Merging upstream version 1.39.0.

Signed-off-by: Daniel Baumann <daniel.baumann@progress-linux.org>

5 files changed, 1008 insertions, 216 deletions

diff --git a/collectors/plugins.d/README.md b/collectors/plugins.d/README.md
index 8ad1d3a65..1c3b50cb7 100644
--- a/collectors/plugins.d/README.md
+++ b/collectors/plugins.d/README.md
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 <!--
-title: "External plugins overview"
+title: "External plugins"
 custom_edit_url: "https://github.com/netdata/netdata/edit/master/collectors/plugins.d/README.md"
-sidebar_label: "External plugins overview"
+sidebar_label: "External plugins"
 learn_status: "Published"
 learn_topic_type: "References"
-learn_rel_path: "Developers"
+learn_rel_path: "Developers/External plugins"
 -->
 
-# External plugins overview
+# External plugins
 
 `plugins.d` is the Netdata internal plugin that collects metrics
 from external processes, thus allowing Netdata to use **external plugins**.
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ a single program can produce any number of charts with any number of dimensions
 
 Charts can be added any time (not just the beginning).
 
-### command line parameters
+### Command line parameters
 
 The plugin **MUST** accept just **one** parameter: **the number of seconds it is
 expected to update the values for its charts**. The value passed by Netdata
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ The external plugin can overwrite the update frequency. For example, the server
 request per second updates, but the plugin may ignore it and update its charts
 every 5 seconds.
 
-### environment variables
+### Environment variables
 
 There are a few environment variables that are set by `netdata` and are
 available for the plugin to use.
@@ -175,6 +175,83 @@ The plugin should output instructions for Netdata to its output (`stdout`). Sinc
 
 `DISABLE` will disable this plugin. This will prevent Netdata from restarting the plugin. You can also exit with the value `1` to have the same effect.
 
+#### HOST_DEFINE
+
+`HOST_DEFINE` defines a new (or updates an existing) virtual host.
+
+The template is:
+
+> HOST_DEFINE machine_guid hostname
+
+where:
+
+-   `machine_guid`
+
+    uniquely identifies the host, this is what will be needed to add charts to the host.
+
+-   `hostname`
+
+    is the hostname of the virtual host
+
+#### HOST_LABEL
+
+`HOST_LABEL` adds a key-value pair to the virtual host labels. It has to be given between `HOST_DEFINE` and `HOST_DEFINE_END`.
+
+The template is:
+
+> HOST_LABEL key value
+
+where:
+
+-   `key`
+
+    uniquely identifies the key of the label
+
+-   `value`
+
+    is the value associated with this key
+
+There are a few special keys that are used to define the system information of the monitored system:
+
+- `_cloud_provider_type`
+- `_cloud_instance_type`
+- `_cloud_instance_region`
+- `_os_name`
+- `_os_version`
+- `_kernel_version`
+- `_system_cores`
+- `_system_cpu_freq`
+- `_system_ram_total`
+- `_system_disk_space`
+- `_architecture`
+- `_virtualization`
+- `_container`
+- `_container_detection`
+- `_virt_detection`
+- `_is_k8s_node`
+- `_install_type`
+- `_prebuilt_arch`
+- `_prebuilt_dist`
+
+#### HOST_DEFINE_END
+
+`HOST_DEFINE_END` commits the host information, creating a new host entity, or updating an existing one with the same `machine_guid`.
+
+#### HOST 
+
+`HOST` switches data collection between hosts.
+
+The template is:
+
+> HOST machine_guid
+
+where:
+
+-   `machine_guid`
+
+    is the UUID of the host to switch to. After this command, every other command following it is assumed to be associated with this host.
+    Setting machine_guid to `localhost` switches data collection to the local host.
+
 #### CHART
 
 `CHART` defines a new chart.
diff --git a/collectors/plugins.d/plugins_d.c b/collectors/plugins.d/plugins_d.c
index 7608f3afc..dc13cd2ee 100644
--- a/collectors/plugins.d/plugins_d.c
+++ b/collectors/plugins.d/plugins_d.c
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ inline size_t pluginsd_initialize_plugin_directories()
     }
 
     // Parse it and store it to plugin directories
-    return quoted_strings_splitter(plugins_dir_list, plugin_directories, PLUGINSD_MAX_DIRECTORIES, config_isspace, NULL, NULL, 0);
+    return quoted_strings_splitter(plugins_dir_list, plugin_directories, PLUGINSD_MAX_DIRECTORIES, config_isspace);
 }
 
 static inline void plugin_set_disabled(struct plugind *cd) {
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ static void pluginsd_worker_thread_cleanup(void *arg)
 {
     struct plugind *cd = (struct plugind *)arg;
 
+    worker_unregister();
+
     netdata_spinlock_lock(&cd->unsafe.spinlock);
 
     cd->unsafe.running = false;
@@ -62,74 +64,73 @@ static void pluginsd_worker_thread_cleanup(void *arg)
     netdata_spinlock_unlock(&cd->unsafe.spinlock);
 
     if (pid) {
-        info("data collection thread exiting");
-
         siginfo_t info;
-        info("killing child process pid %d", pid);
+        info("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s', killing data collection child process with pid %d",
+             rrdhost_hostname(cd->host), pid);
+
         if (killpid(pid) != -1) {
-            info("waiting for child process pid %d to exit...", pid);
+            info("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s', waiting for data collection child process pid %d to exit...",
+                 rrdhost_hostname(cd->host), pid);
+
             waitid(P_PID, (id_t)pid, &info, WEXITED);
         }
     }
 }
 
 #define SERIAL_FAILURES_THRESHOLD 10
-static void pluginsd_worker_thread_handle_success(struct plugind *cd)
-{
+static void pluginsd_worker_thread_handle_success(struct plugind *cd) {
     if (likely(cd->successful_collections)) {
         sleep((unsigned int)cd->update_every);
         return;
     }
 
     if (likely(cd->serial_failures <= SERIAL_FAILURES_THRESHOLD)) {
-        info(
-            "'%s' (pid %d) does not generate useful output but it reports success (exits with 0). %s.",
-            cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid,
-            plugin_is_enabled(cd) ? "Waiting a bit before starting it again." : "Will not start it again - it is now disabled.");
+        info("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s', '%s' (pid %d) does not generate useful output but it reports success (exits with 0). %s.",
+             rrdhost_hostname(cd->host), cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid,
+             plugin_is_enabled(cd) ? "Waiting a bit before starting it again." : "Will not start it again - it is now disabled.");
+
         sleep((unsigned int)(cd->update_every * 10));
         return;
     }
 
     if (cd->serial_failures > SERIAL_FAILURES_THRESHOLD) {
-        error(
-            "'%s' (pid %d) does not generate useful output, although it reports success (exits with 0)."
-            "We have tried to collect something %zu times - unsuccessfully. Disabling it.",
-            cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid, cd->serial_failures);
+        error("PLUGINSD: 'host:'%s', '%s' (pid %d) does not generate useful output, "
+              "although it reports success (exits with 0)."
+              "We have tried to collect something %zu times - unsuccessfully. Disabling it.",
+              rrdhost_hostname(cd->host), cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid, cd->serial_failures);
         plugin_set_disabled(cd);
         return;
     }
 }
 
-static void pluginsd_worker_thread_handle_error(struct plugind *cd, int worker_ret_code)
-{
+static void pluginsd_worker_thread_handle_error(struct plugind *cd, int worker_ret_code) {
     if (worker_ret_code == -1) {
-        info("'%s' (pid %d) was killed with SIGTERM. Disabling it.", cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid);
+        info("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s', '%s' (pid %d) was killed with SIGTERM. Disabling it.",
+             rrdhost_hostname(cd->host), cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid);
         plugin_set_disabled(cd);
         return;
     }
 
     if (!cd->successful_collections) {
-        error(
-            "'%s' (pid %d) exited with error code %d and haven't collected any data. Disabling it.", cd->fullfilename,
-            cd->unsafe.pid, worker_ret_code);
+        error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s', '%s' (pid %d) exited with error code %d and haven't collected any data. Disabling it.",
+              rrdhost_hostname(cd->host), cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid, worker_ret_code);
         plugin_set_disabled(cd);
         return;
     }
 
     if (cd->serial_failures <= SERIAL_FAILURES_THRESHOLD) {
-        error(
-            "'%s' (pid %d) exited with error code %d, but has given useful output in the past (%zu times). %s",
-            cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid, worker_ret_code, cd->successful_collections,
-            plugin_is_enabled(cd) ? "Waiting a bit before starting it again." : "Will not start it again - it is disabled.");
+        error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s', '%s' (pid %d) exited with error code %d, but has given useful output in the past (%zu times). %s",
+              rrdhost_hostname(cd->host), cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid, worker_ret_code, cd->successful_collections,
+              plugin_is_enabled(cd) ? "Waiting a bit before starting it again." : "Will not start it again - it is disabled.");
         sleep((unsigned int)(cd->update_every * 10));
         return;
     }
 
     if (cd->serial_failures > SERIAL_FAILURES_THRESHOLD) {
-        error(
-            "'%s' (pid %d) exited with error code %d, but has given useful output in the past (%zu times)."
-            "We tried to restart it %zu times, but it failed to generate data. Disabling it.",
-            cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid, worker_ret_code, cd->successful_collections, cd->serial_failures);
+        error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s', '%s' (pid %d) exited with error code %d, but has given useful output in the past (%zu times)."
+              "We tried to restart it %zu times, but it failed to generate data. Disabling it.",
+              rrdhost_hostname(cd->host), cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid, worker_ret_code,
+              cd->successful_collections, cd->serial_failures);
         plugin_set_disabled(cd);
         return;
     }
@@ -137,8 +138,7 @@ static void pluginsd_worker_thread_handle_error(struct plugind *cd, int worker_r
 
