# Provisioning VMs

**URL:** <https://forum.ansible.com/t/provisioning-vms/21861>\
**Category:** Ansible Project\
**Created:** [June 26, 2016, 5:28pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/provisioning-vms/21861 "2016-06-26T17:28:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Sargon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Sargon](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Sargon)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2016, 5:28pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/provisioning-vms/21861/1 "2016-06-26T17:28:30Z")

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Hello

I want to automate the creation of VMs on Virtualbox (CentOs) and then run a series of  
wget/yum commands to set up the necessary software.

I am sure this has been done many times already, so before I re-invent the wheel with the  
little Ansible I know, perhaps I should hear about the paths already trodden in that  
direction.

Are there any templates, articles, advice for me to follow, copy, or imitated to accomplish this,  
so that I can reduce the time to completion?

Many thanks.

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**Author:** ![Mikael\_Sandstrom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4da419/32.png) [@Mikael\_Sandstrom](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Mikael_Sandstrom)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2016, 12:43pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/provisioning-vms/21861/2 "2016-06-27T12:43:41Z")

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Hi,

Have you looked at Packer/Vagrant?

Those tools are very helpful when managing VM’s

1. Use packer to set up a base box (like a base installation or specifically tailored to your needs)
2. Use that box with Vagrant (creating local environments using the base box)
3. Use Ansible to provision whatever you need later. (Ansible could also be used as part of the packer step (1) if you wanted to.)

There are also any number of Vagrant centos boxes out on the internets just ready to be used.

regards  
/M