flwr-nightly 1.11.0.dev20240823__py3-none-any.whl → 1.11.1.dev20240912__py3-none-any.whl

flwr/common/telemetry.py

@@ -132,53 +132,59 @@ class EventType(str, Enum):
     # Ping
     PING = auto()
 
-    # Client: start_client
+    # --- LEGACY FUNCTIONS -------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    # Legacy: `start_client` function
     START_CLIENT_ENTER = auto()
     START_CLIENT_LEAVE = auto()
 
-    # Server: start_server
+    # Legacy: `start_server` function
     START_SERVER_ENTER = auto()
     START_SERVER_LEAVE = auto()
 
-    # Driver API
-    RUN_DRIVER_API_ENTER = auto()
-    RUN_DRIVER_API_LEAVE = auto()
+    # Legacy: `start_simulation` function
+    START_SIMULATION_ENTER = auto()
+    START_SIMULATION_LEAVE = auto()
 
-    # Fleet API
-    RUN_FLEET_API_ENTER = auto()
-    RUN_FLEET_API_LEAVE = auto()
+    # --- `flwr` CLI -------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-    # Driver API and Fleet API
-    RUN_SUPERLINK_ENTER = auto()
-    RUN_SUPERLINK_LEAVE = auto()
+    # Not yet implemented
 
-    # Simulation
-    START_SIMULATION_ENTER = auto()
-    START_SIMULATION_LEAVE = auto()
+    # --- SuperExec --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-    # Driver: Driver
-    DRIVER_CONNECT = auto()
-    DRIVER_DISCONNECT = auto()
+    # SuperExec
+    RUN_SUPEREXEC_ENTER = auto()
+    RUN_SUPEREXEC_LEAVE = auto()
 
-    # Driver: start_driver
-    START_DRIVER_ENTER = auto()
-    START_DRIVER_LEAVE = auto()
+    # --- Simulation Engine ------------------------------------------------------------
 
-    # flower-client-app
-    RUN_CLIENT_APP_ENTER = auto()
-    RUN_CLIENT_APP_LEAVE = auto()
+    # CLI: flower-simulation
+    CLI_FLOWER_SIMULATION_ENTER = auto()
+    CLI_FLOWER_SIMULATION_LEAVE = auto()
 
-    # flower-server-app
-    RUN_SERVER_APP_ENTER = auto()
-    RUN_SERVER_APP_LEAVE = auto()
+    # Python API: `run_simulation`
+    PYTHON_API_RUN_SIMULATION_ENTER = auto()
+    PYTHON_API_RUN_SIMULATION_LEAVE = auto()
 
-    # SuperNode
+    # --- Deployment Engine ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    # CLI: `flower-superlink`
+    RUN_SUPERLINK_ENTER = auto()
+    RUN_SUPERLINK_LEAVE = auto()
+
+    # CLI: `flower-supernode`
     RUN_SUPERNODE_ENTER = auto()
     RUN_SUPERNODE_LEAVE = auto()
 
-    # SuperExec
-    RUN_SUPEREXEC_ENTER = auto()
-    RUN_SUPEREXEC_LEAVE = auto()
+    # CLI: `flower-server-app`
+    RUN_SERVER_APP_ENTER = auto()
+    RUN_SERVER_APP_LEAVE = auto()
+
+    # --- DEPRECATED -------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    # [DEPRECATED] CLI: `flower-client-app`
+    RUN_CLIENT_APP_ENTER = auto()
+    RUN_CLIENT_APP_LEAVE = auto()
 
 
 # Use the ThreadPoolExecutor with max_workers=1 to have a queue

flwr/server/__init__.py

@@ -17,14 +17,12 @@
 
 from . import strategy
 from . import workflow as workflow
-from .app import run_superlink as run_superlink
 from .app import start_server as start_server
 from .client_manager import ClientManager as ClientManager
 from .client_manager import SimpleClientManager as SimpleClientManager
 from .compat import LegacyContext as LegacyContext
 from .driver import Driver as Driver
 from .history import History as History
-from .run_serverapp import run_server_app as run_server_app
 from .server import Server as Server
 from .server_app import ServerApp as ServerApp
 from .server_config import ServerConfig as ServerConfig
@@ -40,8 +38,6 @@ __all__ = [
     "ServerAppComponents",
     "ServerConfig",
     "SimpleClientManager",
-    "run_server_app",
-    "run_superlink",
     "start_server",
     "strategy",
     "workflow",