 #undef SERIAL_FAILURES_THRESHOLD
 
-static void *pluginsd_worker_thread(void *arg)
-{
+static void *pluginsd_worker_thread(void *arg) {
     worker_register("PLUGINSD");
 
     netdata_thread_cleanup_push(pluginsd_worker_thread_cleanup, arg);
@@ -151,14 +151,20 @@ static void *pluginsd_worker_thread(void *arg)
     while (service_running(SERVICE_COLLECTORS)) {
         FILE *fp_child_input = NULL;
         FILE *fp_child_output = netdata_popen(cd->cmd, &cd->unsafe.pid, &fp_child_input);
+
         if (unlikely(!fp_child_input || !fp_child_output)) {
-            error("Cannot popen(\"%s\", \"r\").", cd->cmd);
+            error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s', cannot popen(\"%s\", \"r\").", rrdhost_hostname(cd->host), cd->cmd);
             break;
         }
 
-        info("connected to '%s' running on pid %d", cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid);
-        count = pluginsd_process(localhost, cd, fp_child_input, fp_child_output, 0);
-        error("'%s' (pid %d) disconnected after %zu successful data collections (ENDs).", cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid, count);
+        info("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s' connected to '%s' running on pid %d",
+             rrdhost_hostname(cd->host), cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid);
+
+        count = pluginsd_process(cd->host, cd, fp_child_input, fp_child_output, 0);
+
+        info("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s', '%s' (pid %d) disconnected after %zu successful data collections (ENDs).",
+              rrdhost_hostname(cd->host), cd->fullfilename, cd->unsafe.pid, count);
+
         killpid(cd->unsafe.pid);
 
         int worker_ret_code = netdata_pclose(fp_child_input, fp_child_output, cd->unsafe.pid);
@@ -172,29 +178,29 @@ static void *pluginsd_worker_thread(void *arg)
         if (unlikely(!plugin_is_enabled(cd)))
             break;
     }
-    worker_unregister();
 
     netdata_thread_cleanup_pop(1);
     return NULL;
 }
 
-static void pluginsd_main_cleanup(void *data)
-{
+static void pluginsd_main_cleanup(void *data) {
     struct netdata_static_thread *static_thread = (struct netdata_static_thread *)data;
     static_thread->enabled = NETDATA_MAIN_THREAD_EXITING;
-    info("cleaning up...");
+    info("PLUGINSD: cleaning up...");
 
     struct plugind *cd;
     for (cd = pluginsd_root; cd; cd = cd->next) {
         netdata_spinlock_lock(&cd->unsafe.spinlock);
         if (cd->unsafe.enabled && cd->unsafe.running && cd->unsafe.thread != 0) {
-            info("stopping plugin thread: %s", cd->id);
+            info("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s', stopping plugin thread: %s",
+                 rrdhost_hostname(cd->host), cd->id);
+
             netdata_thread_cancel(cd->unsafe.thread);
         }
         netdata_spinlock_unlock(&cd->unsafe.spinlock);
     }
 
-    info("cleanup completed.");
+    info("PLUGINSD: cleanup completed.");
     static_thread->enabled = NETDATA_MAIN_THREAD_EXITED;
 
     worker_unregister();
@@ -282,6 +288,7 @@ void *pluginsd_main(void *ptr)
                     strncpyz(cd->filename, file->d_name, FILENAME_MAX);
                     snprintfz(cd->fullfilename, FILENAME_MAX, "%s/%s", directory_name, cd->filename);
 
+                    cd->host = localhost;
                     cd->unsafe.enabled = enabled;
                     cd->unsafe.running = false;
 
@@ -294,9 +301,7 @@ void *pluginsd_main(void *ptr)
                         config_get(cd->id, "command options", def));
 
                     // link it
-                    if (likely(pluginsd_root))
-                        cd->next = pluginsd_root;
-                    pluginsd_root = cd;
+                    DOUBLE_LINKED_LIST_PREPEND_ITEM_UNSAFE(pluginsd_root, cd, prev, next);
 
                     if (plugin_is_enabled(cd)) {
                         char tag[NETDATA_THREAD_TAG_MAX + 1];
diff --git a/collectors/plugins.d/plugins_d.h b/collectors/plugins.d/plugins_d.h
index 35af9fe58..68ed4940f 100644
--- a/collectors/plugins.d/plugins_d.h
+++ b/collectors/plugins.d/plugins_d.h
@@ -34,6 +34,17 @@
 #define PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_RRDSET_STATE    "RSSTATE"
 #define PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_END             "REND"
 
+#define PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN_V2               "BEGIN2"
+#define PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_SET_V2                 "SET2"
+#define PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_END_V2                 "END2"
+
+#define PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_DEFINE            "HOST_DEFINE"
+#define PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_DEFINE_END        "HOST_DEFINE_END"
+#define PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_LABEL             "HOST_LABEL"
+#define PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST                   "HOST"
+
+#define PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_EXIT                   "EXIT"
+
 #define PLUGINS_FUNCTIONS_TIMEOUT_DEFAULT 10 // seconds
 
 #define PLUGINSD_LINE_MAX_SSL_READ 512
@@ -56,6 +67,7 @@ struct plugind {
     size_t serial_failures;             // the number of times the plugin started
                                         // without collecting values
 
+    RRDHOST *host;                      // the host the plugin collects data for
     int update_every;                   // the plugin default data collection frequency
 
     struct {
@@ -67,7 +79,8 @@ struct plugind {
     } unsafe;
 
     time_t started_t;
-    uint32_t capabilities;              // follows the same principles as streaming capabilities
+
+    struct plugind *prev;
     struct plugind *next;
 };
 
diff --git a/collectors/plugins.d/pluginsd_parser.c b/collectors/plugins.d/pluginsd_parser.c
index 2c0f2cbc6..28fc0bd49 100644
--- a/collectors/plugins.d/pluginsd_parser.c
+++ b/collectors/plugins.d/pluginsd_parser.c
@@ -71,20 +71,109 @@ static inline RRDSET *pluginsd_require_chart_from_parent(void *user, const char
     return st;
 }
 
-static inline RRDDIM_ACQUIRED *pluginsd_acquire_dimension(RRDHOST *host, RRDSET *st, const char *dimension, const char *cmd) {
+static inline RRDSET *pluginsd_get_chart_from_parent(void *user) {
+    return ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->st;
+}
+
+static inline void pluginsd_lock_rrdset_data_collection(void *user) {
+    PARSER_USER_OBJECT *u = (PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user;
+    if(u->st && !u->v2.locked_data_collection) {
+        netdata_spinlock_lock(&u->st->data_collection_lock);
+        u->v2.locked_data_collection = true;
+    }
+}
+
+static inline bool pluginsd_unlock_rrdset_data_collection(void *user) {
+    PARSER_USER_OBJECT *u = (PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user;
+    if(u->st && u->v2.locked_data_collection) {
+        netdata_spinlock_unlock(&u->st->data_collection_lock);
+        u->v2.locked_data_collection = false;
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    return false;
+}
+
+void pluginsd_rrdset_cleanup(RRDSET *st) {
+    for(size_t i = 0; i < st->pluginsd.used ; i++) {
+        if (st->pluginsd.rda[i]) {
+            rrddim_acquired_release(st->pluginsd.rda[i]);
+            st->pluginsd.rda[i] = NULL;
+        }
+    }
+    freez(st->pluginsd.rda);
+    st->pluginsd.rda = NULL;
+    st->pluginsd.size = 0;
+    st->pluginsd.used = 0;
+    st->pluginsd.pos = 0;
+}
+
+static inline void pluginsd_set_chart_from_parent(void *user, RRDSET *st, const char *keyword) {
+    PARSER_USER_OBJECT *u = (PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user;
+
+    if(unlikely(pluginsd_unlock_rrdset_data_collection(user))) {
+        error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s/chart:%s/' stale data collection lock found during %s; it has been unlocked",
+              rrdhost_hostname(u->st->rrdhost), rrdset_id(u->st), keyword);
+    }
+
+    if(unlikely(u->v2.ml_locked)) {
+        ml_chart_update_end(u->st);
+        u->v2.ml_locked = false;
+
+        error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s/chart:%s/' stale ML lock found during %s, it has been unlocked",
+              rrdhost_hostname(u->st->rrdhost), rrdset_id(u->st), keyword);
+    }
+
+    if(st) {
+        size_t dims = dictionary_entries(st->rrddim_root_index);
+        if(unlikely(st->pluginsd.size < dims)) {
+            st->pluginsd.rda = reallocz(st->pluginsd.rda, dims * sizeof(RRDDIM_ACQUIRED *));
+            st->pluginsd.size = dims;
+        }
+
+        if(st->pluginsd.pos > st->pluginsd.used && st->pluginsd.pos <= st->pluginsd.size)
+            st->pluginsd.used = st->pluginsd.pos;
+
+        st->pluginsd.pos = 0;
+    }
+
+    u->st = st;
+}
+
+static inline RRDDIM *pluginsd_acquire_dimension(RRDHOST *host, RRDSET *st, const char *dimension, const char *cmd) {
     if (unlikely(!dimension || !*dimension)) {
         error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s/chart:%s' got a %s, without a dimension.",
               rrdhost_hostname(host), rrdset_id(st), cmd);
         return NULL;
     }
 
