{"id":15,"date":"2025-01-24T16:51:47","date_gmt":"2025-01-24T14:51:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itraft.com\/?p=15"},"modified":"2025-02-11T14:52:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T12:52:49","slug":"almalinux-9-vm-using-hashicorp-packer-and-vsphere-iso-plugin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itraft.com\/?p=15","title":{"rendered":"AlmaLinux 9 VM using HashiCorp Packer and vSphere ISO Plugin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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This guide walks through the process of setting up a virtual machine (VM) with AlmaLinux 9 using HashiCorp Packer and the vSphere ISO plugin. I will create a Packer template, configure a Kickstart file, and automate post-configuration using an Ansible playbook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Packer<\/strong> we can create a virtual machine image in a vSphere environment starting from a single source configuration. It has a collection of builders<\/strong> like vSphere ISO<\/strong> that is used to create VMs in vSphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Packer vSphere builder build a new virtual machine starting from an ISO image file<\/strong>. It proceeds to the OS installation automatically from the Kickstart <\/strong>file configuration.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A boot command in vSphere builder configuration, is responsible to get kickstart file and start the installation of AlmaLinux. The boot_command<\/strong> specifies the necessary parameters like the keyboard keys should be typed in order to start the isntallation after the first boot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When installation of operating system is finished, there is another builder plugin that performs a helper task like running an Ansible Packer provisioner<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Prerequisites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before starting, ensure you have the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n