Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Metal³

metal3.io

LinuxAPISelf-hosted
Visit metal3.io
Spec score 7.6 #6 of 12 in Bare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) Software

Spec sheet

Purpose
Metal³ is an open-source project that provides tools for managing bare-metal infrastructure using Kubernetes.Read 8 Oct 2026 · metal3.io
Audience
The project describes use cases including provisioning on-premises Kubernetes cluster nodes and managing bare-metal machines in testing or high-performance computing labs.Read 8 Oct 2026 · metal3.io
Security
The project directs suspected vulnerability reports to its security mailing list and documents severity assessment, fixes, and disclosure handling.Read 8 Oct 2026 · book.metal3.io
Bare-metal lifecycle
Metal³ can enroll bare-metal machines, provision operating system images, and manage Kubernetes clusters deployed on them.Read 8 Oct 2026 · book.metal3.io
Cluster API
Metal³ includes a Cluster API infrastructure provider for creating and managing physical servers.Read 8 Oct 2026 · metal3.io
Community support
The project offers community support through Kubernetes Slack, a mailing list, and a weekly community call.Read 8 Oct 2026 · book.metal3.io
Deployment security
The security guide says quick-start defaults such as minimal TLS, an unauthenticated image server, and cluster-wide permissions are intended for evaluation rather than production.Read 8 Oct 2026 · book.metal3.io
Hardware limits
Only Ironic is currently supported as a provisioner, and the FAQ says support for other provisioners is not on the roadmap.Read 8 Oct 2026 · metal3.io
Hardware protocols
Metal³ supports network boot with iPXE and virtual media boot on compatible hardware using remote management protocols such as IPMI and Redfish.Read 8 Oct 2026 · book.metal3.io
Hardware support
The project supports x86_64 and AARCH64, but mixed-architecture clusters are not supported yet.Read 8 Oct 2026 · metal3.io
Host management
Bare Metal Operator inspects host hardware, can configure RAID and firmware, provisions images, and can clean disks before and after provisioning.Read 8 Oct 2026 · book.metal3.io
Operating system images
Metal³ can use operating systems available in a cloud image format, and first-boot customization requires cloud-init or a similar tool in the image.Read 8 Oct 2026 · metal3.io
Operating systems
Metal³ can install operating systems available in a cloud image format, and first-boot configuration requires cloud-init or a similar tool.Read 8 Oct 2026 · metal3.io
Project status
Metal³ is a Cloud Native Computing Foundation incubating project.Read 8 Oct 2026 · metal3.io
Provisioning
Metal³ can discover hardware, configure BIOS and RAID, clean disks, install operating system images, deploy Kubernetes, and perform rolling upgrades.Read 8 Oct 2026 · book.metal3.io
Provisioning backend
Metal³ uses OpenStack Ironic for bare-metal provisioning, and Ironic can run as a standalone service without other OpenStack services.Read 8 Oct 2026 · metal3.io
Provisioning limit
Ironic is currently the only supported provisioner; the FAQ says other provisioners are not on the current roadmap.Read 8 Oct 2026 · metal3.io
Provisioning protocols
Supported hardware uses remote management protocols such as IPMI and Redfish, with network boot or, on some hardware, virtual media boot.Read 8 Oct 2026 · book.metal3.io
Security guidance
The security guide recommends hardening TLS, Ironic authentication, provisioning network access, and Bare Metal Operator permissions for production deployments.Read 8 Oct 2026 · book.metal3.io
Security reporting
The project asks that suspected vulnerabilities be reported to its [email protected] mailing list.Read 8 Oct 2026 · book.metal3.io
Standalone use
Cluster API is optional; the Baremetal Operator can be used independently through the Kubernetes API for bare-metal provisioning.Read 8 Oct 2026 · metal3.io
Support and community
The project guide lists Kubernetes Slack, a mailing list, and a weekly community call as ways to connect with the community.Read 8 Oct 2026 · book.metal3.io
Supported architectures
The FAQ lists x86_64 and AARCH64 support, but says mixed architectures are not supported yet.Read 8 Oct 2026 · metal3.io

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to Metal³All alternatives →