-    RRDDIM_ACQUIRED *rda = rrddim_find_and_acquire(st, dimension);
+    RRDDIM_ACQUIRED *rda;
 
-    if (unlikely(!rda))
+    if(likely(st->pluginsd.pos < st->pluginsd.used)) {
+        rda = st->pluginsd.rda[st->pluginsd.pos];
+        RRDDIM *rd = rrddim_acquired_to_rrddim(rda);
+        if (likely(rd && string_strcmp(rd->id, dimension) == 0)) {
+            st->pluginsd.pos++;
+            return rd;
+        }
+        else {
+            rrddim_acquired_release(rda);
+            st->pluginsd.rda[st->pluginsd.pos] = NULL;
+        }
+    }
+
+    rda = rrddim_find_and_acquire(st, dimension);
+    if (unlikely(!rda)) {
         error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s/chart:%s/dim:%s' got a %s but dimension does not exist.",
               rrdhost_hostname(host), rrdset_id(st), dimension, cmd);
 
-    return rda;
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    if(likely(st->pluginsd.pos < st->pluginsd.size))
+        st->pluginsd.rda[st->pluginsd.pos++] = rda;
+
+    return rrddim_acquired_to_rrddim(rda);
 }
 
 static inline RRDSET *pluginsd_find_chart(RRDHOST *host, const char *chart, const char *cmd) {
@@ -102,8 +191,14 @@ static inline RRDSET *pluginsd_find_chart(RRDHOST *host, const char *chart, cons
     return st;
 }
 
-static inline PARSER_RC PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(void *user) {
+static inline PARSER_RC PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(void *user, const char *keyword, const char *msg) {
     ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->enabled = 0;
+
+    if(keyword && msg) {
+        error_limit_static_global_var(erl, 1, 0);
+        error_limit(&erl, "PLUGINSD: keyword %s: %s", keyword, msg);
+    }
+
     return PARSER_RC_ERROR;
 }
 
@@ -113,24 +208,21 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_set(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
     char *value = get_word(words, num_words, 2);
 
     RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_SET);
-    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     RRDSET *st = pluginsd_require_chart_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_SET, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_CHART);
-    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
-
-    RRDDIM_ACQUIRED *rda = pluginsd_acquire_dimension(host, st, dimension, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_SET);
-    if(!rda) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
-    RRDDIM *rd = rrddim_acquired_to_rrddim(rda);
+    RRDDIM *rd = pluginsd_acquire_dimension(host, st, dimension, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_SET);
+    if(!rd) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     if (unlikely(rrdset_flag_check(st, RRDSET_FLAG_DEBUG)))
         debug(D_PLUGINSD, "PLUGINSD: 'host:%s/chart:%s/dim:%s' SET is setting value to '%s'",
               rrdhost_hostname(host), rrdset_id(st), dimension, value && *value ? value : "UNSET");
 
     if (value && *value)
-        rrddim_set_by_pointer(st, rd, strtoll(value, NULL, 0));
+        rrddim_set_by_pointer(st, rd, str2ll_encoded(value));
 
-    rrddim_acquired_release(rda);
     return PARSER_RC_OK;
 }
 
@@ -140,12 +232,12 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_begin(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
     char *microseconds_txt = get_word(words, num_words, 2);
 
     RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN);
-    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     RRDSET *st = pluginsd_find_chart(host, id, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN);
-    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
-    ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *)user)->st = st;
+    pluginsd_set_chart_from_parent(user, st, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN);
 
     usec_t microseconds = 0;
     if (microseconds_txt && *microseconds_txt) {
@@ -187,16 +279,16 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_end(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
     UNUSED(num_words);
 
     RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_END);
-    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     RRDSET *st = pluginsd_require_chart_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_END, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN);
-    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     if (unlikely(rrdset_flag_check(st, RRDSET_FLAG_DEBUG)))
         debug(D_PLUGINSD, "requested an END on chart '%s'", rrdset_id(st));
 
-    ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->st = NULL;
-    ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->count++;
+    pluginsd_set_chart_from_parent(user, NULL, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_END);
+    ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->data_collections_count++;
 
     struct timeval now;
     now_realtime_timeval(&now);
@@ -205,10 +297,151 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_end(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
     return PARSER_RC_OK;
 }
 
+static void pluginsd_host_define_cleanup(void *user) {
+    PARSER_USER_OBJECT *u = user;
+
+    string_freez(u->host_define.hostname);
+    dictionary_destroy(u->host_define.rrdlabels);
+
+    u->host_define.hostname = NULL;
+    u->host_define.rrdlabels = NULL;
+    u->host_define.parsing_host = false;
+}
+
+static inline bool pluginsd_validate_machine_guid(const char *guid, uuid_t *uuid, char *output) {
+    if(uuid_parse(guid, *uuid))
+        return false;
+
+    uuid_unparse_lower(*uuid, output);
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+static PARSER_RC pluginsd_host_define(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user) {
+    PARSER_USER_OBJECT *u = user;
+
+    char *guid = get_word(words, num_words, 1);
+    char *hostname = get_word(words, num_words, 2);
+
+    if(unlikely(!guid || !*guid || !hostname || !*hostname))
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_DEFINE, "missing parameters");
+
+    if(unlikely(u->host_define.parsing_host))
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_DEFINE,
+            "another host definition is already open - did you send " PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_DEFINE_END "?");
+
+    if(!pluginsd_validate_machine_guid(guid, &u->host_define.machine_guid, u->host_define.machine_guid_str))
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_DEFINE, "cannot parse MACHINE_GUID - is it a valid UUID?");
+
+    u->host_define.hostname = string_strdupz(hostname);
+    u->host_define.rrdlabels = rrdlabels_create();
+    u->host_define.parsing_host = true;
+
+    return PARSER_RC_OK;
+}
+
+static inline PARSER_RC pluginsd_host_dictionary(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user, DICTIONARY *dict, const char *keyword) {
+    PARSER_USER_OBJECT *u = user;
+
+    char *name = get_word(words, num_words, 1);
+    char *value = get_word(words, num_words, 2);
+
+    if(!name || !*name || !value)
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, keyword, "missing parameters");
+
+    if(!u->host_define.parsing_host || !dict)
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, keyword, "host is not defined, send " PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_DEFINE " before this");
+
+    rrdlabels_add(dict, name, value, RRDLABEL_SRC_CONFIG);
+
+    return PARSER_RC_OK;
+}
+
+static PARSER_RC pluginsd_host_labels(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user) {
+    PARSER_USER_OBJECT *u = user;
+    return pluginsd_host_dictionary(words, num_words, user, u->host_define.rrdlabels, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_LABEL);
+}
+
+static PARSER_RC pluginsd_host_define_end(char **words __maybe_unused, size_t num_words __maybe_unused, void *user) {
+    PARSER_USER_OBJECT *u = user;
+
+    if(!u->host_define.parsing_host)
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_DEFINE_END, "missing initialization, send " PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_DEFINE " before this");
+
+    RRDHOST *host = rrdhost_find_or_create(
+            string2str(u->host_define.hostname),
+            string2str(u->host_define.hostname),
+            u->host_define.machine_guid_str,
+            "Netdata Virtual Host 1.0",
+            netdata_configured_timezone,
+            netdata_configured_abbrev_timezone,
+            netdata_configured_utc_offset,
+            NULL,
+            program_name,
+            program_version,
+            default_rrd_update_every,
+            default_rrd_history_entries,
+            default_rrd_memory_mode,
+            default_health_enabled,
+            default_rrdpush_enabled,
+            default_rrdpush_destination,
+            default_rrdpush_api_key,
+            default_rrdpush_send_charts_matching,
+            default_rrdpush_enable_replication,
+            default_rrdpush_seconds_to_replicate,
+            default_rrdpush_replication_step,
+            rrdhost_labels_to_system_info(u->host_define.rrdlabels),
+            false
+            );
+
+    if(host->rrdlabels) {
+        rrdlabels_migrate_to_these(host->rrdlabels, u->host_define.rrdlabels);
+    }
+    else {
+        host->rrdlabels = u->host_define.rrdlabels;
+        u->host_define.rrdlabels = NULL;
+    }
+
+    pluginsd_host_define_cleanup(user);
+
+    u->host = host;
+    pluginsd_set_chart_from_parent(user, NULL, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_DEFINE_END);
+
+    rrdhost_flag_clear(host, RRDHOST_FLAG_ORPHAN);
+    rrdcontext_host_child_connected(host);
+    schedule_node_info_update(host);
+
+    return PARSER_RC_OK;
+}
+
+static PARSER_RC pluginsd_host(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user) {
+    PARSER_USER_OBJECT *u = user;
+
+    char *guid = get_word(words, num_words, 1);
+
+    if(!guid || !*guid || strcmp(guid, "localhost") == 0) {
+        u->host = localhost;
+        return PARSER_RC_OK;
+    }
+
+    uuid_t uuid;
+    char uuid_str[UUID_STR_LEN];
+    if(!pluginsd_validate_machine_guid(guid, &uuid, uuid_str))
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST, "cannot parse MACHINE_GUID - is it a valid UUID?");
+
+    RRDHOST *host = rrdhost_find_by_guid(uuid_str);
+    if(unlikely(!host))
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST, "cannot find a host with this machine guid - have you created it?");
+
+    u->host = host;
+
+    return PARSER_RC_OK;
+}
+
 PARSER_RC pluginsd_chart(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
 {
     RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_CHART);
-    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     char *type = get_word(words, num_words, 1);
     char *name = get_word(words, num_words, 2);
@@ -231,19 +464,14 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_chart(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
     }
 
