Introduction:
In Part 2 of this series, we reviewed the different aspects of a Packer template file. In this post, we'll begin creating the HCL template file for the Windows Server 2022 golden image. Here's what you'll have by the end:
- Install tools we'll use to create the HCL file and assoc ...
Introduction:
Part 2 covers the concepts of the build process and HashiCorp Configuration Language (HCL) templates. Builders create machines and generate images from those machines for various platforms. Multiple builders create the golden image in the Automated Sandbox Framework (ASF). Let's ...
Introduction:
If you're someone tasked with server provisioning, OS installations/configurations, or setting up a home virtual sandbox, this blog series is for you. In it, you'll learn about Hashicorp Packer and how it can make your job easier. We'll end the series with a set of scripts and an ...
Introduction:
My wife, son, and I went fishing at our local lake a few weekends ago. That Saturday morning, we got up, loaded the fishing gear, and put the boat in the water. Easy, we've done this plenty of times before (trailering the boat, making sure the engine had oil and plenty of gas). W...
I use Ansible in my virtual sandbox to configure and maintain Linux and Windows servers. I aim to set up my sandbox to match most of the production environments I've previously worked with. Most require using Kerberos over NTLM or strongly encourage its use. The sandbox I'm configuring already has...
Have you ever needed to install a relational database engine fast in your sandbox? SQL Server is well known for its easy installation, albeit not all best practices are configured as part of the general installation. In this video, I will show you how to install SQL Server 2022 Developer Edition f...
Introduction:
Imagine you're walking into a job interview or taking on a new role. During the interview, the hiring manager asks, "What sets you apart from the other twenty candidates I've interviewed?" How would you respond? If you've mastered Ansible and efficient automation, your answer might un...
Introduction:
Have you ever left an interview feeling let down because you were told you lacked sufficient experience? Do you find yourself caught in the vicious cycle of needing experience to land a job but unable to gain that experience without the job itself? If you aspire to work with Microsoft...
Introduction:
Inventory files lie at the core of Ansible. They are a crucial component that organizes and categorizes the target hosts to which Ansible will apply configurations. In this post, I'll walk you through the essentials of an Ansible inventory file, covering its basic structure and synt...
Introduction:
Setting up a Windows managed node is a crucial step in leveraging Ansible for managing your Windows infrastructure efficiently. In this post, we'll walk through the process of setting up a Windows managed node using Ansible, enabling you to automate tasks on your Windows machines sea...
Introduction:
In continuing the "Getting Started With Ansible" series, I will cover the control node, how to install it, and end with a quick demo of the process. In the next post, we'll cover how to set up an inventory and connect to both a Linux (RHEL) and Windows host. Before we start, though,...
Introduction:
Ansible is a powerful automation tool that can simplify your IT configuration tasks and boost productivity. If you've found yourself overwhelmed with repetitive manual tasks, Ansible might be your new best friend. Let's look at some of Ansible's key concepts. I'll dive into the det...