flwr/server/app.py

@@ -36,6 +36,10 @@ from flwr.common import GRPC_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH, EventType, event
 from flwr.common.address import parse_address
 from flwr.common.config import get_flwr_dir
 from flwr.common.constant import (
+    DRIVER_API_DEFAULT_ADDRESS,
+    FLEET_API_GRPC_BIDI_DEFAULT_ADDRESS,
+    FLEET_API_GRPC_RERE_DEFAULT_ADDRESS,
+    FLEET_API_REST_DEFAULT_ADDRESS,
     MISSING_EXTRA_REST,
     TRANSPORT_TYPE_GRPC_ADAPTER,
     TRANSPORT_TYPE_GRPC_RERE,
@@ -68,18 +72,13 @@ from .superlink.fleet.grpc_rere.fleet_servicer import FleetServicer
 from .superlink.fleet.grpc_rere.server_interceptor import AuthenticateServerInterceptor
 from .superlink.state import StateFactory
 
-ADDRESS_DRIVER_API = "0.0.0.0:9091"
-ADDRESS_FLEET_API_GRPC_RERE = "0.0.0.0:9092"
-ADDRESS_FLEET_API_GRPC_BIDI = "[::]:8080"  # IPv6 to keep start_server compatible
-ADDRESS_FLEET_API_REST = "0.0.0.0:9093"
-
 DATABASE = ":flwr-in-memory-state:"
 BASE_DIR = get_flwr_dir() / "superlink" / "ffs"
 
 
 def start_server(  # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments,too-many-locals
     *,
-    server_address: str = ADDRESS_FLEET_API_GRPC_BIDI,
+    server_address: str = FLEET_API_GRPC_BIDI_DEFAULT_ADDRESS,
     server: Optional[Server] = None,
     config: Optional[ServerConfig] = None,
     strategy: Optional[Strategy] = None,
@@ -232,9 +231,9 @@ def run_superlink() -> None:
             TRANSPORT_TYPE_GRPC_RERE,
             TRANSPORT_TYPE_GRPC_ADAPTER,
         ]:
-            args.fleet_api_address = ADDRESS_FLEET_API_GRPC_RERE
+            args.fleet_api_address = FLEET_API_GRPC_RERE_DEFAULT_ADDRESS
         elif args.fleet_api_type == TRANSPORT_TYPE_REST:
-            args.fleet_api_address = ADDRESS_FLEET_API_REST
+            args.fleet_api_address = FLEET_API_REST_DEFAULT_ADDRESS
 
     fleet_address, host, port = _format_address(args.fleet_api_address)
 
@@ -278,24 +277,24 @@ def run_superlink() -> None:
         fleet_thread.start()
         bckg_threads.append(fleet_thread)
     elif args.fleet_api_type == TRANSPORT_TYPE_GRPC_RERE:
-        maybe_keys = _try_setup_client_authentication(args, certificates)
+        maybe_keys = _try_setup_node_authentication(args, certificates)
         interceptors: Optional[Sequence[grpc.ServerInterceptor]] = None
         if maybe_keys is not None:
             (
-                client_public_keys,
+                node_public_keys,
                 server_private_key,
                 server_public_key,
             ) = maybe_keys
             state = state_factory.state()
-            state.store_client_public_keys(client_public_keys)
+            state.store_node_public_keys(node_public_keys)
             state.store_server_private_public_key(
                 private_key_to_bytes(server_private_key),
                 public_key_to_bytes(server_public_key),
             )
             log(
                 INFO,
-                "Client authentication enabled with %d known public keys",
-                len(client_public_keys),
+                "Node authentication enabled with %d known public keys",
+                len(node_public_keys),
             )
             interceptors = [AuthenticateServerInterceptor(state)]
 
@@ -344,7 +343,7 @@ def _format_address(address: str) -> Tuple[str, str, int]:
     return (f"[{host}]:{port}" if is_v6 else f"{host}:{port}", host, port)
 
 
-def _try_setup_client_authentication(
+def _try_setup_node_authentication(
     args: argparse.Namespace,
     certificates: Optional[Tuple[bytes, bytes, bytes]],
 ) -> Optional[Tuple[Set[bytes], ec.EllipticCurvePrivateKey, ec.EllipticCurvePublicKey]]:
@@ -373,16 +372,16 @@ def _try_setup_client_authentication(
             "`--ssl-keyfile`, and `—-ssl-ca-certfile` and try again."
         )
 
