Featured resource
Forrester Wave Report 2025
Pluralsight named a Leader in the Forrester Wave™

Our tech skill development platform earned the highest scores possible across 11 criteria.

Learn more
  • Labs icon Lab
  • Cloud
Google Cloud Platform icon
Labs

Building an Amazon EBS-Based Packer Image

Packer allows us to use JSON or HCL code to describe and generate machine images, such as AWS AMIs. In this lab, we'll explore using Packer alongside AWS, from initial key creation to final Packer build as we write a Packer template from scratch using the `amazon-ebs` builder and a selection of provisioners.

Google Cloud Platform icon
Labs

Path Info

Level
Clock icon Intermediate
Duration
Clock icon 30m
Published
Clock icon Oct 02, 2020

Contact sales

By filling out this form and clicking submit, you acknowledge our privacy policy.

Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Create Access Key and Secret Key, Discover Subnet

    1. Navigate to IAM > Users, and click on our cloud_user.
    2. Click the Security credentials tab, and select Create access key. Make a note of the Access key ID and Secret access key.
    3. Navigate to VPC > Subnets, and copy the subnet ID.
  2. Challenge

    Write Template Based on Provided Instructions

    1. Change to the packer/booksite directory.
    2. Create a packer.json file.
    3. Write the template based on the details in the instructions.
  3. Challenge

    Test the Build

    Validate and run the build.

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.

What's a lab?

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

Provided environment for hands-on practice

We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.

Guided walkthrough

Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!

Did you know?

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you get time for practice.