homelab/infra-config/04-vm-templates

Steps for creating VM templates with Hashicorp Packer

As this is one of the early steps, the assumption is made that these commands will be run on a jumpbox/laptop.

Templates will always live on within the cluster.

Steps to install Packer:

brew tap hashicorp/tap
brew install hashicorp/tap/packer

fedora-/ ├── fedora-.pkr.hcl # Main build definition(s) ├── variables.pkr.hcl # Variable declarations and default values ├── <image_name>.pkrvars.hcl # (Optional) Specific variable values for a particular image ├── files/ # Files to load on VM │ └── ansible.pub # public key for ansible user ├── scripts/ # Directory for shell scripts │ ├── cleanup.sh # Clean up the template │ └── setup.yml # Ansible playbook ├── httpd/ # Subdirectory for kickstart configiration │ └── ks.cfg # Source block for Apache image └── README.md

Disable the firewall before starting

sudo systemctl stop firewalld

Create templates

packer build -var-file ./fedora-42-small.pkrvars.hcl -var-file ./proxmox.pkvars.hcl -var 'ssh_password=<wed ssh password>' -var 'proxmox_password=<proxmox user password>' .
packer build -var-file ./fedora-42-medium.pkrvars.hcl -var-file ./proxmox.pkvars.hcl -var 'ssh_password=<wed ssh password>' -var 'proxmox_password=<proxmox user password>' .
packer build -var-file ./fedora-42-large.pkrvars.hcl -var-file ./proxmox.pkvars.hcl -var 'ssh_password=<wed ssh password>' -var 'proxmox_password=<proxmox user password>' .
packer build -var-file ./fedora-42-xlarge.pkrvars.hcl -var-file ./proxmox.pkvars.hcl -var 'ssh_password=<wed ssh password>' -var 'proxmox_password=<proxmox user password>' .