diff --git a/refstack/tools/__init__.py b/refstack/tools/__init__.py
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diff --git a/refstack/tools/tempest_tester.py b/refstack/tools/tempest_tester.py
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+++ b/refstack/tools/tempest_tester.py
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+# vim: tabstop=4 shiftwidth=4 softtabstop=4
+
+# Copyright 2014 IBM Corp.
+#
+#    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.
+
+from docker_buildfile import DockerBuildFile
+import json
+import os
+from refstack.refstack_config import RefStackConfig
+import time
+
+configData = RefStackConfig()
+
+
+class TempestTester(object):
+    '''Utility class to handle tempest test.'''
+
+    test_id = None
+    testObj = None
+    cloudObj = None
+
+    def __init__(self, test_id=None):
+        '''Init method loads specified id.'''
+
+        ''' If test_id exists, this is an existing test. Else this is a new
+            test. Test_id wll be created later in an other module.
+        '''
+        if test_id:
+            self.test_id = test_id
+            ''' TODO: Retrieve testObj and cloudObj '''
+
+    def generate_miniconf(self):
+        '''Return a JSON object representing the mini tempest conf.'''
+
+        ''' TODO: Construct the JSON from cloud db obj '''
+        ''' ForNow: Return the JSON in vendor config '''
+        conf = configData.get_tempest_config()
+
+        return json.dumps(conf)
+
+    def generate_testcases(self):
+        '''Return a JSON array of the tempest testcases to be executed.'''
+
+        ''' TODO: Depends on DefCore's decision, either do the full test or
+                  allow users to specify what to test
+        '''
+        ''' ForNow: Return the JSON in vendor config '''
+        conf = configData.get_tempest_testcases()
+
+        return json.dumps(conf)
+
+    def process_resultfile(self, filename):
+        '''Process the tempest result file.'''
+
+        ''' TODO: store the file in test db obj '''
+        ''' ForNow: write the file to console output '''
+        with open(filename, 'r') as f:
+            print f.read()
+            f.close()
+
+    def test_cloud(self, cloud_id, extraConfJSON=None):
+        '''Create and execute a new test with the provided extraConfJSON.'''
+
+        ''' TODO: Retrieve the cloud obj from DB '''
+
+        ''' TODO: Create new test obj in DB and get the real unique test_id'''
+        ''' ForNow: use timestamp as the test_id '''
+        self.test_id = time.strftime("%m%d%H%M")
+
+        ''' invoke execute_test '''
+        self.execute_test(extraConfJSON)
+
+    def execute_test(self, extraConfJSON=None):
+        '''Execute the tempest test with the provided extraConfJSON.'''
+
+        options = {'DOCKER': self._execute_test_docker,
+                   'LOCAL': self._execute_test_local,
+                   'GEARMAN': self._execute_test_gearman}
+
+        ''' TODO: Initial test status in DB '''
+
+        try:
+            options[configData.get_test_mode()](extraConfJSON)
+        except KeyError:
+            print 'Error: Invalid test mode in config file'
+
+        ''' TODO: Update test status in DB'''
+
+    def _execute_test_docker(self, extraConfJSON=None):
+        '''Execute the tempest test in a docker container.'''
+
+        ''' Create the docker build file '''
+        dockerFile = os.path.join(configData.get_working_dir(),
+                                  'test_%s.dockerFile' % self.test_id)
+        fileBuilder = DockerBuildFile()
+        fileBuilder.test_id = self.test_id
+        fileBuilder.api_server_address = configData.get_app_address()
+        ''' TODO: Determine tempest URL based on the cloud version '''
+        ''' ForNow: Use the Tempest URL in the config file '''
+        fileBuilder.tempest_code_url = configData.get_tempest_url()
+        fileBuilder.confJSON = extraConfJSON
+        fileBuilder.build_docker_buildfile(dockerFile)
+
+        ''' Execute the docker build file '''
+        outFile = os.path.join(configData.get_working_dir(),
+                               'test_%s.dockerOutput' % self.test_id)
+
+        cmd = 'nohup docker build - < %s > %s &' % (dockerFile, outFile)
+        os.system(cmd)
+        print cmd
+
+        ''' TODO: Clean up the temporary docker build and output file '''
+
+    def _execute_test_local(self, extraConfJSON=None):
+        '''Execute the tempest test locally.'''
+        pass
+
+    def _execute_test_gearman(self, extraConfJSON=None):
+        '''Execute the tempest test with gearman.'''
+        pass