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Provisioning a Packer Image with Masterless Salt

Packer lets us create machine images for a variety of platforms through code. Part of the image creation process involves provisioning the machine, which can be done with a variety of provisioners, including Salt. All Salt provisioning is done via the `salt-call` command, with Salt run masterless. In this lab, we'll use Salt and Packer to ensure our website has a working image by using a custom Salt minion config.

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Path Info

Level
Clock icon Intermediate
Duration
Clock icon 30m
Last updated
Clock icon Apr 06, 2025

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Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Prepare the Formula

    1. Move to packer/bookapp.
    2. Create a formula directory and pull in our desired Apache formula.
    3. To use this formula, we need a related top.sls file, place to store our pillar data, and a pillar top.sls file.
    4. Create the pillar data. (We can view an example of this on the Apache formula's GitHub page to see usage before writing our own.)
    5. Add a related top.sls file for the pillar data.
    6. Update the formula top file.
    7. Review and update the minion config.

  2. Challenge

    Update the Template

    1. Update our packer.json file, first by adding our file and pillar roots directories in our shell provisioner block; we also want to create our website directory.
    2. Copy over our needed files.
    3. Add our Salt provisioner, ensuring to use our custom minion config.

  3. Challenge

    Test the Build

    1. Update the file with the access key, secret key, and subnet ID provided on the hands-on lab page.
    2. Save and exit the file.
    3. Test the build.
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Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

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