Understanding Packer

Constructs

1. FileFormat: JSON
2. Builders: Provider/Platform where you want to create image

Points to remember

1. Credentials in some way should be provided to packer
2. Every builder has a unique type

Basic Packer File

{
    "builders": [
        {
            "type": "name of builder supported by packer"
        }
    ]
}

Building AWS Image. Refer Builder documentation here

{
    "builders": [
        {
            "type": "amazon-ebs"
        }
    ]
}

Find Required Fields in the configuration section

{
    "builders": [
        {
            "type": "amazon-ebs",
            "access_key": "",
            "ami_name": "",
            "instance_type": "",
            "region": "",
            "secret_key": "",
            "source_ami": "",
        }
    ]
}

What is Secret Key and Access Key (Amazon)

1. Programmatic Credentials to login into AWS
2. Steps to create refer here