     // make sure we have the required variables
-    if (unlikely((!type || !*type || !id || !*id))) {
-        error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s' requested a CHART, without a type.id. Disabling it.",
-              rrdhost_hostname(host));
-
-        ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->enabled = 0;
-        return PARSER_RC_ERROR;
-    }
+    if (unlikely((!type || !*type || !id || !*id)))
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_CHART, "missing parameters");
 
     // parse the name, and make sure it does not include 'type.'
     if (unlikely(name && *name)) {
         // when data are streamed from child nodes
         // name will be type.name
-        // so we have to remove 'type.' from name too
+        // so, we have to remove 'type.' from name too
         size_t len = strlen(type);
         if (strncmp(type, name, len) == 0 && name[len] == '.')
             name = &name[len + 1];
@@ -320,7 +548,7 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_chart(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
             rrdset_flag_clear(st, RRDSET_FLAG_STORE_FIRST);
         }
     }
-    ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *)user)->st = st;
+    pluginsd_set_chart_from_parent(user, st, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_CHART);
 
     return PARSER_RC_OK;
 }
@@ -332,10 +560,10 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_chart_definition_end(char **words, size_t num_words, void *us
     const char *wall_clock_time_txt = get_word(words, num_words, 3);
 
     RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_CHART_DEFINITION_END);
-    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     RRDSET *st = pluginsd_require_chart_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_CHART_DEFINITION_END, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_CHART);
-    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     time_t first_entry_child = (first_entry_txt && *first_entry_txt) ? (time_t)str2ul(first_entry_txt) : 0;
     time_t last_entry_child = (last_entry_txt && *last_entry_txt) ? (time_t)str2ul(last_entry_txt) : 0;
@@ -379,33 +607,24 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_dimension(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
     char *options = get_word(words, num_words, 6);
 
     RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_DIMENSION);
-    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     RRDSET *st = pluginsd_require_chart_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_DIMENSION, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_CHART);
-    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
-    if (unlikely(!id)) {
-        error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s/chart:%s' got a DIMENSION, without an id. Disabling it.",
-              rrdhost_hostname(host), st ? rrdset_id(st) : "UNSET");
-        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
-    }
-
-    if (unlikely(!st && !((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->st_exists)) {
-        error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s' got a DIMENSION, without a CHART. Disabling it.",
-              rrdhost_hostname(host));
-        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
-    }
+    if (unlikely(!id))
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_DIMENSION, "missing dimension id");
 
     long multiplier = 1;
     if (multiplier_s && *multiplier_s) {
-        multiplier = strtol(multiplier_s, NULL, 0);
+        multiplier = str2ll_encoded(multiplier_s);
         if (unlikely(!multiplier))
             multiplier = 1;
     }
 
     long divisor = 1;
     if (likely(divisor_s && *divisor_s)) {
-        divisor = strtol(divisor_s, NULL, 0);
+        divisor = str2ll_encoded(divisor_s);
         if (unlikely(!divisor))
             divisor = 1;
     }
@@ -683,7 +902,7 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_function_result_begin(char **words, size_t num_words, void *u
     }
     else {
         if(format && *format)
-            pf->destination_wb->contenttype = functions_format_to_content_type(format);
+            pf->destination_wb->content_type = functions_format_to_content_type(format);
 
         pf->code = code;
 
@@ -712,9 +931,9 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_variable(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
     NETDATA_DOUBLE v;
 
     RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_VARIABLE);
-    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
-    RRDSET *st = ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->st;
+    RRDSET *st = pluginsd_get_chart_from_parent(user);
 
     int global = (st) ? 0 : 1;
 
@@ -730,13 +949,8 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_variable(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
         }
     }
 
-    if (unlikely(!name || !*name)) {
-        error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s/chart:%s' got a VARIABLE without a variable name. Disabling it.",
-              rrdhost_hostname(host), st ? rrdset_id(st):"UNSET");
-
-        ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *)user)->enabled = 0;
-        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
-    }
+    if (unlikely(!name || !*name))
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_VARIABLE, "missing variable name");
 
     if (unlikely(!value || !*value))
         value = NULL;
@@ -750,17 +964,11 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_variable(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
         return PARSER_RC_OK;
     }
 
-    if (!global && !st) {
-        error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s/chart:%s' cannot update CHART VARIABLE '%s' without a chart",
-              rrdhost_hostname(host),
-              st ? rrdset_id(st):"UNSET",
-              name
-              );
-        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
-    }
+    if (!global && !st)
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_VARIABLE, "no chart is defined and no GLOBAL is given");
 
     char *endptr = NULL;
-    v = (NETDATA_DOUBLE)str2ndd(value, &endptr);
+    v = (NETDATA_DOUBLE) str2ndd_encoded(value, &endptr);
     if (unlikely(endptr && *endptr)) {
         if (endptr == value)
             error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s/chart:%s' the value '%s' of VARIABLE '%s' cannot be parsed as a number",
@@ -803,8 +1011,8 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_variable(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
 
 PARSER_RC pluginsd_flush(char **words __maybe_unused, size_t num_words __maybe_unused, void *user)
 {
-    debug(D_PLUGINSD, "requested a FLUSH");
-    ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->st = NULL;
+    debug(D_PLUGINSD, "requested a " PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_FLUSH);
+    pluginsd_set_chart_from_parent(user, NULL, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_FLUSH);
     ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->replay.start_time = 0;
     ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->replay.end_time = 0;
     ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->replay.start_time_ut = 0;
@@ -816,7 +1024,7 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_disable(char **words __maybe_unused, size_t num_words __maybe
 {
     info("PLUGINSD: plugin called DISABLE. Disabling it.");
     ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->enabled = 0;
-    return PARSER_RC_ERROR;
+    return PARSER_RC_STOP;
 }
 
 PARSER_RC pluginsd_label(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
@@ -825,10 +1033,8 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_label(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
     const char *label_source = get_word(words, num_words, 2);
     const char *value = get_word(words, num_words, 3);
 
-    if (!name || !label_source || !value) {
-        error("PLUGINSD: ignoring malformed or empty LABEL command.");
-        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
-    }
+    if (!name || !label_source || !value)
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_LABEL, "missing parameters");
 
     char *store = (char *)value;
     bool allocated_store = false;
@@ -874,7 +1080,7 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_label(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
 PARSER_RC pluginsd_overwrite(char **words __maybe_unused, size_t num_words __maybe_unused, void *user)
 {
     RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_OVERWRITE);
-    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     debug(D_PLUGINSD, "requested to OVERWRITE host labels");
 
@@ -898,11 +1104,12 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_clabel(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
 
     if (!name || !value || !*label_source) {
         error("Ignoring malformed or empty CHART LABEL command.");
-        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
     }
 
     if(unlikely(!((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->chart_rrdlabels_linked_temporarily)) {
-        ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *)user)->chart_rrdlabels_linked_temporarily = ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *)user)->st->rrdlabels;
+        RRDSET *st = pluginsd_get_chart_from_parent(user);
+        ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *)user)->chart_rrdlabels_linked_temporarily = st->rrdlabels;
         rrdlabels_unmark_all(((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *)user)->chart_rrdlabels_linked_temporarily);
     }
 
@@ -915,17 +1122,17 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_clabel(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
 PARSER_RC pluginsd_clabel_commit(char **words __maybe_unused, size_t num_words __maybe_unused, void *user)
 {
     RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_CLABEL_COMMIT);
-    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     RRDSET *st = pluginsd_require_chart_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_CLABEL_COMMIT, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN);
-    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     debug(D_PLUGINSD, "requested to commit chart labels");
 
     if(!((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *)user)->chart_rrdlabels_linked_temporarily) {
         error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s' got CLABEL_COMMIT, without a CHART or BEGIN. Ignoring it.",
               rrdhost_hostname(host));
-        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
     }
 
     rrdlabels_remove_all_unmarked(((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *)user)->chart_rrdlabels_linked_temporarily);
@@ -937,15 +1144,14 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_clabel_commit(char **words __maybe_unused, size_t num_words _
     return PARSER_RC_OK;
 }
 
-PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_rrdset_begin(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
-{
+PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_begin(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user) {
     char *id = get_word(words, num_words, 1);
     char *start_time_str = get_word(words, num_words, 2);
     char *end_time_str = get_word(words, num_words, 3);
     char *child_now_str = get_word(words, num_words, 4);
 
     RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_BEGIN);
-    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     RRDSET *st;
     if (likely(!id || !*id))
@@ -953,17 +1159,17 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_rrdset_begin(char **words, size_t num_words, void *use
     else
         st = pluginsd_find_chart(host, id, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_BEGIN);
 
-    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
-    ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->st = st;
+    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
+    pluginsd_set_chart_from_parent(user, st, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_BEGIN);
 
     if(start_time_str && end_time_str) {
-        time_t start_time = (time_t)str2ul(start_time_str);
-        time_t end_time = (time_t)str2ul(end_time_str);
+        time_t start_time = (time_t) str2ull_encoded(start_time_str);
+        time_t end_time = (time_t) str2ull_encoded(end_time_str);
 
         time_t wall_clock_time = 0, tolerance;
         bool wall_clock_comes_from_child; (void)wall_clock_comes_from_child;
         if(child_now_str) {
-            wall_clock_time = (time_t)str2ul(child_now_str);
+            wall_clock_time = (time_t) str2ull_encoded(child_now_str);
             tolerance = st->update_every + 1;
             wall_clock_comes_from_child = true;
         }
@@ -1016,7 +1222,9 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_rrdset_begin(char **words, size_t num_words, void *use
             return PARSER_RC_OK;
         }
 
-        error("PLUGINSD REPLAY ERROR: 'host:%s/chart:%s' got a " PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_BEGIN " from %ld to %ld, but timestamps are invalid (now is %ld [%s], tolerance %ld). Ignoring " PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_SET,
+        error("PLUGINSD REPLAY ERROR: 'host:%s/chart:%s' got a " PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_BEGIN
+              " from %ld to %ld, but timestamps are invalid "
+              "(now is %ld [%s], tolerance %ld). Ignoring " PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_SET,
               rrdhost_hostname(st->rrdhost), rrdset_id(st), start_time, end_time,
               wall_clock_time, wall_clock_comes_from_child ? "child wall clock" : "parent wall clock", tolerance);
     }
@@ -1033,6 +1241,33 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_rrdset_begin(char **words, size_t num_words, void *use
     return PARSER_RC_OK;
 }
 
+static inline SN_FLAGS pluginsd_parse_storage_number_flags(const char *flags_str) {
+    SN_FLAGS flags = SN_FLAG_NONE;
+
+    char c;
+    while ((c = *flags_str++)) {
+        switch (c) {
+            case 'A':
+                flags |= SN_FLAG_NOT_ANOMALOUS;
+                break;
+
+            case 'R':
+                flags |= SN_FLAG_RESET;
+                break;
+
+            case 'E':
+                flags = SN_EMPTY_SLOT;
+                return flags;
+
+            default:
+                internal_error(true, "Unknown SN_FLAGS flag '%c'", c);
+                break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    return flags;
+}
+
 PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_set(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
 {
     char *dimension = get_word(words, num_words, 1);
@@ -1040,31 +1275,34 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_set(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
     char *flags_str = get_word(words, num_words, 3);
 
     RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_SET);
-    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     RRDSET *st = pluginsd_require_chart_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_SET, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_BEGIN);
-    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
-    if(!((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->replay.rset_enabled) {
+    PARSER_USER_OBJECT *u = user;
+    if(!u->replay.rset_enabled) {
         error_limit_static_thread_var(erl, 1, 0);
-        error_limit(&erl, "PLUGINSD: 'host:%s/chart:%s' got a " PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_SET " but it is disabled by " PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_BEGIN " errors",
-                    rrdhost_hostname(host), rrdset_id(st));
+        error_limit(&erl, "PLUGINSD: 'host:%s/chart:%s' got a %s but it is disabled by %s errors",
+                    rrdhost_hostname(host), rrdset_id(st), PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_SET, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_BEGIN);
 
         // we have to return OK here
         return PARSER_RC_OK;
     }
 
-    RRDDIM_ACQUIRED *rda = pluginsd_acquire_dimension(host, st, dimension, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_SET);
-    if(!rda) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    RRDDIM *rd = pluginsd_acquire_dimension(host, st, dimension, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_SET);
+    if(!rd) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
-    if (unlikely(!((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->replay.start_time || !((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->replay.end_time)) {
-        error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s/chart:%s/dim:%s' got a " PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_SET " with invalid timestamps %ld to %ld from a " PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_BEGIN ". Disabling it.",
+    if (unlikely(!u->replay.start_time || !u->replay.end_time)) {
+        error("PLUGINSD: 'host:%s/chart:%s/dim:%s' got a %s with invalid timestamps %ld to %ld from a %s. Disabling it.",
               rrdhost_hostname(host),
               rrdset_id(st),
               dimension,
-              ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->replay.start_time,
-              ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->replay.end_time);
-        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+              PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_SET,
+              u->replay.start_time,
+              u->replay.end_time,
+              PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_BEGIN);
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
     }
 
     if (unlikely(!value_str || !*value_str))
@@ -1074,39 +1312,19 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_set(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
         flags_str = "";
 
     if (likely(value_str)) {
-        RRDDIM *rd = rrddim_acquired_to_rrddim(rda);
-
         RRDDIM_FLAGS rd_flags = rrddim_flag_check(rd, RRDDIM_FLAG_OBSOLETE | RRDDIM_FLAG_ARCHIVED);
 
         if(!(rd_flags & RRDDIM_FLAG_ARCHIVED)) {
-            NETDATA_DOUBLE value = strtondd(value_str, NULL);
-            SN_FLAGS flags = SN_FLAG_NONE;
-
-            char c;
-            while ((c = *flags_str++)) {
-                switch (c) {
-                    case 'R':
-                        flags |= SN_FLAG_RESET;
-                        break;
-
-                    case 'E':
-                        flags |= SN_EMPTY_SLOT;
-                        value = NAN;
-                        break;
-
-                    default:
-                        error("unknown flag '%c'", c);
-                        break;
-                }
-            }
+            NETDATA_DOUBLE value = str2ndd_encoded(value_str, NULL);
+            SN_FLAGS flags = pluginsd_parse_storage_number_flags(flags_str);
 
-            if (!netdata_double_isnumber(value)) {
+            if (!netdata_double_isnumber(value) || (flags == SN_EMPTY_SLOT)) {
                 value = NAN;
                 flags = SN_EMPTY_SLOT;
             }
 
-            rrddim_store_metric(rd, ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->replay.end_time_ut, value, flags);
-            rd->last_collected_time.tv_sec = ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->replay.end_time;
+            rrddim_store_metric(rd, u->replay.end_time_ut, value, flags);
+            rd->last_collected_time.tv_sec = u->replay.end_time;
             rd->last_collected_time.tv_usec = 0;
             rd->collections_counter++;
         }
@@ -1117,7 +1335,6 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_set(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
         }
     }
 
-    rrddim_acquired_release(rda);
     return PARSER_RC_OK;
 }
 
@@ -1133,26 +1350,25 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_rrddim_collection_state(char **words, size_t num_words
     char *last_stored_value_str = get_word(words, num_words, 5);
 
     RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_RRDDIM_STATE);
-    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     RRDSET *st = pluginsd_require_chart_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_RRDDIM_STATE, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_BEGIN);
-    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
-    RRDDIM_ACQUIRED *rda = pluginsd_acquire_dimension(host, st, dimension, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_RRDDIM_STATE);
-    if(!rda) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    RRDDIM *rd = pluginsd_acquire_dimension(host, st, dimension, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_RRDDIM_STATE);
+    if(!rd) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
-    RRDDIM *rd = rrddim_acquired_to_rrddim(rda);
     usec_t dim_last_collected_ut = (usec_t)rd->last_collected_time.tv_sec * USEC_PER_SEC + (usec_t)rd->last_collected_time.tv_usec;
-    usec_t last_collected_ut = last_collected_ut_str ? str2ull(last_collected_ut_str) : 0;
+    usec_t last_collected_ut = last_collected_ut_str ? str2ull_encoded(last_collected_ut_str) : 0;
     if(last_collected_ut > dim_last_collected_ut) {
-        rd->last_collected_time.tv_sec = last_collected_ut / USEC_PER_SEC;
-        rd->last_collected_time.tv_usec = last_collected_ut % USEC_PER_SEC;
+        rd->last_collected_time.tv_sec = (time_t)(last_collected_ut / USEC_PER_SEC);
+        rd->last_collected_time.tv_usec = (last_collected_ut % USEC_PER_SEC);
     }
 
