Build Automation with HashiCorp Packer Practice Exam
Build Automation with HashiCorp Packer Practice Exam
About Build Automation with HashiCorp Packer Exam
The Build Automation with HashiCorp Packer exam tests your ability to automate the creation of machine images using HashiCorp Packer. It evaluates your knowledge of defining and building images for multiple platforms, understanding provisioning and configuration management, and applying best practices in automation and cloud environments. This exam ensures that you have the skills to create and manage reusable, consistent, and production-ready machine images at scale.
Skills Required
- Understand how to use Packer for automating the image creation process, including working with Packer templates and variables.
- Knowledge of creating machine images for multiple platforms, integrating configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Chef, Puppet) for automated provisioning.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud and the ability to automate image creation for these platforms using Packer.
- Experience with version control systems such as Git, and using them to manage and track changes to Packer templates.
- Understanding of automation best practices, including the creation of reusable and consistent images across various environments.
- Knowledge of integrating Packer into CI/CD pipelines to streamline image creation and deployment processes.
- Skills in troubleshooting issues related to image building, provisioning, and integration with cloud platforms.
Who should take the Exam?
This exam is ideal for professionals involved in the infrastructure automation and cloud DevOps domains. It is suitable for:
- DevOps Engineers
- Cloud Engineers
- Systems Administrators
- Automation Specialists
- Infrastructure Engineers
Course Outline
The Build Automation with HashiCorp Packer Exam covers the following topics -
Domain 1 - Introduction to HashiCorp Packer
- Overview of Packer
- Why Choose Packer?
- Getting Started with Packer
- Core Components of Packer
- Packer Installation
- Demo: Installing Packer
- Navigating the Packer Command Line
- Hands-On Lab: Exploring the Packer Command Line
- Understanding the Packer Workflow
- Demo: The Packer Workflow
- Section Recap
- Installing Packer on Windows
- Installing Packer on Mac
Domain 2 - Writing Packer Templates
- Introduction to Writing Packer Templates
- Understanding HCL Syntax
- Hands-On Lab: Converting JSON Templates to HCL
- Working with Packer Core Components in HCL
- Hands-On Lab: Writing Packer Templates
Domain 3 - Builders
- Introduction to Builders
- Demo: Building AWS AMIs with Packer
- AWS Builders Overview
- Demo: Building Azure Machine Images with Packer
- Demo: Building Google Compute Machine Images with Packer
- Demo: Building VMware Templates with Packer
- Hands-On Lab: Building Images Across Multiple Regions
- Hands-On Lab: Creating Images for Different Operating Systems
- Hands-On Lab: Building Images for Multiple Clouds
- Demo: Target Clouds and Build Types with Packer
Domain 4 - Variables
- Introduction to Packer Variables
- Declaring Variables in Packer
- Utilizing Variables in Packer Templates
- Working with Environment Variables
- Hands-On Lab: Managing Packer Variables
Domain 5 - Provisioners
- Introduction to Provisioners
- Overview of Various Provisioners
- Key Features of Provisioners
- Hands-On Lab: Working with Provisioners
Domain 6 - Post-Processors
- Introduction to Post-Processors
- Exploring Post-Processor Examples
- Hands-On Lab: Using Post-Processors
Domain 7 - Code Organization
- Best Practices for Code Organization
- Hands-On Lab: Organizing Code Effectively
- Hands-On Lab: Targeting Cloud Builds
- Hands-On Lab: Converting JSON to HCL
Domain 8 - Troubleshooting Packer Builds
- Hands-On Lab: Debugging Packer Builds
- Hands-On Lab: Using Breakpoints in Packer
Domain 9 - Packer Integrations
- Hands-On Lab: Integrating Packer with Red Hat Ansible
- Hands-On Lab: Integrating Packer with HashiCorp Terraform
- Demo: Packer Integration with HashiCorp Vault's KV v2 Secrets Engine
- Demo: Integrating Packer with HashiCorp Vault Using the AWS Secrets Engine
- Demo: Packer Integration with GitLab CI/CD
