Setting Up Packer

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Setting Up Packer

HashiCorp Packer allows users to create identical, cross-platform machine images by writing templates that leverage our existing infrastructure tools. Before we can get started using Packer, however, we have to install it. In this hands-on lab, we'll do just that.

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Lab Info

Level

Beginner

Last updated

Sep 08, 2025

Duration

10m

Challenge

Locate the Download File
1. On the HashiCorp Packer download page, locate the link for previous versions of Packer.
2. Once on the right page, find the proper zip file for Packer 1.5.5 on Linux (AMD). It will follow this directory tree:
  
  ├── packer │ ├── packer_1.5.5 │ │ ├── packer_1.5.5_linux_amd64.zip
3. Copy the location of the zip file, and then switch to the command line.

Challenge

Download and Expand the File

Download the file:

curl https://releases.hashicorp.com/packer/1.5.5/packer_1.5.5_linux_amd64.zip -o packer.zip

Expand the file:
```
unzip packer.zip
```

Challenge

"Install" Packer
1. The quotes were a hint! We don't have to install Packer, so much as just move the binary:
  
  sudo mv packer /usr/bin/packer
2. Confirm by running packer --version and, optionally, clean up your work:
  
  packer --version
  
  rm packer.zip

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