Module 8: Developer & DevOps

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Use the VergeOS REST API to automate common infrastructure operations
• Manage infrastructure with the Terraform provider for declarative, version-controlled deployments
• Automate workflows with pyvergeos and PowerShell modules for scripting and orchestration
• Understand seed files and cloud-init for unattended VM and tenant installations

Prerequisites

• Completion of Module 1: Architecture Fundamentals — understanding of VergeOS platform architecture
• Completion of Module 6: Virtual Machines — understanding of VM provisioning and management
• Completion of Module 7: Multi-Tenancy — understanding of tenant creation and resource allocation
• Basic familiarity with REST APIs, command-line tools, and at least one scripting language (Python, PowerShell, or HCL/Terraform)

Estimated Time

4 hours (2 hours reading + 2 hours lab)

VMware Bridge

VMware automation typically relies on PowerCLI, the vSphere REST API, and third-party tools like Terraform’s vSphere provider or Ansible modules. VergeOS offers a similar ecosystem: a REST API for programmatic access, a Terraform provider for infrastructure-as-code, pyvergeos (Python SDK) and PowerShell modules for scripting, and cloud-init / seed files for unattended guest OS configuration. If you’re familiar with PowerCLI or the vSphere API, the VergeOS equivalents will feel natural — with the added benefit of managing tenants, networking, and storage through the same unified API.

Topics

REST API Fundamentals

Authenticating with the VergeOS API, exploring endpoints, and performing CRUD operations on VMs, networks, and tenants.

Terraform Provider

Using the VergeOS Terraform provider for declarative infrastructure management, including the terraform-playground examples.

Python & PowerShell Automation

Automating workflows with pyvergeos (Python SDK) and the VergeOS PowerShell module for scripting and orchestration.

Seed Files & Cloud-Init

Configuring unattended VM installations using seed files and cloud-init for automated guest OS setup.

Lab: Infrastructure Automation

Use the REST API, Terraform, and scripting tools to automate VM and tenant provisioning end-to-end.

Module Outline

1. REST API Fundamentals — Authentication, API explorer, CRUD operations on VMs/networks/tenants, pagination, and error handling
2. Terraform Provider — Provider configuration, resource types, data sources, state management, and working with the vergeos-terraform-playground examples
3. Python & PowerShell Automation — pyvergeos SDK usage, PowerShell module commands, scripting patterns for bulk operations and orchestration
4. Seed Files & Cloud-Init — Seed file structure, cloud-init configuration, unattended VM provisioning, and tenant bootstrapping
5. Lab — Hands-on automation using the REST API, Terraform provider, and scripting tools to provision and manage infrastructure