Cobbler vs MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator
Cobbler
cobbler.github.io
MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator
metalsoft.ioSide by side
| Figure | Cobbler | MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Bare Metal Provisioning Software | 8.1 (#7) | 7.7 (#15) |
| Spec score · Bare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) Software | 8.2 (#3) | 7.9 (#4) |
| Spec score · Data Center Automation | 8.0 (#8) | 7.8 (#10) |
| Automation | Cobbler can help manage DNS, DHCP, package updates, power management and configuration management orchestration. | The product supports automatic enrollment, console proxying, custom ISOs, GPU detection, an AI troubleshooting assistant, and an MCP control plane for automation. |
| Integrations | Cobbler can integrate with external configuration management systems including cfengine3, Puppet, bcfg2 and Chef, and also has an internal lightweight system. | The product page lists VMware, KVM, OpenShift, Terraform, Ansible, and HashiCorp Vault among its integrations. |
| Provisioning | It supports PXE deployments, virtualization with Xen, QEMU/KVM or VMware, and reinstallation of existing Linux systems. | Features include automatic inventory, virtual media-based OS deployment, multi-vendor firmware management, cabling detection, and secure cleanup and decommissioning. |
| Purpose | Cobbler is a Linux installation server for setting up and automating network installation environments. | Bare Metal Orchestrator provisions, re-provisions, and manages general-purpose and specialized servers across generations and vendors. |
| 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. | The product page describes secure cleanup and decommissioning, clean OS and firmware provisioning, and role-based infrastructure permissions. |
| Support | The project directs users to its mailing list, GitHub issues and community chat for help. | The product page lists professional services, integration services, custom hardware drivers, and 24/7 technical support. |
Plans
MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator
- MetalSoft Bare Metal OrchestratorPriced on request
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.
MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator
MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.