-    client_keys_file_path = Path(args.auth_list_public_keys)
-    if not client_keys_file_path.exists():
+    node_keys_file_path = Path(args.auth_list_public_keys)
+    if not node_keys_file_path.exists():
         sys.exit(
             "The provided path to the known public keys CSV file does not exist: "
-            f"{client_keys_file_path}. "
+            f"{node_keys_file_path}. "
             "Please provide the CSV file path containing known public keys "
             "to '--auth-list-public-keys'."
         )
 
-    client_public_keys: Set[bytes] = set()
+    node_public_keys: Set[bytes] = set()
 
     try:
         ssh_private_key = load_ssh_private_key(
@@ -413,13 +412,13 @@ def _try_setup_client_authentication(
             "path points to a valid public key file and try again."
         )
 
-    with open(client_keys_file_path, newline="", encoding="utf-8") as csvfile:
+    with open(node_keys_file_path, newline="", encoding="utf-8") as csvfile:
         reader = csv.reader(csvfile)
         for row in reader:
             for element in row:
                 public_key = load_ssh_public_key(element.encode())
                 if isinstance(public_key, ec.EllipticCurvePublicKey):
-                    client_public_keys.add(public_key_to_bytes(public_key))
+                    node_public_keys.add(public_key_to_bytes(public_key))
                 else:
                     sys.exit(
                         "Error: Unable to parse the public keys in the CSV "
@@ -427,7 +426,7 @@ def _try_setup_client_authentication(
                         "known SSH public keys files and try again."
                     )
         return (
-            client_public_keys,
+            node_public_keys,
             ssh_private_key,
             ssh_public_key,
         )
@@ -653,7 +652,7 @@ def _add_args_driver_api(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) -> None:
     parser.add_argument(
         "--driver-api-address",
         help="Driver API (gRPC) server address (IPv4, IPv6, or a domain name).",
-        default=ADDRESS_DRIVER_API,
+        default=DRIVER_API_DEFAULT_ADDRESS,
     )
 
 

flwr/server/compat/app.py

@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 from logging import INFO
 from typing import Optional
 
-from flwr.common import EventType, event
 from flwr.common.logger import log
 from flwr.server.client_manager import ClientManager
 from flwr.server.history import History
@@ -65,8 +64,6 @@ def start_driver(  # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments, too-many-locals
     hist : flwr.server.history.History
         Object containing training and evaluation metrics.
     """
-    event(EventType.START_DRIVER_ENTER)
-
     # Initialize the Driver API server and config
     initialized_server, initialized_config = init_defaults(
         server=server,
@@ -96,6 +93,4 @@ def start_driver(  # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments, too-many-locals
     f_stop.set()
     thread.join()
 
-    event(EventType.START_SERVER_LEAVE)
-
     return hist

flwr/server/driver/grpc_driver.py

@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@ from typing import Iterable, List, Optional, cast
 
 import grpc
 
-from flwr.common import DEFAULT_TTL, EventType, Message, Metadata, RecordSet, event
+from flwr.common import DEFAULT_TTL, Message, Metadata, RecordSet
+from flwr.common.constant import DRIVER_API_DEFAULT_ADDRESS
 from flwr.common.grpc import create_channel
 from flwr.common.logger import log
 from flwr.common.serde import (
@@ -45,8 +46,6 @@ from flwr.proto.task_pb2 import TaskIns  # pylint: disable=E0611
 
 from .driver import Driver
 
-DEFAULT_SERVER_ADDRESS_DRIVER = "[::]:9091"
-
 ERROR_MESSAGE_DRIVER_NOT_CONNECTED = """
 [Driver] Error: Not connected.
 
@@ -73,7 +72,7 @@ class GrpcDriver(Driver):
     def __init__(  # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments
         self,
         run_id: int,
-        driver_service_address: str = DEFAULT_SERVER_ADDRESS_DRIVER,
+        driver_service_address: str = DRIVER_API_DEFAULT_ADDRESS,
         root_certificates: Optional[bytes] = None,
     ) -> None:
         self._run_id = run_id
@@ -94,7 +93,6 @@ class GrpcDriver(Driver):
 
