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Adding Files to a Packer Build

Packer lets us create machine images for a variety of platforms through code. Part of this involves provisioning an initial machine to match our desired state. In this hands-on lab, we use both the `file` and `shell` provisioners to prepare a Packer template for a web instance.

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Lab Info
Level
Intermediate
Last updated
Sep 09, 2025
Duration
15m

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Table of Contents
  1. Challenge

    Add the File Provisioner(s)

    Please give the lab an extra three minutes before starting the lab activity. After that, log in to the provided Ubuntu Workstation server using the credentials provided.

    Note: There are multiple ways to complete this lab. We'll be using two file provisioner blocks objects. You could alternatively upload the entire files directory in one object and then move all files via script.

    Create an object to move the website files to /var/www/html/bookapp. Place it between the two shell provisioners.

    Add a second file object to move the Apache configuration to /tmp/. Since /etc/apache2 requires elevated privileges, we'll need to move the bookapp.conf file from /tmp/ via shell provisioner.

  2. Challenge

    Update the Scripts

    We'll need to update both the initial inline shell provisioner and the scripts provisioner that follows our file objects.

    Update the inline list to create the /var/www/html directory and grant ubuntu temporary ownership of it.

    Then, update the webdeploy.sh script itself to move our bookapp.conf Apache configuration.

  3. Challenge

    Test the Build

    Return to the packer.json file and update the variables for access key, secret key, and subnet ID. Save and exit, and then test the build.

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