-    rd->last_collected_value = last_collected_value_str ? str2ll(last_collected_value_str, NULL) : 0;
-    rd->last_calculated_value = last_calculated_value_str ? str2ndd(last_calculated_value_str, NULL) : 0;
-    rd->last_stored_value = last_stored_value_str ? str2ndd(last_stored_value_str, NULL) : 0.0;
-    rrddim_acquired_release(rda);
+    rd->last_collected_value = last_collected_value_str ? str2ll_encoded(last_collected_value_str) : 0;
+    rd->last_calculated_value = last_calculated_value_str ? str2ndd_encoded(last_calculated_value_str, NULL) : 0;
+    rd->last_stored_value = last_stored_value_str ? str2ndd_encoded(last_stored_value_str, NULL) : 0.0;
+
     return PARSER_RC_OK;
 }
 
@@ -1165,23 +1381,23 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_rrdset_collection_state(char **words, size_t num_words
     char *last_updated_ut_str = get_word(words, num_words, 2);
 
     RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_RRDSET_STATE);
-    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     RRDSET *st = pluginsd_require_chart_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_RRDSET_STATE, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_BEGIN);
-    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     usec_t chart_last_collected_ut = (usec_t)st->last_collected_time.tv_sec * USEC_PER_SEC + (usec_t)st->last_collected_time.tv_usec;
-    usec_t last_collected_ut = last_collected_ut_str ? str2ull(last_collected_ut_str) : 0;
+    usec_t last_collected_ut = last_collected_ut_str ? str2ull_encoded(last_collected_ut_str) : 0;
     if(last_collected_ut > chart_last_collected_ut) {
-        st->last_collected_time.tv_sec = last_collected_ut / USEC_PER_SEC;
-        st->last_collected_time.tv_usec = last_collected_ut % USEC_PER_SEC;
+        st->last_collected_time.tv_sec = (time_t)(last_collected_ut / USEC_PER_SEC);
+        st->last_collected_time.tv_usec = (last_collected_ut % USEC_PER_SEC);
     }
 
     usec_t chart_last_updated_ut = (usec_t)st->last_updated.tv_sec * USEC_PER_SEC + (usec_t)st->last_updated.tv_usec;
-    usec_t last_updated_ut = last_updated_ut_str ? str2ull(last_updated_ut_str) : 0;
+    usec_t last_updated_ut = last_updated_ut_str ? str2ull_encoded(last_updated_ut_str) : 0;
     if(last_updated_ut > chart_last_updated_ut) {
-        st->last_updated.tv_sec = last_updated_ut / USEC_PER_SEC;
-        st->last_updated.tv_usec = last_updated_ut % USEC_PER_SEC;
+        st->last_updated.tv_sec = (time_t)(last_updated_ut / USEC_PER_SEC);
+        st->last_updated.tv_usec = (last_updated_ut % USEC_PER_SEC);
     }
 
     st->counter++;
@@ -1205,24 +1421,25 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_end(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
     const char *last_entry_requested_txt = get_word(words, num_words, 6);
     const char *child_world_time_txt = get_word(words, num_words, 7); // optional
 
-    time_t update_every_child = (time_t)str2ul(update_every_child_txt);
-    time_t first_entry_child = (time_t)str2ul(first_entry_child_txt);
-    time_t last_entry_child = (time_t)str2ul(last_entry_child_txt);
+    time_t update_every_child = (time_t) str2ull_encoded(update_every_child_txt);
+    time_t first_entry_child = (time_t) str2ull_encoded(first_entry_child_txt);
+    time_t last_entry_child = (time_t) str2ull_encoded(last_entry_child_txt);
 
     bool start_streaming = (strcmp(start_streaming_txt, "true") == 0);
-    time_t first_entry_requested = (time_t)str2ul(first_entry_requested_txt);
-    time_t last_entry_requested = (time_t)str2ul(last_entry_requested_txt);
+    time_t first_entry_requested = (time_t) str2ull_encoded(first_entry_requested_txt);
+    time_t last_entry_requested = (time_t) str2ull_encoded(last_entry_requested_txt);
 
     // the optional child world time
-    time_t child_world_time = (child_world_time_txt && *child_world_time_txt) ? (time_t)str2ul(child_world_time_txt) : now_realtime_sec();
+    time_t child_world_time = (child_world_time_txt && *child_world_time_txt) ? (time_t) str2ull_encoded(
+            child_world_time_txt) : now_realtime_sec();
 
     PARSER_USER_OBJECT *user_object = user;
 
     RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_END);
-    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!host) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
     RRDSET *st = pluginsd_require_chart_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_END, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_BEGIN);
-    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user);
+    if(!st) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
 
 #ifdef NETDATA_LOG_REPLICATION_REQUESTS
     internal_error(true,
@@ -1235,8 +1452,7 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_end(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
                    );
 #endif
 
-    ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->st = NULL;
-    ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->count++;
+    ((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->data_collections_count++;
 
     if(((PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user)->replay.rset_enabled && st->rrdhost->receiver) {
         time_t now = now_realtime_sec();
@@ -1282,11 +1498,16 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_end(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
             internal_error(true, "REPLAY ERROR: 'host:%s/chart:%s' got a " PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_END " with enable_streaming = true, but there is no replication in progress for this chart.",
                   rrdhost_hostname(host), rrdset_id(st));
 #endif
+
+        pluginsd_set_chart_from_parent(user, NULL, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_END);
+
         worker_set_metric(WORKER_RECEIVER_JOB_REPLICATION_COMPLETION, 100.0);
 
         return PARSER_RC_OK;
     }
 
+    pluginsd_set_chart_from_parent(user, NULL, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_END);
+
     rrdcontext_updated_retention_rrdset(st);
 
     bool ok = replicate_chart_request(send_to_plugin, user_object->parser, host, st,
@@ -1295,8 +1516,319 @@ PARSER_RC pluginsd_replay_end(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user)
     return ok ? PARSER_RC_OK : PARSER_RC_ERROR;
 }
 
