Cobbler vs OpenStack Ironic
Cobbler
cobbler.github.ioOpenStack Ironic
docs.openstack.orgSide by side
| Figure | Cobbler | OpenStack Ironic |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Bare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) Software | 8.2 (#3) | 7.3 (#9) |
| Spec score · OS Deployment Software | 8.0 (#8) | 7.3 (#19) |
| Integrations | Cobbler can integrate with external configuration management systems including cfengine3, Puppet, bcfg2 and Chef, and also has an internal lightweight system. | The documentation lists integrations with OpenStack Identity (Keystone), Compute (Nova), Network (Neutron), Image (Glance), and Object (Swift). |
| Purpose | Cobbler is a Linux installation server for setting up and automating network installation environments. | Ironic provisions bare-metal machines and can run independently or as part of an OpenStack cloud. |
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.
OpenStack Ironic
OpenStack Ironic has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.