         This will not call GetRun.
         """
-        event(EventType.DRIVER_CONNECT)
         if self._is_connected:
             log(WARNING, "Already connected")
             return
@@ -108,7 +106,6 @@ class GrpcDriver(Driver):
 
     def _disconnect(self) -> None:
         """Disconnect from the Driver API."""
-        event(EventType.DRIVER_DISCONNECT)
         if not self._is_connected:
             log(DEBUG, "Already disconnected")
             return

flwr/server/run_serverapp.py

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ from flwr.common.config import (
     get_project_config,
     get_project_dir,
 )
+from flwr.common.constant import DRIVER_API_DEFAULT_ADDRESS
 from flwr.common.logger import log, update_console_handler, warn_deprecated_feature
 from flwr.common.object_ref import load_app
 from flwr.common.typing import UserConfig
@@ -44,8 +45,6 @@ from .driver import Driver
 from .driver.grpc_driver import GrpcDriver
 from .server_app import LoadServerAppError, ServerApp
 
-ADDRESS_DRIVER_API = "0.0.0.0:9091"
-
 
 def run(
     driver: Driver,
@@ -97,11 +96,26 @@ def run_server_app() -> None:
 
     args = _parse_args_run_server_app().parse_args()
 
-    if args.server != ADDRESS_DRIVER_API:
+    # Check if the server app reference is passed.
+    # Since Flower 1.11, passing a reference is not allowed.
+    app_path: Optional[str] = args.app
+    # If the provided app_path doesn't exist, and contains a ":",
+    # it is likely to be a server app reference instead of a path.
+    if app_path is not None and not Path(app_path).exists() and ":" in app_path:
+        sys.exit(
+            "It appears you've passed a reference like `server:app`.\n\n"
+            "Note that since version `1.11.0`, `flower-server-app` no longer supports "
+            "passing a reference to a `ServerApp` attribute. Instead, you need to pass "
+            "the path to Flower app via the argument `--app`. This is the path to a "
+            "directory containing a `pyproject.toml`. You can create a valid Flower "
+            "app by executing `flwr new` and following the prompt."
+        )
+
+    if args.server != DRIVER_API_DEFAULT_ADDRESS:
         warn = "Passing flag --server is deprecated. Use --superlink instead."
         warn_deprecated_feature(warn)
 
-        if args.superlink != ADDRESS_DRIVER_API:
+        if args.superlink != DRIVER_API_DEFAULT_ADDRESS:
             # if `--superlink` also passed, then
             # warn user that this argument overrides what was passed with `--server`
             log(
@@ -151,7 +165,6 @@ def run_server_app() -> None:
             cert_path,
         )
 
-    app_path: Optional[str] = args.app
     if not (app_path is None) ^ (args.run_id is None):
         raise sys.exit(
             "Please provide either a Flower App path or a Run ID, but not both. "
@@ -261,12 +274,12 @@ def _parse_args_run_server_app() -> argparse.ArgumentParser:
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--server",
-        default=ADDRESS_DRIVER_API,
+        default=DRIVER_API_DEFAULT_ADDRESS,
         help="Server address",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--superlink",
-        default=ADDRESS_DRIVER_API,
+        default=DRIVER_API_DEFAULT_ADDRESS,
         help="SuperLink Driver API (gRPC-rere) address (IPv4, IPv6, or a domain name)",
     )
     parser.add_argument(

flwr/server/superlink/fleet/grpc_rere/fleet_servicer.py

@@ -51,19 +51,22 @@ class FleetServicer(fleet_pb2_grpc.FleetServicer):
         self, request: CreateNodeRequest, context: grpc.ServicerContext
     ) -> CreateNodeResponse:
         """."""
-        log(INFO, "FleetServicer.CreateNode")
+        log(INFO, "[Fleet.CreateNode] Request ping_interval=%s", request.ping_interval)
+        log(DEBUG, "[Fleet.CreateNode] Request: %s", request)
         response = message_handler.create_node(
             request=request,
             state=self.state_factory.state(),
         )
-        log(INFO, "FleetServicer: Created node_id=%s", response.node.node_id)
+        log(INFO, "[Fleet.CreateNode] Created node_id=%s", response.node.node_id)
+        log(DEBUG, "[Fleet.CreateNode] Response: %s", response)
         return response
 
     def DeleteNode(
         self, request: DeleteNodeRequest, context: grpc.ServicerContext
     ) -> DeleteNodeResponse:
         """."""
-        log(INFO, "FleetServicer.DeleteNode")
+        log(INFO, "[Fleet.DeleteNode] Delete node_id=%s", request.node.node_id)
+        log(DEBUG, "[Fleet.DeleteNode] Request: %s", request)
         return message_handler.delete_node(
             request=request,
             state=self.state_factory.state(),
@@ -71,7 +74,7 @@ class FleetServicer(fleet_pb2_grpc.FleetServicer):
 
