlding the array of sentences into chunks of #{chunk_size} each... "
+        chunks = sentences.each_slice(chunk_size).to_a
+        tlogger.logf "done (#{chunks.size})"
+
+        chunk_number = -1
+        chunks.each { |chunk|
+          chunk_number += 1
+          statement = chunk.join(";\n").to_s.strip
+          tlogger.logs "lines #{chunk_size*chunk_number+1} to #{chunk_size*chunk_number+chunk.size} of #{sentences.size}... "
+          begin
+            @@db.execute(statement) #if statement.to_s.strip.size > 0
+            tlogger.done
+          rescue => e
+            tlogger.logf e.to_s 
+            raise "Error executing statement: #{statement}\n#{e.message}"
+          end
+        }
+        tlogger.done
+      end # def db_execute_sql_sentences_file
+
+      # Run a series of `.sql` files with updates to the database.
+      #
+      def self.deploy(save_checkpoints=false, lockfilename=BlackStack::Deployer::DB::LOCKFILE)
+        tlogger = BlackStack::Deployer::logger
+        # get list of `.sql` files in the directory `sql_path`, with a name higher than `last_filename`, sorted by name.
+        Dir.entries(@@folder).select { 
+          |filename| filename =~ /\.sql$/ && filename > @@checkpoint.to_s
+        }.uniq.sort.each { |filename|
+          fullfilename = "#{@@folder}/#{filename}"
+
+          tlogger.logs "#{fullfilename}... "
+          BlackStack::Deployer::DB::execute_sentences( File.open(fullfilename).read )
+          tlogger.done
+
+          tlogger.logs "Updating checkpoint... "
+          BlackStack::Deployer::DB::set_checkpoint filename
+          tlogger.done
+
+          tlogger.logs 'Saving checkpoint... '
+          if save_checkpoints
+            BlackStack::Deployer::DB::save_checkpoint(lockfilename)
+            tlogger.done
+          else
+            tlogger.logf 'disabled'
+          end
+        }
+      end # def
+    end # module DB
+
+    # deploying all db-updates and run all routines on all nodes
+    def self.deploy()
+      tlogger = BlackStack::Deployer::logger
+
+      @@nodes.each { |n|
+        tlogger.logs "Node #{n.name}... "
+        n.deploy()
+        tlogger.done
+      }
+    end # def
+
+  end # module Deployer
+
 end # module BlackStack