Cobbler vs ERA Provision
Cobbler
cobbler.github.io
ERA Provision
era-one.solutionsSide by side
| Figure | Cobbler | ERA Provision |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · OS Deployment Software | 8.0 (#8) | 7.6 (#13) |
| Spec score · OS Imaging & Deployment Software | 8.0 (#7) | 7.6 (#12) |
| Integrations | Cobbler can integrate with external configuration management systems including cfengine3, Puppet, bcfg2 and Chef, and also has an internal lightweight system. | ERA Control lists AD/LDAP, REST API, SIEM, STIX/TAXII, and NGFW integrations. |
| Intended users | The project describes Cobbler as suitable for small and large installations and says it is used by companies, universities and government organizations. | The maker identifies data centers, branch offices, and new fleet deployment projects as target users. |
| Provisioning | It supports PXE deployments, virtualization with Xen, QEMU/KVM or VMware, and reinstallation of existing Linux systems. | The product provides bare-metal provisioning through PXE and equivalent methods. |
| Purpose | Cobbler is a Linux installation server for setting up and automating network installation environments. | ERA Provision deploys operating systems on bare metal through PXE networking, images, automated installation scenarios, and ERA agent registration after installation. |
Plans
In their own words
Cobbler
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.
ERA Provision
ERA Provision has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.