     def Ping(self, request: PingRequest, context: grpc.ServicerContext) -> PingResponse:
         """."""
-        log(DEBUG, "FleetServicer.Ping")
+        log(DEBUG, "[Fleet.Ping] Request: %s", request)
         return message_handler.ping(
             request=request,
             state=self.state_factory.state(),
@@ -81,7 +84,8 @@ class FleetServicer(fleet_pb2_grpc.FleetServicer):
         self, request: PullTaskInsRequest, context: grpc.ServicerContext
     ) -> PullTaskInsResponse:
         """Pull TaskIns."""
-        log(INFO, "FleetServicer.PullTaskIns")
+        log(INFO, "[Fleet.PullTaskIns] node_id=%s", request.node.node_id)
+        log(DEBUG, "[Fleet.PullTaskIns] Request: %s", request)
         return message_handler.pull_task_ins(
             request=request,
             state=self.state_factory.state(),
@@ -91,7 +95,14 @@ class FleetServicer(fleet_pb2_grpc.FleetServicer):
         self, request: PushTaskResRequest, context: grpc.ServicerContext
     ) -> PushTaskResResponse:
         """Push TaskRes."""
-        log(INFO, "FleetServicer.PushTaskRes")
+        if request.task_res_list:
+            log(
+                INFO,
+                "[Fleet.PushTaskRes] Push results from node_id=%s",
+                request.task_res_list[0].task.producer.node_id,
+            )
+        else:
+            log(INFO, "[Fleet.PushTaskRes] No task results to push")
         return message_handler.push_task_res(
             request=request,
             state=self.state_factory.state(),
@@ -101,7 +112,7 @@ class FleetServicer(fleet_pb2_grpc.FleetServicer):
         self, request: GetRunRequest, context: grpc.ServicerContext
     ) -> GetRunResponse:
         """Get run information."""
-        log(INFO, "FleetServicer.GetRun")
+        log(INFO, "[Fleet.GetRun] Requesting `Run` for run_id=%s", request.run_id)
         return message_handler.get_run(
             request=request,
             state=self.state_factory.state(),
@@ -111,7 +122,7 @@ class FleetServicer(fleet_pb2_grpc.FleetServicer):
         self, request: GetFabRequest, context: grpc.ServicerContext
     ) -> GetFabResponse:
         """Get FAB."""
-        log(DEBUG, "DriverServicer.GetFab")
+        log(INFO, "[Fleet.GetFab] Requesting FAB for fab_hash=%s", request.hash_str)
         return message_handler.get_fab(
             request=request,
             ffs=self.ffs_factory.ffs(),

flwr/server/superlink/fleet/grpc_rere/server_interceptor.py

@@ -78,13 +78,13 @@ def _get_value_from_tuples(
 
 
 class AuthenticateServerInterceptor(grpc.ServerInterceptor):  # type: ignore
-    """Server interceptor for client authentication."""
+    """Server interceptor for node authentication."""
 
     def __init__(self, state: State):
         self.state = state
 
-        self.client_public_keys = state.get_client_public_keys()
-        if len(self.client_public_keys) == 0:
+        self.node_public_keys = state.get_node_public_keys()
+        if len(self.node_public_keys) == 0:
             log(WARNING, "Authentication enabled, but no known public keys configured")
 
         private_key = self.state.get_server_private_key()
@@ -103,9 +103,9 @@ class AuthenticateServerInterceptor(grpc.ServerInterceptor):  # type: ignore
     ) -> grpc.RpcMethodHandler:
         """Flower server interceptor authentication logic.
 
-        Intercept all unary calls from clients and authenticate clients by validating
-        auth metadata sent by the client. Continue RPC call if client is authenticated,
-        else, terminate RPC call by setting context to abort.
+        Intercept all unary calls from nodes and authenticate nodes by validating auth
+        metadata sent by the node. Continue RPC call if node is authenticated, else,
+        terminate RPC call by setting context to abort.
         """
         # One of the method handlers in
         # `flwr.server.superlink.fleet.grpc_rere.fleet_server.FleetServicer`
@@ -119,17 +119,17 @@ class AuthenticateServerInterceptor(grpc.ServerInterceptor):  # type: ignore
             request: Request,
             context: grpc.ServicerContext,
         ) -> Response:
-            client_public_key_bytes = base64.urlsafe_b64decode(
+            node_public_key_bytes = base64.urlsafe_b64decode(
                 _get_value_from_tuples(
                     _PUBLIC_KEY_HEADER, context.invocation_metadata()
                 )
             )
-            if client_public_key_bytes not in self.client_public_keys:
+            if node_public_key_bytes not in self.node_public_keys:
                 context.abort(grpc.StatusCode.UNAUTHENTICATED, "Access denied")
 