+PARSER_RC pluginsd_begin_v2(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user) {
+    timing_init();
+
+    char *id = get_word(words, num_words, 1);
+    char *update_every_str = get_word(words, num_words, 2);
+    char *end_time_str = get_word(words, num_words, 3);
+    char *wall_clock_time_str = get_word(words, num_words, 4);
+
+    if(unlikely(!id || !update_every_str || !end_time_str || !wall_clock_time_str))
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN_V2, "missing parameters");
+
+    RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN_V2);
+    if(unlikely(!host)) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_BEGIN2_PREPARE);
+
+    RRDSET *st = pluginsd_find_chart(host, id, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN_V2);
+    if(unlikely(!st)) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
+
+    pluginsd_set_chart_from_parent(user, st, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN_V2);
+
+    if(unlikely(rrdset_flag_check(st, RRDSET_FLAG_OBSOLETE | RRDSET_FLAG_ARCHIVED)))
+        rrdset_isnot_obsolete(st);
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_BEGIN2_FIND_CHART);
+
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // parse the parameters
+
+    time_t update_every = (time_t) str2ull_encoded(update_every_str);
+    time_t end_time = (time_t) str2ull_encoded(end_time_str);
+
+    time_t wall_clock_time;
+    if(likely(*wall_clock_time_str == '#'))
+        wall_clock_time = end_time;
+    else
+        wall_clock_time = (time_t) str2ull_encoded(wall_clock_time_str);
+
+    if (unlikely(update_every != st->update_every))
+        rrdset_set_update_every_s(st, update_every);
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_BEGIN2_PARSE);
+
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // prepare our state
+
+    pluginsd_lock_rrdset_data_collection(user);
+
+    PARSER_USER_OBJECT *u = (PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user;
+    u->v2.update_every = update_every;
+    u->v2.end_time = end_time;
+    u->v2.wall_clock_time = wall_clock_time;
+    u->v2.ml_locked = ml_chart_update_begin(st);
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_BEGIN2_ML);
+
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // propagate it forward in v2
+
+    if(!u->v2.stream_buffer.wb && rrdhost_has_rrdpush_sender_enabled(st->rrdhost))
+        u->v2.stream_buffer = rrdset_push_metric_initialize(u->st, wall_clock_time);
+
+    if(u->v2.stream_buffer.v2 && u->v2.stream_buffer.wb) {
+        // check if receiver and sender have the same number parsing capabilities
+        bool can_copy = stream_has_capability(u, STREAM_CAP_IEEE754) == stream_has_capability(&u->v2.stream_buffer, STREAM_CAP_IEEE754);
+        NUMBER_ENCODING encoding = stream_has_capability(&u->v2.stream_buffer, STREAM_CAP_IEEE754) ? NUMBER_ENCODING_BASE64 : NUMBER_ENCODING_HEX;
+
+        BUFFER *wb = u->v2.stream_buffer.wb;
+
+        buffer_need_bytes(wb, 1024);
+
+        if(unlikely(u->v2.stream_buffer.begin_v2_added))
+            buffer_fast_strcat(wb, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_END_V2 "\n", sizeof(PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_END_V2) - 1 + 1);
+
+        buffer_fast_strcat(wb, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN_V2 " '", sizeof(PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN_V2) - 1 + 2);
+        buffer_fast_strcat(wb, rrdset_id(st), string_strlen(st->id));
+        buffer_fast_strcat(wb, "' ", 2);
+
+        if(can_copy)
+            buffer_strcat(wb, update_every_str);
+        else
+            buffer_print_uint64_encoded(wb, encoding, update_every);
+
+        buffer_fast_strcat(wb, " ", 1);
+
+        if(can_copy)
+            buffer_strcat(wb, end_time_str);
+        else
+            buffer_print_uint64_encoded(wb, encoding, end_time);
+
+        buffer_fast_strcat(wb, " ", 1);
+
+        if(can_copy)
+            buffer_strcat(wb, wall_clock_time_str);
+        else
+            buffer_print_uint64_encoded(wb, encoding, wall_clock_time);
+
+        buffer_fast_strcat(wb, "\n", 1);
+
+        u->v2.stream_buffer.last_point_end_time_s = end_time;
+        u->v2.stream_buffer.begin_v2_added = true;
+    }
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_BEGIN2_PROPAGATE);
+
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // store it
+
+    st->last_collected_time.tv_sec = end_time;
+    st->last_collected_time.tv_usec = 0;
+    st->last_updated.tv_sec = end_time;
+    st->last_updated.tv_usec = 0;
+    st->counter++;
+    st->counter_done++;
+
+    // these are only needed for db mode RAM, SAVE, MAP, ALLOC
+    st->current_entry++;
+    if(st->current_entry >= st->entries)
+        st->current_entry -= st->entries;
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_BEGIN2_STORE);
+
+    return PARSER_RC_OK;
+}
+
+PARSER_RC pluginsd_set_v2(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user) {
+    timing_init();
+
+    char *dimension = get_word(words, num_words, 1);
+    char *collected_str = get_word(words, num_words, 2);
+    char *value_str = get_word(words, num_words, 3);
+    char *flags_str = get_word(words, num_words, 4);
+
+    if(unlikely(!dimension || !collected_str || !value_str || !flags_str))
+        return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_SET_V2, "missing parameters");
+
+    PARSER_USER_OBJECT *u = (PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user;
+
+    RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_SET_V2);
+    if(unlikely(!host)) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
+
+    RRDSET *st = pluginsd_require_chart_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_SET_V2, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN_V2);
+    if(unlikely(!st)) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_SET2_PREPARE);
+
+    RRDDIM *rd = pluginsd_acquire_dimension(host, st, dimension, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_SET_V2);
+    if(unlikely(!rd)) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
+
+    if(unlikely(rrddim_flag_check(rd, RRDDIM_FLAG_OBSOLETE | RRDDIM_FLAG_ARCHIVED)))
+        rrddim_isnot_obsolete(st, rd);
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_SET2_LOOKUP_DIMENSION);
+
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // parse the parameters
+
+    collected_number collected_value = (collected_number) str2ll_encoded(collected_str);
+
+    NETDATA_DOUBLE value;
+    if(*value_str == '#')
+        value = (NETDATA_DOUBLE)collected_value;
+    else
+        value = str2ndd_encoded(value_str, NULL);
+
+    SN_FLAGS flags = pluginsd_parse_storage_number_flags(flags_str);
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_SET2_PARSE);
+
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // check value and ML
+
+    if (unlikely(!netdata_double_isnumber(value) || (flags == SN_EMPTY_SLOT))) {
+        value = NAN;
+        flags = SN_EMPTY_SLOT;
+
+        if(u->v2.ml_locked)
+            ml_dimension_is_anomalous(rd, u->v2.end_time, 0, false);
+    }
+    else if(u->v2.ml_locked) {
+        if (ml_dimension_is_anomalous(rd, u->v2.end_time, value, true)) {
+            // clear anomaly bit: 0 -> is anomalous, 1 -> not anomalous
+            flags &= ~((storage_number) SN_FLAG_NOT_ANOMALOUS);
+        }
+        else
+            flags |= SN_FLAG_NOT_ANOMALOUS;
+    }
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_SET2_ML);
+
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // propagate it forward in v2
+
+    if(u->v2.stream_buffer.v2 && u->v2.stream_buffer.begin_v2_added && u->v2.stream_buffer.wb) {
+        // check if receiver and sender have the same number parsing capabilities
+        bool can_copy = stream_has_capability(u, STREAM_CAP_IEEE754) == stream_has_capability(&u->v2.stream_buffer, STREAM_CAP_IEEE754);
+        NUMBER_ENCODING integer_encoding = stream_has_capability(&u->v2.stream_buffer, STREAM_CAP_IEEE754) ? NUMBER_ENCODING_BASE64 : NUMBER_ENCODING_HEX;
+        NUMBER_ENCODING doubles_encoding = stream_has_capability(&u->v2.stream_buffer, STREAM_CAP_IEEE754) ? NUMBER_ENCODING_BASE64 : NUMBER_ENCODING_DECIMAL;
+
+        BUFFER *wb = u->v2.stream_buffer.wb;
+        buffer_need_bytes(wb, 1024);
+        buffer_fast_strcat(wb, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_SET_V2 " '", sizeof(PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_SET_V2) - 1 + 2);
+        buffer_fast_strcat(wb, rrddim_id(rd), string_strlen(rd->id));
+        buffer_fast_strcat(wb, "' ", 2);
+        if(can_copy)
+            buffer_strcat(wb, collected_str);
+        else
+            buffer_print_int64_encoded(wb, integer_encoding, collected_value); // original v2 had hex
+        buffer_fast_strcat(wb, " ", 1);
+        if(can_copy)
+            buffer_strcat(wb, value_str);
+        else
+            buffer_print_netdata_double_encoded(wb, doubles_encoding, value); // original v2 had decimal
+        buffer_fast_strcat(wb, " ", 1);
+        buffer_print_sn_flags(wb, flags, true);
+        buffer_fast_strcat(wb, "\n", 1);
+    }
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_SET2_PROPAGATE);
+
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // store it
+
+    rrddim_store_metric(rd, u->v2.end_time * USEC_PER_SEC, value, flags);
+    rd->last_collected_time.tv_sec = u->v2.end_time;
+    rd->last_collected_time.tv_usec = 0;
+    rd->last_collected_value = collected_value;
+    rd->last_stored_value = value;
+    rd->last_calculated_value = value;
+    rd->collections_counter++;
+    rd->updated = true;
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_SET2_STORE);
+
+    return PARSER_RC_OK;
+}
+
+void pluginsd_cleanup_v2(void *user) {
+    // this is called when the thread is stopped while processing
+    pluginsd_set_chart_from_parent(user, NULL, "THREAD CLEANUP");
+}
+
+PARSER_RC pluginsd_end_v2(char **words __maybe_unused, size_t num_words __maybe_unused, void *user) {
+    timing_init();
+
+    RRDHOST *host = pluginsd_require_host_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_END_V2);
+    if(unlikely(!host)) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
+
+    RRDSET *st = pluginsd_require_chart_from_parent(user, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_END_V2, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN_V2);
+    if(unlikely(!st)) return PLUGINSD_DISABLE_PLUGIN(user, NULL, NULL);
+
+    PARSER_USER_OBJECT *u = (PARSER_USER_OBJECT *) user;
+    u->data_collections_count++;
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_END2_PREPARE);
+
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // propagate the whole chart update in v1
+
+    if(unlikely(!u->v2.stream_buffer.v2 && !u->v2.stream_buffer.begin_v2_added && u->v2.stream_buffer.wb))
+        rrdset_push_metrics_v1(&u->v2.stream_buffer, st);
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_END2_PUSH_V1);
+
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // unblock data collection
+
+    ml_chart_update_end(st);
+    u->v2.ml_locked = false;
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_END2_ML);
+
+    pluginsd_unlock_rrdset_data_collection(user);
+    rrdcontext_collected_rrdset(st);
+    store_metric_collection_completed();
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_END2_RRDSET);
+
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // propagate it forward
+
+    rrdset_push_metrics_finished(&u->v2.stream_buffer, st);
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_END2_PROPAGATE);
+
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // cleanup RRDSET / RRDDIM
+
+    RRDDIM *rd;
+    rrddim_foreach_read(rd, st) {
+                rd->calculated_value = 0;
+                rd->collected_value = 0;
+                rd->updated = false;
+            }
+    rrddim_foreach_done(rd);
+
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // reset state
+
+    u->v2 = (struct parser_user_object_v2){ 0 };
+
+    timing_step(TIMING_STEP_END2_STORE);
+    timing_report();
+
+    return PARSER_RC_OK;
+}
+
 static void pluginsd_process_thread_cleanup(void *ptr) {
     PARSER *parser = (PARSER *)ptr;
+
+    pluginsd_cleanup_v2(parser->user);
+    pluginsd_host_define_cleanup(parser->user);
+
     rrd_collector_finished();
     parser_destroy(parser);
 }
@@ -1335,7 +1867,10 @@ inline size_t pluginsd_process(RRDHOST *host, struct plugind *cd, FILE *fp_plugi
     };
 
     // fp_plugin_output = our input; fp_plugin_input = our output
-    PARSER *parser = parser_init(host, &user, fp_plugin_output, fp_plugin_input, -1, PARSER_INPUT_SPLIT, NULL);
+    PARSER *parser = parser_init(&user, fp_plugin_output, fp_plugin_input, -1,
+                                 PARSER_INPUT_SPLIT, NULL);
+
+    pluginsd_keywords_init(parser, PARSER_INIT_PLUGINSD);
 
     rrd_collector_started();
 
