| # EdgeX CI Packer |
| |
| [Packer][1] is a tool for automatically creating VM and container images, |
| configuring them and post-processing them into standard output formats. |
| |
| We build the CI images via Packer. |
| |
| ## Building |
| |
| You'll need to [install Packer][2], of course. |
| |
| The Packer configuration is divided into build-specific variables, |
| output-specific templates and a set of shared provisioning scripts. To do a |
| specific build, combine the template for the desired output artifact type with |
| a variable file. To build a new baseline instance the following would be done: |
| |
| ``` |
| packer build -var-file=vars/cloud-env.json -var-file=vars/centos.json templates/baseline.json |
| ``` |
| |
| **NOTE:** vars/cloud-env.json is a gitignored file as it contains private |
| information. There is a vars/cloud-env.json.example file that may be used as a |
| base for creating the one needed. |
| |
| From a high level, the build process is: |
| |
| * Boot a specified base image in any defined clouds. |
| * Run a set of shell scripts, listed in the template's shell provisioner |
| section, to do any configuration required by the builder. |
| * Execute a shutdown of the running instance in the clouds. |
| * Execute the cloud specific method for creating a new image from the shutdown |
| instance |
| * Perform the cloud specific method for deleting the shutdown instance |
| |
| [1]: https://www.packer.io/ |
| [2]: https://www.packer.io/intro/getting-started/setup.html |