             if isinstance(request, CreateNodeRequest):
                 response = self._create_authenticated_node(
-                    client_public_key_bytes, request, context
+                    node_public_key_bytes, request, context
                 )
                 log(
                     INFO,
@@ -144,13 +144,13 @@ class AuthenticateServerInterceptor(grpc.ServerInterceptor):  # type: ignore
                     _AUTH_TOKEN_HEADER, context.invocation_metadata()
                 )
             )
-            public_key = bytes_to_public_key(client_public_key_bytes)
+            public_key = bytes_to_public_key(node_public_key_bytes)
 
             if not self._verify_hmac(public_key, request, hmac_value):
                 context.abort(grpc.StatusCode.UNAUTHENTICATED, "Access denied")
 
             # Verify node_id
-            node_id = self.state.get_node_id(client_public_key_bytes)
+            node_id = self.state.get_node_id(node_public_key_bytes)
 
             if not self._verify_node_id(node_id, request):
                 context.abort(grpc.StatusCode.UNAUTHENTICATED, "Access denied")
@@ -188,7 +188,8 @@ class AuthenticateServerInterceptor(grpc.ServerInterceptor):  # type: ignore
         self, public_key: ec.EllipticCurvePublicKey, request: Request, hmac_value: bytes
     ) -> bool:
         shared_secret = generate_shared_key(self.server_private_key, public_key)
-        return verify_hmac(shared_secret, request.SerializeToString(True), hmac_value)
+        message_bytes = request.SerializeToString(deterministic=True)
+        return verify_hmac(shared_secret, message_bytes, hmac_value)
 
     def _create_authenticated_node(
         self,

flwr/server/superlink/fleet/vce/backend/raybackend.py

@@ -52,16 +52,11 @@ class RayBackend(Backend):
 
         # Validate client resources
         self.client_resources_key = "client_resources"
-        client_resources = self._validate_client_resources(config=backend_config)
+        self.client_resources = self._validate_client_resources(config=backend_config)
 
-        # Create actor pool
-        actor_kwargs = self._validate_actor_arguments(config=backend_config)
-
-        self.pool = BasicActorPool(
-            actor_type=ClientAppActor,
-            client_resources=client_resources,
-            actor_kwargs=actor_kwargs,
-        )
+        # Valide actor resources
+        self.actor_kwargs = self._validate_actor_arguments(config=backend_config)
+        self.pool: Optional[BasicActorPool] = None
 
         self.app_fn: Optional[Callable[[], ClientApp]] = None
 
@@ -122,14 +117,24 @@ class RayBackend(Backend):
     @property
     def num_workers(self) -> int:
         """Return number of actors in pool."""
-        return self.pool.num_actors
+        return self.pool.num_actors if self.pool else 0
 
     def is_worker_idle(self) -> bool:
         """Report whether the pool has idle actors."""
-        return self.pool.is_actor_available()
+        return self.pool.is_actor_available() if self.pool else False
 
     def build(self, app_fn: Callable[[], ClientApp]) -> None:
         """Build pool of Ray actors that this backend will submit jobs to."""
+        # Create Actor Pool
+        try:
+            self.pool = BasicActorPool(
+                actor_type=ClientAppActor,
+                client_resources=self.client_resources,
+                actor_kwargs=self.actor_kwargs,
+            )
+        except Exception as ex:
+            raise ex
+
         self.pool.add_actors_to_pool(self.pool.actors_capacity)
         # Set ClientApp callable that ray actors will use
         self.app_fn = app_fn
@@ -146,6 +151,9 @@ class RayBackend(Backend):
         """
         partition_id = context.node_config[PARTITION_ID_KEY]
 
+        if self.pool is None:
+            raise ValueError("The actor pool is empty, unfit to process messages.")
+
         if self.app_fn is None:
             raise ValueError(
                 "Unspecified function to load a `ClientApp`. "
@@ -179,6 +187,7 @@ class RayBackend(Backend):
 
     def terminate(self) -> None:
         """Terminate all actors in actor pool."""
-        self.pool.terminate_all_actors()
+        if self.pool:
+            self.pool.terminate_all_actors()
         ray.shutdown()
         log(DEBUG, "Terminated %s", self.__class__.__name__)