@@ -1344,9 +1879,10 @@ inline size_t pluginsd_process(RRDHOST *host, struct plugind *cd, FILE *fp_plugi
     netdata_thread_cleanup_push(pluginsd_process_thread_cleanup, parser);
 
     user.parser = parser;
+    char buffer[PLUGINSD_LINE_MAX + 1];
 
-    while (likely(!parser_next(parser))) {
-        if (unlikely(!service_running(SERVICE_COLLECTORS) || parser_action(parser,  NULL)))
+    while (likely(!parser_next(parser, buffer, PLUGINSD_LINE_MAX))) {
+        if (unlikely(!service_running(SERVICE_COLLECTORS) || parser_action(parser,  buffer)))
             break;
     }
 
@@ -1354,7 +1890,7 @@ inline size_t pluginsd_process(RRDHOST *host, struct plugind *cd, FILE *fp_plugi
     netdata_thread_cleanup_pop(1);
 
     cd->unsafe.enabled = user.enabled;
-    size_t count = user.count;
+    size_t count = user.data_collections_count;
 
     if (likely(count)) {
         cd->successful_collections += count;
@@ -1365,3 +1901,141 @@ inline size_t pluginsd_process(RRDHOST *host, struct plugind *cd, FILE *fp_plugi
 
     return count;
 }
+
+PARSER_RC pluginsd_exit(char **words __maybe_unused, size_t num_words __maybe_unused, void *user __maybe_unused)
+{
+    info("PLUGINSD: plugin called EXIT.");
+    return PARSER_RC_STOP;
+}
+
+static void pluginsd_keywords_init_internal(PARSER *parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORDS types, void (*add_func)(PARSER *parser, char *keyword, keyword_function func)) {
+
+    if (types & PARSER_INIT_PLUGINSD) {
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_FLUSH, pluginsd_flush);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_DISABLE, pluginsd_disable);
+
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_DEFINE, pluginsd_host_define);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_DEFINE_END, pluginsd_host_define_end);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST_LABEL, pluginsd_host_labels);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_HOST, pluginsd_host);
+
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_EXIT, pluginsd_exit);
+    }
+
+    if (types & (PARSER_INIT_PLUGINSD | PARSER_INIT_STREAMING)) {
+        // plugins.d plugins and streaming
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_CHART, pluginsd_chart);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_DIMENSION, pluginsd_dimension);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_VARIABLE, pluginsd_variable);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_LABEL, pluginsd_label);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_OVERWRITE, pluginsd_overwrite);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_CLABEL_COMMIT, pluginsd_clabel_commit);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_CLABEL, pluginsd_clabel);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_FUNCTION, pluginsd_function);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_FUNCTION_RESULT_BEGIN, pluginsd_function_result_begin);
+
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN, pluginsd_begin);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_SET, pluginsd_set);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_END, pluginsd_end);
+
+        inflight_functions_init(parser);
+    }
+
+    if (types & PARSER_INIT_STREAMING) {
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_CHART_DEFINITION_END, pluginsd_chart_definition_end);
+
+        // replication
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_BEGIN, pluginsd_replay_begin);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_SET, pluginsd_replay_set);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_RRDDIM_STATE, pluginsd_replay_rrddim_collection_state);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_RRDSET_STATE, pluginsd_replay_rrdset_collection_state);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_REPLAY_END, pluginsd_replay_end);
+
+        // streaming metrics v2
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_BEGIN_V2, pluginsd_begin_v2);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_SET_V2, pluginsd_set_v2);
+        add_func(parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORD_END_V2, pluginsd_end_v2);
+    }
+}
+
+void pluginsd_keywords_init(PARSER *parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORDS types) {
+    pluginsd_keywords_init_internal(parser, types, parser_add_keyword);
+}
+
+struct pluginsd_user_unittest {
+    size_t size;
+    const char **hashtable;
+    uint32_t (*hash)(const char *s);
+    size_t collisions;
+};
+
+void pluginsd_keyword_collision_check(PARSER *parser, char *keyword, keyword_function func __maybe_unused) {
+    struct pluginsd_user_unittest *u = parser->user;
+
+    uint32_t hash = u->hash(keyword);
+    uint32_t slot = hash % u->size;
+
+    if(u->hashtable[slot])
+        u->collisions++;
+
+    u->hashtable[slot] = keyword;
+}
+
+static struct {
+    const char *name;
+    uint32_t (*hash)(const char *s);
+    size_t slots_needed;
+} hashers[] = {
+    { .name = "djb2_hash32(s)",            djb2_hash32, .slots_needed = 0, },
+    { .name = "fnv1_hash32(s)",            fnv1_hash32, .slots_needed = 0, },
+    { .name = "fnv1a_hash32(s)",           fnv1a_hash32, .slots_needed = 0, },
+    { .name = "larson_hash32(s)",          larson_hash32, .slots_needed = 0, },
+    { .name = "pluginsd_parser_hash32(s)", pluginsd_parser_hash32, .slots_needed = 0, },
+
+    // terminator
+    { .name = NULL, NULL, .slots_needed = 0, },
+};
+
+int pluginsd_parser_unittest(void) {
+    PARSER *p;
+    size_t slots_to_check = 1000;
+    size_t i, h;
+
+    // check for hashtable collisions
+    for(h = 0; hashers[h].name ;h++) {
+        hashers[h].slots_needed = slots_to_check * 1000000;
+
+        for (i = 10; i < slots_to_check; i++) {
+            struct pluginsd_user_unittest user = {
+                    .hash = hashers[h].hash,
+                    .size = i,
+                    .hashtable = callocz(i, sizeof(const char *)),
+                    .collisions = 0,
+            };
+
+            p = parser_init(&user, NULL, NULL, -1, PARSER_INPUT_SPLIT, NULL);
+            pluginsd_keywords_init_internal(p, PARSER_INIT_PLUGINSD | PARSER_INIT_STREAMING,
+                                            pluginsd_keyword_collision_check);
+            parser_destroy(p);
+
+            freez(user.hashtable);
+
+            if (!user.collisions) {
+                hashers[h].slots_needed = i;
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    for(h = 0; hashers[h].name ;h++) {
+        if(hashers[h].slots_needed > 1000)
+            info("PARSER: hash function '%s' cannot be used without collisions under %zu slots", hashers[h].name, slots_to_check);
+        else
+            info("PARSER: hash function '%s' needs PARSER_KEYWORDS_HASHTABLE_SIZE (in parser.h) set to %zu", hashers[h].name, hashers[h].slots_needed);
+    }
+
+    p = parser_init(NULL, NULL, NULL, -1, PARSER_INPUT_SPLIT, NULL);
+    pluginsd_keywords_init(p, PARSER_INIT_PLUGINSD | PARSER_INIT_STREAMING);
+    parser_destroy(p);
+    return 0;
+}
diff --git a/collectors/plugins.d/pluginsd_parser.h b/collectors/plugins.d/pluginsd_parser.h
index e18b43e58..1fdc23a0e 100644
--- a/collectors/plugins.d/pluginsd_parser.h
+++ b/collectors/plugins.d/pluginsd_parser.h
@@ -3,7 +3,12 @@
 #ifndef NETDATA_PLUGINSD_PARSER_H
 #define NETDATA_PLUGINSD_PARSER_H
 
-#include "parser/parser.h"
+#include "daemon/common.h"
+
+typedef enum __attribute__ ((__packed__)) {
+    PARSER_INIT_PLUGINSD        = (1 << 1),
+    PARSER_INIT_STREAMING       = (1 << 2),
+} PLUGINSD_KEYWORDS;
 
 typedef struct parser_user_object {
     PARSER  *parser;
@@ -14,13 +19,20 @@ typedef struct parser_user_object {
     int trust_durations;
     DICTIONARY *new_host_labels;
     DICTIONARY *chart_rrdlabels_linked_temporarily;
-    size_t count;
+    size_t data_collections_count;
     int enabled;
-    uint8_t st_exists;
-    uint8_t host_exists;
-    void *private; // the user can set this for private use
+
+    STREAM_CAPABILITIES capabilities; // receiver capabilities
 
     struct {
+        bool parsing_host;
+        uuid_t machine_guid;
+        char machine_guid_str[UUID_STR_LEN];
+        STRING *hostname;
+        DICTIONARY *rrdlabels;
+    } host_define;
+
+    struct parser_user_object_replay {
         time_t start_time;
         time_t end_time;
 
@@ -31,9 +43,20 @@ typedef struct parser_user_object {
 
         bool rset_enabled;
     } replay;
+
+    struct parser_user_object_v2 {
+        bool locked_data_collection;
+        RRDSET_STREAM_BUFFER stream_buffer; // sender capabilities in this
+        time_t update_every;
+        time_t end_time;
+        time_t wall_clock_time;
+        bool ml_locked;
+    } v2;
 } PARSER_USER_OBJECT;
 
 PARSER_RC pluginsd_function(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user);
 PARSER_RC pluginsd_function_result_begin(char **words, size_t num_words, void *user);
 void inflight_functions_init(PARSER *parser);
+void pluginsd_keywords_init(PARSER *parser, PLUGINSD_KEYWORDS types);
+
 #endif //NETDATA_PLUGINSD_PARSER_H