============== Cloud Map File ============== A number of options exist when creating virtual machines. They can be managed directly from profiles and the command line execution, or a more complex map file can be created. The map file allows for a number fo virtual machines to be created and associated with specific profiles. Map files have a simple format, specify a profile and then a list of virtual machines to make from said profile: .. code-block:: yaml fedora_smal: - web1 - web2 - web3 - web3 - web4 - web5 fedora_high: - redis1 - redis2 - redis3 cent_high: - riak1 - riak1 - riak1 - riak1 - riak1 This map file can then be called to roll out all of these virtual machines. Map files are called from the salt-cloud command with the -m option: .. code-block:: bash $ salt-cloud -m /path/to/mapfile Remember, that as with direct profile provisioning the -P option can be passed to create the virtual machines in parallel: .. code-block:: bash $ salt-cloud -m /path/to/mapfile -P