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SPECIFICTION
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Cobbler

cobbler.github.io

Free plan LinuxAPISelf-hosted
Visit cobbler.github.io
Spec score 8.1 #7 of 28 in Bare Metal Provisioning Software

What it is

Cobbler is free, self-hosted Linux server software for creating and automating network installation environments. It supports PXE deployments, virtualization with Xen, QEMU/KVM, or VMware, and reinstallation of existing Linux systems. Administrators can coordinate DNS, DHCP, package updates, power management, and configuration-management orchestration. Interfaces include a command line, WebUI, and Python and XML-RPC APIs. Automated installation formats include AutoYaST for SUSE and openSUSE, Kickstart, and Preseed for Debian and Ubuntu. Templates and reusable snippets generate installation files and manage services such as DNS and DHCP. Cobbler integrates with cfengine3, Puppet, bcfg2, and Chef, or its internal lightweight system. It can be installed from distribution packages or source; pip installation is documented but not recommended. Python 3 is required, and server setup needs Apache, certificate, and administration knowledge. Security guidance notes broad network control and no SELinux or AppArmor profile. The project describes use in small and large installations.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Cobbler is a Linux installation server for setting up and automating network installation environments.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cobbler.github.io
Intended users
The project describes Cobbler as suitable for small and large installations and says it is used by companies, universities and government organizations.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cobbler.github.io
Integrations
Cobbler can integrate with external configuration management systems including cfengine3, Puppet, bcfg2 and Chef, and also has an internal lightweight system.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cobbler.readthedocs.io
Security
The security policy says Cobbler has no SELinux or AppArmor profile and advises protecting it because it manages DHCP and TFTP and has broad network control.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project directs users to its mailing list, GitHub issues and community chat for help.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cobbler.github.io
Autoinstall
It supports AutoYaST for SUSE and openSUSE, Kickstart, and Preseed for Debian and Ubuntu automated installations.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cobbler.readthedocs.io
Automation
Cobbler can help manage DNS, DHCP, package updates, power management and configuration management orchestration.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cobbler.github.io
Install options
Cobbler can be installed through Linux distribution packaging systems or from source; the documentation also describes pip installation as not recommended.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cobbler.readthedocs.io
Interfaces
Cobbler provides a command line interface, a WebUI and Python and XML-RPC APIs.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cobbler.readthedocs.io
Maintenance limits
The security policy says only the most current version can be supported, and lists Cobbler 3.3.x as security-only support while older listed versions are end of life.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Operational limit
The limitations guide says imported or manually added distributions require their kernel and initrd sources to remain available or the Cobbler daemon will not start.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cobbler.readthedocs.io
Provisioning
It supports PXE deployments, virtualization with Xen, QEMU/KVM or VMware, and reinstallation of existing Linux systems.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cobbler.readthedocs.io
Requirements
Cobbler requires Python 3 and its server setup requires knowledge of Apache configuration, certificates and server administration.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cobbler.readthedocs.io
Supported distributions
The install guide lists Fedora, CentOS Stream, AlmaLinux/Rocky Linux, openSUSE Leap and Tumbleweed among distributions with known packages.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cobbler.readthedocs.io
Templates
Templates and reusable snippets can be used to generate automated installation files and manage services such as DNS and DHCP.Read 5 Oct 2026 · cobbler.github.io

Plans and prices

Cobbler Free Linux server software · self-hosted Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Cobbler plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • PXE and virtualization provisioning
  • CLI, WebUI, and API interfaces
  • Supports several automated install formats
  • Configuration-management integrations
  • Free self-hosted software

Limits

  • Requires Python 3
  • Server setup needs administration expertise
  • No SELinux or AppArmor profile
  • Imported sources must remain available

Who it suits

It suits administrators provisioning Linux systems across networked environments, including organizations managing small or large installations. Users need Linux server administration knowledge and must secure a service controlling DHCP and TFTP.

Verdict

Cobbler provides broad Linux provisioning and automation interfaces in a free, self-hosted package. Its operational control and security requirements make server administration and source availability important planning considerations.

Where Specifiction places it

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