Building a Google Compute-Backed Image with Packer

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Building a Google Compute-Backed Image with Packer

Packer allows us to use JSON or HCL code to describe and generate machine images, such as Google Compute images. In this lab, we'll explore using Packer with GCP, including credential creation, before writing our build from scratch to save an image of a web instance.

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Lab Info

Level

Intermediate

Last updated

Aug 25, 2025

Duration

30m

Challenge

Access the Console, Create Credentials, and Pull Down Files
1. In the GCP console, navigate to APIs & Services > Credentials.
2. Click Create Credentials > Service account.
3. Set the name of the new API service account, and then give it Project Editor permissions.
4. Press Continue > Done.
5. Navigate to the Compute Engine dashboard.
6. Next to the provisioned packer-workstation instance, click SSH to access the instance.
7. Create a working directory, and add the necessary lab files.
8. Create the account key.
Challenge

Create the Template

Review the provided files, and create a template for our GCP builder following the details provided in the instructions; be sure to work from the packer/booksite directory.
Challenge

Test the Build

Validate and test the build.

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